Blue Picardy Spaniel
blue PIK-ar-dee SPAN-yul
France· Somme estuary and Picardy coast, northern France
The Blue Picardy Spaniel is a striking blue-roan pointing spaniel developed for wildfowling along the coastal marshes of northern France.
At a glance
Quick facts
Size
Large
Exercise needs
1-2 hours per day
Home size suited to
Medium or larger
Grooming frequency
Weekly brush
Coat length
Medium
Sheds
Moderate
Lifespan
12-14 years
Town or country
Country preferred, tolerates coastal or suburban life with enough exercise
Garden size needed
Medium or larger
Where it comes from
Origins of the Blue Picardy Spaniel
Created in the late 19th century around the Somme estuary, likely by crossing the Picardy Spaniel with English setters landed at nearby ports, the Blue Picardy Spaniel was bred to hunt the cold, wet coastal marshes for duck and other waterfowl, giving it its distinctive mottled blue-grey coat and hardy constitution.
- Region
- Somme estuary and Picardy coast, northern France
- Climate it was bred for
- Cool, damp coastal marsh and lowland
- Original job
- Pointing and retrieving waterfowl in coastal marshland
The long read
About the breed
Its coastal working origins gave it a dense, weatherproof coat, strong swimming ability and a calm but determined working style suited to cold water and reed beds.
As a companion it is gentle, sociable and generally excellent with children, though it retains a real need for exercise and enjoys any opportunity to swim; it is not suited to a purely sedentary life.
Still a minority breed, it is most established in France and among wildfowling enthusiasts elsewhere in Europe, prized for both its working ability and its distinctive blue-mottled coat.
Living with one
Temperament & needs
Our own ratings, based on the breed standard and how these dogs behave in ordinary homes.
Friendliness
3/5
How openly the Blue Picardy Spaniel greets people it does not know.
Trainability
3/5
How readily the breed takes to training in an ordinary home.
Energy
3/5
How much daily exercise and stimulation the breed expects.
Barking
3/5
How vocal the breed tends to be day to day.
Grooming
3/5
How much coat work the breed needs to stay comfortable.
Suits a first-time owner
3/5
How forgiving the Blue Picardy Spaniel is for someone taking on their first dog.
Illustrated breed standard
The points of the breed
Hover or tap a numbered point to read what the standard asks for.
Point 1
Skull
The Blue Picardy Spaniel's skull is judged on balance rather than size — proportionate to the body, with a clean cheek and a stop typical of the breed. Coarseness or an over-refined head are both faulted.
Timeline
History & development
1875
First crosses
Breeders crossed local Picardy Spaniels with English Setters brought ashore near the Somme estuary.
1904
Type recognised
The distinct blue-mottled type was described and separated from the Picardy Spaniel.
1938
FCI recognition
The Blue Picardy Spaniel gained formal FCI recognition.
1980s
Population decline and recovery
Numbers fell but were stabilised through dedicated breed club efforts in France.
2000s
International spread
Small numbers were exported to other European countries and North America.
Reference
Breed standard summary
- body
- Deep chested and well proportioned with a firm topline.
- coat
- Fairly long, flat or slightly wavy, dense enough for cold water work, with feathering.
- ears
- Set at eye level, long, covered with fine wavy hair.
- eyes
- Dark amber to brown, giving a soft expression.
- head
- Moderately long, with a slightly rounded skull and square muzzle.
- size
- Dogs 58-61cm, bitches 56-59cm
- colour
- Black speckled on white giving a distinctive blue-mottled effect, sometimes with black patches.
- temperament
- Gentle, biddable and calm, determined and hardy when working.
- general appearance
- A medium-large spaniel of elegant build, distinguished by its blue-mottled coat and gentle expression.
Health
What to screen for
Green means little to worry about, amber means ask the breeder for test results, red means manage it actively.
General information only — always speak to your vet about your own dog.
From real owners
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Made for the Blue Picardy Spaniel
The book, plus prints, hoodies and mugs using our own Blue Picardy Spaniel illustration — and one everyday accessory that suits any dog.
The book
Pawpoint: The Complete Dog Breed Book
Every officially recognised breed plus the unofficial ones nobody else documents. 400+ pages, hardback, printed and shipped from the UK.
Own stock — shipped by us
Framed poster
Blue Picardy Spaniel Framed Poster
Museum-weight print of our Blue Picardy Spaniel illustration, framed or unframed.
Printed to order
Hoodie
Blue Picardy Spaniel Hoodie
Heavyweight hoodie carrying the Blue Picardy Spaniel illustration on the chest.
Printed to order
Mug
Blue Picardy Spaniel Mug
Ceramic mug with the Blue Picardy Spaniel illustration wrapped around it.
Printed to order
Accessory
Treat Pouch
Magnetic-close belt pouch for training sessions.
Fits any dog
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