Picardy Spaniel

The Picardy Spaniel Dog Profile

The Picardy Spaniel is a dog breed that originated in France and was bred for use as a gundog. It shares many characteristics with the Blue Picardy Spaniel, however the Picardy Spaniel is the oldest of the two breeds. It is regarded to be one of the two oldest continental spaniel breeds, and it was popular among the French nobles. 

Its weather-resistant coat allowed it to hunt in a range of circumstances and terrain following the French Revolution. However, after the introduction of English hunting breeds in the early twentieth century, its popularity began to diminish. It is slightly smaller than an English Setter but larger than most of its spaniel cousins. It has no serious health difficulties, despite the fact that it is slightly smaller than an English Setter.

List of 24 Spaniel Types

Papillion Spaniel

Phalene Spaniel

Pont-Audemer Spaniel

Picardy Spaniel Highlights

• At the withers, typical examples of the breed measure 22–24 inches (56–61 cm), with an average weight of 20–25 kilos (44–55 lb). 
• The size of the breed is comparable to that of the English Setter, however it is significantly smaller. 
• Only the Large Münsterländer and Drentse Patrijshond of the Spaniel type breeds are recognized as potentially growing to larger sizes, with the Drentse measuring 21.5–25.5 in (55–65 cm) and the Münsterländer slightly smaller with a narrower range at 23–25 in (58–64 cm). 
• The breed has a strong, squarely constructed body and an oval-shaped head with a long muzzle and long, low-hanging ears. 
• Its coat comes in a variety of colors, including chocolate, chestnut, and black.

Picardy Spaniel Breed Profile:

Dog Breed Group:  Working Dogs

Height:  22–24 inches (56–61 cm)

Weight:  20–25 kilograms (44–55 lb)

Life Span: 12-14 years

AREA OF ORIGIN:  France

DATE OF ORIGIN: 1900s

OTHER NAMES:  Épagneul Bleu de Picardie,

Temperament: Active, Affectionate, Companionable, Devoted, Energetic, Trainable

Type: Purebred

Color: Brown, Gray

Litter Size: 3-5 puppies

Puppy Prizes: $1200-1800 

Pros: Picardy Spaniels are quite simple to teach.

Cons: Picardy Spaniels are not suitable for apartment living.

Picardy Spaniel Health:

The Picardy Spaniel has a 14-year average lifetime and no known inherited health issues. The breed is prone to ear infections because it is a hunting spaniel. Infections are common in dogs with pendulous ears, such as Basset Hounds and other spaniel types. Overfeeding a Picardy Spaniel can result in obesity.

Picardy Spaniel Grooming:

 The Picardy Spaniel requires minimal grooming. A professional groomer isn’t required to cut the dog’s hair. Brushing your dog’s coat can help reduce shedding. To avoid infections, clean your ears and eyes on a regular basis. Don’t forget about the seasonal flea treatment. Dog nail clipping and bathing might be beneficial at times. 

Check your local pet store for dog grooming items and the best dog shampoo to keep your dog’s coat healthy and to give your dog a pleasurable dog bath experience. If you don’t have the time, talent, or money to care for your Picardy Spaniel, find a dog groomer or clipping service in your region and schedule an appointment. Perhaps you’re fortunate to have a dog boarding service that includes grooming or a walk-in dog bathing facility nearby.

Picardy Spaniel Exercise:

The Blue Picardy Spaniel, which was developed as a gundog, is a highly active breed that requires a lot of daily exercise — a modest daily stroll will not suffice to meet the exercise needs of this hyperactive breed. These dogs have exceptional stamina and require time and room to run in order to expend their energy. If this breed does not get enough daily activity, he may develop obesity and undesirable habits.

Picardy Spaniel Training:

The Blue Picardy Spaniel was born to hunt animals. This breed is well-known for its quickness and stamina, as well as its work ethic and bravery. These canines enjoy having a job and are extremely responsive in the field. Because these dogs are intelligent, training is usually pretty simple as long as you are nice but consistent.

Picardy Spaniel Food and  Nutrition:

Because the Blue Picardy Spaniel is a medium-sized breed, you should feed it high-quality dog food designed for dogs of its size. It is also worth noting that this is a high-energy hunting breed, so an energetic, working breed, or high-performance blend might be a better fit. Follow the feeding recommendations on the box based on your dog’s weight, and make any necessary adjustments based on your dog’s activity level.

Picardy Spaniel Temperament and Personality:

The Picardy Spaniel is a placid dog breed that enjoys playing with youngsters and forms strong ties with their owners.   It is said to have a peaceful, social demeanor, a nice character, and a laid-back attitude, as well as being reasonably easy to train.  

In France, the breed is used to hunt Pheasants in wooded areas and Snipes in wetlands.   It can, however, be used to hunt ducks, hares, and rabbits.   The breed thrives at marsh hunting and will plunge into water without hesitation.  Should the need arise, it can also be used as a retriever.  The dog is satisfied with a modest amount of room and may be suited to city life, but he also enjoys wide spaces.

