The Tatra Hound is a new breed which has been developed to fulfill the changing requirements for hunting dogs in Slovakia. As hunting grounds are no longer as big as they used to be, demand has risen for hounds which can still do their job but do so in a smaller space. In addition, as lifestyles of humans change, so too is there a need for a hunting hound which can be more adaptable to this new lifestyle. Enter the Tatra Hound! He can adapt well to living in the city and is easy to keep and transport by car because of his small size. He is also cheaper to feed than a large hound. While a number of scenthounds have gone into this breed’s creation (including the Dachshund and Bavarian Mountain Scenthound), he is mainly descended from the Slovensky Kopov – a breed native to the country which is popular with hunters. He still retains a strong hunting instinct and is very well-suited to trailing and hunting game – just more adapted to living a modern life.

One trait that sets the Tatra Hound apart from many scenthounds is the ability to live in an apartment! After all, it was important to the creators of this breed that he be able to live in a smaller urban setting if needed. However, this is under the assumption that the hound will be exercised regularly – an important distinction! A Tatra Hound needs daily exercise – both mental and well as physical – and ideally some companionship in the form of the owner or another dog. Like many related breeds, he enjoys the company of other dogs.

Tatra Hounds are intelligent and generally obedient. They have balanced, friendly temperaments and shouldn’t ever be aggressive nor overly timid as long as they were raised correctly. This said – they aren’t likely to back down to a prey animal they’re hunting. Once in “hunting mode”, it’s serious business and they show their courageous nature, even against animals as large as a wild boar! This also means they may not be the best choice for someone that keeps cats or other smaller animals.

The Tatra Hound can appear in two different color patterns – either black/tan or solid red. The coat is smooth, hard and thick, with sufficient shine. He has a light build but is short legged with a rectangular, straight back. The chest should not be too deep as that would interfere with his hunting, although it should be wide and well-developed. The tail is straight to sabre-like and carried level with the back. The head should be noble in appearance and slightly longer than wide and his hanging ears are somewhat long, although not so much that they reach beyond the nose. Overall this handsome breed makes a great addition to the purebred family of dogs, and although not yet recognized by most kennel clubs, is beginning to get noticed!

The Segugio dell’Appennino is of ancient origin, yet is a rare breed that has yet to gain full recognition in the United States. The standard was approved by ENCI (Italy’s kennel club) in 2005, full recognition by the club was granted in 2010, and the FCI provisionally recognized the breed in 2023 after a bit of a delay. Part of the delay had to do with the fact that they are so genetically similar to the Segugio Marremano, despite several physical differences. However, after debate and persuasion from fanciers, the breed was officially brought into the fold – albeit on a provisional basis.

The dell’Appennino is a soft and gentle hound that becomes lively and animated during the hunt – whether an “official” hunt or out in the backyard! The breed has an exceptional nose and traditionally hunted either alone or as a pair, and makes an excellent dog for a hare hunting enthusiast. He can equally be a nice choice for a person competing in tracking or any of the scent sports. He gets along with other dogs and children alike, and is even respectful towards wild animals (that he isn’t hunting). Because of his high prey drive he is likely to chase cats. Energetic and loving of the outdoors, he does best with an active owner that can meet his physical requirements. Prospective owners should take note that he does not do well in apartments as his excessive barking could be a problem, and he otherwise needs space to stretch out. This is a breed that thrives with country living!

The Segugio dell’Appennino is a medium sized breed with long lean legs and a rustic yet athletic appearance. It has long hanging ears and round eyes with a “clever, merry and mild expression.” It comes in two possible coat varieties – shorthaired and wirehaired, each of which can appear in a variety of different colors: various shades of fawn, gray, brown or black/tan. Each of these colors can have a white trim.

The dell’Appennino is an extremely loyal breed and can be very obedient when trained. This said, like most scenthounds he is likely to follow his nose rather than respond to a recall command in the face of distraction. Keep him on leash when in an area that contains cars so that his life doesn’t get unnecessarily cut short! When provided with plenty of care and thought, this breed will otherwise live an average of 13-15 years.

