Blue
Picady Spaniels: Main Characteristics
The
Blue Picardy Spaniel is an FCI Group 7 Pointing Dog and a Canadian
Kennel Club Group 1 Sporting Dog. The breed is still not very well
known by pointer and setter fanciers outside of its native France.
Today, it remains confined, with some exceptions, to its original
territory in Picardie, France. This is regrettable because it is
considered one of the best hunting dogs in the country. There are
about four dozen Blue Picardy Spaniels in North America.
Attributes
Males
are 22 to 24 inches at the withers and weigh 45 to 55 pounds. Females
are a little smaller. In terms of size, head type and overall proportions,
the Blue Picardy Spaniel resembles a setter more than a spaniel.
It has a ram-shaped muzzle with a prominent nose. Its eyes are expressive
and dark amber in color. Its chest is deep and its legs are strong
and well boned with large feet. The Blue Picardy Spaniel has a distinctive
blue-grey roan coat with black markings. The coat is flat and straight
with feathering on the ears, legs, underside and tail.
The
breed has a gentle, acquiescent, affectionate character and is excellent
with children and other dogs.
The
Blue Picardy Spaniel is well muscled and built for work. It is untiring,
able to traverse great distances at trot or gallop depending on
the terrain. It has a very fine nose that is certainly "longer"
than that of the French Spaniel. Its solid, athletic build accounts
for its speed and briskness. This in no way prevents it from being
a good dog for the average hunter, because it does not stray far
from the gun. Because of its thick coat, shrubs and thorns do not
hinder it. The Blue Picardy Spaniel is also an accomplished water
dog. Because of its versatility, the Blue Picardy Spaniel can be
used successfully with any upland game and waterfowl. He takes to
hunting almost instinctively and has an enthusiastic desire to retrieve.
The
Blue Picardy Spaniel is one of the easier dogs to train. Its love
of hunting is surpassed only by its wish to please its master. Its
tractability and even temperament make it an easy dog to handle
even for someone with little experience with pointing dogs.
At
home, the whole family will appreciate its calm demeanor and its
elegant good looks. It is patient and well mannered. Children are
certainly the first to adopt the dog because it is gentle and playful.
Parents need not fear for the safety of the children, as this dog
is never brutal. In spite of this gentleness, the Blue Picardy Spaniel
will, when the need arises, be ready to alert and defend its masters.
The
Blue Picardy Spaniel demonstrates a general suitability to many
people because of his synergetic hunting aptitude and even temperament.
Its owners will no doubt be proud of its beautiful blue-grey, roan
coat and its heavy feathering which gives an air of elegance to
its athletic frame. Faithful, intelligent, obedient and even-tempered,
the Blue Picardy Spaniel makes an admirable family pet and hunting
companion.
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