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Breed Characteristics
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Ariege Pointer
| Other Names | Braque de l’Ariege, the Ariegeois Pointing Dog, French Pointer (Ariegeois) |
| Country of Origin | France |
| Weight | 55 - 66 lbs. (24.9 - 29.9 kg.) |
| Height (at withers) | Males: 24–26 in. (60–67 cm ) Females: 22–26 in.(56–65 cm) |
| Coat | The coat of the Braque de l’Ariege is short, close, and glossy. The hair on the head and ears is finer and smoother than that found on the rest of the body. |
| Colour | The Braque de l’Ariege comes in four acceptable coat colours and patterns: White with pale, orangey fawn markings, white with brown markings, white with pale, orangey fawn ticking, and white with brown ticking. Dogs without ticking tend to have a very small number of small markings, although most breed members have markings that completely cover their ears. Those dogs with ticking are covered in small coloured markings that make it appear as though the dog is covered in ticks. Sometimes breed members are born with different colouration, especially black fur. |
| Litter Size | 4-8 Puppies |
| Life Span | 12 - 15 Years |
| Origin & History | The Braque de l’Ariege was first developed in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries. The breed was almost exclusively developed in the Pyrenees Mountains and foothills of Southern France, especially the region of Ariege. The mountainous terrain of the region is often difficult for dogs to work on, but has also protected the area from development. The Pyrenees remains one of the wildest and least developed parts of Western Europe, and is one of the last strongholds for a number of rare species. The hunting in the area has also remained some of the best in France, with a number of popular game species having substantial regional populations. Although this breed was created relatively recently, it is descended from much older breeds. The Braque de l’Ariege is thought to have been developed by crossing three different dogs. One is the Braque Francais (Gascogne). This is one of Europe’s oldest gun dog breeds, with a history that goes back to at least the 1600’s. Although there is a substantial amount of debate, the Braque Francais (Gascogne) is thought to have been developed from either the Spaniel-like Chien d-Oysel or some combination of Spanish and Italian pointing dogs. This breed spread throughout France by the end of the 1700’s, and is considered ancestral to all other Braque breeds. The second primary ancestor of the Braque de l’Ariege is thought to be the Braque Saint-Germain. The Braque Saint-Germain was developed in the 1830’s by crossing the Braque Francais (Gascogne) with the English Pointer. This dog became associated with the Saint-Germain Forest, located just west of Paris. The Braque Saint-Germain became the most fashionable Pointer in France for most of the 19th Century, and was also considered the most valuable and desirable. The third primary ancestor of the Braque de l’Ariege is thought to be local Ariegeois pointing dogs. The exact nature of the dogs used by sportsmen in Ariege prior to the development of the Braque de l’Ariege is unknown. It is, however, widely believed that they were a cross between the Perdigueiro de Burgos of Spain and the Bracco Italiano of Italy. Beginning in the late 19th Century or early 20th Century, hunters introduced the Braque Francais (Gascogne) and the Braque Saint-Germain to Ariege. Hunters there heavily crossed these two breeds with their local pointing dogs. The result was a unique breed that was substantially different than those found elsewhere in France. The Braque de l'Ariege was found in either white and orange like the Braque Saint-Germain or brown and white like the Braque Francais (Gascogne). The breed also exhibited the large color patches of the Braque Saint-Germain and the ticking common among Braque Francaises (Gascognes). The head and face of the dog looked like a perfect blend of French, Spanish, and Italian pointing dogs, and the body was an intermediate form between them as well. The Braque de l’Ariege was extremely well-suited to life in its homeland of Southern France, and became relatively popular with hunters in the region. However, the breed never achieved much popularity outside of its homeland, even in the rest of France. The breed was probably never especially common, although numbers were increasing prior to World War I. World War I caused a great deal of hardship in France, and the Braque de l’Ariege suffered as a result. Luckily for this dog, its homeland was spared most of the worst impacts of the conflict and it did not suffer a population collapse like that experienced by the Braque Saint-Germain or other Northern French breeds. World War II, however, did almost drive the breed to extinction. The War caused tremendous hardships throughout France, and saw Ariege and surrounding regions controlled by the Nazi puppet state of Vichy France. Many owners abandoned their dogs when they went off to war or could no longer afford to keep them. Breeding of the Braque de l’Ariege essentially stopped, and many individual dogs died during the War. Luckily for the Braque de l’Ariege, traditions die hard in the Pyrenees, and a number of local breeders continued to maintain the dog for almost 50 years. The Braque de l’Ariege was able to maintain a very small population