{"id":26893,"date":"2014-10-23T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2014-10-22T21:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tvaryny.com\/?p=26893"},"modified":"2026-08-06T11:13:10","modified_gmt":"2026-08-06T08:13:10","slug":"artois-hound","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tvaryny.com\/en\/breed-chien-d-artois-artesian-hound","title":{"rendered":"Artois Hound"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Artois Hound, or as it’s known in its homeland, the Chien d’Artois<\/em>, is more than just a dog; it’s a living piece of France’s hunting heritage. This ancient breed, combining strength, stamina, and an incredible sense of smell, is a true treasure for hound enthusiasts. A distinctive feature of the Artois Hound is its versatility as a hunter. It skillfully works on a trail, pushing through the thickest undergrowth, passionately pursuing game, and possessing a clear, melodious voice. Despite its outstanding working qualities, this dog has a balanced temperament and a friendly nature, making it a wonderful companion. For all the intricacies of the breed, its history, character, and specific care requirements, read more on Tvaryny<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While young individuals may show a certain stubbornness during training, typical of all independent hunters, correctly chosen upbringing methods yield excellent results. The Artois Hound belongs to relatively healthy breeds and doesn’t pose significant difficulties in terms of care and feeding, which is an important factor for prospective owners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

History and Revival of the Artois Hound<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The history of the Artois Hound is deeply rooted in the past, making it one of the oldest French hound breeds<\/strong>. The first mentions of dogs very similar to modern representatives of the breed date back to the 15th century. They were highly valued by French aristocrats, including Henry IV and Louis XIII, for their exceptional hunting abilities. The breed’s name comes from the historical province of Artois in northern France, which is considered its cradle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For centuries, these dogs were used for pack hunting small and medium-sized game, primarily hares, foxes, and roe deer. They were prized for their ability to tirelessly pursue prey, their loud voice, and their skill in working in difficult terrain. However, like many other old breeds, the Artois Hound faced significant challenges. In the 19th century, with the emergence of a fashion for British hunting dogs, inevitable crossbreeding began, threatening the purity of the bloodline. Many French hounds, including the Artois Hound, were “improved” with the blood of English Foxhounds, leading to a loss of the original type.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the beginning of the 20th century, the breed was on the verge of extinction. Enthusiasts made titanic efforts to restore it. A special role in this was played by Mr. L\u00e9once Levoir in the early 1920s, and later, in the 1970s, by Mr. Mallard Audrechy. They literally gathered surviving purebred representatives bit by bit to revive the breed in its original form. Thanks to their dedicated work, today we can see the Artois Hound as it was centuries ago. The number of breed representatives is growing, although they still remain quite rare outside France.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Breed Standard and Appearance of the Artois Hound<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Artois<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Artois Hound is a robust, muscular, and well-balanced medium-sized dog that conveys an impression of strength and energy. It has nothing superfluous; every element of its body is subservient to functionality. This is a dog built for long and strenuous work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Characteristic<\/th>Description according to FCI Standard No. 28<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
General Appearance<\/strong><\/td>Well-built, muscular, compact dog, giving an impression of strength and energy.<\/td><\/tr>
Head<\/strong><\/td>Broad, strong, rather short. Skull broad and rounded, occipital protuberance slightly marked. Stop (transition from forehead to muzzle) well defined.<\/td><\/tr>
Muzzle<\/strong><\/td>Straight, slightly shorter than the cranial part. Lips thick, upper lip significantly overlapping the lower.<\/td><\/tr>
Eyes<\/strong><\/td>Large, expressive, slightly prominent. Dark in colour, with a melancholic but gentle gaze.<\/td><\/tr>
Ears<\/strong><\/td>Long, broad, flat, with rounded tips. Set at eye level. Should easily reach the tip of the nose.<\/td><\/tr>
Nose<\/strong><\/td>Black, broad, with well-opened nostrils.<\/td><\/tr>
Body<\/strong><\/td>Back broad and straight. Loin strong, slightly arched. Chest broad and deep, reaching to the elbows. Ribs well sprung.<\/td><\/tr>
Tail<\/strong><\/td>Fairly long, saber-shaped. The dog carries it high when excited. Well covered with hair.<\/td><\/tr>
Limbs<\/strong><\/td>Strong, muscular, with solid bone. Paws compact, “cat-like,” with strong black pads.<\/td><\/tr>
Coat<\/strong><\/td>Short, dense, and smooth. Lying close to the body.<\/td><\/tr>
Colour<\/strong><\/td>Classic tricolour: fawn-red (from light to dark, hare or badger shade) with a black saddle (mantle) and white markings.<\/td><\/tr>
Height at Withers<\/strong><\/td>Males: 53-59 cm; Females: 53-59 cm. A deviation of +\/- 1 cm is permitted.<\/td><\/tr>
Weight<\/strong><\/td>28-30 kg.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

More on Appearance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Artois Hound’s head is one of its characteristic features \u2014 it’s not wide but powerful, with noticeable but not excessive wrinkles on the muzzle. Large, dark eyes create an impression of thoughtfulness and gentleness, contrasting with its hunting ardour. The enormous, flat ears, hanging along the cheeks, are a typical sign of hounds and help to “scoop” scents from the ground towards the nose when working on a trail. The neck is muscular, without a dewlap, transitioning into a broad and deep chest, which provides ample space for the lungs and heart, critically important for an enduring runner. Powerful paws with black pads allow it to cover miles over rough terrain without tiring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Character and Temperament of the Artois Hound<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Portrait<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Artois Hound is a dog with a dual character. When hunting, it is a relentless, ardent, and determined pursuer. At home, it is a calm, affectionate, and devoted family member.<\/strong> This breed has an open and cheerful disposition; it loves to play and spend time with its people. The Artois is very pack-oriented, so it’s important for it to feel part of the family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n