Artois Hound (Chien d’Artois)

The Artois Hound (Chien d’Artois) is an ancient French scent hound breed with a history that dates back to at least the 15th century, possibly even earlier. Originating in the historic Artois province of northern France (near the border with Belgium), these hounds were highly prized by French royalty and nobility for their exceptional hunting abilities. King Henry IV and King Louis XIII of France were known to keep packs of Artois Hounds. They were renowned for their keen noses, stamina, and courage in pursuing a variety of game, from hare and rabbit to larger quarry like roe deer and wild boar, often hunting in packs.

The Artois Hound is believed to be closely related to the St. Hubert Hound (an ancestor of the Bloodhound) and other old French hound types. For centuries, they were one of the most esteemed hunting hounds in France. However, like many European breeds, their numbers declined significantly due to the French Revolution, the World Wars, and the introduction of English hound breeds. In the mid-20th century, dedicated breeders, notably Monsieur Levoir and later Monsieur Mallard, worked diligently to revive and preserve the Artois Hound from near extinction, using the few remaining specimens. While still relatively rare, especially outside of France, the breed is valued by hunters and enthusiasts for its traditional qualities and historic lineage.

The Artois Hound possesses a temperament perfectly suited to its historical role as a tenacious pack hunter. They are courageous, energetic, and exceptionally determined when on a scent trail, displaying remarkable focus and endurance. Their intelligence is evident in their problem-solving abilities during a hunt. With their human families, Artois Hounds are generally friendly, loyal, and can be affectionate companions, though their primary drive is often towards outdoor activity and scent work.

Being pack hounds, they are typically very sociable with other dogs and often thrive in a multi-dog household. They are not usually aggressive towards people but can be reserved with strangers initially. Their strong hunting instincts and prey drive mean they are likely to chase smaller animals if not properly trained and managed from a young age. Artois Hounds are known for their powerful and melodious voices, which they will use readily when on a scent or excited. They are independent thinkers, especially when their nose is engaged, which can make traditional obedience training challenging.

The Artois Hound has a short, dense, and close-fitting coat that is relatively thick and provides good protection from the elements and rough underbrush encountered during hunts. This type of coat is very low-maintenance in terms of grooming.

They are considered average shedders. A weekly brushing with a rubber curry mitt or a hound glove is usually sufficient to remove loose dead hair, distribute skin oils, and keep their coat looking sleek and healthy. Baths are needed only occasionally, as their coat tends to stay fairly clean. One of the most important aspects of their grooming is regular ear care. Their long, floppy hound ears can trap moisture and debris, making them prone to ear infections if not checked and cleaned frequently with a vet-approved solution. Routine nail trims and dental care are also essential for their overall well-being.

Artois Hounds are high-energy dogs with considerable stamina, bred for long days of hunting and trailing game over varied terrain. They require a significant amount of daily exercise to stay physically fit and mentally stimulated. This is not a breed suited for a sedentary lifestyle or confined apartment living; they need ample space and opportunity to run and use their keen senses.

Aim for at least one to two hours of vigorous activity per day. Excellent exercise options include:

• Long, brisk walks, jogging, or running alongside a bicycle (once fully mature and conditioned).
• Off-leash running and exploring in a very large, securely fenced area. Their powerful nose and hunting drive mean they should **never** be trusted off-leash in an unsecured environment as they will follow a scent with unwavering determination.
• Hiking in natural settings where they can use their noses.
• Participating in scent work trials, tracking activities, or other canine sports that engage their natural scenting abilities if not used for actual hunting.

Without a sufficient outlet for their energy and strong instincts, Artois Hounds can become bored, restless, and may develop undesirable behaviors such as excessive baying or destructiveness. They thrive in active homes, ideally with access to ample safe space for running and exploring scents.

The Artois Hound is generally considered a hardy and healthy breed, having been developed primarily for working ability and resilience. However, like all breeds, they can be susceptible to certain health conditions, though specific genetic predisposition data may be less extensive due to their relative rarity outside of France. Potential concerns common to scent hounds include:

• Hip Dysplasia: A malformation of the hip joint, common in many medium to large active breeds. Elbow dysplasia can also occur.
• Ear Infections (Otitis Externa): Due to their long, floppy ears trapping moisture. Diligent, regular ear cleaning is crucial.
• Bloat (Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus – GDV): A risk for deep-chested breeds.
• Eye Conditions: While not widespread, occasional eye issues like entropion or ectropion could occur.
• Hunting-Related Injuries: If used for hunting, they can be prone to cuts, scrapes, sprains, or other injuries sustained in the field.

Choosing a puppy from a responsible breeder who is knowledgeable about the breed’s health and provides good foundational care is important. Regular veterinary check-ups, diligent ear care, a quality diet, and appropriate exercise contribute to an Artois Hound’s long-term health.

Training an Artois Hound requires patience, consistency, and an understanding of their powerful scenting instincts and independent hound nature. They are intelligent and can learn, but their primary motivation is often following a scent, which can make them easily distracted and appear stubborn during formal training sessions that don’t align with their innate drives. They were bred to work somewhat independently while trailing game in a pack.

Key aspects of training an Artois Hound include:

• Early Socialization: Expose your puppy to a wide variety of people, sights, sounds, and other animals from a young age to build a confident and well-adjusted adult.
• Positive Reinforcement: They respond best to reward-based training using high-value treats (especially scent-based ones), praise, and play. Harsh methods will be counterproductive.
• Keep it Engaging: Their attention can wander easily if a scent catches their nose. Keep training sessions relatively short and try to incorporate activities that appeal to their senses.
• Recall (“Come” command): This is extremely challenging to train reliably due to their powerful nose and desire to follow a trail. It requires extensive, consistent practice in safe, enclosed areas, and even then, they should rarely be trusted off-leash in unsecured environments.
• Leash Training: Essential for managing them on walks when their nose is constantly engaged.

Their independent spirit means they may not be stars in formal obedience, but with understanding and patience, they can learn basic manners and be delightful companions for owners who appreciate their hound nature.