and its Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI) recognition. However, the breed was very rare since the end of World War II, and was always in imminent danger of extinction. In 1990, a group of Braque de l’Ariege fanciers decided that it was unacceptable to lose a piece of French hunting heritage and banded together to revive the Braque de l’Ariege. The most important of these breeders was probably Mr. Alain Deteix, who organized and spearheaded the recovery efforts and dedicated himself completely to the goal. For more than 20 years, Braque de l’Ariege breeders have worked to gradually increase the breed’s population, as well as to raise its profile across France. These efforts are slowly proving successful. One method that has been utilized is a softening of the breed’s standard. Braque de l’Ariege fanciers want to keep the standard as loose as possible to ensure that the greatest numbers of quality dogs are bred. The breed’s recovery is now well underway and the Braque de l’Ariege is no longer in immediate danger of extinction, although it remains vulnerable. The Braque de l’Ariege is essentially unknown outside of France. The vast majority of breed members still reside it their home country, and essentially all Braque de l’Ariege breeding takes place within French borders. In recent years, a few breed members have been exported to other countries, but the breed has not yet become established outside of France. It is unclear if any breed members have made their way to the United States, but it is a very small number if any have. In the United States, but the United Kennel Club (UKC) and the American Rare Breeds Association (ARBA) give full recognition to the Braque de l’Ariege, as do a number of other rare breed registries. Unlike most modern breeds, the Braque de l’Ariege remains primarily a working dog. The vast majority of breed members are either working or retired gun dogs, although most of these dogs are also treasured companion animals. Although the Braque de l’Ariege is likely secure for the immediate future, its limited population means that its long term future is still in doubt and likely will continue to be so unless it can find more fanciers and serious breeders. |
| Personality | The Braque de l’Ariège is quick and energectic. It is also very independent so needs regular training and activity. It also needs regular brushing. |
Care Requirements
| Health | It does not appear that any health surveys have been conducted on the Braque de l’Ariege. This makes it impossible to make any definitive statements about the breed’s health. It does not appear that any genetically inherited conditions are especially common in the breed, but this is not clear. The breed would appear to be at high risk of a number of conditions as a result of the founder’s effect. This dog has gone through several genetic bottlenecks over the course of the 20th Century, and the entire breed is descended from a very small number of dogs. If any one of those founding dogs were affected by or carriers of a condition, all of their descendants may be as well. Although the breed’s health status is unclear, it is highly advisable for owners to have their pets tested by both the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) and the Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF). The OFA and CERF perform genetic and other tests to identify potential health defects before they show up. This is especially valuable in the detection of conditions that do not show up until the dog has reached an advanced age, making it especially important for anyone considering breeding their dog to have them tested to prevent the spread of potential genetic conditions to its offspring. |
| Grooming | The Braque de l’Ariege has very low grooming requirements. This dog should never need professional grooming, only a regular brushing. Owners of these dogs do have to regularly and thoroughly clean their ears. Otherwise, their drooping ears will collect dirt, grime, food, water, and other particles, which can lead to irritations and infections if they are not removed. There do not seem to be any reports as to the Braque de l’Ariege’s shedding, but it is safe to assume that this breed does shed and most likely sheds heavily. |
| Exercise | The Braque de l’Ariege is capable of working long hours in very difficult terrain. This breed is not only willing to work, but actively seems to enjoy hunting. As one would expect of such a dog, the Braque d l’Ariege is a very energetic and active breed that requires a substantial amount of daily exercise. These dogs need at least an hour of vigorous daily activity and would preferably receive more. These dogs make excellent jogging companions but truly crave the opportunity to run around off-leash in a safely secured enclosure. |
| Other Considerations | It would be nearly impossible to meet this breed’s needs in an apartment, and they should probably be kept in homes with large yards, preferably with at least several acres. A Braque de l’Ariege that does not get the proper exercise will almost certainly develop behavioral problems such as destructiveness, hyperactivity, over excitability, excessive barking, and nervousness. Those looking for a working versatile gun dog will probably be very pleased with a Braque de l’Ariege, but those looking for a companion animal may be better off with a less driven and energetic breed. |
