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Breed Characteristics
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Blue Picardy Spaniel
| Other Names | Épagneul Bleu de Picardie |
| Nicknames | Bleu Picard |
| Country of Origin | France |
| Weight | 43 - 45 lbs. (19 - 20 kg) |
| Height (at withers) | 22 -24 in. (56 - 61 cm) |
| Coat | Flat or slightly wavy; feathering |
| Colour | The Picardy has a brown coat whereas the Blue Picardy has a black and grey coat, which was brought into the breed by the introduction of English Setter blood. |
| Litter Size | 4 - 6 puppies |
| Life Span | 10 - 15 years |
| Origin & History | The first French Spaniel is speculated to have appeared following the Crusades of the 11th Century, and it was these breeds of dogs that were described in Gaston III of Foix-Béarn's 14th Century work Livre de Chasse. Following the French Revolution the commoners in France were allowed to raise and keep their own hunting dogs. This in turn meant that the pre-existing French Spaniel split into several types specific to their own regions, which were classified according to physical appearance and hunting abilities. At the turn of the 20th Century the area around the mouth of the River Somme was considered a paradise for hunters interested in wildfowl. Because of quarantine restrictions in the United Kingdom, British shooters would board their dogs in the Picardy area, near the mouth of the Somme. This caused the infusion of English Setter blood into the local Spaniel population and developed the Blue Picardy Spaniel. While the first black, blue-grey Spaniel was recorded in 1875, it was not until 1904 when the Picardy Spaniel was first shown. This Spaniel was officially classified as a French Spaniel, and was shown at the Paris Canine Exposition. When the Picard Spaniel and Blue Picardy Spaniel Club was formed in 1907 the two different breeds of Picardy Spaniel were categorised. In France, the Blue Picardy was recognised as a separate breed in 1938, and there are about 1000 puppies born in France each year. The first person to import the Blue Picardy Spaniel into Canada was Ronald Meunier of Saint-Julien, Quebec, around 1987, and the breed was then recognised by the Canadian Kennel Club effective 1 June 1995. The breed is recognised by the American Rare Breed Association, which uses the same standard as the Fédération Cynologique Internationale. |
| Personality | Calm, even-tempered and intelligent, Blue Picardy Spaniel's very much enjoy the company of their owners. They are gentle with children, making great pets. Rustic looking, relatively tall and powerfully built, the Blue Picardy Spaniel trains well. Training should be gentle, firm and consistent. They need human companionship and lots of exercise. Known and appreciated for its hunting skills, the Blue Picardy Spaniel works very well on rugged terrain and in the water as a flusher. This breed tends to score well in field trials. Blue Picardy Spaniel's have an excellent nose and are great at locating and retrieving game under most adverse conditions. They are enthusiastic hunting dogs, persistent, hardy and courageous. This breed gets along well with other dogs. It is important owners are even-tempered, but firm and consistent with the rules set upon the dog. It is also equally important, when the dog is not hunting, that he receives daily pack walks where he heels beside the handler during the walk. When a dog is lacking in either leadership and or proper mental/physical exercise it causes separation anxiety. |
Care Requirements
| Health | This breed is prone to ear infections. |
| Grooming | Regular brushing twice a week of the medium-length, flat coat is really all that is needed to keep it in good condition. Bathe or dry shampoo when necessary. It is generally a low-maintenance dog. Check and clean the ears carefully, especially when the dog has been out in rough or brushy terrain. Trim the hair on the bottom of the feet and clip the nails. This breed is an average shedder. |
| Exercise | Blue Picardy Spaniel's love exercise and have great stamina. They need daily extensive exercise, including a walk or jog and do best with an active outdoor person or hunter. This breed will enjoy running free in the safety of a fenced yard. |
| Other Considerations | The Blue Picardy Spaniel is not recommended for apartment life unless it is actively working or getting daily pack walks. If under-exercised or bored they can be very active indoors. They do best with acreage. |
