9 Things to Know Before Bringing Home an Ariegeois
Are you looking to add an Ariegeois breed to your household?
You are in luck because I am here to share 9 things you must consider before taking this pup home!
Let’s get started!
The Ariegeois breed was initially bred for hunting.
This canine is a scenthound initially bred in the rugged terrains of the Pyrenees mountains of France. They were initially bred to hunt games like deer and hares. These dogs can track games over long distances and challenging terrains.
Ariegeois dogs can be trained for various scent work activities, including search and rescue, scent detection, and competitive tracking events.
Ariegeois dogs have a strong prey drive.
Because these dogs have hunting backgrounds, they also have a strong prey drive. This means they are prone to chasing small animals like squirrels, rabbits, and cats.
If you fail to train and socialize your dog properly, its natural instinct to hunt may lead them to chase and attack other nearby animals. Keeping them on a leash or in a fenced area is vital to prevent them from escaping and unleashing wrath on the animals in your neighborhood.
This breed may be unsuitable for households with very young children or other small pets, as they may view them as prey. To avoid disaster, you must supervise interactions between your Ariegeois dog and children or pets.
These dogs are known for their loyalty and affection toward their family.
The Ariegeois dogs are loyal and affectionate to their owners, making them excellent family pets. They tend to form a strong bond with you and are always excited to spend time with you. However, this behavior does not extend to strangers since they are reserved around them.
Proper socialization of your Ariegeois dog will also reduce the likelihood of developing fearful and aggressive behaviors. Ariegeois dogs are packed animals and always prefer to be with their family, so leaving them alone for extended periods can lead to separation anxiety.
Separation anxiety can cause a range of unwanted behaviors, such as excessive barking, destructive chewing, and attempts to escape the home. Check out this link to learn more about managing separation anxiety in Ariegeois dogs.
Ariegeois dogs require exercises and mental stimulation.
These dogs are known to be active and energetic, again thanks to their hunting backgrounds. You must give them plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom.
They also have a powerful instinct to run and explore their surrounding. You can replace it with other physical and outdoor activities like hiking, swimming, or playing fetch in dog parks.
To meet their mental stimulation needs, you must give them training sessions, puzzle toys, and interactive games that challenge them to solve problems.
Without enough exercise or mental stimulation, these canines may become bored and engage in destructive behaviors such as chewing, digging, or excessive barking.
This breed requires a large yard to run and play in.
Because these dogs are active and energetic, they need plenty of space to run and play. Their need for ample space makes them unsuitable for small living quarters such as apartments or condo units.
In other words, they thrive better in homes with large, securely fenced yards where they can run and explore freely. Ensure your fence is high enough that your Ariegeois can’t jump over or escape by digging.
Ariegeois dogs require minimal grooming.
These dogs have dense, short coats that are easy to maintain and require minimal grooming. These coats are not prone to getting mats or tangles.
They do not require frequent baths, but they need regular brushing to keep their shedding under control. They shed moderately throughout the year.
The rest are essential maintenance, such as regular nail trimming and tooth brushing. However, you need to pay extra attention to cleaning their ears since they have floppy ears that can easily trap dirt and moisture, causing ear infections.
Training an Ariegeois can be challenging due to their independent nature.
As hunting dogs, the Ariegeois tend to be independent thinkers capable of deciding on their own. Their stubbornness makes them challenging to train compared to other breeds.
Another factor that makes them challenging to teach is their strong desire to pursue scent, making them easily distracted.
However, training an Ariegeois dog is not impossible. You need patience, consistency, positive reinforcement, and lots of encouragement.
Ariegeois dogs are generally healthy.
These dogs are pretty robust, but like all breeds, they can be prone to specific health issues, such as hip dysplasia and ear infections. Other health issues you must look out for include bloating, allergies, and cancer.
To ensure that your Ariegeois remains healthy, you must provide them with regular veterinary care and be aware of the symptoms of common health issues so you can take preventive measures immediately.
Socialization is vital for Ariegeois puppies.
If you want to bring this dog home, you need to be ready to socialize them to prevent shyness and aggressive tendencies. Since they are naturally loyal and protective of their owners, they can be wary of strangers if not socialized properly.
To help your Ariegeois puppies adapt to new situations, you should expose them to people of different ages, animals such as other dogs, cats, and livestock, and environments such as parks, beaches, and streets.
In summary, owning an Ariegeois breed means you must be ready to meet their unique needs. Remember that these dogs require plenty of exercise, socialization, and training and are unsuitable for all living situations. However, they can become well-behaved and loyal companions with patience and consistency. So what are you waiting for?
