Blue Picardy Spaniel

The Blue Picardy Spaniel is a direct descendent of the old and vast family of French Spaniels. In the 14th century, Gaston Phébus and Henri de Ferrières recorded the first descriptions of the French "setting dogs" in their treatises on hunting, but it is quite probable that the Blue Picardy Spaniel originated well before that.

Over the years, the spaniels of France separated into many regional types, where size, color and hunting abilities varied according to the areas they inhabited and their owners' hunting habits. Picardie, France, particularly the area around the Bay of Somme, was a paradise for hunters of waterfowl.

Towards the end of the nineteenth century, the most avid and wealthiest hunters from Great Britain, and their dogs, crossed the English Channel to hunt in France. The Picardie marshes and sandy moors of Brittany became the favorite hunting grounds of many setter owners. Because of the implementation of the quarantine, prohibiting the re-entry of their dogs into Great Britain, some hunters boarded their setters on Picardie farms. Consequently, the Picardie spaniels were infused with English blood; most likely the blue belton English Setter, and perhaps the Gordon Setter, after 1900

The presence of the first black, blue-gray coated spaniel was recorded in 1875 but it was not until after 1900 that the "Picard Spaniel" first appeared in the dog fanciers' circle. In 1904, a Mr. Ratel showed a Picard Spaniel, officially classified as a French Spaniel, at the Paris Canine Exposition. It was not until 1907, when the Spaniel Club was founded, that specific classes were formed for each variety of spaniel.

In 1921 the Picard Spaniel and Blue Picardy Spaniel Club was formed. The Blue Picardy Spaniel was classified as a separate breed because of its distinctive "grayish-black mottled" color and its blue rather than brown skin pigmentation. In Europe, the breed was recognized as a distinct race in 1938. The Canadian Kennel Club officially recognized the Blue Picardy Spaniel in 1995.

These breeds have a sweet easygoing nature and are enjoyable to live with. Hard working in the field and easy keepers in the home, it’s a wonder this rare breed has not caught fancy with more households. This breed was developed in the 1800’s by breeding the English Setter with the Picardy Spaniels. Known for its versatility, it works equally well on fur or feathered quarry.

The coat is medium length with medium coarse/silky feathering on legs, undercarriage, ears and tail. Its color is black and white with heavy ticking (roaning) throughout that needs minimal grooming. They do require regular brushing and attention to the ears.

The distinctive coat is a blue-grey roan with black patches of various sizes. Puppies are born mostly white-grey and the colour fills in as they mature.

Blue Picardy males measure 22-24 in (56-61 cm) at the withers and weigh about 45 lb (20.5 kg). Females are slightly smaller.