The Gotland Hound is a scenthound that has existed for about 200 years and was bred to hunt hare and fox. This Swedish breed is bred solely for hunting and is rarely seen in dog shows. Together with the Smaland Hound (which this hound is highly related to), they are the two oldest Swedish breeds in existence. Once a popular farm dog on the island of Gotland up until the 1950’s, it was recognized at the time by the Swedish Kennel Club. When numbers dwindled (possibly due to politics) they lost their recognition and were only recently re-recognized in their country in 1990, although numbers are still extremely low and they are considered a very rare breed. Fanciers are currently working to keep the breed alive and afloat, as they consider the rich history one that is worth preserving!

Breeders of Gotland Hounds are focused on keeping working ability and temperament while still maintaining a healthy gene pool. With a breed as rare as this one (between 100-120 total for the last several years), there is concern about the gene pool becoming too small. Thankfully there are currently no health issues known in the breed which means that inbreeding isn’t as “dangerous” as it might be if large portions of the population were afflicted with health conditions, but a wider gene pool is always better. There have been some recent crosses with the Hygen Hound, a similar Swedish scenthound, with hopes of widening that gene pool a bit. In addition, members of the parent club are working hard to “advertise” this breed to the public who might be otherwise completely unaware these dogs exist. Fanciers are mindful that in order for the breed to survive, there must be more litters born per year than there currently are.

Gotlands are friendly with people and lively on the hunting field – traits that allow them to excel at the double-duty of companion and hunting dog. Their medium size allows them to remain very functional at both tasks. Furthermore they are also known for their abilities to get along with kids, and possess excellent health and general longevity (average lifespan being 14-15). A talented nose is the cherry on top of this versatile hound’s abilities! In order to reach their full potential in the home, it is essential that they be exercised every single day lest they become frustrated and destructive. Games in a fenced backyard, long walks and/or extended hiking sessions are all good options for fulfilling this need. Also, remember that these hounds were bred to hunt and they all have very strong instincts whether or not their owner formally takes them hunting… they will hunt on their own if they need to!

Gotland Hounds are loyal to their families but can be rather vocal and loud – common traits of scenthound breeds. Prospective owners who have never before owned a scenthound might be surprised by their vocal natures, and may also be unprepared for the extreme amount of physical endurance they possess on walks as well! These traits are valued in hunting hounds but can take a novice owner by surprise. Those whom have never cared for a scenthound may furthermore be surprised by the dogs’ prey drive. Many are not safe around cats or other small animals – whether wild or domesticated. Traits that definitely need to be considered when deciding whether this breed is for them. Fortunately, they are generally very good around other dogs.

Appearance-wise, the Gotland is light in bone and rectangular in body. The coat is smooth, dense and coarse, and always yellow/white in color – in which the yellow is the dominant color. White may appear on the face, under the neck, as a collar, on the chest, belly, legs, tip of tail and on the paws. The ears are relatively short and hang down to the sides of the head, framing dark-brown almond shaped eyes. The back should be flat and strong. They are low-maintenance as far as grooming – needing only a weekly brushing and a once-over to check ears, eyes, teeth, etc. With the right owner they can be a wonderful choice of pet!

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The Briquet de Provence is a scenthound from France, and this rare breed is recognized by the French Kennel Club and nowhere else. While its origins are unknown, some speculate that the breed came about by crossing the Italian Hound with the Petit Bleu de Gascogne. In the early 1900’s the breed was semi-popular however World War 2 caused a great drop in numbers that unfortunately has never recovered. It took until 2003 for a parent club to become organized yet even today the breed is extremely limited with only about one or two litter registered a year.

The Provence is a durable hound that can hunt and take down game as large as a wild boar. It’s no surprise that members of the breed are brave and courageous when they need to be, however when at home they are affectionate, gentle, and devoted to their owners including children. Like other scenthounds they have a loud and distinctive bay that they use primarily when hunting, and they also share the scenthound-trait of getting along with other dogs. A strong senses of smell and a high aptitude for hunting completes the hound profile. One note about the “distinctive bay” – while they are admittedly loud while hunting, they tend to be fairly quiet at home provided they don’t see a squirrel through the window!

