General characteristics of the Artois hound, unique features and popularity of the breed, population decline and revival, current status and recognition. The Artois hound or Artois hounds is a very rare species among a fairly large variety of hunting dog breeds (hounds), which originate from the Picardy and Artois regions located in northern France. They are also known as briquets d'artois, chien d'artois, briquets (meaning little hounds). Centuries ago, they were called picard or picardy hounds. These animals are among the oldest French breeds and are probably the ancestors of the popular British beagle. As is the case with many types of canines that exist today, Artois is believed to be derived primarily from the hubert hound, known in England as the bloodhound, which was bred in the early Middle Ages. Along with them, other varieties of the same type were probably used to create the Artois hounds.
They are energetic dogs characterized by displays of courage and loyalty. Although they have great stamina, the animals are calm and level-headed. They are of medium size and have the best scenthound characteristics. They have a keen sense of smell, are quick and independent. These canines were bred for hunting rabbits, and they do well and do the job. Owners of artois hounds are required to consistently train their pets. Dogs recognize and love those who care for them. Like all hunting dogs, they feel happier when they have the opportunity to fulfill their purpose.
They are well-formed animals with an athletic appearance and a leisurely, graceful gait. The Artois has a large, strong head, a medium-long back, and a pointed tail that tends to be long and crescent-shaped. Their drooping ears are at eye level. Large conspicuous eyes are painted in brown color. The muzzle is rectangular with a distinct transition to the forehead and rather thick lips. The skin has an enviable thickness. Guard hairs of short, thickened and rather flat structure. The coat is painted in a dark fawn tricolor pattern (similar to the "fur coat" of a hare or badger) with a mantle or large spots. The head is usually fawn, sometimes with a black overlay. The main colors of artois hounds are brown, black and white in any combination.
Territory of origin and use of the Artoise hound
Representatives of the breed were bred on the territory of the French state in the 1400s. These small hounds were used as human helpers in hunting. With their help, they caught not only medium-sized animals, such as hares and foxes, but also large animals, among which there were deer and wild boars. The Artois hounds did not work alone, but mainly in small packs of six to eight individuals. The athletic constitution of the breed has endowed her with abilities that make the dog most suitable for traversing dense thickets, forests and fields.
These dogs have a small but powerful body structure combined with tremendous endurance, which allows the dogs to wade through seemingly impenetrable bushes in pursuit of prey. And, the sharp sense of smell of dogs is excellent for tracking, hunting and feeding game. In forested areas, Artois hounds are effective deer hunters. In the thickets, they succeed in baiting a wild boar and are by no means afraid of it. In their work, these dogs use the "weaknesses" of their victims - the peculiarities of their thinking and behavior in order to outwit the animals. Dogs try to maneuver the animal closer to the hunters. Artois hounds are endowed with very loud, shrill voices. Therefore, they can be easily heard from a great distance.
Unique features of the Artois hound
During the first two hundred years of its existence, the dog species classified as "Chiens d'Artois" included basset hound s as well as artois hounds. But, by 1600, these two types finally split up and were assigned to different breed groups. Large Picard hounds became the exclusive owners of the Artois Hounds range. They came in two varieties: larger and smaller, with the latter type being much more common. Artois hounds from the 1600s featured a white coat with fawn or gray markings.
During the reign of the French monarchs Henry IV and Louis XIII (late 1500s and early 1600s), the breed quickly gained the attention of the noble nobility. The data of these dogs when catching an animal was highly valued. Published in 1890, A Guide to the French Hunt, also praises Artois the dog. The upper class used them primarily for hunting foxes and considered them extremely suitable and decisive for catching the "gray brother".
M. Selincourt, a French avid hunting lover who lived in the 1600s, having studied these dogs, never ceased to admire them and wonder how these animals could smell and take the trail of a hare that passed along the trail an hour ago in dry weather. He reports that the artesian breed of its time interbred and it was difficult to find a purebred Artoise hound, but despite this, the variety was still one of the best workers for catching hares. Northern France, bordered by the English Channel, is made up of the historic districts of Artois. Dogs from this region are related to some of the earliest types.
The initial popularity and reasons for the decrease in the number of the Artois hound
Artois hounds became quite popular pets by the 17th century. In a letter dated August 6, 1609, Prince Charles Alexander de Gray wrote to Prince de Galle of his intention to "send the little dogs d'Artois to the king …" 1799), representatives of the variety really won fame, recognition and widespread hunting use in catching small game. Their compact size made it possible to reduce the cost of feeding these animals. Because of this, in those difficult times, such Artois hounds were more accessible in content. Therefore, then it was possible to maintain a stable number of livestock.
However, after the periods of the 1600s and 1700s, the species underwent a significant change in their condition. The 1800s were the opening of a time of decline and deterioration in the purity of the main population of such canines. Beginning in the early 19th century, it became a very fashionable French practice to import dogs. These were mainly English foxhounds from the British Isles, which were successfully used for hunting instead of French breeds.
