Apartment fit
Apartment life is possible only with a very active owner and reliable outdoor access. This breed is better suited to homes where daily field-style exercise is realistic.
SportingMedium
France
FranceBlue Picardy Spaniel
Weight
45-60 lb
Height
21.7-24.4 in
Lifespan
11-14 yrs
Coat
Double Medium
The Blue Picardy Spaniel is a French gundog with a blue-gray speckled coat, gentle temperament, and strong need for outdoor work.
French pointing spaniel from PicardyBlue-gray speckled coat with black patchesGentle and cooperative but still a working gundogNeeds regular outdoor exercise and field-style outlets
Breed Names
Official, native, and commonly used variants
Epagneul Bleu De PicardieBlue Picardy
EagerFriendlyActiveTrainableAffectionateVersatile
Weight
45-60 lb
Height
21.7-24.4 in
Lifespan
11-14 yrs
Coat
Double Medium
At A Glance
Daily living snapshot
A quick read on energy, upkeep, and what day-to-day life with this breed usually feels like.
Energy
Very High
Barking
Moderate
Drooling
Moderate
Shedding
Moderate
Grooming
2/5
First-time owner
No
Overview
The Blue Picardy Spaniel, or Epagneul Bleu de Picardie, is a French pointing spaniel from the Picardy region. It is closely related to the Picardy Spaniel and English Setter influence is often discussed in breed history, which helps explain the elegant build and distinctive blue-gray coat.
The breed is gentle, cooperative, and people-oriented, but it is still a working gundog. It needs regular outdoor exercise, training, and opportunities to search, point, retrieve, or use its nose.
The coat is flat or slightly wavy with feathering, usually described as gray-black speckled with black patches, giving the blue appearance. Grooming is moderate, but ears, feathering, and feet need checks after field work.
Temperament & Personality
EagerFriendlyActiveTrainableAffectionateVersatile
This breed tends to suit homes looking for a eager, friendly, active companion, with daily rhythms shaped by very high energy, moderate barking, and moderate drooling.
Coat type
Double
Coat length
Medium
Shedding
Moderate
Colors
Blue Gray Speckled, Black Patches, Gray Black
Lifestyle Compatibility
Family Friendly4/5
Good with Kids4/5
Good with Dogs4/5
Good with Strangers3/5
Apartment Friendly3/5
Exercise Needs5/5
Grooming Needs2/5
Trainability5/5
Good fit if you want
- A family-friendly companion
- Room for routine exercise
- Confidence handling structure and training
Plan ahead for
- 5/5 exercise needs
- moderate shedding and coat upkeep
- moderate barking in daily life
Owner Fit & Everyday Behavior
Best for
- active owners interested in gundog-style training
- homes with access to fields, woods, or long rural walks
- families wanting a gentle but athletic sporting dog
- people prepared for ear and feathering care
Not ideal for
- sedentary homes
- apartments with no outdoor exercise plan
- owners wanting a low-drive companion
- people away all day without training or activity
Common challenges
- restlessness when field drive is underused
- ear care after wet work
- burrs and tangles in feathering
- recall around birds and wildlife
Barking & behavior
Blue Picardy Spaniels are usually cooperative, but boredom or lack of outdoor work can create noise and restlessness.
Training style
Use reward-based training with real sporting outlets. Recall, retrieving, steadiness, handling, and calm settling should be part of the routine.
Grooming & shedding
Brush the flat or wavy coat and feathering regularly. Check ears, feet, and tail after mud, burrs, or wet cover.
Care Guide
Exercise
Most healthy adult Blue Picardy Spaniels need about 60 to 90 minutes of daily activity, with off-road walks, retrieval games, scent work, and gundog-style training where safe.
Grooming
The flat or slightly wavy coat needs regular brushing, especially through feathering on ears, legs, belly, and tail. Check ears, feet, and coat after field or wet-weather work.
Training
Training should be reward-based and practical, with recall, steadiness, retrieving, leash manners, and calm house behavior. The breed is cooperative but still needs work.
Nutrition
Feed a measured active-sporting-dog diet matched to age, workload, and body condition.
Behavior & Environment
Energy level
Very High
Barking level
Moderate
Drooling level
Moderate
Watchdog ability
3/5
Guard dog ability
1/5
Climate tolerance
Cold weather4/5
Heat tolerance3/5
Health Considerations
Common concerns to discuss with your vet and breeder.
Ear infectionsHip dysplasiaEye disease
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Blue Picardy Spaniel a good apartment dog?
It can work only for very active owners with daily outdoor routines. A Blue Picardy Spaniel is usually easier in a home with access to safe fields, woods, or open walking areas.
Does the Blue Picardy Spaniel bark a lot?
It is not usually chosen for constant barking, but boredom, isolation, or outdoor triggers can create noise. Exercise and calm routines help.
Is the Blue Picardy Spaniel good for first-time owners?
It is better for owners who already like active sporting dogs. A first-time owner can succeed with guidance, but should not underestimate exercise and field-drive needs.
How much exercise does the Blue Picardy Spaniel need?
Most healthy adults need about 60 to 90 minutes daily, with time to search, retrieve, sniff, or train. The breed is calmer indoors when its working instincts are used outdoors.
Is the Blue Picardy Spaniel good with kids and other dogs?
Blue Picardy Spaniels are often gentle family dogs, but children should still be supervised around an active sporting breed. Dog sociability benefits from early socialization.
Does the Blue Picardy Spaniel shed a lot?
The coat sheds moderately. Brush feathering, check ears, and remove burrs or mud after outdoor work.
What is the biggest challenge of owning the Blue Picardy Spaniel?
The biggest challenge is providing enough outdoor work. Without it, even a gentle Blue Picardy can become restless or hard to settle.
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