Picardy Spaniel Care/Upkeep:

The coat of this breed does not require a lot of upkeep. The coat, on the other hand, is the breed’s defining trait. Brushing the coat on a regular basis will guarantee that it stays in great shape. The Blue Picardy Spaniel is a retriever, and dogs in this breed are prone to ear infections. Ear cleaning should be part of the dog’s grooming practice on a regular basis.

Picardy Spaniel Relationship with Children and Other Pets

If properly socialized, this lovely medium-sized breed is very people-oriented, loyal, and intelligent, and makes an excellent companion. It is widely considered as a pet that gets along well with children and other animals. A well-socialized Picardy Sheepdog will play with other dogs in the neighborhood, sometimes herding them.

All About Picardy Spaniel

The Picardy Spaniel is a placid dog breed that enjoys playing with youngsters and forms strong ties with their owners. It is said to have a kind, social personality, a decent character, and be relatively easy to train. In France, the breed is used to hunt Pheasants in wooded areas and Snipes in wetlands. It can, however, be used to hunt ducks, hares, and rabbits. The breed thrives at marsh hunting and will plunge into water without hesitation. Should the need arise, it can also be used as a retriever. The dog is happy in compact areas and might live in the city, but he also enjoys open spaces.

Picardy Spaniel  History:

The word spaniel was actually derived from the French word “espaigne” which means “to drop to the ground”. During the 14th century, a French spaniel and a net laden with weights are the most common hunting method used. As soon as the dog saw a hare or a group of partridges it would lie on its belly. It is a signal for the hunter to throw in the net to trap the dog and the birds inside. These setting dogs were dubbed as setter or spaniels.

Waterfowl and other game can be found in plenty in France. The country was regarded as a hunting paradise. As a result, France is home to a variety of hunting dog breeds. Brittany, French, and Pont Audemer Spaniels, as well as Picard and Blue Picardy Spaniels, were essential hunting companions. The history of French spaniels, like that of other old breeds, is murky. Documentation is scarce, and the little that is accessible has been misinterpreted. The spaniels were thought to be a cross between native canines from the Middle East, Italy, Spain, and the British Isles.

During the later part of the 11th century, the first French Spaniel was thought to have come from the Middle East. The French knights who traveled to the Holy Land during the Crusade were accompanied by their pointers and hunting dogs. It is unavoidable for these canines to breed with Arab Greyhounds. The puppies developed into the first French spaniels. During the 14th century, Gaston Phebus and Henri de Ferriers wrote a description of these French setting dogs. 

The ordinary people of France were barred from hunting in 1578. The privilege of hunting was only given to the French elite. After the French Revolution, this prohibition was repealed. As a result, the common people suffer.

As mentioned, France is noted for being a rich hunting ground. The Picardie marshes as well as the Brittany moors became a favorite hunting destination of hunters from Great Britain. Crossing the English Channel to hunt in France became a fad during the later part of the 19th century. However, when a British quarantine prohibited the re-entry of dogs to Great Britain, the British hunters were forced to board their setters in Picardie farms. This resulted to the crossbreeding of Picard Spaniels with Gordon Setters and Blue Belton English. The Blue Picardy Spaniel was born!

The existence of the breed was first recorded in 1870s. After the formation of the Spaniel Club in 1907, the different varieties of spaniels were classified. The Picard Spaniel and the Blue Picardy Spaniel Club was formed in 1921. The Blue Picardy Spaniel was categorized as a separate breed because of its blue skin pigmentation and due to the grayish-black mottled coat color. In 1938 the breed was recognized in Europe and in 1995 the Blue Picardy Spaniel was recognized by the Canadian Kennel Club.

All About Picardy Spaniel:

The Picardy Sheepdog (also known as Berger Picard in America) is a robust and intelligent medium-sized, well-muscled (but not obese) breed. It has upright natural ears that are situated relatively high on the head and wide at the base, measuring approximately 10-12.5 cm and turned forward. The profile of the head is rectangular, with a little sloping halt between the muzzle planes and the skull. 

There is a little furrow between the eyes, as well as rugged brows that are neither too short nor too long to cover the eyes. Its oval-shaped, medium-to-dark brown eyes are oval in shape, tilted forward but not projecting, and medium to dark brown in color. The lengthy hair on the muzzle grows into a beard and moustache. It has a rough, thick wiry coat that is 5-6 cm long all over the body and has a little ruff on the front and sides of the neck. The tail extends all the way to the hock and finishes in a J-hook at the tip. 

The nose is broad and dark in color. The rectangular head is supported by a robust and muscular neck that merges nicely into the shoulders. The front legs are straight, which contrasts with the lengthy and well-placed shoulder blades. The thigh and stifle are well-muscled and balanced with the front legs. Round feet with well-arched toes support all four legs. The rough double coat is available in fawn or brindle. A male should be 60-65 cm tall at the withers, while a female should be 55-60 cm tall. This breed’s average weight ranges from 22.5 to 31.5 kg.

FAQs:

Picardy Spaniels can they point?

Picardies are canines who think beyond the box. Because they are born with a lot of natural ability to run, point, fetch, and swim, allowing them to do what feels natural is the greatest approach to get them started.

How much does a Picardy Spaniel cost?

A Picardy Spaniel puppy will cost around $800 for a pet quality dog from a reputable breeder. For display dog breeders or top well-known breeders, this figure can skyrocket.