The Briquet de Provence is naturally obedient as he tends to develop a strong bond with his owner and wants to please. He can even be taught to leave the family cat alone which is more than can be said for certain other scenthounds! He does require an owner to be somewhat firm with household rules but the owner must be equally fair. The best results come when an owner starts training off while the dog is still in puppyhood – this holds true for basic obedience as well as training for hunting. This breed can be a great match for someone looking for either a hunting companion or an active sport dog.

The Provence is speedy and athletic, requiring lots and lots of exercise daily but can still be a great pet for those who can keep up with his exercise requirements! He does best on a large property (think: rural living) as without enough space and stimulation he can become destructive. No apartments for this very active hound! He tends to live between 11-13 years and will have higher-than-average energy level for a good portion of his life.

The Provence sheds very little and only requires a weekly brushing to keep his coat shiny and in healthy condition. As his long ears are more prone to ear infections, they must be regularly cleaned and checked for foreign bodies which could become lodged in them. Other than the occasional ear infection the breed is very healthy and not prone to any particular health problem. As they also don’t eat a large amount of food they can be very compatible for someone looking to maintain a dog on a lower budget. While all of these factors make the breed a potential match for many first-time dog owners… it is the energy level that a prospective owner must be able to handle.

“Briquet” means medium, and the Briquet de Provence is so named because of his medium-sized build. Despite an athletic figure he is solid and sturdy. He has dark oval-shaped eyes that exude a gentle expression. The long hanging ears are set at eye-level or slightly lower and have a soft roll in them. The tail is long and low set, and is strong at the base. The coat is smooth and soft, and comes in either red or fawn – the latter occasionally with a black overlay or mantle. A small amount of white is permitted on certain areas of the body. When moving, the gait is lithe and harmonious.

The Colombian Fino Hound, AKA the Sabueso Fino Colombiano, is an active and energetic scenthound developed to track and hunt large rodents such as the Capybara and Lowland Paca. His background is shrouded in mystery but might include the Bloodhound, the Spanish Hound, foxhound breeds, and possibly some pointing breeds as well. This very rare hound was developed over 200 years ago in Colombia and has been owned by all classes of people but more commonly kept in rural areas. As of today, he is only recognized by the Colombian Kennel Club however despite his rarity in most of the world, there were about 10,000 members of the breed in Colombia as if 2015. Super social – he is a great choice for a hunter as well as a family companion as he gets along well with both humans of all ages and other dogs. This affectionate hound also tends to love strangers so guard dog duties are probably a no-go.

Colombians are intelligent and can be trained (especially when there are no distractions around), but can be stubborn and willful if they catch the scent of prey. Owners need to be patient when it comes to obedience training! Because of their prey drive it can be hard to keep this hound in a home with cats or other small animals. Training can help mitigate some risk but an owner is taking a gamble dealing with this strong inborn trait to hunt. It is also wise to realize this breed is vocal by nature and while training may curtail it somewhat… this is unlikely to go away completely. Rather than trying to fit this hound into a home which is unsuitable, it makes sense instead to match him only with owners which fit his needs and quirks. And when it comes to training – all dogs should have at least basic obedience training and the Colombian is no exception, but many would also excel in specialized training which works to their strengths: such as scentwork or flyball!

As the Fino is quite energetic he does need regular daily exercise to keep him happy and healthy. He has a very strong sense of smell and a high aptitude for hunting which means that daily walks or jogging sessions will most likely be mixed with plenty of sniff-fests along the way! Even better – take him out hunting and you’ll see a hardworking hound emerge which is an even better form of exercise! This is not a couch potato breed by any means and does best with active owners as he needs daily outings regardless of weather. This hound won’t fare well in an apartment and needs a place with room to stretch out in addition to regular walks or hikes.

