After the Second World War, the Artois Hound was counted among breeds thought lost forever. According to the standard, its return to the FCI register stems from a rebuilding effort begun in the early 1970s.
| FCI | Group 6 (Scent hounds and related breeds), Section 1.2 Medium-sized hounds, Standard No. 28, with working trial |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | France |
| Size (height at the withers) | males and females 53 to 58 cm, tolerance 1 cm |
| Weight | average 28 to 30 kg |
| Life expectancy | no reliable study figure found (N/A) |
| Coat | short, thick and fairly flat |
| Colours in the standard | tricolour, dark fawn through hare or badger colour, with a mantle or large patches; head usually fawn, sometimes with black overlay; ticking is a fault |
From Chien Picard to a rescued breed
Formerly called the Chien Picard, the breed was much sought after in mounted hunting under Henry IV and Louis XIII, according to the standard. Sélincourt already marvelled at its nose on a hare trail several hours old. In 1890, Le Couteulx de Canteleu described a mixed breed still excellent for hare hunting. Only the work of M. Audréchy from the early 1970s and Mme Pilat restored its place among scent hounds.
A Briquet with stamina
The standard calls it a Briquet, meaning a medium-sized scent hound, and describes the work precisely. Now used chiefly in shooting, it diligently recovers lost trails, working at medium speed but with endurance. On level ground, it unravels a hare’s turns; in open woodland it drives roe deer; in thick cover it bravely faces wild boar. Six to eight similar-looking dogs make a small pack with a far-carrying voice.
Balanced and affectionate
Unlike many hound standards, this one describes temperament: strong and hardy, with a fine nose, good pack cohesion, balance and affection. Timidity is a fault; aggression or excessive fear is disqualifying. A friendly housemate can therefore be expected. Outside, the dog remains a hunter taking a trail more seriously than your whistle.
Ears reaching the nose
The ears are somewhat thick, broad and rounded at the tips, reaching the base of the nose. Check regularly and dry after wet days. Short, thick hair and fairly thick skin are straightforward: weekly brushing and a tick check after woodland walks are enough.
What they need without hunting
The FCI requires a working trial, so hunting is the breed’s true field. Without it, provide long daily outings and endurance-testing searches: trails several hundred metres long, mantrailing and woodland searching games. Medium-paced, persistent work makes long, calm searches more suitable than short sprints.
Health: much history, little data
No reliable lifespan figure exists for the Artois Hound. McMillan and colleagues list it under that name in the UK longevity study without analysing it, and we found no breed-specific study in Europe PMC. For a breed rebuilt from a few dogs, asking about pedigree inbreeding is worthwhile. Also request the parents’ hip and eye results.
Best with
Hunters seeking an enduring flushing hound or dog for a small pack, and experienced people spending plenty of time outdoors who appreciate an affectionate medium-sized dog.
Less suitable for
Homes without gardens or time, people wanting woodland off-lead freedom and anyone hoping for an immediately available puppy. Falling for this breed calls above all for patience.
Find out whether an enduring Briquet suits your routine with the breed quiz. Our book “Which Dog REALLY Suits You?” (book in German) helps weigh the choice. For the first days with a puppy, there is the free Puppy Starter Pack. The tricolour coat works well on a magazine-cover canvas; explore more styles among our dog portraits.
Further reading
- Beagle: a nose with a dog attached, and what that means day to day
- The socialisation period: why “as much as possible” is the wrong advice
- Puppy training: the 5 rules that really work
Sources, accessed on 20.10.2026: FCI Standard No. 28 Chien d'Artois (fci.be, German version dated 14.01.1997, English version dated 25.11.1996, valid original standard dated 24.07.1996); McMillan KM et al., Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death, Scientific Reports 2024 (listed as Artois Hound but not analysed).
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