Ariège Pointer

The Ariège Pointer is probably the result of crosses made in the 19th century between Charles X type French Pointers and pointers of southern stock with white and orange coat, in order to obtain a more active and lighter hunting dog. It resembles the white and orange dogs painted on paintings by Jean-Baptiste Oudry held at the Louvre and Versailles, and cynologists have attributed this dog as an ancestor to it. The Ariège Pointer was used as a hunting dog in plains and woods by hunters in southwestern France. However, after World War II, the breed is very poorly represented and survives thanks to passionate breeders who supply local hunters. In 1990, a team of breeders decides to dedicate itself to its survival and the Ariège Pointer Club is created that year to safeguard and promote the breed. At that time there were no more dogs registered in the French Stud Book (L.O.F.) since 1964. By the end of the 1990s, about a hundred subjects were registered and the number of births was increasing.

The FCI standard describes the Ariège Pointer as suitable for all types of hunting. It is resistant, docile and easy to train.

The Ariège Pointer is a dog of powerful and robust braccoïd type, but without heaviness and with a vigorous appearance. The limbs are dry, the muscles are prominent and well defined. Attached in the extension of the croup line, the tail is strong at its root and tapers. The tail is generally shortened to 4/10, the long tail is admitted. Fairly fine, long, attached at the level of the eye line or below, the ears are not pressed against the head. The eyes are well open, slightly oval. The gaze is soft, frank and intelligent. The iris is dark amber or brown depending on the coat colour. The coat of the Ariège Pointer is tight, shiny, short, finer and smooth on the head and ears. The preferred colours are light pale orange fawn or brown, heavily white-marked. Some dogs are even white speckled or speckled.