Picardy Spaniel Basics

When you first see the Picardy Spaniel you may think that you are looking at a smaller version of the English Setter. Though English Setter blood may have played a role in the development of the breed, the Picardy Spaniel is actually one of the oldest continental spaniel breeds. These lovely dogs are talented gun dogs but they also make for friendly and docile family pets. If you are looking for a smart, trainable dog that can also be used for hunting, give the Picardy Spaniel a try.

The Picardy Spaniel is actually one of the oldest continental spaniel breeds.

Origin

The Picardy Spaniel is one of the oldest continental spaniel breeds with its origins dating back to before the French Revolution. These dogs were developed as gun dogs but they were also a popular hunting breed in France, especially in the aftermath of the revolution when hunting was no longer restricted to the French nobility. The Picardy Spaniel was crossed with various British hunting dogs during the 19th century which changed the appearance and the purpose of the existing breed and led to the development of its cousin, the Blue Picardy Spaniel.

Pedigree

The Picardy Spaniel is one of the oldest continental spaniel breeds that was later crossed with various British hunting dogs including the English Setter during the 19th century.

Food/Diet

As a medium-sized dog breed, Picardy Spaniels should be fed a high-quality commercial dog food diet formulated for dogs of its size. Because this breed is a high-energy hunting breed, however, an active or working breed formula may be more appropriate to meet his needs.

Picardy Spaniels are talented gun dogs but they also make for friendly and docile family pets.

Training

Because the Picardy Spaniel is a hunting breed, it does require a firm and consistent hand in training but they generally don’t have problems with destructive behavior. These dogs love having a job to do which is why they excel at many dog sports, even those that do not involve hunting. In general, Picardy Spaniels are fairly easy to train and they respond best to gentle positive-reinforcement training. Do not yell at or punish your dog because it could cause him to fear you and it may have a negative impact on your bond with your dog. It is also ineffective as a training tool.

Weight

The Picardy Spaniel is a medium-sized dog breed that generally stands 12 to 14 inches tall and weighs 40 to 55 pounds at maturity. Females of the breed are generally smaller than males.

Temperament/Behavior

The Picardy Spaniel is a mild-mannered dog breed that is also highly intelligent. These dogs were developed for hunting but they also make great family pets because they are gentle with children and they generally get along well with other dogs. Although this dog loves having plenty of outdoor space to run around, they are adaptable to apartment life or urban dwelling as long as their daily exercise needs are met. This breed tends to bond closely with family and it is a breed that has a tendency to develop separation anxiety if left alone for long periods of time. Adequate daily exercise and mental stimulation can help reduce the risk for problem behaviors.

Common Health Problems

The Picardy Spaniel is a healthy and hardy breed in general with a fairly long lifespan. The one problem this breed does seem to have a high risk for is ear infections – this is largely due to the size and shape of their pendulous ears. If overfed or under-exercised, this dog is also at risk for obesity.

Life Expectancy

The average lifespan of the Picardy Spaniel is between 13 and 14 years.

Exercise Requirements

Because the Picardy Spaniel was developed as a hunting breed you should expect it to have fairly high needs for exercise. This dog has excellent stamina and endurance, so a long daily walk or jog is the absolute minimum requirement in terms of daily exercise. This breed also enjoys having time to run in a fenced yard.

The Picardy Spaniel is a mild-mannered dog breed that is also highly intelligent.

AKC

The Picardy Spaniel club was formed in 1921 and later merged with the Club of Blue Picardy Spaniel in 1937. Today, the Picardy Spaniel is recognized by the United Kennel Club and the FCI but it has yet to be recognized by the AKC.

Coat

The Picardy Spaniel is a medium-sized breed that has an abundant, slightly wavy coat. The coat color can vary greatly, though it usually exhibits various shades of chocolate or chestnut brown with white or sand-colored markings on the head as well as grey or white spots on the legs.

Puppies

The average litter size for the Picardy Spaniel is 6 to 8 puppies. Because this is a high-energy and intelligent breed, it is best to start puppies with socialization and training as early as possible. Early socialization will help to ensure the friendliness and docility of the breed while early training will help to keep the dog’s high energy levels under control.

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