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View 8 More +The Blue Picardy Spaniel descended from the cross-breeding of the Blue Belton English Setter and French hunting Spaniels during the early 1900s in France. The result was an intelligent, gentle, hard-working dog. They love to please their people and are said to be one of the easiest dogs to train.
Breed Overview
Height:
22 – 24 inches
Weight:
40 – 45 pounds
Lifespan:
12 – 14 years
Colors:
Grey with black spots
Suitable for:
Hunting, agility, active families, active single people
Temperament:
Intelligent, gentle, sociable, playful
The breed is not usually prone to health problems as long as they are properly cared for. Finally, they love to be active and need plenty of vigorous exercise every day.
If this sounds like the kind of dog for you, read on to learn more about the Blue Picardy Spaniel!
Blue Picardy Spaniel Characteristics
Blue Picardy Spaniel Puppies
The price of a Blue Picardy Spaniel puppy can vary widely. Their high price is explained by the fact that they are somewhat rare. You should always research before committing to a specific breeder. Don’t be afraid to inquire about the health and temperament of the parents as well. You should also be aware that there may be a long waitlist for a Blue Picardy Spaniel puppy due to their scarcity. If you live in the United States, it is highly unlikely you will find a Blue Picardy in a shelter as they are not popular pets there.
When you bring home a Blue Picardy Spaniel, you’ll have to commit time and energy to train your pup. They are highly intelligent, and playful, making them good for training and socialization.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Blue Picardy Spaniel 🧠
Although they have not yet reached the level of popularity in the United States that they have in Canada and Europe, the Blue Picardy Spaniel epitomizes many of the best characteristics we look for in a dog. They are intelligent, friendly, playful, and gentle. Their high level of intelligence makes them easy to train and they tend to remember their manners at all times.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪
Yes! Blue Picardy Spaniels are excellent dogs for active families. They are not usually aggressive, even though they are hunting dogs by nature. They love to run around and need plenty of vigorous exercise every day.
After a long day, however, the Blue Picardy loves to settle down and cuddle with its family. They form close bonds with their families and love to be around them. If your family is active and adventurous, you would love a Blue Picardy as a companion.
Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽
Although they are hunting dogs, Blue Picardy Spaniels are pointers and retrievers. They don’t attack prey, and thus, get along quite well with most other pets. Like most dogs, they should be introduced to smaller pets, like cats, at a young age so that they grow accustomed to sharing their space with them.
The Blue Picardy also generally gets along well with other dogs. The only caution with pets and these dogs would be birds. The Blue Picardy won’t attack prey, but having birds in the home will trigger their pointing and retrieving instincts. You don’t want them to be constantly on alert or barking in the home.
Things to Know When Owning a Blue Picardy Spaniel
The Blue Picardy Spaniel makes a wonderful pet for the right family. If you think you may be the type of family for a Blue Picardy, you should make sure you know what they need to be happy and healthy. Food and exercise requirements, training and grooming needs, and health conditions are all important factors you need to consider when deciding on the best pet for your household. Read on for a breakdown of these crucial components of Blue Picardy ownership.
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
Since they are such active dogs, the Blue Picardy Spaniel may need a brand of high-performance dog food. You should check with your veterinarian for recommendations on the best kind of food for your dog. They are medium-sized, so they will need to eat around 2¼ to 2½ cups of food per day. Food should be divided between two mealtimes, one in the morning and one in the evening.
Exercise 🐕
If you are not active, the Blue Picardy Spaniel is not the right dog for you. They are tireless and have amazing levels of endurance. They must have plenty of vigorous exercise every day.
And when it comes to exercise, they love it all! Running, hunting, swimming, tracking, agility, fetch, or any other activity you can design for them will all be a hit. They do not do well in cities or in apartments because they need to get out and roam.
If you are thinking of bringing a Blue Picardy into your family, you should have at minimum a large, fenced yard. If you live in the country and have acreage, that would be even better. Without proper exercise and stimulation, the Blue Picardy may become bored. This may lead to them destroying your furniture and doors out of boredom.
Training 🎾
Their boundless energy can be put to good use through training. The Blue Picardy excels at dog sports such as agility and fetch. They are also natural hunting companions. The Blue Picardy is very intelligent and eager to please which makes them a breeze to train. They also enjoy learning and working so they thrive on the stimulation of consistent training. The breed is sensitive and should be trained with kindness and gentle commands as they do not do well with harsh training.
Grooming ✂️
The medium-length coat of the Blue Picardy Spaniel requires brushing a few times per week to prevent knots. When you brush them, you should be on the lookout for ticks, burrs, and other things they may pick up from running in the fields and woods.
You may also want to trim the fur around the paws and between their toes regularly to prevent matting. Your Blue Picardy will also need to be bathed regularly, but this shouldn’t be a problem for this water-loving pup.
Their nails should be kept short, and you will need to clean their ears regularly to prevent ear infections.
Health and Conditions 🏥
The Blue Picardy Spaniel is generally healthy and is not known to have a predisposition to any genetic diseases. Still, keep an eye out for these few conditions that could pop up in this breed.
- Ear infections
Male vs Female
There are no real differences in temperament or health between the male and female Blue Picardy Spaniel. Sometimes the male is slightly larger, but otherwise, there is no discernible difference. As long as they get plenty of exercise, both make excellent active family dogs.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Blue Picardy Spaniel
1. Newborn Blue Picardy Spaniels Are White With Black Spots
The white fur is quite different from the bluish-grey an adult Blue Picardy has. As they get older, their coat changes to a grey and black speckled look with bigger black patches.
2. Their Skin Has a Blue Tint To It
Although their name comes from the color of their coat, it is interesting to note that their skin is also a bluish color.
3. They Are Said to Be One of The Easiest Dogs to Train
The Blue Picardy Spaniel is intelligent and eager to please. Combine this with their gentle, friendly nature and you get a great dog for agility, sport, and other activities.
Closing Thoughts
The Blue Picardy Spaniel has yet to catch on in popularity in the United States. However, it seems like only a matter of time before more people discover these great dogs! When given proper space to roam around and an outlet for their boundless energy, the Blue Picardy is a great companion. They are sweet, intelligent, trainable, and affectionate. As long as you love the outdoors and want a furry friend to share your adventures with, it would be tough to find a better dog than the Blue Picardy Spaniel!
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Featured Image Credit: slowmotiongli, Shutterstock
