{"id":26906,"date":"2014-10-23T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2014-10-22T21:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tvaryny.com\/?p=26906"},"modified":"2025-07-25T10:18:57","modified_gmt":"2025-07-25T07:18:57","slug":"26906","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tvaryny.com\/us\/breed-chien-d-artois-artesian-hound","title":{"rendered":"Artios Hound"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Artios 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 rich hunting heritage. This ancient breed, combining strength, endurance, and an incredible sense of smell, is a true treasure for hound enthusiasts. A remarkable feature of the Artios Hound is its versatility as a hunter. It skillfully tracks prey, navigates through the densest undergrowth, eagerly pursues game, and possesses a clear, melodious bark. Despite its outstanding working qualities, this dog has a balanced temperament and a friendly disposition, making it a wonderful companion. Learn more about all the nuances of the breed, its history, character, and care requirements on Tvaryny<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While young individuals might exhibit a certain stubbornness typical of independent hunters during training, correctly chosen upbringing methods yield excellent results. The Artios Hound<\/a> is considered a relatively healthy breed and doesn’t pose significant challenges in terms of care and feeding, which is an important factor for prospective owners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

The history of the Artios 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 originates from the historical province of Artois in northern France, considered its cradle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For centuries, these dogs were used for pack hunting small to 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 challenging terrain. However, like many other old breeds, the Artios Hound faced significant difficulties. In the 19th century, with the rise of fashion for British hunting dogs, inevitable crossbreeding began, threatening the purity of their bloodline. Many French hounds, including the Artios Hound, were “improved” with the blood of English Foxhounds, leading to a loss of the original type.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the early 20th century, the breed was on the verge of extinction. Enthusiasts made titanic efforts to restore it. A particularly important 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 pieced together the surviving purebred representatives to revive the breed in its original form. Thanks to their dedicated work, today we can see the Artios Hound as it was centuries ago. The number of breed representatives is growing, although they still remain quite rare outside of France.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Breed Standard and Appearance of the Artios Hound<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The Artios Hound is a robust, muscular, and well-balanced medium-sized dog that conveys an impression of strength and energy. It has no superfluous features; every element of its body is subservient to functionality. This is a dog built for prolonged 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, conveying an impression of strength and energy.<\/td><\/tr>
Head<\/strong><\/td>Broad, strong, rather short. Skull wide and rounded, occipital protuberance slightly pronounced. Stop (transition from forehead to muzzle) well marked.<\/td><\/tr>
Muzzle<\/strong><\/td>Straight, slightly shorter than the skull. Lips thick, upper lip significantly overlapping the lower.<\/td><\/tr>
Eyes<\/strong><\/td>Large, expressive, slightly prominent. Dark in color, 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, wide, with well-opened nostrils.<\/td><\/tr>
Corpus<\/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 strong 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>
Color<\/strong><\/td>Classic tricolor: fawn-orange (from light to dark, hare or badger shade) with a black saddle (mantle) and white markings.<\/td><\/tr>
Height at Withers<\/strong><\/td>Males: 20.9-23.2 inches (53-59 cm); Females: 20.9-23.2 inches (53-59 cm). A deviation of +\/- 0.4 inches (1 cm) is allowed.<\/td><\/tr>
Weight<\/strong><\/td>61.7-66.1 lbs (28-30 kg).<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

More on Appearance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Artios Hound’s head is one of its distinctive features\u2014it’s not wide but powerful, with noticeable but not excessive wrinkles on the muzzle. Large, dark eyes create an impression of thoughtfulness and softness, contrasting with its hunting fervor. Its large, flat ears, hanging along the cheeks, are a typical hound characteristic and help “scoop” scents from the ground towards the nose during tracking. 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 fatigue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Character and Temperament of the Artios Hound<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The Artios Hound is a dog with a dual personality. In the field, it’s a relentless, eager, and determined pursuer. At home, it’s a calm, affectionate, and loyal family member.<\/strong> This breed has an open and cheerful disposition; it loves to play and spend time with its people. The Artios Hound is very pack-oriented, so it’s important for it to feel like part of the family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n