Dog Breed

Ariege Pointer

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Primary image of Ariege Pointer dog breed
Full Name
Ariege Pointer
Alternate Names
Ariege Pointing Dog, BRAQUE DE L'ARIÈGE
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Life Span
12 - 14 years
Weight
55 - 66 pounds
Description

The Ariège Pointer, also known as the Braque de l'Ariège, is a rare and elegant French dog breed primarily recognized for its pointing and retrieving skills in hunting. This medium-sized breed is characterized by its well-muscled body, sleek coat, and distinctive amber eyes. Ariège Pointers are known for their keen sense of smell, making them excellent hunting companions, particularly for bird hunting. They are also prized for their friendly and sociable nature, making them suitable family pets when provided with proper exercise and companionship. This breed is relatively uncommon outside of France but is highly regarded among hunters and enthusiasts for its versatility and loyalty. In fact, in the 90s there was an active movement to preserve the breed and prevent it from becoming extinct.

Origin
France
Attachments
    Family Considerations
    Child Friendly

    Is the Ariege Pointer good with children?

    Yes! The Ariege Pointer is naturally friendly with children. As always, socialization is always important, but the Ariege Pointer is an excellent dog for anyone with small children.
    Stranger Friendly

    Is the Ariege Pointer friendly with strangers?

    Yes, the Ariege Pointer is very friendly with strangers. We still recommend early socialization while the Ariege Pointer is a puppy to introduce them to various new people, but in general they are friendly with everyone.
    Dog Friendly

    Is the Ariege Pointer friendly with other dogs?

    Yes! The Ariege Pointer naturally loves other dogs. As always, socialization is always important, but the Ariege Pointer typically gets along with every dog it meets
    Likes to Cuddle

    Does the Ariege Pointer like to cuddle?

    The Ariege Pointer appreciates affection and that includes kisses and snuggles!
    Playfulness

    Does the Ariege Pointer like to play?

    The Ariege Pointer is always ready for play! It's important to keep in mind, as they need to be stimulated with games and affection throughout the day.
    Service Dog Ability

    Does the Ariege Pointer make a good service dog?

    The Ariege Pointer can be a service dog with the proper training. Ariege Pointers are not the most common service dog, but they certainly can be if their personality matches- smart, patient, and extremely dedicated to their owner.
    Overall Ease of Breed
    Ease for Novice

    Is the Ariege Pointer good for first-time owners?

    The Ariege Pointer is not the easiest breed for first-time owners, but can certainly still work out if the owner is willing to put the time into training and exercise.
    Training Potential

    How well can the Ariege Pointer be trained?

    The Ariege Pointer can be trained to the highest level and is oftentimes seen in various competitions. The Ariege Pointer is not only intelligent, but it wants to please its owner and is motivated with competition, especially if it feels like it has a job assigned to it.
    Amount of Shedding

    Does the Ariege Pointer shed a lot?

    The Ariege Pointer does shed, but less than average.
    Ease of Grooming

    Is the Ariege Pointer easy to groom?

    The Ariege Pointer requires very little grooming relative to other dog breeds, their coat is very low maintenance.
    Exercise Need

    Does the Ariege Pointer need a lot of exercise?

    The Ariege Pointer needs a daily exercise partner! The Ariege Pointer is best suited for a family where it will get plenty of daily exercise; it has so much energy that exercise is mandatory to avoid destructive behaviors.
    Personality
    Intelligence

    How smart is the Ariege Pointer?

    The Ariege Pointer is very smart. Above-average intelligence means they can pick up on cues and signals quickly when it comes to training. But it also means that they need to be challenged mentally, in addition to their standard exercise needs.
    Amount of Barking

    How much does the Ariege Pointer bark? Does the Ariege Pointer bark too much?

    The Ariege Pointer barks an average amount. It can vary widely between Ariege Pointers - some may be much more expressive than others.
    Guard Dog Ability

    Is the Ariege Pointer a good guard dog?

    The Ariege Pointer is not typically used as a guard dog, although they can be alert and oftentimes notify you if there is a stranger at the door or otherwise something to be concerned over.
    Tolerates Being Alone

    Is the Ariege Pointer good at staying alone? Is the Ariege Pointer independent?

