Our provocative post title amounts to clicker bait. Sheepish grin, sorry. But the Ariégeois is a terrific breed that we don’t want you to miss learning about because it’s French, and you’ve always struggled with pronouncing French words. We have, too. The French R is pronounced in the throat.  Hearing it said may be helpful.

The Ariégeois is a scenthound developed in the French province of Ariege. The breed descended from pairings between the Grand Bleu de Gascogne, the Grand Gascon-Saintongeois, and local Briquet hounds.  That said, the Ariégeois is the smallest, and most finely-built of the “Blue mottled breeds of the Midi.” It’s certainly finer boned than either the Grand Bleu de Gascogne or the Grand Gascon-Saintongeois.

Hunters have used the Ariégeois to hunt deer and boar, but its real specialty is pursuing hare in the dry, rocky regions of its homeland where its endurance and stamina are highly regarded by French houndsmen. In fact, we’ve come across the statement more than once that the Ariégeois is the best friend of the French hunter. High praise, indeed, but well deserved by a breed that can adapt to difficult terrain, takes initiative,  and knows how to behave alone or in a group.

The breed is currently recognized by both the Fédération Cynologique Internationale and United Kennel Club.

Image found on Pinterest and happily credited upon receipt of information.