Colombian Finos come in two sizes – the standard size which reaches a top height at the withers of about 20″, and a large which reaches up to about 24″ and may be more robust. So in general the standard is a small to medium sized hound while the large is a medium to large size. The body is rectangular in proportion, with distinctively long hanging ears and a long tail which reaches beyond the hock. The muzzle is slightly short yet rectangular. The coat is smooth, shiny, and sheds only moderately. When it comes to color, the breed is allowed in black, brown, red, white and brindle, and that “different shades, tones, patterns and combinations of these colors are acceptable”.

The Fino Hound can work for a first-time dog owner (in the right situation) as he is particularly loyal and has an easy-going temperament. There are a few health issues in the breed to be aware of – primarily hip dysplasia, but most individuals are healthy and hardy. When it comes to grooming this breed is easy and only requires the occasional brushing and bath to keep the coat shiny and healthy. Otherwise he benefits from regular eye and ear cleaning – particularly ears as breeds with long hanging ears are more prone to infection. Finally, while he can be prone to become overweight through overeating, keeping him on a regular ration of food isn’t difficult for a new owner to learn to do. His friendly nature with people and other dogs is also a big plus for novice owners! As long as the prospective owner is active and ready to dedicate plenty of time to exercise this hound, it can be a wonderful pairing!

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The Polish Hunting Dog is an ancient scenthound mainly used for hunting deer and wild boar, and is also used for tracking purposes. Like his cousin the Polish Hound, his ancestors are said to go back to the 13th century. This is a rare breed that is not recognized in the United States although is recognized by the FCI overseas. In terms of hunting abilities and temperament – unlike some scenthounds which were bred to face off against (sometimes very tough) prey, this breed is less likely to jump into a fight that he may lose. He’s generally more of a good-natured and noble fellow than he is a scrappy fighter.

The Hunting Dog isn’t overly stubborn in the way that many scenthounds can be, but can still get caught up and distracted if he sniffs something interesting. Every backyard excursion is likely to include a large amount of time sniffing and investigating the grounds for signs of wildlife. This means that he is amiable and ready to listen in the home when there aren’t distractions to deal with, but that will likely go out the window once he goes outside! With a high prey drive, households with small pets will want to keep those pets safely away from this hunter, and those with cats may want to consider a different breed altogether. On the plus side, the Hunting Dog tends to get along great with other dogs (and also children for that matter). With families, he is not usually recommended for those with very small kids or children who don’t know how to be gentle – he is far too sensitive for harsh handling and may react badly.

The Hunting Dog is intelligent and requires an outlet for his mind. In other words, he needs a job to do! Luckily, he can be quite successful when trained in dog sports including agility, obedience and canine freestyle. An owner must always keep in mind his high exercise requirement when it comes to training, however. If he has spent too much time cooped up in the house he’s going to be harder to train than if that excitable energy has had a proper outlet to be expelled. With enough exercise to get him into the right frame of mind, he can be pleasant and easy to train. It bears repeating again that this breed is sensitive and doesn’t do well when training is overly harsh! Loyal and eager to please, he enjoys learning when it comes from a trusted owner.

Polish Hunting Dogs are quite loving and affectionate towards their owners but may be aloof and suspicious of strangers at first. Once they get to know a new person, however, they become friendly and are always level-headed. They will befriend neighbors as well, and may either bewitch them with their beautiful voices (which can be heard loud and far) or annoy them, depending on the proximity of the neighbor’s property! This unique voice was bred into them in order to signal the hunter as to their whereabouts and hunting status.

Hunting Dogs need owners that are active and able to exercise their hounds daily. They require daily jogs that span at least a couple miles for each excursion, and/or have at least 90 minutes a day being exercised A home with a big backyard isn’t enough! The gold standard of exercise would include regular hunting trips combined with running (both free running in a fenced yard and running on lead with the owner) and games at home. Those without enough exercise will quickly become bored and prone to behavior issues such as excessive barking, digging in the yard, or chewing up your stuff! It would be hard to imagine a member of this breed thriving in an apartment or even a home with a small backyard unless they were constantly being taken out to run and hunt.

