Braque de l'Ariege

Gun Dog Group

The goals and purposes of this breed standard include: to furnish guidelines for breeders who wish to maintain the quality of their breed and to improve it; to advance this breed to a state of similarity throughout the world; and to act as a guide for judges.

Breeders and judges have the responsibility to avoid any conditions or exaggerations that are detrimental to the health, welfare, essence and soundness of this breed, and must take the responsibility to see that these are not perpetuated.

Any departure from the following should be considered a fault, and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.

History

A Continental pointing breed that is descended from the old French Braques, which were combined during the 19th Century with the orange and white Southern Braques to give them more lightness and activity. A few huntsmen from the Ariegeois region continued to use the breed, which saved them from extinction. In 1990 a team of breeders decided to devote themselves to the breed’s survival.

The Braque de l’Ariege was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 2006.

General Appearance

A powerful, robust, strong dog with lean legs, prominent muscles and well defined lines. The mottled white coat and good size of the breed give it an elegant, distinguished look.

Characteristics

Docile, easy to train and adaptable to all kinds of hunting.

Head

Long, angular and narrow at the zygomatic arches. The top lines of the skull and muzzle are slightly divergent.

SKULL

The skull is slightly longer than the muzzle. It is very slightly rounded, with a lightly accentuated frontal furrow. The occipital protuberance is quite pronounced. The stop is slight.

MUZZLE

Long and straight, sometimes very slightly convex. It tapers in width slightly from the eyes to the nose. The lips are hanging and quite fine, with the corners folded but not drooping.

TEETH

The Braque de l’Ariege has a complete set of evenly spaced, white teeth meeting in a scissors or level bite.

Disqualifications: Overshot or undershot bite.

NOSE

Pink, flesh colored or pale brown, depending on the color of the coat. Never black. The nostrils are well opened.

Disqualifications: Black nose. Split nose.

EYES

The eyes are well open, slightly oval in shape and fairly deeply set. The expression is gentle, frank and intelligent. The iris is dark amber to brown, depending on the color of the coat.

Disqualifications: Wall eyes. Entropion or ectropion.

EARS

The ears are set on at eye level or below, and not carried close to the head. The leather is long and quite fine and the ears curl in. They should reach to the nose without being stretched.

Neck

Strong, not very long, with a little dewlap.

Forequarters

The shoulders are well muscled, and moderately oblique. The upper arms are strong and close to the body.

FORELEGS

Straight with strong bone and muscle. The elbows are at the level of the sternum. The pasterns are very slightly inclined.

Body

Slightly longer than tall in proportion. The chest is broad, deep, and well let down. The ribs are rounded. The withers are well marked. The topline descends in a nearly straight line to the 11th dorsal vertebrae, and then rises slightly over the loin to join the croup. The back is firm and straight. There is a slight tuck up.

Hindquarters

Well muscled and strong, with the rear legs vertical and parallel.

HIND LEGS

The thighs are long and strong, and the hock joint is well bent. The rear pasterns are quite short and almost vertical.

Feet

Compact, tight and well arched, almost round. The nails are strong and the pads well cushioned.

Disqualification: Black nails.

Tail

The tail is set on as an extension of the line of the croup. It is strong and at the base, and tapering. It is generally docked to slightly less than half its length, but a full tail is acceptable. It must not be carried higher than the topline.

Coat & Skin

Short, close and glossy, finer and smoother on the head and ears. The skin is moderately thick and very supple. The mucous membranes must correspond to the coat color. They must never be black or have black patches.

Color

Pale orangy fawn roan, brown roan, white with fawn or brown ticking.

Disqualification: Any other color.

Height

Height at the withers for males is 23.5 inches to 26.5 inches. For females, it is 22 inches to 25.5 inches.

Gait

A sustained and active trot with suppleness and lightness of movement.

Eliminating Faults

(An Eliminating Fault is a Fault serious enough that it eliminates the dog from obtaining any awards in a conformation event.)
More than ½ inch over or under the size limits.

Disqualifications

(A dog with a Disqualification must not be considered for placement in a conformation event, and must be reported to UKC.)
Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid.
Viciousness or extreme shyness.
Albinism.
Overshot or undershot bite.
Black nose.
Split nose.
Wall eyes.
Entropion or ectropion.
Black nails.
Any other color.

The docking of tails and cropping of ears in America is legal and remains a personal choice. However, as an international registry, the United Kennel Club is aware that the practices of cropping and docking have been forbidden in some countries. In light of these developments, the United Kennel Club feels that no dog in any UKC event, including conformation, shall be penalized for a full tail or natural ears.