The Briquet, also known as the Artois hound, and formerly known as the Picard, is probably one of the oldest breeds of French dogs. It has become popular in the 17th century, but has been around since the 15th century, bringing its contribution to the hunting games. At some point, it came near extinction, and has made a come-back in the 1970s, but it is still a very rare breed. The original region of the dog is Northern France, in the area near the English Channel. This dog is said to be the direct descendant of the bloodhound, the result of crossing scent hounds and pointers, and that, in his turn, it has fathered the Beagle.
As far as aspect is concerned, the Briquet is 22-23 inches tall amd can weigh up to 55-56 pounds making it a medium sized dog. It has a strong, broad skull, thick lips, ears set at eye level, black nose and wide nostrils. It has a straight and long muzzle. The coat is coarse, short and thick and it can have three colors, white, black or brown. The dog has a broad, well supported body which makes it agile and able to carry a hunting pace. The tail is strong and long and it is not docked.
Its size and temperament make the dog suited for apartment life, although, as in the case of any dog, a house with a small yard is always better. Although it is a hunting dog, the Briquet is mellower than other similar breeds, making it less restless when left alone. However, should it catch a scent of anything, its hunting instinct will kick in and it will be difficult to steer it away from what it has started looking for. Long daily walks are recommended - many owners also take great pride in showing off their dogs in the park.
Even the most demanding huntsmen will be satisfied with the performance of a group of six or eight Briquet dogs. Their main ability is to drive the game into the firing range. One dog alone can even help an amateur huntsman score a fair game as well. When working with the breed, trainers must keep the learning sessions short and fun, as pups may lose their interest quite easily. The breed is very sociable and playful, great with children, but it does not excel as a watchdog.
Apart from ear infections, which are common to breeds with a similar physiognomy, there are no special health problems potential owners should be aware of. Medium sized dog also rarely ever have bone problems, as their weight is evenly distributed and their legs are strong enough to carry it. Life expectancy is of 13 years. The short coat makes it easy to groom, specialists in the field recommending bathing only when necessary and mentioning that wiping the coat with wet cloth and regular brushing is enough to keep the dog clean.
The Briquet is a hunting dog by excellence, heir to the qualities of the bloodhound.
