Blue Picardy Spaniels

[GoodTimes]

I came across this breed recently and was wondering if anyone on here has experience with them?

They are by no means a common breed in North America, but there is a breeder in Ontario which is where I am.

My current dog is an AussiexBernese and is a blue merle. We have fun doing agility, obedience, and some tricks, but I grew up with hunting labs and that’s something that I’d like to get back into eventually. These spaniels almost seem like they’d be the hunting version of my dog. Athletic, yet can curl up on the couch with you. I’d also love the versatility of a pointer and retriever all in one.

My dog is only 4 and I’d like to keep it a one dog household so a puppy would hopefully be a long way off. However, if the waitlist is 2 years long for most breeders that’s something I’ll have to keep in mind.

[GraceLikeRain]

With super rare breeds I’m always curious to see pedigrees. Some breeds get very closed and health issues can run wild. Without knowing the breed I have no idea if this is an issue, but I know it has been a challenge in some breeds.

From the little I’ve read this sounds like a very high energy dog. I’d anticipate it needing a solid hour plus of focused exercise daily. It may be a strong step upwards in energy needs from a dog that is content doing light agility and obedience. A good breeder should be able to identify which puppy would be best suited for your lifestyle and energy level.

From the CKC standard

“These dogs take to hunting almost instinctively and can be used successfully on any upland game or waterfowl. Untiring and able to travel great distances at a steady pace, the Blue Picardy is an easily trained sporting dog that relishes having a job to do. It requires regular moderate exercise to maintain its workmanlike build.”

Aesthetically, they are very attractive dogs. If you end up getting one I’d love to see pictures!!

[GoodTimes]

From the bit of research I’ve done it seems that the Canadian breeders have worked together to try to prevent any inbreeding. The breed originates from France and is quite popular there.

I’m used to moderate to high energy dogs, ie hunting labs, german wire hairs, etc. My current dog was a rehoming because she was too much for the previous owners, I was looking for a lab but she fell into my lap and I fell in love. She’s starting to slow down now, but she runs 5k with me at 5am, then a second walk + catch before I leave for work at 7:30. She’s good in the house alone all day. After work she either comes to the barn with me, goes for a long walk in the bush with SO, or we go to agility class. On the weekends she comes to the barn, camping, hiking, ice fishing, runs behind the snowmobile, etc. As long as the dog is good off leash it can come with us pretty much anywhere that we go.

They’re definitely growing on me. I may have to contact the breeder in Ontario to see what their waitlist is like.

[Magicboy]

Your dog sounds wonderful and must be very happy

[GraceLikeRain]

@GoodTimes that sounds like heaven for a higher energy dog. Few owners are willing to put in that time and structure. If you decide the breed is the right match, I hope you come across a great breeder! You sound like a reasonable breeders dream home.

[S1969]

@GoodTimes

From the bit of research I’ve done it seems that the Canadian breeders have worked together to try to prevent any inbreeding. The breed originates from France and is quite popular there.

That depends on how you define inbreeding. I’m sure there are common ancestors in a gene pool this small.

Sounds a lot like my breed - Brittany - or the French Brittan (Epagneul Breton) but a bit larger. If you don’t end up finding a breeder, there are a few similar breeds you might like.

[GoodTimes]

@S1969

That depends on how you define inbreeding. I’m sure there are common ancestors in a gene pool this small.

Sounds a lot like my breed - Brittany - or the French Brittan (Epagneul Breton) but a bit larger. If you don’t end up finding a breeder, there are a few similar breeds you might like.

There are only two breeders in Canada at this time, one in Calgary who is slowing down but was instrumental in getting the breed recognized with the CKC in the 90’s.
The other breeder is in Ontario and sells all their puppies under non-breeding contracts. It’s been fairly easy to track the lines as their haven’t been very many “generations” in the last 20-30 years. Most of the stud dogs and a few bitches have been imported from France and the Netherlands. The two breeders have also loaned each other totally unrelated dogs to broaden the gene pool in Canada.
Without the imports and these selective breeders I could see this breed fading away in Canada quite quickly.

There is another breeder in California who has at least one female from the Canadian lines, and several imports. I don’t think I would ever go as far as bringing a puppy across borders though, especially for a breed that’s new to me.

Thank you @GraceLikeRain and @Magicboy . Growing up my mom was very much into field trials, and the dogs hunted with my Dad. They were from hunting lines and were go go go, not your chubby lab from pet lines. It was drilled into us as kids that dogs get exercised first, before anyone sits down to watch tv, etc. I prefer to have my horses out 24/7 for the same reasons. Exercise, both mental and physical, keeps humans, dogs, and horses sane and healthy.

[Garythesquirrel]

If you end up getting one you could name him Jean-Luc :yes: (a little Star Trek humor there).

[S1969]

@GoodTimes

There are only two breeders in Canada at this time, one in Calgary who is slowing down but was instrumental in getting the breed recognized with the CKC in the 90’s.
The other breeder is in Ontario and sells all their puppies under non-breeding contracts. It’s been fairly easy to track the lines as their haven’t been very many “generations” in the last 20-30 years. Most of the stud dogs and a few bitches have been imported from France and the Netherlands. The two breeders have also loaned each other totally unrelated dogs to broaden the gene pool in Canada.
Without the imports and these selective breeders I could see this breed fading away in Canada quite quickly.

My point was that the entire population of this breed worldwide is small - so they are likely to have many common ancestors out of necessity. It’s not bad, it’s just a small gene pool.

With a breed like this, you might have to agree to show/compete your puppy. Something to consider when talking to breeders. I would not be surprised if they expect all puppy buyers to show their puppies if they determine them to be “show quality” - which in a breed this small probably means free of any major fault.

Not a deal breaker - and maybe quite fun - but a possibility.

[GoodTimes]

@S1969

My point was that the entire population of this breed worldwide is small - so they are likely to have many common ancestors out of necessity. It’s not bad, it’s just a small gene pool.

With a breed like this, you might have to agree to show/compete your puppy. Something to consider when talking to breeders. I would not be surprised if they expect all puppy buyers to show their puppies if they determine them to be “show quality” - which in a breed this small probably means free of any major fault.

Not a deal breaker - and maybe quite fun - but a possibility.

Ah ok, yes I assumed that was kind of a given. I thought you were warning that local breeders may be breeding very close relatives ie cousins, daughters back to sires, etc.

I would be be open to some conformation showing if that’s what the breeders required, however I’d prefer to show the dogs off with field trials and some actual hunting.

From the Ontario breeders blog it doesn’t appear that this is the case. All puppies are sold with a non breeding contract.