Polish Hunting Dogs are medium in size with deep chests. The coat is smooth and harsh to the touch, with abundant undercoat. Surprisingly, it is water resistant! It requires only a weekly brushing and an occasional bath to keep clean and healthy – the breed doesn’t tend to be overly stinky. The coat sheds a moderate amount and is not hypoallergenic. Color possibilities include black/tan, chocolate/tan, or red. The hanging ears are low set and broad at the base. The long tail, carried low at rest and high when moving, is adorned with a brush at the tip.

Photo By Grzegorz Weron

The Segugio Maremmano is a scenthound from the area of Maremma, in Tuscany Italy. Primarily used to track and hunt wild boar, they are also occasionally used to hunt other animals such as hare. An extremely rare breed in America, they are recognized by the Italian Kennel Club and are provisionally recognized by the FCI. In fact, despite their rareness in most of the world the breed is booming in their home country, in particular owned and appreciated by hunters. A large gene pool and many separate bloodlines means this breed should continue to remain healthy and genetically diverse for the foreseeable future. The average lifespan of this robust hound is 13-14 years, and there are no frequently-seen health issues as of yet.

Segugios are a medium-sized breed with a lot of energy. They need the type of owner that can get them out and exercise with them regularly. An ideal owner doesn’t necessarily need to do frequent grooming (the breed is low maintenance in that regard), but does need to be active and physically fit enough to keep up! The perfect home may or may not include kids and/or other dogs (this hound is friendly with both), and if either exists in the household, can also help in the exercising process – older kids and active dog playmates can make great exercise companions! In fact, another dog is highly recommended to keep this social hound company. When it comes to specific exercise – a game of ball is a fun way to work out in the backyard and a hike on the weekend is the perfect way to end a good week. Combine this with regular walks and doggie playtime with a canine companion and you’ll be set!

The intelligent Maremmano has a high capability to be trained and it is recommended to start young and to incorporate early socialization at the same time. This breed needs mental stimulation just as much as physical exercise and training is essential for healthy brain development. The Maremmano needs lots and lots of consistency, and an owner may need an extra bit of patience as the breed can also be extremely stubborn.

The Segugio Maremmano can come in one of two different coat types. Short haired is the most popular and commonly seen “variant”, although they also come in a rough haired variety. Either variety can appear in either fawn, black/tan or brindle coloration. The breed has triangular-shaped ears which hang to the side of the cheeks, a well-developed wide chest, and a tail that can be either long or docked about halfway down the tail (which is more frequently seen). They are smaller and less elegant in stature than their Italian cousin, the Italian Hound.

The Segugio is a very loyal dog that forms a strong bond with his owner. In Italy, it is more common for him to be owned by a hunter than strictly as a companion dog but he can make a fine companion when matched with the right household. He is not a dog for an apartment-dweller, both because of his loud hound voice which can bother close neighbors as well as his high exercise requirement. A home with a large yard is a much better situation for him! He also requires an owner who isn’t gone for long periods of time as he can become lonely without human interaction. Hunting dogs are used to working and engaging with their human counterparts as well as their fellow dog pack mates. They are social and not meant to be alone for long stretches of time.

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The Small Swiss Hound was created in order to have a smaller hound that could hunt more easily in a diminished area. In Switzerland at the turn of the century, enclosed hunting grounds were introduced to the country. These areas of land were too small for the popular Swiss Hounds to easily hunt as they simply ran too quickly, which necessitated a breed with shorter legs that wouldn’t cross the predetermined borders so easily and speedily! The Swiss Hounds were crossed with Bassets, and these smaller hounds fit the bill as they were just as skilled at trailing game and had just as much exuberance to hunt, but would do so at a slower pace. The first breed club was formed in 1905, and roughly a hundred years later they were also recognized by the UKC.

Energetic and friendly, the Small Swiss makes a great companion to those who can keep up with their exercise requirements, and who are able to put time and effort into training. These hounds possess big personalities and will let their owner know when they’re happy or when they’re unhappy – and will do so with lots of pizzazz! If not given enough attention they’ll think nothing of making a big destructive mess, and/or telling the neighbors all about their grievances. Like other scenthounds, they possess loud and melodic abilities to howl and bay! This said, if their mental and physical needs for exercise are met they can be calm and easygoing in the home, albeit possibly a little on the loud side.

