Blue Picardy Spaniel
Other names: Bleu Picard, Épagneul Bleu de Picardie

The Blue Picardy Spaniel was developed in France during the early 20th century. She descends from the Picardy Spaniel and English Setter. Like her close relatives, the Blue Picardy Spaniel is a highly energetic dog that needs around two hours of exercise each day. This versatile hunting dog can also make a great family pet, although they’re extremely rare outside of France and Northern Canada.
Key facts about the Blue Picardy Spaniel
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Origins and history
In the early 20th century, the area around the mouth of the river Somme was a popular hunting spot for French and British game hunters, but the British hunting parties were required by law to quarantine their dogs in the Picardy area. These English setters were cross-bred with french hunting dogs, and the Blue Picardy Spaniel was born. It was recognised as a separate breed in 1938 and is still a popular working dog in France and the French-speaking areas of Canada.
FCI breed nomenclature
FCI Group
Group 7 - Pointing Dogs
Section
Section 1 : Continental Pointing Dogs
Physical characteristics of the Blue Picardy Spaniel
Adult size
Female : Between 22 and 27 in
Male : Between 22 and 24 in
Weight
Female : Between 33 and 40 lb
Male : Between 33 and 40 lb
Coat colour
Speckled blackish gray. The general appearance is that of a bluish dog, with black spots.
Type of coat
Medium length. Single layered. Flat or wavy.
Eye colour
Dark.
Description
The Blue Picardy Spaniel has a low, athletic frame, and is well built for work. This is a well-proportioned dog with a rich, silky coat. Her proud and alert posture reflects her personality and physical capabilities. She has a relatively broad, oval skull, and calm, expressive eyes. Like most other spaniels, the Blue Picardy has long floppy ears.
Good to know
The Blue Picardy Spaniel isn’t actually blue, although her grey coat takes on a “bluish” hue under certain kinds of lighting.
Around a 1,000 Blue Picardy Puppies are born in France every year. They’re also popular in Canada but virtually unheard of everywhere else.
Her exercise demands can’t be underestimated. She needs at least two hours of intense physical activity every single day.
Temperament
Behaviour of the Blue Picardy Spaniel
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Compatibility
Price
We do not have enough data to set an average price, but you can expect to pay upwards of £800 for a well-bred puppy. Looking after a dog of this size typically costs between £70 to £100 a month, including food, medical/insurance, and incidental expenses.
Grooming
Her long, silky coat requires a weekly brush to avoid knots. She should also be checked over after any hunts or forest walks.
Nutrition of the Blue Picardy Spaniel
2-3 cups of high-quality dog food every day. Either industrial or raw food are fine: it does not matter for this dog as long as the products are of good quality and that they answer her needs, in particular according to her daily expenditure.
Health of the Blue Picardy Spaniel
Life expectancy
The Blue Picardy Spaniel is a well-bred and very healthy animal with an average lifespan of 13 years.
Strong / robust
Working dogs tend to be strong and robust, and the Blue Picardy Spaniel is no exception.
Withstand heat
Picardy Spaniels have no problems dealing with warmer weather, although it’s best to avoid exercising them during the hottest parts of the day. They can get overexcited which may lead to heat exhaustion.
Withstand cold
These hardy dogs are well equipped for the cold weather. They have dense, insulating coats designed to keep them warm, and can safely dive in ice to recover game.
Tendency to put on weight
She is very greedy, and the risk of weight gain is significant. Maintaining a healthy body weight is crucial for any dog’s long-term health.
Common illnesses
- Ear infections
- Arthritis
- Obesity
- Hunting injuries