Blue Picardy Spaniel

The Blue Picardy Spaniel is a medium-sized gun dog that originated from the region of northern France known as Picardy. As a descendant of the Picardy Spaniel and the English Setter, the breed’s original purpose was to locate game birds in harsh terrain. The technical term for this type of dog is a spaniel: it flushes game out of the dense brush and then retrieves the prey where it has landed. Despite being a well-established purebred dog, the Blue Picardy Spaniel is currently listed in the American Kennel Club’s Foundation Stock Service (FSS) as of 2024, which is a step toward full recognition but does not yet allow participation in all AKC events. It does, however, have a small but avid following in its native country of France and parts of French-speaking Canada.

The Blue Picardy was obviously built for hunting work. Some of the common physical characteristics include an athletic body, long muzzle, drooping ears, and a flat or wavy coat of speckled blue, almost black fur with white markings. There are extra featherings around the legs, stomach, ears, and tail as well. Blue Picardy puppies are actually born with white and black spots. The roan fur color, in which a mixture of black and white hairs combine into a sort of blue-gray appearance, only develops later as the dog starts to mature.

3 Pros and Cons of Owning a Blue Picardy Spaniel

Blue Picardy Spaniel Size and Weight

The Blue Picardy is a medium-sized breed with an athletic and well-muscled body. Males and females are about the same size. Blue Picardy spaniels are on average 22 to 24 inches tall and weigh between 55 and 70 pounds.

Blue Picardy Spaniel Common Health Issues

The Blue Picardy is a very healthy dog with an average life span of around 13 years, but it is prone to developing some problems such as ear infections, cancer, ectropion (in which the lower eyelid droops down, exposing part of the eye), and a developmental disorder called hip dysplasia, in which the hip can slip loose from its socket, causing lameness and pain.

Ideally, the dog should receive a certification from the vet to prove that it is free of common developmental and genetic issues. A good breeder should have already done this health certification process by themselves before the point of purchase. Once you actually bring your dog home, regular visits to the vet are essential to catch potential health problems early.

Blue Picardy Spaniel Temperament

The ideal Blue Picardy is well-mannered and expressive; it isn’t too aggressive or too shy. It’s devoted to the family and loves playtime and companionship. Owners will need to spend a lot of time with this breed, engaging it with games, playtime, exercise, and other forms of activity. It should not be left alone by itself for long periods of time.

Hyperactivity and destructive behavior are usually signs of a bored dog and not deeper behavioral issues. If you need to spend a long time away from home, then you should have a plan in place for someone to take care of your dog.

How to Take Care of the Blue Picardy Spaniel

The Blue Picardy is a good choice for experienced and engaged owners who have the time and ability to care for a highly active dog breed. Since they require a lot of space to run around and play, the Blue Picardy is not very well-suited for apartment living. Other than that, it shouldn’t be too difficult to care for this breed.

The Best Dog Food for Blue Picardy Spaniels

The Blue Picardy will need a few cups of high-quality dog food per day, depending on its size, age, activity level, and other characteristics. It has no other special dietary considerations, but you should carefully monitor its calorie intake to prevent obesity from developing.

Blue Picardy Spaniel Maintenance and Grooming

The Blue Picardy will need to be brushed about once or twice a week to keep the coat smooth and healthy. During the spring and fall shedding seasons, it may need to be brushed as often as once a day. Professional grooming is not necessary, but the fur that grows around the pads and toes should be trimmed periodically.

Another important aspect of its care is the occasional toenail clipping to prevent them from cracking or clicking on the floor. Brushing the teeth with an appropriate dog-specific product will keep the teeth and gums healthy. Finally, it is a good idea to check the ears regularly for signs of infection or wax buildup. A simple cotton swab and cleaning solution will usually suffice to keep the ears healthy.

Blue Picardy Spaniel Training

The Blue Picardy is very smart, responsible, and eager to learn new things. Since it has historically worked closely with people, it should be a relative breeze to train with little of the stubbornness that may afflict other breeds. Nevertheless, since this breed does have a sensitive side, it does not respond well to harsh words or training methods. The Blue Picardy requires both support and patience from its owner. Give it enough time and space to learn at its own pace.

Blue Picardy Spaniel Exercise

The Blue Picardy is a highly energetic breed with great stamina and fortitude. It will probably require at least an hour of exercise per day. This breed has a strong desire to engage in vigorous running and swimming. It also excels at retrieving, agility trials, and obedience challenges.

Blue Picardy Spaniel Puppies

The Blue Picardy is very energetic and rambunctious as a puppy, but with enough training and socialization, the right owner can easily mold it into a mature and confident adult. Puppy kindergarten classes might be a good idea starting around 10 to 12 weeks old. You should also take your puppy to parks, playdates, and other places with lots of people and dogs. In short, you should socialize your dog early and often. Professional classes, while not strictly mandatory, can help shape your dog into a well-mannered adult. Crate training can also help puppies with housebreaking and behavioral issues.

The Blue Picardy Spaniel and Children

The Blue Picardy should get along exceptionally well with children of all ages. Its affectionate personality, loyal devotion, and gentle demeanor all combine to make it a great family dog. Nevertheless, adults should never leave dogs and children together unsupervised, no matter how friendly their temperament, just in case you need to intervene and stop a bad interaction.

Dogs Similar to the Blue Picardy Spaniel

The Blue Picardy closely resembles the following types of French and English spaniels:

• Picardy Spaniel: This is the closest living relative of the Blue Picardy. While physically and behaviorally similar, the main difference is the chocolate or chestnut brown fur color.
• Brittany: This sweet and good-natured hunting dog was developed in the nearby French region of Brittany between the 17th and 19th centuries. It is characterized by a compact, athletic body, expressive face, drooping ears, and a flowing coat of orange or liver and white fur. Black and white or roan is also sometimes accepted.
• French Spaniel: Prized by the French aristocracy in the Middle Ages, this friendly and outgoing gundog would accompany its owner on the hunt and locate prey by silently pointing. It is characterized by a medium-length straight or wavy coat with a white base and brown markings.
• English Setter: A gentle and people-oriented dog, the English Setter was originally bred to hunt small fowl. It is characterized by a long, silky white coat with flecks of black, orange, or liver covering the body.
• Braque Saint-Germain: The name itself offers a description of the dog. Braque means pointing dog in French, and Saint-Germain describes the region of France, just northwest of Paris, from which it originated. This is a very versatile, medium-sized pointer with a short coat of white fur and orange markings.

Famous Blue Picardy Spaniel Dogs

The Blue Picardy isn’t well-known outside of hunting circles in its native France. However, the American actress Kate Bosworth owned a Blue Picardy called Happy.