Blue Picardy Spaniel Dog Breed: Complete Care and Ownership Guide

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The Blue Picardy Spaniel is a rare and beautiful breed that makes a wonderful companion for active families. They originated in France and were bred to hunt small game.

Their short, dense coat requires minimal grooming, making them a great choice for busy owners. They shed moderately, but regular brushing can help reduce loose hair.

Blue Picardy Spaniels are known for their friendly, outgoing personalities and are often described as "velcro dogs" because they love to be close to their family.

Physical Characteristics

The Blue Picardy Spaniel is a breed that's built for work, with a lean and athletic body. They have a wide head and long muzzle with hanging lips.

Their large, dark eyes have a gentle and relaxed expression, which is quite soothing to look at. Their ears are long and covered in dense, silky fur.

This breed is known for its stunning coat color, which features a black/grey speckling that gives off a blue hue with black patches in varying locations.

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Their fur is medium-length and wavy, with feathering on the thighs, tail, and feet.

Blue Picardy puppies are mostly grey/white when they're born, and their darker colors come in as they mature.

They measure between 57cm and 60cm in height and weigh between 20kg and 27kg, with females possibly being smaller.

Temperament and Training

The Blue Picardy Spaniel is a gentle and affectionate breed that thrives on human companionship. They are playful, calm, and usually friendly dogs.

They tend to get along with other dogs and pets, making them a loyal family companion. However, they can become overly reliant on their owners' constant company, leading to separation anxiety.

Blue Picardy Spaniels are intelligent and respond well to positive, reward-based training methods. Early socialization is also crucial to help them get comfortable with different people, places, and situations.

They are easy to train, particularly if training is focused on hunting-related activities. In fact, they are a perfect candidate for obedience training, agility, flyball, and more.

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Their high level of intelligence makes them remember their manners at all times, and they tend to be obedient and adaptable. With patience and consistency, you can teach them to coexist with smaller animals, including cats.

Overall, Blue Picardy Spaniels are a versatile breed that can thrive in various situations, from hunting to family life.

Care and Maintenance

Brushing your Blue Picardy's coat a few times per week will help prevent knots and keep their coat looking its best. Regular nail trims and ear cleanings are also essential for their overall health.

Their nails should be kept short, and their ears need to be cleaned regularly to prevent ear infections. Fur grows between their toes and needs to be teased and trimmed regularly to avoid uncomfortable matting.

A life-long dental hygiene program that includes at-home teeth brushing and professional cleanings is crucial for their overall health. They may also need to be bathed regularly, but this shouldn't be a problem for this water-loving pup.

Grooming

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To keep your Blue Picardy Spaniel's coat looking its best, weekly brushing is a must. This will prevent knots and keep their coat shiny.

You should brush them a few times per week, or every other day for a glossy coat. A high-quality diet will also help with general coat sheen.

Brushing is also a great opportunity to check for ticks, burrs, and other things they may pick up from running in the fields and woods.

Regular nail trims are essential to prevent overgrowth, and trimming the fur around the paws and between their toes regularly will prevent matting.

Their nails should be kept short, and you will need to clean their ears regularly to prevent ear infections. Ear infections can be painful and smelly, so keep an eye out for signs like head shaking and ear rubbing.

Bathing is also a regular necessity, but this shouldn't be a problem for a water-loving pup like the Blue Picardy.

Exercise and Activity

A Close-Up Shot of a Springer Spaniel Dog
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The Blue Picardy Spaniel is an athletic breed that requires a fair amount of exercise due to its high energy levels. They need at least an hour of exercise every day to stay happy and healthy.

Long walks, hikes, and runs are great ways to provide them with the physical and mental stimulation they need. They also love swimming and splashing around in the water, making them a natural fit for beach or lake activities.

If you're not active, a 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 to prevent boredom and destructive behavior.

A large, fenced yard is essential for a Blue Picardy Spaniel, as they need to get out and roam. If you live in the country with acreage, that's even better - just make sure to give them plenty of space to run around.

Without adequate exercise, a Blue Picardy Spaniel will become bored and may act out, leading to hyperactivity and destruction of doors and furniture. This isn't a sign of a naughty dog, but rather an under-stimulated one.

Health and Nutrition

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You should feed your Blue Picardy a diet formulated for their life stage, such as puppy, adult, or senior, and choose a food made specifically for medium-size breeds to ensure the right balance of nutrients.

To prevent obesity, measure out meals carefully and track treats, as they should make up no more than 10% of a dog's calories.

The Blue Picardy Spaniel is expected to live around 13 years, but as the breed is relatively new, there's limited health data, and discussions are based on owner experiences and comparisons to related breeds.

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Health and Conditions

The Blue Picardy Spaniel is generally a healthy breed, but as with any dog, there are some potential health concerns to be aware of. Ear infections can pop up in this breed, so it's essential to keep an eye on your dog's ear health.

On average, the Blue Picardy Spaniel can live up to 13 years of age, making them a long-term companion. Their relatively new breed status means there aren't many health studies to draw from, but owners' experiences and comparisons to closely related breeds can provide some insight.

One condition worth mentioning is ear infections, which can be a common issue in this breed.

Food & Diet

Photo of a Black and White Spaniel Dog Looking at the Camera
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To keep your Blue Picardy Spaniel healthy and happy, it's essential to feed them a diet that's tailored to their life stage. A food formulated for their life stage, such as puppy, adult, or senior, will provide the right balance of nutrients.

As a medium-sized breed, your Blue Picardy Spaniel will need to eat around 2¼ to 2½ cups of food per day. This amount can be divided between two mealtimes, one in the morning and one in the evening.

To prevent overfeeding and obesity, it's crucial to measure out meals carefully. Overeating can lead to weight gain and other health issues, so be sure to keep track of treats and limit them to no more than 10% of your dog's calories.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are picardy spaniels rare?

Yes, the Blue Picardy Spaniel is a rare breed. Its unique ancestry, including Picardy Spaniel, English Setter, and Gordon Setter, contributes to its relatively low population.

Are Picardy spaniels good dogs?

Blue Picardy Spaniels are excellent family companions, known for their gentle and affectionate nature. They make great pets for families with children and other pets, due to their calm and friendly temperament

Do picardy spaniels point or flush?

Picardy Spaniels are known to point game, standing upright with a distinctive style, rather than flushing. They develop this pointing ability relatively early in their training.

What is the difference between a Blue Picardy Spaniel and a Picardy Spaniel?

The main difference between a Blue Picardy Spaniel and a Picardy Spaniel is their coat color. The Blue Picardy Spaniel excels in hunting small game, particularly woodcock, within close range.

How much is a Blue Picardy Spaniel?

A Blue Picardy Spaniel typically costs between $900 to $1,200, with prices varying based on the dog's quality.

Derek Hilpert

Lead Writer

Derek Hilpert is a seasoned writer with a passion for sharing knowledge and insights with readers. With a keen interest in animal care, he has established himself as a go-to expert on small breed dogs, covering topics from health and nutrition to training and behavior. Derek's writing style is engaging, informative, and accessible, making complex subjects easy to understand for a wide range of audiences.

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