This trend has led to a decrease in the popularity, and, consequently, the number of "Artois". Interestingly, in the end, this small French dog may have contributed to the formation of the beagle breed in the United Kingdom. By the 19th century, they were also at the peak of popularity among the trappers of the lands of France. When many types of canines were imported from English territory, their inevitable crossing with Artois hounds began to occur. This practice has contributed to the deterioration of the cleanliness of the artois hound herd. Intersection also occurred with individuals of completely different type: taller, graceful, elegant with elongated, folded ears. They were the so-called Normands, natives of the Norman region of France, which are now considered extinct. The imported British gundogs, gun dogs, were also either deliberately or unintentionally mixed with the local artois hounds, diluting their "pure" heredity.
As a result of these crossings, by the end of the 1800s, a few packs remained that had all the original features of the variety. Experts say that during the 19th century, mainly the breed individuals kept in the castle of Chantilly at the Prince de Condé retained their ancient type. But, there is also supporting written evidence that other breeders also had purebred Artois hounds without impurities.
Artoise hounds of the late 19th century usually had the same coat colors as modern representatives, namely, tricolor with black markings. The famous animal painter named Vero Shaw, in his book "An Illustrated Book of Dogs" (1881), noted that the only major kennels were those that belonged to the French Paul Bernard and Delard-Buisson. Also, many experts and amateurs of that time claim that, despite the degeneration, the breed surpasses all other varieties of French hounds.
Attempts by enthusiasts and amateurs to revive the Artoise hound
In the 1880s, fans and people who were keen on the breed made attempts to restore the original version of "Artua". Mr Levoir of Picardy made an unsuccessful attempt to revive the breed in the late 1800s and continued his work in the early 1900s. M. Mallard, another breeder of artois hounds, was also engaged in breeding until the beginning of the First World War. He succeeded in creating very high quality specimens, which were subsequently presented at dog shows, where they won many prizes and titles. However, his pets did not completely match the descriptions of the original version of the variety. Fortunately, the twenty-year work of Ernest Levard and his cousin M. Toruanna, to revive these dogs and remove the last admixture of Norman hound blood, was quite successful.
An avid canine lover, breeder of the late 1800s, Conte le Coutulse de Cantelyu made sure that some specimens were housed in an open-air garden in Paris (a zoological park and entertainment center opened in 1860 by Napoleon Bonaparte). The Emperor wanted the public to know about their existence. One of the outstanding examples of the variety was the large artois hound named "Antigone". Kantel also wrote the famous French hunting guide in 1890. In the process of describing the pet "Artua", he greatly admires and praises the breed, saying that despite the small number and inaccessibility of purebred individuals, it is still one of the best dogs for hunting hares.
The First and Second World Wars exacerbated the decline in the number of artois hound. People were trying to survive and they didn't care about these dogs. By the end of World War II, the breed was considered one of several that were lost forever. But, in the early 1970s, some hobbyists and breeders, showing disbelief in the final loss of the Artois hounds, decided to do everything possible to revive them.
Most of the main work to prevent the extinction of "Artua" belongs to Mr. M. Odrechi of the French commune of Gamache, located in the city of Somme. This enthusiast went a long and extensive way of searching before he was able to find enough pure specimens for his breeding work. Thanks to his labors and the efforts of Mademoiselle Pilate, this variety of unique hounds was saved not only from extinction, but also practically restored to its original form. Modern breed representatives are very similar to their original ancestor.
The current state of the Artois hound
Nowadays, the artois hound working dogs are used mainly in the countryside as gun dogs for hunting with weapons on horseback. They try to direct the game closer to the shooter, while using their inventive thinking abilities. The movement speed of these dogs is maintained at an average speed. Because of their keen sense of smell, they are able to beat the most virtuoso tactics of their "victim".
In forested areas, well-scattered tall, rare trees with their innate qualities, Artois hounds can effectively drive deer in the direction their owners want. In the impenetrable thickets, the fearlessness and courage of such dogs means that they can get excited and fight even the most stubborn and dangerous boars. These sturdy hounds have a high, sonorous voice that can sometimes be heard at a distance of up to two kilometers.
Today, Artois is most often kept as a family pet, although the role of companion and hunter is supposed to be ideal for the happiness of this species. In fact, from the point of view of these pets, nothing is better than tracking a beast for its owner.
The history of the recognition of the Artois hound breed
Although artois hound are still very rare, their numbers are quite stable, and we can say that the breed is far from the immediate danger of extinction. For the last period, about five hundred representatives of the species have been registered by the International Cynological Federation "Federation cynologique internationale" (FCI). Registrations have increased markedly since 1975. The FCI and the United kennel club (UKC) recognize the Artois hounds. The UKC ranked these dogs in the "Chien d'Artois" category and gave them full recognition in 2006. Representatives of the variety appear from time to time, not only at show shows, but also at dog sports and working trials.
