Scent Hound / FCI Group 6 · Purebred · France's spirited small-game hunter — a tri-color pack hound from the Artois region with exceptional nose and tireless work drive
The Artois Hound (Chien d'Artois) is an old French scent hound from the Artois region of northern France, with roots reaching back several centuries. It was bred to hunt small and large game in packs, valued by French sportsmen for its powerful nose, deep voice, and dogged determination on a trail.
Compact and sturdily built for its size, the Artois Hound carries the classic tricolor hound coat and long, low-set ears. The breed nearly disappeared in the 20th century and survives today in small numbers thanks to dedicated French breeders. It is recognized by the FCI in Group 6 (Scent Hounds) and is seldom found outside its homeland.
Real Artois Hound photos — showcasing their unique appearance and character.
Bred for the pack, the Artois Hound is sociable, even-tempered, and gets along well with other dogs, while remaining an affectionate companion at home. It is driven and single-minded once it catches a scent, and its strong hunting instinct means a secure yard and a reliable leash are essential. Friendly and courageous, it is a hound first and a house pet second.
This is a high-energy working hound that needs well over an hour of vigorous activity a day. It thrives with active owners who can offer long walks, running, scent games, or actual hunting. A bored, under-exercised Artois Hound will bay and find its own trouble, so daily physical and mental outlets are a must.
The short, dense coat is easy to care for — a weekly brush removes loose hair and keeps it healthy, with only occasional bathing. The long, pendulous ears trap moisture and need regular checking and cleaning to prevent infections, and nails should be trimmed every few weeks.
Intelligent but independent, like most pack hounds the Artois Hound follows its nose first and its handler second. Short, upbeat, food-motivated training sessions work far better than repetition or force. Start recall and socialization early, and accept that a rock-solid off-leash recall is difficult once a scent takes over.
A rugged, generally healthy breed with a lifespan of around 12–14 years. The most common concerns are ear infections from the long drop ears and, as with many medium-large hounds, hip dysplasia. Keeping the ears clean and dry, maintaining a lean weight, and routine vet care go a long way toward a long, sound life.
The Artois Hound does best on a good-quality complete dog food matched to its age, size, and activity level. As a rough guide, a typical adult eats about 1½–2½ cups of dry food per day, split into two meals — but a hard-working or very active dog needs more, while a couch companion needs less. Feed measured meals rather than free-feeding to keep this breed at a healthy weight.
Puppies: 3 meals a day of a puppy formula to fuel growth.
Active adults: around 1½–2½ cups daily, in two meals, adjusted to keep a trim waistline.
Seniors (7+ yrs): slightly fewer calories and, if needed, a joint-supporting formula as they slow down.
Never feed chocolate, grapes or raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol (a sweetener found in some gums and peanut butters), macadamia nuts, or cooked bones. Keep treats to no more than about 10% of daily calories so they don't crowd out balanced nutrition or lead to weight gain.
Where puppies are available, a Artois Hound from a responsible breeder typically costs around $800–$2,000, with rarer bloodlines and imported dogs sitting at the higher end. Rescue or adoption, where possible, is far less — usually a few hundred dollars in fees.
Food, treats & preventatives, routine care and supplies together usually run about $90–$160 per month for a healthy adult, not counting emergencies or boarding.
Over a full lifetime the total cost of ownership generally lands around $15,000–$22,000, including the purchase price. Pet insurance ($15–$45/month) and a small emergency fund are smart ways to cushion against unexpected veterinary bills.