The Artois Hound Temperament shares some similarities with other hound breeds such as the Beagle and the Bloodhound.
The Artois Hound is a rare breed from France. Like other hounds, the Artois Hound temperament is friendly, active and inquisitive.
The Artois Hound is also known as the Briquet and the Chien D’Artois.
This article will provide you with a starting point for learning more about the Artois Hound temperament.
If you think the Artois Hound personality might be a good fit for your lifestyle, do as much research as you can into Artois Hound behaviors before you bring one home.
The Artois Hound can make a wonderful pet, but this breed is definitely not for everyone.
Continue reading to find out if the Artois Hound temperament might be right for you.
Artois Hound Temperament: What are the most common Artois Hound Traits?
In this article, you will find some of the most common components of the Artois Hound temperament.
However, please keep in mind that all dogs are individuals. Therefore, not every Artois Hound will display the same characteristics.
Below you will find some of the most common Artois Hound characteristics, but individual differences will always exist.
Excellent Hunters
The Artois Hound temperament is suited for hunting and tracking.
These dogs have very powerful noses. They are bred to follow a trail no matter what.
It is important to keep this in mind if you own an Artois Hound.
Always keep your Artois Hound on a leash or within a securely fenced yard. Even a well-trained dog may ignore your commands if it is following its nose.
This could be extremely dangerous if your dog crosses a busy street or becomes disoriented and lost.
Needs a Job
The Artois Hound is happy when it has a job to do.
These are active, athletic working dogs. They need plenty of exercise and mental enrichment.
Without enough exercise and attention, they can become bored and destructive.
If your Artois Hound is exhibiting behaviors such as digging or chewing, this is a sign that your dog needs more exercise.
Ideally, your Artois Hound should receive at least 60 minutes of vigorous exercise per day.
Artois Hound exercise can take the form of jogging, hiking, swimming, playing at the park, going to doggie daycare, or participating in a canine sport.
There are so many fun ways to stay active with your Artois Hound!
Devoted Family Pets
In addition to making them great hunters, the Artois Hound temperament makes these dogs outstanding family pets.
Artois Hounds are good-natured, playful dogs. They can make wonderful companions for children.
Of course it is important to socialize your dog with children from a young age. It is also important to supervise children when they interact with a dog of any breed.
Tolerant with other Dogs
Since Artois Hounds frequently hunt in packs, these dogs tend to be social with other dogs.
However, the Artois Hound temperament is not generally a good match with small animals such as cats and rabbits.
Remember that these dogs were bred to hunt small mammals, so use extreme caution if you are introducing an Artois Hound into a household with small pets including cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, hamsters, etc.
Some Artois Hounds can be socialized with these types of pets, but always supervise interactions closely and never leave them unattended.
Intelligent, but Can be Stubborn
The Artois Hound temperament is sometimes described as stubborn.
Artois Hounds are intelligent, but they like to think for themselves.
They are excellent problem solvers, especially when it comes to figuring out how to get into the trash can or pantry for food!
It takes patience and persistence to train and Artois Hound.
The Artois Hound temperament responds well to positive reinforcement training. They are especially eager to work for food rewards!
Vocal
Like most hounds, the Artois Hound temperament has a tendency to be vocal.
Hounds are bred to “bay” while they hunt so that the hunter can follow them on foot or on horseback.
There are some things that you can do to reduce the amount of barking.
However, if you are highly sensitive to barking or if you live in an apartment, the Artois Hound is probably not the breed for you.
Artois Hound History: Where does the Artois Hound Dog Breed come from?
The Artois Hound is an ancient dog breed from France.
The breed most likely originated in the 15th century and descended from dogs very similar to today’s Bloodhounds.
The Artois Hound experienced a decrease in popularity in the 18th century when French hunters began importing British hunting hounds such as English Foxhounds.
In the 1970s, a man named M. Audrechy saved the breed from extinction.
However, their numbers are still small to this day.
About 500 Artois Hounds are registered with the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI).
The United Kennel Club (UKC) inducted the breed in 2006, but the Artois Hound is still not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC).
Artois Hound Size and General Appearance
The FCI breed standard describes the Artois Hound as a, “Well constructed dog, muscled and not too long, giving the impression of strength and energy.”
The Artois Hound is a medium-sized dog.
The average Artois Hound weight is between 60 and 66 lbs.
The typical Artois Hound height is between 21 and 23 inches at the withers.
Artois Hound colors are usually tricolor—particularly Dark Fawn tricolor.
The Artois Hound coat is short and thick. Their ears and tails are long.
Artois Hound Training
The Artois Hound temperament makes this breed a good candidate for training with the right motivation.
Some people describe hounds as “stubborn” and “difficult.”
While it is true that hounds can be independent, they are still highly trainable with the right tactics.
It is ideal to start the training process early if you can.
If you acquire your Artois Hound as a puppy, sign up for a puppy socialization class right away. Puppy Kindergarten classes provide your puppy with excellent socialization with other canines.
Even if you adopt your Artois Hound as an adult, you can still sign up for a beginner’s obedience class at the earliest opportunity.
Make sure you find a trainer that uses positive reinforcement methods.
Artois Hounds do not respond well to trainers that use forceful training techniques or tools.
Keep training sessions short, positive and variable. Find a delicious treat to reward your dog for good behavior. This will make training enjoyable for you and your dog.
