Picardy Spaniel

The Picardy Spaniel’s history is deeply intertwined with the history of France itself, particularly its northern regions. It’s believed to be a direct descendant of the old French spaniels (Oysel Hounds) that were popular back in the Middle Ages. These dogs were described in works dating as far back as the 1300s, notably in the writings of Gaston Fébus. This makes it one of the oldest, if not the oldest, of all continental spaniels. Its origins are very close to another French breed, the French Spaniel, and it’s likely they were once a single breed that diverged over time due to geographical isolation and different breeding priorities.

Before the French Revolution, these dogs were favourites of the French nobility. They can be seen in paintings by famous 18th-century animal artists like Alexandre-François Desportes and Jean-Baptiste Oudry. They were prized for their ability to work varied terrain, especially marshes, while hunting birds.

After the Revolution, when hunting was no longer a privilege reserved for the aristocracy, the Picardy Spaniel became the dog of the common people, particularly hunters in the Picardy region. Its thick, waterproof coat made it indispensable for working in the harsh, damp conditions of the Somme River valley. It was renowned for its stamina and ability to work for hours without tiring.

The Arrival of the “British” and the Birth of the Blue Spaniel

In the early 20th century, British hunting breeds, particularly English Setters, began to be imported into France in large numbers. This led to many local French breeds, including the Picardy Spaniel, falling out of favour. Hunters started crossbreeding their “Picardies” with English Setters to add speed and perhaps improve scenting ability. This crossbreeding lead to the emergence of a new, separate breed – the Blue Picardy Spaniel. It’s important to understand that the Picardy Spaniel (brown-roan) is the original and older breed, while the Blue Spaniel (black-roan) is its descendant, with a dash of Setter blood.

This “British invasion” and the two World Wars, with fronts passing directly through Picardy, pushed the breed to the brink of total extinction. The region was devastated, and its dog population was practically wiped out. Only through the incredible efforts of a few dedicated hunters and breeders, who hid and preserved the dogs, was the breed saved. The first breed club (Club de l’Épagneul Picard) was founded in 1921, which helped to standardise and preserve it.

The Picardy Spaniel is a strong, muscular, medium-sized dog, slightly longer than it is tall, with a proud bearing and a kind, expressive gaze. It combines the power and elegance needed for tireless work in the field.

• Overall Appearance: Strong, broad-backed dog with sturdy limbs. Movement is free and energetic.
• Head: Skull is broad and rounded, with a prominent occipital crest. The stop (transition from forehead to muzzle) is gentle, not sharp.
• Muzzle: Long, fairly broad, tapering slightly towards the nose. The bridge of the nose may be slightly curved. The nose is always brown, with well-opened nostrils.
• Eyes: Dark amber in colour, large, and wide open. The gaze is very expressive, frank, soft, and friendly.
• Ears: Set quite low, at or slightly below eye level. They frame the face and are covered with beautiful, wavy, silky hair.
• Body: Back is strong, loin is broad and muscular. The croup is slightly sloping and rounded. Chest is deep, broad, and reaches elbow level.
• Tail: Not set too high. It has two slight curves (convex and concave), forming a “sabre” shape. Not too long, covered in silky “feathering”.
• Coat: Thick but not overly silky, slightly wavy on the body and finer on the head. Provides good protection from weather and water.
• Colour: A characteristic grey-roan (a mixture of white and black hairs giving a greyish tint) with brown patches of various sizes scattered over the body. This colouring is often called “autumn leaves”. There are often tan markings on the head and paws.

Below is a detailed table with the main characteristics of the breed standard.

One of the most defining traits of the Picardy Spaniel is its so-called “off switch”. This is a quality highly valued by hunters: in the field or woods, it’s a tireless, energetic, passionate, and determined worker. But the moment it crosses the threshold of the home, it transforms into a calm, gentle, and level-headed companion. It’s perfectly happy lying at its owner’s feet or dozing on the sofa.

This is an extremely people-oriented dog. It forms a deep bond with its family and craves to be near them. Picardies do not handle loneliness well and are not suited for living in a kennel or on a chain. They need constant human contact. They are typically very good with children, showing gentleness and patience. They are also usually friendly towards other dogs, as they were historically worked in packs.

At the same time, one must not forget its strong hunting instinct. An innate drive to chase prey (birds, rabbits, squirrels) is in its blood. This means that during walks in unfenced areas, it must always be on a lead unless you are absolutely certain of its flawless recall. Living with smaller pets like cats, hamsters, or pet birds can be problematic if the dog was not raised with them from a very early age.

Picardy Spaniels are intelligent and eager to please, but they can also be somewhat “soft” or sensitive. They mature slowly, remaining “puppies” at heart for quite a long time. This is important to consider during training.

The Picardy Spaniel is a classic continental gundog, or “versatile gundog”. Its job isn’t limited to just one thing; it was bred to perform all phases of the hunt: searching, pointing, flushing birds, and retrieving from both land and water, as well as tracking wounded game.

• Search and Point: It works methodically at a medium gallop, adapting its search range to the terrain and the hunter’s directions. Unlike some other breeds, it hunts with the hunter, not for itself, constantly maintaining contact. It has a strong, innate pointing instinct.
• Water Work: This is one of its strongest suits. Bred in marshy Picardy, it adores water and is an excellent swimmer with a natural inclination to retrieve game from water, even in cold weather.
• Retrieving: They have a reputation for a “soft mouth,” meaning they retrieve game without damaging it. Their retrieving instinct is generally well-developed.
• Working in Cover: Its sturdy build and thick coat allow it to work in dense thickets, brambles, or reeds without issue, where other dogs might hesitate.