The Small Swiss comes in the same four distinct color patterns as the original Swiss Hound. These include the bernese (tricolor), jura (black/tan), lucerne (blue speckled/tan), and schwyz (white/orange). Interestingly while the breed is usually smooth coated, the bernese color alone can also appear in a rough coated variety. This coat distinction is not found in the larger Swiss Hound. Aside from this occasional difference, the biggest variance between the two breeds include the size of the dog (which is small as compared to the original Swiss’ medium size), a more rectangular body and shorter legs.

Small Swiss Hounds are friendly with people and love to play! Quite affectionate, they love spending active time with their human families, whether it be playing in the yard or having a hiking adventure. Although they get along just fine with strangers, they develop very deep bonds with those in their households to the point that it can be difficult to re-home them if such a situation arises. These hounds also tend to get along well with both children and other dogs alike. Their good nature doesn’t often extend to small animals however as they often see them as prey, meaning families with small pets may want to look for a different breed. This is also not a good fit for those living in apartment settings because they do need lots of activity and a large yard to run in.

The Small Swiss needs daily mental stimulation as well. For owners that cannot take their dog out hunting, this can take the form of various “nose games” such as scentwork or tracking, or can also take the form of obedience training. All dogs should have at least basic obedience training and the Small Swiss is no exception! This intelligent breed can take very well to training, especially when started early, but do be aware that they have a stubborn streak and are known to “put their foot down” when they don’t feel like following a command. An owner must be even more patient and determined than the hound! Because of this trait, they do best with owners who aren’t easily swayed by manipulation.

The Small Swiss Hound is easy to maintain as far as grooming, including the rare rough coated individual. Owners only need to brush the coat once a week or so and bathe infrequently (every 6-8 weeks or so). The breed isn’t known for having a very strong doggy odor unless they roll in something gross. It is important to check and clean the long ears weekly however, as dogs with hanging ears are more prone to ear infection. Finish with a nail trim, a chore that is easiest to do weekly. After grooming is finished, wiping the coat down with a soft cloth or chamois will make it extra shiny!

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The Welsh Hound, also known as the Welsh Foxhound, is a pack hunting dog that has been around for at least 200 years. Known for hunting hare in mountainous terrain, the breed has rarely been kept as a pet and instead has functioned mostly as a working animal. This said, in the right household they can function nicely as companions, assuming that the owner is prepared to handle their needs. As one might assume from this working hound breed, they are very active and without plenty of exercise (both physical and mental) they can quickly become bored and destructive! They also must be raised with other dogs, or at least socialize with other dogs regularly as they are somewhat hardwired to be in a pack. These are features that a prospective owner must be able to provide.

Welsh Hounds are smart and can be playfully devious. They require an owner who knows how to be firm and maintain house rules, as without this structure they are prone to taking over! Like many scenthounds they also possess a stubborn streak which means training may be more difficult, although they are capable of learning quickly when the trainer is skilled. It is recommended that all training be consistent yet interesting enough to hold their attention spans. Specifically, make sure to work on the recall from the time the dog is a puppy, as this is a skill which is harder for them to master when distractions are present. Aside from basic training, the breed also benefits from active mental games. Dog sports which would be a good match for this hound include canicross and agility.

The Welsh Hound is a rare breed although is slowly becoming more popular around the world due to their gentle natures and ability to coexist peacefully with children. They are loving and devoted to their owners while also being friendly with strangers. Furthermore, most have exceptional natural skills with other dogs. In the hunt, it was expected that these hounds would respond not only to the hunter, but would learn from and work with the other hounds in the pack as a single unit. Because of this they are very adept at reading the body language of other dogs and responding appropriately. Despite all their good features it must be emphasized again that this breed would not thrive in most pet homes! The Welsh Hound Association even mentions that “its irrepressible hunting instincts make the Welsh Hound totally unsuitable as a pet”. The truth lies somewhere in the middle – for the average pet home, they would be a horrible choice. For a hunter or very active and knowledgeable dog owner, they could function just fine.

