Longevity
Life expectancy
With an appropriate diet, regular activity and preventive veterinary monitoring, the Ariégeois generally lives between 10 and 13 years.
Constitution
Is this a robust breed?
Its scenthound build gives it good stamina and satisfactory robustness. Its active lifestyle nevertheless exposes it to parasites, to grass awns, to minor injuries to the pads and to trauma encountered in the field.
Things to watch for
What to look out for
Particular attention must be paid to the ears, eyes, skin and paw pads, especially after outings in the undergrowth. Any redness, abnormal odor, pain or repeated shaking of the head warrants veterinary advice.
Otitis: Long, drooping ears retain moisture and debris, which requires appropriate inspection and cleaning.
Parasites and grass awns: Outings in the forest and in brush increase exposure to ticks, fleas, and foreign plant bodies.
Paw pad injuries: Work on difficult terrain can cause cuts, irritations, or foreign bodies between the toes.
Climate
Tolerance to cold and heat
The Ariégeois tolerates cold well when it remains active and has a dry shelter. Its tolerance to heat is average: intense exertion must be avoided during hot hours, with permanent access to shade and fresh water.
Weight
Prone to weight gain
Very active, the Ariégeois generally maintains an athletic build if its ration matches its expenditure. It is nevertheless advisable to regularly monitor its weight and body condition, then adjust portions during periods of rest or reduced activity.
Everyday care
Good habits to keep your pet healthy
- Inspect and dry the ears after outings and baths.
- Check the coat, skin, eyes and paw pads upon returning from each outing.
- Keep vaccinations and parasite protection up to date.
- Have at least one annual veterinary check-up carried out.
Vaccination
Ariégeois vaccinations: schedule
Which vaccines does a Ariégeois need? Like all dogs, Ariégeoiss should receive their core vaccines from 8 weeks of age: CHPPi (core vaccine) and Leptospirosis. Puppies receive their initial Ariégeois vaccinations in several shots spaced 4 weeks apart, followed by a first booster at 1 year. Depending on their lifestyle (hunting, hiking, boarding, travel, region), your veterinarian may add vaccines against Rabies, Kennel cough, Piroplasmosis, Lyme disease and Leishmaniasis.
| Vaccine | Primary vaccination | First booster | Then | For whom? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CHPPi (core vaccine)Core Distemper, Rubarth hepatitis, parvovirosis and parainfluenza | 8 weeks · 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | All animals |
LeptospirosisCore Leptospirosis (bacterium transmitted by rodent urine and stagnant water) | 8 weeks · 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | All animals |
RabiesDepending on lifestyle Rabies | 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | Mandatory for travel abroad, categorized dogs, most boarding kennels and shows |
Kennel coughDepending on lifestyle Bordetella bronchiseptica and parainfluenza | 8 weeks | 1 year | every year | Dogs attending boarding kennels, daycares, dog clubs and shows |
PiroplasmosisDepending on lifestyle Tick-borne babesiosis | 5 months · 6 months | 1 year | every year | Hunting dogs, dogs living in rural or wooded areas, dogs highly exposed to ticks |
Lyme diseaseDepending on lifestyle Tick-borne borreliosis | 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | Hiking dogs, hunting dogs, forest areas of the East and the Center |
LeishmaniasisDepending on lifestyle Leishmaniasis transmitted by sandflies | 6 months | 1 year and 6 months | every year | Dogs living or staying in the South of France, Corsica and the Mediterranean basin |
Adult Ariégeois booster shots are given annually for leptospirosis and rabies. For distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus, a booster every three years is often enough after the first booster. Your veterinarian will tailor the schedule to your dog's actual risk.
Which boosters does your Ariégeois need?
Enter your companion's age to see which vaccines are due now and when the next boosters are needed.
Choosing well
Adopting a healthy Ariégeois
An annual veterinary examination, checking the ears and dentition, as well as regular prevention against internal and external parasites are recommended. In a hunting dog, the veterinarian can adapt vaccinations and antiparasitic protection to the actual exposure in the field.
This information is for guidance only and doesn't replace advice from a veterinarian. If you have any concerns about your pet's health, consult a professional.
