shop

The Furry Critter Network

Ariege Pointer Breed Description

Back to Canine Breed Menu



thm-img


Breed Organization

United Kennel Club

Native Country
France

Other Names
Braque de Toulouse, Braque du Midi, Braque de l'Ariege

Life Expectancy
Approximately 12-14 Years

Litter Size
Average 4-8 Puppies

Breed Group
FCI - Continental Pointing Dogs

General Description

The Ariege Pointer has got great scenting abilities. The technique of hunting involves the Ariege Pointer pointing towards the prey by using its muzzle; thus the name pointer. The Ariege Pointer is also a gundog, that too a versatile gundog, a category that very few breeds fit into. It is capable of performing three tasks- hunt, point and retrieve. It is also a good swimmer and thus can retrieve the game even from water.

Like most other lone hunting dogs, the Ariege Pointer has years of genetic imprinting that make it very independent. Thus, training has to be imparted with care in order to mould the dog to be obedient and have a friendly disposition. If this is not done, stubbornness and even aggressiveness can creep into its temperament. The fact that this dog is relatively easy to train makes the task easier and requires only enough hands-on care early on.

The dog has a slightly long and angular head. Its muzzle is straight, which helps with pointing accuracy. The nose is usually colored in a reddish tinge, depending on the color of the coat. It has eyes that match the color of the nose and the coat. The Ariege Pointer does not have pointy ears; instead its ears are really long, extending up to its muzzle if held up.

Breed Standard

Head: Long, angular, narrow. Slightly domed skull. Fairly pronounced occipital peak. Slight stop. Long, straight, sometimes slightly convex nosebridge. Fairly thin lips. Pink, reddish (flesh-colored), or chestnut lips, depending on coat color.
Ears: Long, thin, curled, not flat against the head.
Eyes: Slightly oval, dark amber or brown.
Body: Neck not very long, fairly b, slight dewlap. Pronounced withers. Chest broad, high, well let-down. Rounded ribs. Slight tuck-up. Slightly sloping croup. Back straight and somewhat long.
Tail: Thick at the base, tapering toward the tip. Docked by about half. Should not be raised higher than the topline.
Hair: Short, dense, glossy. Finer and lying closer to the body on the head and ears.
Coat: Light orangish fawn or sometimes chestnut with predominant white patching (speckles or flecks). Some dogs are even white with speckles or flecks.
Size: Dog: 60 to 67 cm. (23.6-26.4 in).Bitch: 56 to 65 cm. (22-25.6 in).
Weight: 25 to 30 kg (55-66 lb).


History

The Ariege Pointer is the result of nineteenth-century crosses of the old French Pointing Dog with white and orange-coated pointers from southern France and perhaps the Saint Germain Pointer for added lightness and vigor. Hunters and breeders in Ari ge, France are dedicated to the survival of the breed.


Behavior

This hardy, very energetic dog with an excellent sense of smell is a skilled retriever suited to all kinds of hunting. He is used particularly on partridge and quail. Quick and independent, he needs firm training.

He needs space and exercise, as well as regular brushing.

Function

Hunting Dog.


Health

Long ears are prone to bacterial and fungal infection and need to be checked and cleaned regularly, especially if the conditions are moist.



Back to Canine Breed Menu

Featured Rescues

"Don't Shop ... Please Adopt"

laptop pro

ASPCA

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® (ASPCA®) was the first humane society to be established in North America and is, today, one of the largest in the world.

Our organization was founded on the belief that animals are entitled to kind and respectful treatment at the hands of humans and must be protected under the law. Headquartered in New York City, the ASPCA maintains a strong local presence, and with programs that extend our anti-cruelty mission across the country, we are recognized as a national animal welfare organization. We are a privately funded 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, and are proud to boast more than 2 million supporters across the country.

The ASPCA’s mission, as stated by founder Henry Bergh in 1866, is “to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States.”


laptop pro

Petfinder

If you can’t find the pet you’re looking for on Petfinder, don’t give up. Some shelters maintain waiting lists for specific breeds, so don’t be afraid to ask! There are also breed-specific rescues for just about every breed, and most of them post their pets on Petfinder. (Petfinder can even e-mail you when a pet that fits your criteria is posted — just click “Save this Search” at the top of your search results page.)


laptop pro

Rescue Me

Jeff Gold, Founder, Rescue Me! Animal Rescue Network

Jeff Gold lives in Watkinsville, Georgia on the same property as Rescue Me's Animal Rehabilitation Center, with 18 rescue animals. Shown with him in the photo to the left are Maggie, Izzie and Cortez. In 2003, after learning there was nobody doing boxer rescue work in Georgia, Gold founded Boxertown, an organization which helped find homes for over 500 boxers during its first two years. Based upon this success, Gold came up with the vision for Rescue Me! ― a network which helps all breeds of dogs, cats and other animals find good homes, anywhere in the world. RescueShelter.com is also a free service of Rescue Me! and provides the world's largest and most up-to-date directory of animal rescue organizations for all breeds of dogs, cats and other animals, including a comprehensive directory of wildlife rehabilitators in over 150 countries.


Top