Apartment fit
Artois Hound is usually hard to keep in an apartment because it is an active scent hound with a working voice. It needs secure exercise, scent outlets, and careful noise management.
HoundMedium
France
FranceArtois Hound
Weight
62-66 lb
Height
20.9-22.8 in
Lifespan
9-13 yrs
Coat
Smooth Short
The Artois Hound is a medium French scent hound, a determined tricolour hunting dog with strong nose work and pack-hound sociability.
Medium French scent hound of briquet typeShort tricolour coat in fawn, black, and whiteDetermined nose work and pack-hound sociabilityNeeds secure exercise, recall practice, and voice management
Breed Names
Official, native, and commonly used variants
Chien D'artois
FriendlyDeterminedSociableCuriousIndependentEnduring
Weight
62-66 lb
Height
20.9-22.8 in
Lifespan
9-13 yrs
Coat
Smooth Short
At A Glance
Daily living snapshot
A quick read on energy, upkeep, and what day-to-day life with this breed usually feels like.
Energy
High
Barking
Moderate
Drooling
Moderate
Shedding
Moderate
Grooming
2/5
First-time owner
No
Overview
The Artois Hound, or Chien d'Artois, is a French scent hound recognized by FCI as a medium-sized hound. The standard describes it as a briquet type: substantial and powerful for its size, but not a giant breed.
Its short coat is tricolour, generally combining fawn, black, and white in a dark fawn pattern with mantle or large patches. This breed was shaped for hunting, so it brings endurance, determination, scent focus, and a voice that can carry when excited or working.
The Artois Hound can be affectionate and social in a hound-aware home, especially with other compatible dogs. It is a difficult fit for owners who want reliable off-leash freedom without training, minimal exercise, or a quiet apartment dog.
Temperament & Personality
FriendlyDeterminedSociableCuriousIndependentEnduring
This breed tends to suit homes looking for a friendly, determined, sociable companion, with daily rhythms shaped by high energy, moderate barking, and moderate drooling.
Coat type
Smooth
Coat length
Short
Shedding
Moderate
Colors
Fawn, Black, and White Tricolor, Dark Fawn Tricolor
Lifestyle Compatibility
Family Friendly4/5
Good with Kids4/5
Good with Dogs4/5
Good with Strangers3/5
Apartment Friendly2/5
Exercise Needs4/5
Grooming Needs2/5
Trainability3/5
Good fit if you want
- A family-friendly companion
- Room for routine exercise
- Confidence handling structure and training
Plan ahead for
- 4/5 exercise needs
- moderate shedding and coat upkeep
- moderate barking in daily life
Owner Fit & Everyday Behavior
Best for
- active owners who understand scent hounds
- homes with secure outdoor space or safe rural walking access
- people interested in tracking, hunting-style exercise, or scent games
- families prepared to supervise children and manage small-pet risk
Not ideal for
- homes wanting a low-effort dog with minimal daily exercise
- owners who need a naturally quiet dog
- off-leash homes near roads or wildlife without secure fencing
- first-time owners who want an easy starter breed
Common challenges
- following scent and ignoring ordinary recall
- hound vocalizing when excited or frustrated
- ear care after wet or brushy exercise
Barking & behavior
Artois Hound has a moderate barking profile, so owners should expect some alerting and excitement barking. Teaching the Artois Hound a calm response to door sounds, passing dogs, and visitors is easier than trying to stop barking after it becomes a habit.
Training style
Artois Hound training should focus on recall foundations, leash manners, quiet recovery after excitement, and handler check-ins around scent. Use rewards that matter, and keep open-area freedom limited to secure places until reliability is proven.
Grooming & shedding
The Artois Hound's short smooth coat is easy to brush, but ears, nails, paws, and skin need routine checks after field exercise, wet grass, or rough cover.
Care Guide
Exercise
Artois Hound needs about 60 to 90 minutes a day for many healthy adults, with scent work, brisk walks, long-line practice, and secure off-leash time where safe. A scent hound routine should train the nose instead of fighting it.
Grooming
The Artois Hound's short smooth coat is easy to brush, but ears, nails, paws, and skin need routine checks after field exercise, wet grass, or rough cover.
Training
Artois Hound training should focus on recall foundations, leash manners, quiet recovery after excitement, and handler check-ins around scent. Use rewards that matter, and keep open-area freedom limited to secure places until reliability is proven.
Nutrition
Feed Artois Hound a measured diet appropriate for a large dog, its age, and its activity level. For the Artois Hound, keep body condition lean, adjust portions when exercise changes, and ask your veterinarian about diet details if weight, digestion, allergies, or joint stress are concerns.
Behavior & Environment
Energy level
High
Barking level
Moderate
Drooling level
Moderate
Watchdog ability
3/5
Guard dog ability
1/5
Climate tolerance
Cold weather3/5
Heat tolerance3/5
Health Considerations
Common concerns to discuss with your vet and breeder.
Ear infectionsObesityJoint strain
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Artois Hound a good apartment dog?
Artois Hound is usually hard to keep in an apartment because it is an active scent hound with a working voice. It needs secure exercise, scent outlets, and careful noise management.
Does the Artois Hound bark a lot?
Artois Hound has a moderate barking profile, so owners should expect some alerting and excitement barking. Teaching the Artois Hound a calm response to door sounds, passing dogs, and visitors is easier than trying to stop barking after it becomes a habit.
Is the Artois Hound good for first-time owners?
Artois Hound is usually better for owners who understand hound behavior. A first-time owner should get help with recall, long-line work, voice management, and safe scent outlets.
How much exercise does the Artois Hound need?
Most healthy adult Artois Hounds need about 60 to 90 minutes of daily activity, including scent work, long-line walks, and secure running where safe. The goal is controlled hound work, not just tiring the dog physically.
Is the Artois Hound good with kids and other dogs?
Artois Hounds are often sociable with compatible dogs and can be good with children when supervised. Their hunting drive means small pets, wildlife, and open gates need careful management.
Does the Artois Hound shed a lot?
Artois Hound has a short, smooth coat that is easy to brush. Ear checks are especially important because scent hounds with drop ears can trap moisture and debris.
What is the biggest challenge of owning the Artois Hound?
The biggest challenge is controlling scent-driven decisions. Owners need secure containment, long-line skills, and enough hound work to prevent wandering, vocal frustration, and leash pulling.
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