Picardy SpanielCharacteristics, history, training and care
Picardy Spaniel. · APictche / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped and resized.
The Picardy Spaniel is an old French pointing dog of the spaniel type, from the Picardy region, with a grey coat mottled with brown and tan markings. Wikipedia says it is considered one of the oldest continental spaniels. The standard describes it as flexible, gentle, balanced and very well suited to family life.
Quick facts
| Common name | Picardy Spaniel (Épagneul picard) |
| Scientific name | Canis lupus familiaris |
| Country of origin | France |
| Official recognition | FCI, definitively since 8 December 1954 (group 7, continental pointing dogs, spaniel type, with working trial; standard no. 108) |
| Lifespan | No published data for the breed; large breeds usually live 10–12 years |
| Size (males) | 57–62 cm at the withers |
| Size (females) | 55–60 cm at the withers |
| Coat type | Dense, not too silky, slightly wavy on the body |
| Common colours | Grey mottled with dark brown patches, usually with tan |
| Energy level | High |
| Suited to an apartment? | Not really |
| Temperament | Flexible, gentle, balanced, good with children |
| Tendency to aggression | Low |
| Good with children | Very good, according to the standard |
| Good with other animals | Average; hunting instinct |
| Genetic predispositions | No breed-specific diseases are known |
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History and origin
The FCI standard says the varied habitat of Picardy led local hunters to look for a robust, versatile and generous dog. This old breed was used mainly locally, which is why it never spread much beyond Picardy. It is related to the Blue Picardy Spaniel; the main difference is the colour.
Wikipedia says it is regarded as one of the two oldest continental spaniels, that it was favoured by the French nobility and that it remained popular for hunting even after the Revolution, thanks to its weather-resistant coat. Its popularity declined in the early 20th century, with the arrival of English gundogs.
How the breed developed
- Long ago – A hunting dog of the French nobility.
- After the French Revolution – It remains popular for hunting.
- Early 20th century – It declines in the face of English breeds.
- 8 December 1954 – The FCI recognises the breed.
Breed rating
| Feature | Stars |
|---|---|
| Training and intelligence | ★★★★☆ |
| Easy to train | ★★★★☆ |
| Intelligence | ★★★★☆ |
| Independence | ★★★☆☆ |
| Stubbornness | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Behaviour and temperament | ★★★★★ |
| Affectionate with family | ★★★★★ |
| Friendly with children | ★★★★★ |
| Good with other dogs | ★★★★☆ |
| Good with cats and other animals | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Loyalty | ★★★★★ |
| Tendency to be aggressive | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Tendency to bark | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Needs and care | ★★★☆☆ |
| Shedding | ★★★☆☆ |
| Needs frequent grooming | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Activity and lifestyle | ★★★★☆ |
| Energy level | ★★★★☆ |
| Daily exercise needs | ★★★★☆ |
| Suited to apartment life | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Health and longevity | ★★★☆☆ |
| Life expectancy | ★★★★☆ |
| Predisposition to genetic diseases | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Working abilities and uses | ★★★★☆ |
| Good hunting dog | ★★★★★ |
| Good companion dog | ★★★★★ |
Indicative rating: 5 stars means the highest level. The breed has no AKC profile, so the rating is based on the FCI standard.
Physical characteristics
It is a spaniel-type pointing dog, robust and athletic. The standard says that, on point, it is steady and cheerful, with a keen nose that leaves the game no chance.
General appearance
The skull is moderately broad and rounded. The coat is dense, not too silky, fine on the head and slightly wavy on the body, often with an undercoat.
| Feature | Picardy Spaniel |
|---|---|
| Size | Large |
| Height at the withers | males: 57–62 cm; females: 55–60 cm |
| Coat | Dense, slightly wavy |
| Colour | Grey mottled with brown |
| Use | Pointing dog |
| Type | Continental spaniel |
The traditional colour is grey mottled, with dark brown patches on the body and at the root of the tail, most often with tan markings on the head and legs. The combination of brown mottling with tan and white is traditionally called “autumn leaves”.
