Blue Picardy Spaniel (Epagneul Bleu de Picardie)

The Blue Picardy Spaniel is an excellent yet rare sporting dog that was initially bred in the Picardy region of France in the late of XIX century. Its biddable and sociable nature also made it a popular companion animal in its native land. This highly trainable breed is a great choice for a novice canine lover who is ready to provide its pet with sufficient amount of physical outlets.

The Blue Picardy Spaniel came to existence as a result of a lucky chance. In the XIX century France was famous for its ample hunting ground so lots of English hunters visited the Brittany moors and the Picardie marshes in order to fully enjoy their favourite hobby. In fact, hunting in these territories came into vogue during the latter decades of this century. But when a British quarantine banned the return of hunting dogs to Great Britain, the hunters from this country had to leave their Gordon and Blue Belton Setters in local farms. Subsequently these canines were interbred with the Picard Spaniel, which led to the development of the Blue Picardy Spaniel.

This dog has numerous talents as far as it concerns hunting. Its exceptional sense of smell enables it to trail, point and retrieve all types of small game and in the most challenging conditions. The breed’s feet are supplied with special web and it feels itself very comfortably in the water and can be used in hunting waterfowl. The Blue Picardy Spaniel possesses very high prey drive and doesn’t need any additional training to become a superb assistant of any hunter.

The first reference about this hybrid dates back to the 70s of the XIX century. It gained recognition as a separate breed in 1907. But it was internationally accepted only in 1938. The Canadian Kennel Club began registering the specimens of the Blue Picardy Spaniel in 1995. Presently the population of this breed is very limited outside its homeland where most of its specimens live in the Somme region.

The disposition of the Blue Picardy Spaniel can be summed up in such words as docile, vivacious, friendly and loyal. It likes living in a large family and develops deep attachment to its youngest members. This dog is always eager to play and can run with familiar kids for hours on end without the slightest sign of tiredness. Make sure to show your child basic ways of handling a dog as well as to train the pet to people of all ages.

The Blue Picardy Spaniel stands out for unsuspecting and affable nature so it usually greets strangers with a wagging tail. However this breed also reacts to any unusual sounds or sights in its surroundings with resounding bark and therefore becomes a fairly decent watcher. Bit it’s unable to aggressive actions and should never be tasked with guarding duties.

This breed suits very well for keeping alongside with other dogs since it’s neither dominative nor territorial. But once the Blue Picardy Spaniel spots a non-canine animal it instantly switches into a hunting mode. It’s highly recommended to let it off leash only in a well-fenced territory. Small pets (including cats) are not the best roommates for this dog, although it can get used to their existence in case of correct and timely socialization.

The most common problems for the breed include:

· ear infections.

The Blue Picardy Spaniel usually doesn’t need any professional grooming, only systematic brushing. Comb your pet several times per week and work out manually any tangles and mats that form in its gorgeous coat. Being a typical specimen of Spaniels, this dog is very susceptible to ear infections so make sure to check and clean its ears on a regular basis.

The rest routine care comprises of weekly teeth brushing and monthly nail trimming. The dog also may need bathing after each hunting expedition although normally it’s advisable to bathe this dog as rare as possible.

The Blue Picardy Spaniel is an industrious and clever dog whose training requires just minimal efforts. Because of its well-pronounced desire to pleasure its owners it can learn very difficult commands and usually thrives in various types of canine trials.

Be mindful though that this dog is completely irresponsive to excessively rigorous discipline so reward every minor success of your pet with its favourite food but forgive and mildly correct its rare mistakes. It’s also essential to keep lessons short and varied since this breed is unable to focus on one task for too long.

Being a first-rate hunting dog, the Blue Picardy Spaniel has lean and hardy body, which virtually strives for physical exercises. It will be very hard for an apartment dweller to satisfy the exercise need of this breed so it’s better to keep its specimen in the house with a spacious yard.

The Blue Picardy Spaniel is a very skilful swimmer and will be grateful to have a regular chance to spend an hour or two in a local pond. The dog that has to sit within four walls day in, day out will surely manifest such behavioural problems as hyper activity, nervousness and destructiveness.