Blue Picardy Spaniel Basics
With its beautiful speckled coat and big gentle eyes, you might not expect the Blue Picardy Spaniel to be an avid hunter. This breed was developed from French spaniels and it is one of the most talented gundogs you will ever see. The Blue Picardy Spaniel has the long legs of a setter and the responsiveness of a spaniel, making it the ultimate hunting companion. Though this dog was born to hunt, however, he also makes a great family pet and childhood companion.
The Blue Picardy Spaniel has the long legs of a setter and the responsiveness of a spaniel, making it the ultimate hunting companion.
Origin
The first French spaniels are thought to have been developed as early as the 11th century and these are the ancestors of modern spaniels like the Blue Picardy Spaniel. After the French Revolution, existing spaniel breeds were split into different types specific to their region and classified according to their hunting abilities and their appearance. The Blue Picardy Spaniel was developed in the Picardy area at the mouth of the River Somme from local spaniels infused with English Setter blood.
Pedigree
The Blue Picardy Spaniel was developed from local Picardy spaniels mixed with English Setters. One of two Picardy Spaniels, the Blue Picardy Spaniel was recognized as a separate breed in 1938 but it remains fairly rare with only about 1,000 puppies being registered in France each year.
Food/Diet
The Blue Picardy Spaniel is a medium-sized breed so you should choose a high-quality dog food formulated for dogs of its size. It is also important to remember that this is a high-energy hunting breed, so an active, working breed, or high-performance blend may be more appropriate. Following the feeding recommendations on the package according to your dog’s weight and make adjustments as needed depending on your dog’s activity level.
The Blue Picardy Spaniel is known for his agility and stamina, as well as his work ethic and courage.
Training
The Blue Picardy Spaniel was born to hunt – no bones about it. This breed is known for his agility and stamina, as well as his work ethic and courage. These dogs love having a job to do and they are incredibly responsive in the field. These dogs are also intelligent which means that training is usually fairly easy, as long as you are gentle but consistent.
Weight
The Blue Picardy Spaniel is a medium-sized dog that stands 22 to 24 inches tall and weighs 40 to 45 pounds at maturity with females being slightly smaller than males.
Temperament/Behavior
Typical of the spaniel type, the Blue Picardy Spaniel is a loyal and faithful companion, though he is definitely not afraid of doing some hard work. This breed loves to work but also loves to play which makes him a great choice as a family pet. The Blue Picardy Spaniel thrives on human companionship, particularly children, and gets along with other dogs as well. This breed requires a great deal of daily exercise as well as mental stimulation. As long as these requirements are met, the Blue Picardy Spaniel is generally an even-tempered and easygoing breed.
Common Health Problems
The Blue Picardy Spaniel is considered a healthy breed, for the most part, though it may be prone to field injuries like any hunting dog. This breed isn’t known to be affected by any inherited health conditions or other major health issues, though they sometimes develop ear infections and may be prone to obesity with overfeeding or lack of exercise.
Life Expectancy
The Blue Picardy Spaniel has an average lifespan around 12 to 14 years.
Exercise Requirements
Developed as a gundog, the Blue Picardy Spaniel is a highly active breed that needs a great deal of daily exercise – a short daily walk will not be adequate to meet the exercise needs of this energetic breed. These dogs have excellent stamina and they need time and space to run in order to work off their energy. If this breed doesn’t get enough daily exercise he may be prone to obesity as well as problem behaviors.
Typical of the spaniel type, Blue Picardy Spaniels are loyal and faithful companions.
AKC
The Blue Picardy Spaniel is not currently recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) but it is recognized by the FCI, the CKC, and the UKC.
Coat
The Blue Picardy Spaniel has a medium-length flat coat that is typically a combination of black and gray with black patches and speckles that gives it an overall bluish tint. Though this breed has a medium-length coat, it is generally easy to brush and sheds moderately. Most have flat coats, though some may exhibit a bit of a wave and the breed frequently has longer feathering on the ears, legs, and the underside of the tail.
Puppies
The average litter size for the Blue Picardy Spaniel is 6 to 8 puppies. As a medium-sized breed, these puppies grow fairly quickly so be ready to start with training and socializing from an early age. If you plan to use your puppy for hunting, it never hurts to start early, even if it is just with obedience training. If you plan to keep your Blue Picardy Spaniel with other household pets, it would be wise to raise them together.
Photo credit: slowmotiongli/Shutterstock