Training and socialisation
The standard describes it as a flexible, gentle dog with a balanced temperament, very well suited to family life. Its kindness makes it an ideal companion at home.
It is a true lover of children and happily plays with them. Being athletic, it needs a daily walk to burn off its energy.
Tips for effective training
- Use rewards. It is gentle and wants to cooperate.
- Give it a job. It enjoys search and retrieve games.
- Practise the recall. In the field, its instinct can take over.
- Walk it every day. The standard says it needs this.
Activity needs and lifestyle
The standard says that, being athletic, it enjoys a daily walk in which it burns off its energy. Like any hunting dog, it needs exercise and activity for its nose.
| Activity | How often | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Long walk | daily | Energy |
| Search games | several times a week | A keen nose |
| Retrieving | weekly | Hunting instinct |
Tips for a balanced life
- It suits active families with children.
- It needs a yard.
- Dry its ears after rain or swimming.
Care and health
Coat and skin care
The dense, slightly wavy coat is brushed once or twice a week. The well-feathered ears are checked regularly.
Common health problems
No health studies have been published for the breed and no specific diseases are known. As with any active dog with hanging ears, it is worth watching for:
| Condition | Description | Common symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Hip dysplasia | The hip joint forms incorrectly and, over time, arthritis develops | Limping, difficulty getting up or jumping, hip pain |
| Ear infections | Infections of the ears | Head shaking, bad smell, red ears |
Other care
- Check the ears weekly.
- Check for ticks after outings in nature.
- Trim the nails regularly.
Diet and nutrition
An active hunting dog needs good-quality food suited to its level of exertion.
Tips for a healthy diet
The table gives a starting estimate, calculated with the formula from the Merck Veterinary Manual. The first two calorie columns show the calories per day for a healthy adult dog. The last column shows what this means in dry food with 3,500–4,000 kcal per kilogram.
| Dog's weight | Calories per day (neutered) | Calories per day (not neutered) | Dry food per day (approximate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 kg | 1,060 kcal | 1,190 kcal | 260–340 g |
| 23 kg | 1,180 kcal | 1,320 kcal | 300–380 g |
| 25 kg | 1,250 kcal | 1,410 kcal | 310–400 g |
- Split the food into two meals a day.
- Do not let it run right after a meal.
- A dog is at the right weight when you can feel its ribs under the coat without pressing hard.
Foods to avoid
Some human foods are dangerous for dogs: chocolate, coffee, grapes and raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol (a sweetener used in chewing gum), macadamia nuts and alcohol.
Reproduction and development
Physical and emotional maturity
In dogs, sexual maturity usually comes between 6 and 12 months, but in large breeds it can be delayed until about two years. The body also reaches its adult form later than in small breeds.
Mating and pregnancy
Pregnancy lasts about 63 days, counted from ovulation. Mating a female on her first heat is not recommended. The FCI standard requires that only healthy dogs of typical breed appearance are used for breeding.
Caring for the puppies
In large breeds, a litter has around 7 puppies on average. Socialisation starts in the first weeks: gentle handling, everyday noises and new people.
Interesting facts
- “Autumn leaves”. That is the traditional name for one of the breed's colour combinations.
- It stayed at home. It never spread much beyond Picardy.
- A lover of children. The standard says it happily plays with children.
- The dog of nobles. Wikipedia says it was favoured by the French nobility.
- A blue cousin. The Blue Picardy Spaniel differs mainly in colour.
Frequently asked questions
How does it differ from the Blue Picardy Spaniel?
Mainly in coat colour: it is grey mottled with brown, while the other is blue-black.
How big does it get?
Males measure 57–62 cm, females 55–60 cm.
Is it a family dog?
Yes. The standard says it is very well suited to family life.
What does it hunt?
Mostly small game; it is a pointing dog.