Welsh Hounds are likely to exhibit boundless energy in the home and aren’t known for being lazy loungers. They need extensive daily exercise (in the form of jogging or similar intensity) in order to be happy and would be a horrible choice for an apartment! Not only are they too active for apartments, but they also would likely be too disruptive to close neighbors. The bark/bay of the Welsh Hound is a characteristic of the breed. It was important for it to be loud enough to carry long distances and alert the hunter of the pack’s position and status. However, what was beneficial for the hunt is not as easily appreciated when living in close proximity to other people! In addition to being loud in volume, they are known for using their voices excessively, particularly when bored or lonely. Along with needing to live with other dogs, they also don’t do well when left home alone for long periods of time.

The protective harsh coat of the Welsh Hound sets him apart from other foxhound breeds. It is medium in length and very rough and oily in texture. Occasionally a hound with a smoother coat can be seen but this isn’t nearly as common. The color can be fawn, tan, black, red, white and/or “mixed”. Aside from the coat, this dog is very foxhound-like in appearance and is medium to large in size with a straight, square muzzle. The hanging ears are long and low set. The tail is long, set on high and carried gaily. Although rare, they are recognized by the UKC in the United States and by other organizations overseas.

The Chien d’Artois is a French scenthound bred to hunt deer, hare and wild boar in small packs. Descended from Bloodhounds, they were valued for their tirelessly dedicated natures, brave characters, and abilities to work in all types of terrain. It was not uncommon for them to follow a trail for hours on end – so greatly do they enjoy the hunt! This very old breed existed as far back as the Renaissance and was, at times, owned by royalty! After World War two, however, numbers drastically dwindled and this hound was thought to be all but extinct. Thankfully, French fanciers were able to find a few remaining members and recreated the breed in the 1970’s.

The medium-sized Chien is a likely forebearer of the Beagle and one can see the physical similarities in the rounded head, square muzzle, and long hanging ears which are rounded at the tips. The coat is short and tricolored. The long tail also includes a brush at the end, like the Beagle, although is carried in more of a sickle fashion. In addition to their physical similarities, the two breeds also share the same laid back natures and friendly personalities. In France, Chien still hunt but have also been becoming more popular as companion animals as well! Although their numbers have been rising in their country of origin as more of the general public becomes aware of their wonderful temperaments, they are still fairly unknown in the rest of the world. Although recognized by the UKC in the United States, they are rarely seen.

Like most scenthounds, the d’Artois can have a stubborn and strong-willed personality which means owners must have plenty of patience when it comes to training. They also are more likely than other dogs to become easily distracted, and are known to become highly independent once they’ve found something they’d rather be doing. The breed is actually exceptionally smart, however following orders isn’t normally a huge interest. Owners must be prepared to be firm yet fair, and practice constant consistency. Those who have owned other scenthounds in the past will probably have an easier time managing this hound.

Chien d’Artois are extremely loving hounds which develop deep and loyal bonds with their human families. They love to play and will demonstrate lots of affection in their everyday lives. They do well with kids as well as other dogs, and may even get along with other pets if socialized to them from an early age. They can even make good watchdogs as they will bark when someone comes near the property.

The Chien is a high energy breed and needs an active owner that is able to give him plenty of exercise every day – at least an hour a day. If used regularly as a hunting dog he may not need quite as much exercise as he will tire himself out in a full day’s hunt… at least for a few days after the hunt. But for the majority of owners wanting this breed strictly as a companion, they should plan accordingly. Giving him stimulating mind games will also help to tire him out as well, and this should be in combination with physical exercise. Finally, make sure that all exercise is carried out on-leash – he will most certainly wander off otherwise!

The d’Artois possesses many aspects that make him appreciated as a hunting dog – most notably his amazing sense of smell. It can’t be stressed enough that he lives to hunt and would gladly do so every day of his life! Nothing makes him happier. If one is being kept strictly as a pet, that hound will almost definitely find ways to hunt if he can. This might take the form of chasing squirrels or tracking the trail of a possum on a walk. It’s highly recommended that owners give this hound scent-related games and activities to keep him satisfied and give him a job to do.