It is an excellent choice for hunting pheasant, partridge, woodcock, and waterfowl. Its versatility makes it functionally similar to dogs like the German Longhaired Pointer or the Drentse Partridge Dog, although each has its own unique traits and working style.

Although the Picardy Spaniel is hardy and relatively low-maintenance, it has specific needs that a prospective owner must consider. This is not a dog for a flat and not for sedentary people.

Exercise

This is the most critical aspect of ownership. As a working dog, the Picardy Spaniel requires a huge amount of physical and mental stimulation. A simple walk on a lead twice a day will be disastrously insufficient. It needs long (1-2 hours a day) outings with the opportunity to run free, explore, sniff, and swim. A bored Picardy with unspent energy can become destructive: chewing furniture, barking, or digging up the garden.

The ideal owner for one is an active person or family who enjoys hiking, running, hunting, or participates in dog sports such as agility, scent work, or field trials.

Grooming (Coat Care)

Surprisingly, despite its long coat, the Picardy Spaniel does not require complex grooming. Its coat has a structure that isn’t prone to severe matting and has water-repellent properties.

Feeding

The Picardy Spaniel is not prone to food allergies but requires a high-quality, high-energy food, especially if the dog is actively working or training. It’s important not to overfeed, as excess weight puts extra strain on the joints. Portion sizes should be adjusted based on the dog’s activity level.

Training a Picardy Spaniel is a balance of patience and consistency. They are intelligent and have a strong desire to please, which makes them quite easy to train… if you use the right approach.

The golden rule is positive reinforcement only. Picardies are very sensitive (“soft”) dogs. They do not tolerate harsh methods, shouting, physical punishment, or harsh lead jerks. This will only cause the dog to “shut down,” become fearful, and refuse to work. They respond wonderfully to praise, treats, and play-based motivation. Training should be fun, in short sessions, to keep the dog from getting bored.

It’s vital to remember their slow maturation. They might look physically adult at a year old, but mentally, they remain puppies until they are two or three. Don’t demand too much too soon. Patience is your best tool.

Early socialisation is essential. The puppy needs to be introduced to various people, sounds, places, and other dogs in a positive, controlled environment. This will help it grow into a confident and well-balanced dog. Special attention should be paid to managing the hunting instinct and training a rock-solid recall.

The Picardy Spaniel is generally considered a healthy and hardy breed. Because it has never been overly popular and breeding has always focused on working qualities, it has avoided many of the genetic problems that plague “show breeds”. The average lifespan is 12-14 years.

However, like any breed, they have a predisposition to certain conditions:

• Ear Infections (Otitis): This is problem #1 for all spaniels. The drop ears create a warm, moist environment perfect for bacterial and yeast growth. This is less a disease and more a condition requiring constant management and prevention (regular cleaning).
• Hip Dysplasia: A common problem for medium and large-sized dogs. It’s an improper development of the hip joint that can lead to arthritis and pain. Responsible breeders always test their dogs for dysplasia before breeding.
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): An inherited eye disease that leads to gradual vision loss and blindness. Genetic tests are available to identify carriers.
• Eyelid Issues (Ectropion/Entropion): Occasionally occurs, where the eyelid rolls outwards or inwards, causing irritation. It’s usually corrected surgically.

Before getting a Picardy Spaniel, it’s important to soberly assess all the advantages and disadvantages of this unique breed.

1. One of the Oldest Spaniels: The Picardy Spaniel is one of the two oldest continental spaniel breeds (along with the French Spaniel).
2. Nearly Vanished Twice: The breed was on the brink of extinction, first due to the “fashion” for English Setters in the early 20th century, and then due to the devastation of World War I and World War II.
3. “Father” of the Blue Spaniel: It was by crossing Picardy Spaniels with English Setters (to get the black-grey colour) that the separate breed, the Blue Picardy Spaniel, was developed.
4. A Royal Favourite: Before the revolution, these dogs were highly prized by the French aristocracy and often depicted in royal hunting portraits.
5. Dog of the Marshes: Its entire build – from its thick coat to its love of water – is a direct adaptation to the conditions of hunting waterfowl in the marshy valleys of the Somme River in Picardy.

Is the Picardy Spaniel suitable for living in a flat? Absolutely not. This is an extremely high-energy working dog that needs space to run. Living in a flat without the possibility of daily, hours-long training and free-running will lead to behavioural problems. The ideal situation is a house with a large, securely fenced garden and very active owners.

Does the Picardy Spaniel shed a lot? Shedding is moderate. They have seasonal moults in spring and autumn, during which the amount of hair increases. Regular brushing (1-2 times a week) helps to keep this under control.

Does the Picardy Spaniel get on with cats and other animals? It’s difficult and risky. The breed has a very high prey drive aimed at birds and small animals. If the puppy was not raised with a cat from a very young age, the chances of peaceful coexistence are low. And it will always treat stray cats or squirrels as prey.

How is the Picardy Spaniel different from the Blue Picardy Spaniel? They are two different, though related, breeds. The main differences are:

1. Origin: The Picardy Spaniel is older. The Blue Picardy Spaniel was bred later by crossing the Picardy Spaniel with the English Setter.

2. Colour: The Picardy Spaniel has a grey-roan coat with brown patches. The Blue Picardy Spaniel has a black-roan (grey-black) coat with black patches.

3. Build: The Blue Spaniel is often slightly lighter and has more Setter-like features.

Is the Picardy Spaniel difficult to train? They are not difficult to teach, as they are smart and want to please. But they can be difficult to train if you are impatient or use harsh methods. Their sensitivity and slow maturation require a great deal of patience, consistency, and the ability to work with positive reinforcement from the owner.