Artois Hound

Also called Chien d'Artois, Picard, Picard Briquet

Recognised breedFCI group 6Short profile

From France, the Artois region in the north.1 2

At a glance the quick version

Weight28 to 30 kg1 2

Height53 to 58 cm1

Sizemedium

FCI gives an average weight of 28-30 kg.

affectionate and balanced

excellent nose

hardy and energetic

Coat and looks how to spot one

short, flat coat

A short, dense coat lying flat to the body, on a sturdy hound with a squarish muzzle and long, low-set ears.1 2

Coloursdark fawn tricolour (hare- or badger-coloured) with a mantle or large patches1

Personality what they are like

Tough and lively in the field, with a very keen nose and a well-balanced, affectionate nature. It works well in a pack.1

Daily activity how busy a day looks

A hunting hound used for small game, deer and wild boar, so it thrives on plenty of outdoor exercise.2 1

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

The short, flat coat is easy to look after.1

Company who they like around

Bred to hunt in packs, so it gets on well with other dogs.1

The story where it all began

Known from the early 1600s, this northern French hound was prized under Henri IV and Louis XIII. Crossing with British hounds in the 19th century and the upheaval of the Second World War left it close to extinction, and enthusiasts rebuilt it from a few remaining dogs in the 1970s.1 2

Fun facts for the dinner table

1
It was once called the Picard, after the neighbouring region.1
2
Written references to the breed go back to 1609.2
3
It was brought back in the 1970s through the work of M. Audrechy and Mme Pilat.1
4
It has a loud, musical hound voice.2

Recognised by the official bits

FCI: Standard no. 28, Group 6 Scent hounds, Section 1.2 Medium-sized hounds; standard dated 24.07.1996.1
UKC: Recognised (per Wikipedia).2

The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you

A typical home-care rhythm for a Artois Hound. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.

Brushingevery week
Bathevery 8 weeks
Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 8every year

Tell me when it launches

Basset Artésien Normand

Beagle-Harrier

our little thank-you jar

Like what we are building? Buy Archy a bone.

All of this is free for everyone, with a source on every fact, and it will never show annoying ads. It was a big job to build, so if it helped you, buy Archy a bone. Any amount is lovely, and no is a perfectly fine answer too.

Archy is our Australian Cattle Dog and chief taste tester. Tips go to 4V3D OÜ, the small family studio behind Furry Diary.

Buy Archy a bone

Where this comes from

Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.

FCI Standard No. 28 Chien d'Artois fci.beused for recognition, size, weight, coat, colours, temperament, history
Artois Hound - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for other names, history, uses, UKC recognition, fun facts

Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.