Picardy Spaniel

Said to be among the 2 oldest continental spaniel breeds, the Picardy Spaniel’s origins are shrouded in mystery due to the lack of documentation.  However, canine historians believe that this dog breed came from the Oysel dog, an ancient French spaniel.

The Picardy Spaniel, an uncommon breed, is from the Picardy region of France, in the Valley of Somme. It was crossed with some British hunting breeds in the 19th century. Although some references indicate that this canine had already existed before the 1900s, it was only officially acknowledged in 1907. The standard for the Picardy Spaniel was drawn up in 1908 and remained the same until today.

The highly prized hunting, pointing, and retrieving Picardy Spaniel were favoured by the French nobility. However, the breed’s existence was threatened by the two World Wars. The efforts of Francois Prin, a former breed club president, helped keep the Picardy Spaniel afloat after World War II. In the 1980s, the preservation efforts were rewarded by higher numbers of quality Picardy Spaniels. The breed began winning dog competitions and fans among hunters.

Whilst the modern Picardy Spaniel remains favoured and highly valued by hunters in France, these good-looking dogs remain unknown in many parts of the world. Currently, it is not yet acknowledged by The Kennel Club, although it is recognised by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale, Continental Kennel Club, North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association (NAVHDA), American Rare Breed Association, North American Kennel Club, and United Kennel Club. In France, the Club de l’Epagneul Picards et le Pont Audemer has been set up to help preserve the breed.

The elegant Picardy Spaniel stands at 55-62 cm on average, while its weight ranges from 20-25 kilograms. This dog is considered a large breed with muscular neck and shoulders. Its chest is deep and wide whilst its muzzle is also long and wide, ending in a rounded nose. The rounded head has eyes that exude a friendly and open expression. The low-set ears are covered in silky hair that frames the head.

The Picardy Spaniel’s legs are straight and muscular, with large, round feet that have some feathering in between the toes. Its dense coat may lay flat and straight or long and wavy. The coat colour pattern may be mottled grey with brown patches, with tan points usually found on the head and legs. The brown hues may range from chocolate to sand. The Blue Picardy Spaniel is the dark-coloured variety with no brown points.

Compared to other French dog breeds, the Picardy Spaniel is hardier and more resilient. Highly intelligent, gentle, calm, protective, and affectionate, this dog is a courageous and hard-working hunting companion. It loves being out with its human . Adaptable and eager to please, this breed is highly trainable in capable and firm hands. As such, it is not a breed recommended to first-time dog owners.

The Picardy Spaniel also excels at various dog sports. It does well with training using positive reinforcement as it is a sensitive dog. It is recommended their natural gifts be developed rather than instructing them to do certain tasks. It enjoys being in the water and will not hesitate to dive in when needed. Despite its gifts as a hunter and retriever, the Picardy Spaniel is not ideal as a watchdog, although it will bark at strangers.

• Ear infections 
• Hip dysplasia 
• Ectropion (lids rolling outwards) 
• Entropion (lids tucking inwards) 

Acquiring a Picardy Spaniel, being an uncommon breed, requires you to register with a breeder and be put on a waiting list. It has been estimated that there are only about 1,000 such dogs worldwide and that average annual registrations are less than 100 annually.

Once a well-bred Picardy Spaniel puppy is available, expect to spend no less than £800 and above for a pup. The costs of insurance can range from £22 annually (basic) to £44 (lifetime) monthly. Good quality food can range from £40-50 every month. Veterinary expenses, including vaccinations, health checks, and spaying/neutering, may reach £1,000 annually.

Overall, the average expense in caring for a Welsh Collie is about £70-£100 each month. This is dependent on the insurance coverage. Annually, overall cost estimates can range from £10,920 to £16,800.