Petzlover
Ariege Pointer is originated from France but Huntaway is originated from New Zealand. Both Ariege Pointer and Huntaway are having almost same height. Ariege Pointer may weigh 16 kg / 35 pounds lesser than Huntaway. Both Ariege Pointer and Huntaway has almost same life span. Both Ariege Pointer and Huntaway has almost same litter size. Both Ariege Pointer and Huntaway requires Low Maintenance.
The Ariege Pointer is a French hunting dog, coming from the Ariegeois region of France.
Known as the Ariege Pointing Dog, French Pointer or Braque de l’Ariege, these dogs came from the old French Braque dogs that were crossed with the orange and white Southern Braques.
It was in 1990 that a team of breeders decided to devote themselves to the breed’s survival. The Braque de l’Ariege was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 2006.
The Huntaway or New Zealand Huntaway is a herding dog that originated in the New Zealand sheep country. Their main purpose is to drive sheep and they are not an old breed. They were developed late in the 19th century for their working skills. The only real criteria was that they were black and tan. A dog must win a trial in order to be placed in the New Zealand Sheep Dog Trial Association studbook. They drive sheep mainly through their deep, loud voice.
In the New Zealand high country there was a need for a working dog with stamina, agility and intelligence to work the sheep as a drover (herder). The dog had to be able to handle rough, steep land and work with very large groups of sheep. The sheer area of land that the sheep graze and the dog would have to cover, demanded that this dog have stamina and strength to cover large pasture land and work for days if necessary. Before this the shepherds had used British sheepdogs but they preferred dogs that barked while working. So they bred the British Sheepdogs with Collies, Border Collies, Labrador, Rottweiler, Doberman and other barking sheepdogs to create the Huntaway. In addition to the bark, they bred for stamina and size.
They were participating in field trails in 1870 and ads for them were seen in newspapers by 1884. They became a separate breed in the 20th century. Today they are spreading around the world and are becoming very popular. It is not recommended that they be kept as pets however, since they are true working dogs.
The Ariege Pointer has always been a dog kept essentially for hunting and not as a companion dog. He stands between 55 – 67cm and weighs 25 – 30kg.
He is an attractive looking dog with quite a large head while the body is sleek and slender to look at. The ears are quite large and are floppy while the tail is traditionally docked to give him that distinctive look. These days the tail is often left long and hangs downwards.
The coat is short, single and rough and is white with tan or orange patches. The coat can also be speckled or ticked.
The Ariege Pointer is a hunting dog who is friendly towards strangers and therefore won’t make a particularly good watchdog.
These dog are lively, independent and good natured and they make excellent companion dogs. They are fairly docile and and get on well with children and pets in the home. Just like with any other dog, they need to be trained and socialized early.
The Huntaway is a large dog with a deep chest and a black and tan coat. They are strong, big and muscular with voices to match. They herd, head, work the sheep in pastures and force them into pens. They are bred to have that big authoritative, deep bark. They do not yap. Their bodies are well proportioned but longer than high. They have well - padded feet and a deep chest for stamina, along with strong legs and body that allows them to run fast and change directions at will.
The tail of a Huntaway if long, while their heads are shaped like blocks while the muzzle is long and the nose is black. They have dark, round eyes and long ears. An unusually attractive dog, they have dense fur with fringe on the tail and chest. There is characteristics a very large variety in the in the way the breed looks from one dog to the next. Thus they do not participate in confirmation events, as the standard is based on working characteristics rather than appearance guidelines. They are more a “class” than a “breed”.
The Ariege Pointer has always been an excellent pointing- and hunting dog. When it comes to being a family pet, he puts his hunting skills aside and becomes a loyal, loving, friendly pet.
They are considered to be rare dogs, and were at one time bordering on extinction. Those who have owned one of these hunting dogs will be glad to know that they are no longer considered endangered. They’re not your friendly, social kind of dog that you find in other dog breeds, but with training and socialization he will make a fine companion and family friend.
They are very good with children and love to play with them.
Stamina, speed and independence
Not really. Don’t do well in small spaces. Better off in the country.
Very intelligent, quick learner, loves learning new things.
The Ariege Pointer is a working dog breed, used for hunting and retrieving prey. With good care the dog can live to be a good 12 – 15 years of age.
However, with every dog breed there are common dog diseases to watch for. This dog has long floppy ears and these can get damp and will need to be cleaned and dried regularly otherwise the long ears can be prone to infection.
Apart from being prone to health issues such as an ear infection, you want to be aware of very common dog ailments such as hip dysplasia which can cause lameness in your dog.
Whatever illness your dog has, and you see he isn’t acting his usual self, get him to the vet for a check-up and then make sure that all treatment and medication prescribed is adhered to.
The Huntaway is a pretty healthy breed, developed as it was from the sheepdogs and collies. They still face some inherited issues such as:
Your attractive Ariege Pointer will give birth to 2 – 8 puppies. If you don’t want puppies, then spaying or neutering is excellent and can actually have many health benefits for your pet.
This dog with its short coat requires very little maintenance, and a good brush twice a week will ensure the coat remains glossy and shiny, giving you the chance to also check for fleas and ticks.
Don’t just assume every dog has bad breath. Bad breath can be indicative of dental disease, and dental problems can cause all kinds of other illnesses within the body. Make sure that while your pet’s teeth are healthy, that you brush them 2 or 3 times a week with special canine toothbrush and toothpaste.
The Ariege Pointer requires regular exercise as it is a lively, energetic dog. He can adapt to life in the city or the country, but ideally he needs a place with a large garden.
Wherever you keep him as a pet, make sure you take him for walks every day and that you play ball- or rope games with him. Ignoring his exercise needs will turn him into a bored, frustrated pet, and that isn’t fair towards him.
Make sure you choose good quality commercially manufactured foods for him. Adding in some home-made food to his kibble such as cooked brown rice, vegetables and chicken will be wonderfully good for him.
Every dog will require some raw meat added into his diet from time to time. Many skin diseases can be treated by adding in raw meat. After all, before dogs were domesticated they lived on raw meat, and including this ingredient back into their diet guarantees to make a remarkable difference in terms of good health.
If you are not using your Huntaway to herd, then feed a medium formula not a high protein, high calorie formula. Feed 3-4 times a day and 1-2 cups.
3 cups per day feeding twice a day high quality medium calorie food.
Exceptional stamina
This herding breed has a great need of mental and physical stimulation. They were born to herd and to do so over vast tracts of land in challenging conditions. They need to be challenged. They need daily exercise at a very high level. A Run them every day or take them on a couple of long walks. They will excel in field trials, Barnhunt, agility and rescue. They love to learn.