    The Ariege Pointer is not very independent and does not do great when left behind for longer than a couple of hours. This is one of the most important things to consider when getting a new dog.
    Home and Environment Considerations
    Good for Apartment Living

    Is the Ariege Pointer a good apartment dog?

    The Ariege Pointer is a very bad fit for apartment living and we would not recommend it.
    Size

    How big is the Ariege Pointer?

    The Ariege Pointer is a medium sized dog breed. They can range in size depending on genetics, and males are larger on average than females.
    Tolerates Heat

    How much does the Ariege Pointer tolerate hot weather? When is it too hot for a Ariege Pointer?

    The Ariege Pointer can do very well in hot weather. Owners should still be aware of over-heating as this is one of the most common reasons for dogs going into the emergency room, but overall the Ariege Pointer can do well in hot climates.
    Tolerates Cold

    How much does the Ariege Pointer tolerate cold weather? When is it too cold for a Ariege Pointer?

    The Ariege Pointer can tolerate some cold, but should not be over-exposed to cold weather. In general, they can live in cold weather climates, but may need clothing on particularly cold evenings or in snow.
    Potential to Run Away

    Does the Ariege Pointer try to run away?

    The Ariege Pointer has huge wanderlust, meaning that it's natural for them to want to run away. They are known as escape artists. It's important to test your yard and have a tall fence that cannot be jumped or climbed over. Sometimes the Ariege Pointer is not well suited for being off-leash, even if they are well trained.
    Physical Characteristics
    General Health

    Is the Ariege Pointer a healthy dog? The health of a Ariege Pointer should be measured not just by how many years they live, but also by how many health issues they've had. It is important to know which health conditions your breed is prone to- hip problems, eye problems, bloating, and arthritis are all common dog health problems.

    The Ariege Pointer is very healthy, but it is still important to feed the Ariege Pointer high-quality food and to live a healthy lifestyle.
    Energy Level

    How energetic is the Ariege Pointer?

    It seems like the Ariege Pointer never runs out of energy. If you are looking for a 5 AM run partner, the Ariege Pointer is your dog! A dog's energy level is one of the most important considerations when getting a new dog, and we would only recommend the Ariege Pointer for a family where it will get plenty of exercise.
    Amount of Drooling

    How much does the Ariege Pointer drool?

    The Ariege Pointer drools very little, typically to where it's never a concern.
    Prey Drive

    Does the Ariege Pointer have a large prey drive? Does the Ariege Pointer like to chase birds, cats, and other small animals?

    The Ariege Pointer has a very high prey drive and will naturally chase after any small animals it sees. They can co-exist with cats or other animals at the home, but we would not recommend it without supervision.
    Athleticism

    Is the Ariege Pointer atheltic?

    The Ariege Pointer is very athletic and would be well suited for a family that frequently works out or goes on adventures.

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  • Thumbnail image 0 of Ariege Pointer dog breed
  1. Working
  2. Pointer
  3. Ariege Pointer
The Ariege Pointer is a purebred dog that belongs to the Pointer sub group, which falls under the larger Working dog breed group.
Working group: Working dogs encompass a wide range of different breeds- but they all were bred to assist people, so they are used to working hard. It is important for them to feel they have a "job" as their roles traditionally have varied from rescuing people to pulling sleds. Because of their large size and intensity, they may be a handful for first time dog owners. On the other side, they can be trained well, so any owner who can exercise and dedicate to training their working dog, will be well rewarded. A common misconception may be that the working dog's jobs are only in physically challenging jobs; actually working dogs can also make excellent service dogs, since they are also kind and attentive to their owners.
Pointer sub-group: The Pointer is graceful, and serious while it is "working." For centuries, the pointer has been "pointing" to ducks and other hunting game for hunters. They have excellent instincts, high energy and speed, and can be trained very well. This makes them the perfect hunting dog, but in today's age more commonly an excellent family dog to an active family- the perfect runner’s companion. The pointer is friendly, and can be trained well, but still is not ideal for a first time owner due to their high energy and demanding nature. They need a firm owner who they can respect, and who can keep them busy.

Ariege Pointers for adoption

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