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The beautifully-sleek Picardy Spaniel was originally bred as a hunting dog in the Picardy region of France. They bear more than a passing resemblance to the English Setter, who is larger in size. These robust canines are most content in the great outdoors, and won’t think twice about getting wet as they run, play or retrieve. Their gentle temperament also makes the Picardy Spaniel a calm companion to have around the house and, with some training, they get along well with children.Official name: Picardy Spaniel
Other names: Épagneul Picard
Origins: France
| Drooling tendencies |
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Warm weather? | 
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| Shedding level |
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Suited to apartment living? | 
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| Energy level (high, low, medium)*: | High | Family pet? |
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| Compatibility with other pets |
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Can stay alone?* | 
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*We advise against leaving pets alone for long stretches.
Companionship can prevent emotional distress and destructive behaviour. Speak to your veterinarian for recommendations.
Every pet is different, even within a breed; this snapshot of this breed’s specifics should be taken as an indication.
For a happy, healthy and well-behaved pet, we recommend educating and socialising your pet as well as covering their basic welfare, social and behavioural needs.
Pets should never be left unsupervised with a child.
Contact your breeder or veterinarian for further advice.
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55 - 62 cm
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20 - 25 kg
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translations.feature.breeds.female
55 - 62 cm
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18 - 23 kg
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| Baby age: | Birth to 2 months |
| Puppy age: | 2 to 15 months |
| Adult age: | 15 months to 5 years |
| Mature age: | 5 to 8 years |
| Senior age: | From 8 years |
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Get to know the Picardy Spaniel
All you need to know about the breed
The highly-energetic Picardy Spaniel will do well with an owner that loves the great outdoors. This rare French breed requires lots (and lots) of daily exercise so would ideally live somewhere with a secured space to run around in.
If you do decide to welcome a Picardy Spaniel into your life you will need to be outside for a minimum of three hours per day for walks, runs, hikes, retrieving and even some swimming. If you can keep up to their active pace then you will be rewarded with a sweet-tempered Picardy Spaniel who will never leave your side - unless they catch onto an exciting scent that is!
The Picardy Spaniel may have a hunting heritage, and are still appreciated for their athletic talents today, but they are not known to be aggressive. Once trained, they get on very well with children. However, like all other breeds, the two should never be left together unsupervised. While the Picardy Spaniel is loyal and devoted towards their humans, and generally get along well with other dogs, they have a strong prey instinct that means they should not share a home with smaller household pets.
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2 facts about Picardy Spaniels
1. Canine lookalike
The Picardy Spaniel is often mistaken for the English Setter, who is believed to be one of their canine ancestors. They are also similar in appearance to the Blue Picardy Spaniel but have a different coat colour.
2. Thrill of the chase
In their hunting days, the Picardy Spaniel was trained as a gun dog. This means that their main responsibility was to find game and flush them out for the hunters, or to collect game that had already been downed.
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History of the breed
Picardy Spaniels are thought to be one of the oldest spaniel breeds in France and take their name from the northern region of Picardy.
While they were popular with nobility prior to the French Revolution, the Picardy Spaniel were even more popular afterwards when people from any social class had the right to sport. In the 19th century however, the British came over to France for hunting purposes, bringing their own sporting dogs with them, like the English Setter. This meant that the Picardy Spaniel was overlooked by French hunters who were distracted by British breeds.
Today the Picardy Spaniel remains rare, especially outside of France. The United Kennel Club recognised the Picardy Spaniel in 1996.
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From head to tail
Physical characteristics of Picardy Spaniels
1. Coat
A dense coat that is slightly wavy on the body.
2. Eyes
Dark amber-coloured eyes with an inviting expression.
3. Ears
The ears sit low, framing the face, and are covered with wavy hair.
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Things to look out for
From specific breed traits to a general health overview, here are some interesting facts about your Picardy Spaniel
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Caring for your Picardy Spaniel
Grooming, training and exercise tips
Grooming your Picardy Spaniel will be a nice moment to bond and isn’t very demanding. One or two weekly brushes will remove debris and dirt from outdoor adventures, as well as any loose or dead fur. Make sure you clean their teeth frequently too (daily if possible) and clip their nails regularly. Picardy Spaniels need a significant amount of exercise: A combination of daily walks, hikes, running sessions off the lead (in a safely-enclosed space of course), as well as games of fetch and the occasional swim will keep them in peak shape. The breed is intelligent and devoted, so training your Picardy Spaniel should be fairly straightforward, especially if you start early and take a firm, consistent approach. Food rewards may help from time to time but remember that these should come out of their daily rations to avoid any weight issues.7/7
All about Picardy Spaniels
Yes, the Picardy Spaniel is a rare breed, even in their native France. This actually contributes to the breed’s robust health as there are so few of them around. If you have your heart set on a Picardy Spaniel, you will likely have to join a waiting list.
The Picardy Spaniel is a sweet-natured dog, which means they get on very well with children. Training will be necessary as will supervision between children and your dog, as with any other dog breed.
Read more on this topic
How to adopt a dog
Things to consider before getting a dog
Sources
1 - Veterinary Centers of America https://vcahospitals.com/
2 - Royal Canin Dog Encyclopaedia. Ed 2010 and 2020
3 - Banfield Pet Hospital https://www.banfield.com/
4 - Royal Canin BHN Product Book
5 - American Kennel Club https://www.akc.org/