Once you have mastered the basics, you can sign up for more advanced training such as nosework, agility or search and rescue.
Artois Hounds excel at canine sports where they get to use their noses!
Helpful Dog Training Resource:
For help with training your Artois Hound dog, you should take a look at The Online Dog Trainer by Doggy Dan. Doggy Dan is an expert Dog Trainer based in New Zealand. His online resource contains Hundreds of Excellent Dog Training Videos that will take you step-by-step through the process of developing a healthy, happy well-behaved dog.
Artois Hound Grooming
The Artois Hound is a fairly easy breed when it comes to grooming requirements.
Their short coats require minimal upkeep.
Occasional bathing and brushing will suffice.
It is also important to check their droopy ears frequently for debris and infection.
Like all dogs, they also need periodic nail trims and dental care.
The Artois Hound does shed and it is not a hypoallergenic breed.
If you are looking for a hypoallergenic dog, check out this article for possibilities.
Artois Hound shedding can be kept under control with a good diet and regular brushing, bathing and vacuuming.
Staying Healthy: Artois Hound Health Issues
The Artois Hound tends to be a fairly healthy dog breed.
However, it is always important to discuss possible health concerns with a veterinarian before you bring home a new dog of any breed.
If you acquire your Artois Hound from a breeder, ask the breeder to provide medical records and genetic testing results for the parents.
If you adopt your Artois Hound from a rescue group, ask if the rescue group has any prior history about the dog’s health.
Below are a couple of medical conditions that can be prevalent within this breed:
- Hip Dysplasia
- Elbow Dysplasia
- Eye Issues
- Ear Infections
- Anesthesia Sensitivity
Helpful Dog Health Resource:
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Like all dogs, your Artois Hound should visit a licensed veterinarian at least once per year for a wellness exam and annual vaccinations.
Your Artois Hound should also receive monthly flea prevention, heartworm prevention and tick prevention for their whole lives. Talk to your vet about the best medications for your pet.
Unless you plan to compete in the dog show circuit, spaying and neutering is highly recommended for all household pets. Speak with your veterinarian about the best time to schedule this routine procedure.
It is important to feed your Artois Hound a high-quality diet. Look for dog foods without filler ingredients such as corn or animal by-products.
With excellent care and nutrition, the average Artois Hound lifespan is between 12 and 13 years.
Artois Hound Adoption and Rescue
If you believe that the Artois Hound temperament is the perfect fit for your lifestyle, your next step is to find one to add to your home.
Since this is a rare breed, this process may take some time and patience.
The Perks of Adoption
A great option is to look for an Artois Hound for adoption.
There are many benefits to adopting a pet.
Most importantly, you can provide a loving home to an animal that is homeless.
Animals that are up for adoption frequently come with some prior training, which is a plus!
Additionally, the Artois Hound cost is significantly lower when you go through an adoption agency versus a breeder.
The Cost of Adoption
Adoption fees are generally between $100 and $300. This cost usually includes basic vetting such as vaccinations, spay/neuter, deworming, microchipping, etc.
Where to find an Artois Hound for Adoption
A good place to start your search is at your local animal shelter or humane society.
Even though Artois Hounds are rare in animal shelters, the staff can keep your information on file and call you when similar breeds become available. They can also direct you towards rescue groups that specialize in more unusual breeds.
You can also search online through Facebook and adoption websites such as Petfinder.com, Adoptapet.com and Getyourpet.com.
Some of these websites will allow you to set notifications so you will receive an email when a dog becomes available for adoption in your area.
Finding an Artois Hound for Sale from a Reputable Breeder
Even if you choose to purchase an Artois Hound puppy from a breeder, it will still take some time to find one due to the rarity of the breed.
You can start by contacting the American Kennel Club for referrals of well-respected Artois Hound breeders.
However, even if a breeder comes highly recommended, you will still need to do your own research to make sure that breeder is ethical.
Avoid purchasing Artois Hound puppies through the internet or from a pet store. You might inadvertently get a puppy from a puppy mill.
Instead, make an appointment to visit the breeder in person and ask questions. Make sure the breeding dogs are happy and healthy. Ask to see their medical records and the results of any genetic testing.
Finding a Good Breeder
A good breeder will encourage your visit and will want to meet you and ask you questions as well.
They will most likely ask you to sign an agreement promising to return the dog to them if things do not work out for any reason.
They may also ask you to sign a spay/neuter agreement promising to get the dog altered at an appropriate age.
Good breeders will not overbreed their dogs, so you will probably be placed on a waiting list for a puppy to become available.
Artois Hound Price
When you purchase an Artois Hound puppy from a breeder, be prepared to make a big financial investment.
It is not unusual for a rare breed like an Artois Hound to sell for over $1,000. This price does not include travel or accommodations.
Conclusion: Why the Artois Hound?
The Artois Hound temperament is loveable and fun!
Although rare, the Artois Hound can make a fabulous hunting dog or family pet.
However, the Artois Hound is not suited for all environments.
These dogs thrive when they get plenty of exercise and outdoor activity.
Make sure you do your research before you bring one home to make sure the Artois Hound is a good fit for you.
Allie has worked in the field of animal welfare for over ten years and as a freelance writer the space for many years. She has had many different kinds of dogs (and cats) throughout her life—all adopted. She currently shares her home with a lovable pit bull mix named Huckleberry.