Hunting and protection dogs
The Ariegeois is a breed of hunting dog derived from a cross between a chien d'Artois and a Bleu de Gascogne. Quiet, sometimes stubborn (like all good Ariegeois), but nonetheless intelligent, Ariegeois are easy-going dogs that are becoming increasingly popular as pets. Affectionate and patient with children, they are also sociable with other dogs. But their primary vocation is hunting, where their flair and beautiful voice are invaluable assets.
The Braque de l'Ariège is a French pointing dog. They are powerful but not excessively heavy, robust and vigorous in appearance. We prefer dogs with lean limbs, prominent muscles and well-defined lines. Its white coat, preferably streaked with pale orange or sometimes speckled with brown, combined with its size, make it an elegant, distinguished dog.
The patou is the "king of dogs" and "dog of kings". The patou, whose real name is Montagne Pyrénées, became famous in the 1960s thanks to the moving soap opera Belle et Sébastien. They are true guard dogs, combining bravery and courage in all situations. He fights to the death and never backs down. In the mountains, they are the only effective bulwark against predators and, above all, against stray dogs, which are responsible for most of the damage suffered by herds in summer pastures. "King of dogs" because its proud appearance, with its rounded tail (very high and rounded), the purity of its whiteness and its typical bark, which can be heard several kilometers away, inspire respect and admiration. "This prestigious guardian dog has accompanied and protected prestigious monarchs, from Gaston Phoebus to Louis XIV.
Horses and cows
The Mérens horse. Native to the Upper Ariège Valley, this horse shows an astonishing morphological convergence with the Magdalenian horses represented in the Niaux cave. It's a rustic Ariegeois pony with a black coat. For a long time, it was the workhorse of farmers. A good horse for hiking, carriage driving and acrobatics, it is also used for ecological maintenance in mountainous regions, thanks to its sure-footedness and hardiness.
The Castillonais is a horse native to the Biros valley at the south-western end of the département. Black pangaré (chestnut bay) with russet tan markings on the flanks and a fox nose, this horse is also well-suited to life in the mountains, and is characterized by its dexterity, robustness and hard work.
The Gascon cow is an attractive gray with black markings on the edges of the ears. The search for larger animals suited to working the land and pulling cattle led to the development of trade in Gascon cattle between mountain dwellers and lowland breeders. This robust, powerful animal was once highly prized for draught work.
In the mountains and in the forests
The stag is the most imposing wild animal to be seen in the region. Adult males can reach 1.50 meters at the withers. Their antlers fall off each year in March or April, and grow back in July and August. The stag's bellow can be heard in September-October. The bear, meanwhile, has been much in the news for many years. We know that he's constantly on the move in the Pyrenees, and of course you can meet him in Ariège. This predator is part of the Pyrenean animal heritage, but often comes into conflict with shepherds and pastoralists. The isard, for its part, was over-hunted in the 1950s, and would undoubtedly have disappeared had it not found protection in the Pyrenees National Park. Finally, the marmot is certainly the most visible species to visitors today, and the most audible with its shrill whistle.
In the sky and water
In the sky, with its 3-meter wingspan, carmine-rimmed golden eyes, black mask and goatee, long anthracite wings and orange chest, the bearded vulture stands out from other birds of prey. Found only in the Pyrenees and Corsica, it feeds on carrion bones, which it breaks beforehand on rocks. Golden eagles and peregrine falcons can be seen in the Haute Ariège and on the road to Andorra.
The capercaillie is also present in the département. Also known as the capercaillie, this member of the gallinaceous family inhabits the wetlands of the beech-fir forest between 1,000 and 2,400 meters above sea level. Famous for its graceful courtship displays (mid-May-early June) and its distinctive song.
In the liquid element, it's the trout that extends its supremacy in streams, rivers, ponds and lakes. There's also the Pyrenean desman or rat-trompette, a protected nocturnal creature measuring 25 cm that lives in torrents and feeds on various insect larvae.
Flora
The fir forests are majestic, like those of Bélesta or the royal forest of Sainte-Croix-Volvestre. At an altitude of 330 m, this thick forest has always intrigued botanists. In 1667, it impressed Louis XIV's Intendant des Forêts with the beauty and height of its trees, much used in the era of sailing ships. Other species, such as beech (a favorite of charcoal-burners), hazel, birch, oak and chestnut, are also well represented. Flowers also brighten Ariège springs: wild orchids, broom, rhododendrons, gentians and saxifrages. Other rarer and more isolated flowers can be admired and photographed, such as the Pyrenean lily, the martagon lily or the edelweiss. The forests, sites and woods, from plains to mountains, are numerous and varied, but don't miss Lapenne, Orlu and Mont Valier.
And above all, don't forget that protecting nature requires major measures at national, European or international level, but also small gestures within easy reach: every time we take a walk in nature, we are only ephemeral guests whose actions can have lasting repercussions over time. To avoid excessive trampling that damages the vegetation, stay on the paths.
