Apartment fit
The Picardy Spaniel can live in smaller homes only when daily outdoor work is reliable. A yard helps less than a committed exercise and training routine.
SportingMedium
France
FrancePicardy Spaniel
Weight
44-55 lb
Height
21.5-24.5 in
Lifespan
12-14 yrs
Coat
Dense Medium
The Picardy Spaniel is a French continental pointing dog with a mottled grey-brown coat, gentle family temperament, and the stamina to work fields, cover, and wet ground.
French continental pointing dog from PicardyDistinct grey-brown mottled coat with brown patches and tanGentle family temperament with real sporting staminaNeeds coat and ear checks after field or water work
Breed Names
Official, native, and commonly used variants
Epagneul Picard
GentleEven-TemperedFlexibleAthleticFriendlyWorkmanlike
Weight
44-55 lb
Height
21.5-24.5 in
Lifespan
12-14 yrs
Coat
Dense 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
High
Barking
Moderate
Drooling
Low
Shedding
Moderate
Grooming
3/5
First-time owner
Yes
Overview
The Picardy Spaniel, or Epagneul Picard, is a French pointing dog from the Picardy region. The breed was developed as a sturdy, versatile gundog for local hunters, with enough bone, coat, and stamina to work varied cover and small game.
This is not simply a generic spaniel. The FCI standard describes a medium-sized continental spaniel-type pointing dog with a dense, slightly wavy coat, often with undercoat. Its traditional color is grey or brown mottling with dark brown patches and tan markings, giving the coat the autumn-leaf look associated with the breed.
At home, the Picardy Spaniel is usually gentle and people-oriented, but it still needs real daily exercise and scent work. It fits best with owners who can provide long walks, field-style games, retrieving, and consistent training without turning the dog into a yard ornament.
Temperament & Personality
GentleEven-TemperedFlexibleAthleticFriendlyWorkmanlike
This breed tends to suit homes looking for a gentle, even-tempered, flexible companion, with daily rhythms shaped by high energy, moderate barking, and low drooling.
Coat type
Dense
Coat length
Medium
Shedding
Moderate
Colors
Grey-Brown Mottled, Dark Brown Patches, Tan Markings, White and Brown Mottled
Lifestyle Compatibility
Family Friendly4/5
Good with Kids4/5
Good with Dogs4/5
Good with Strangers3/5
Apartment Friendly2/5
Exercise Needs4/5
Grooming Needs3/5
Trainability4/5
Good fit if you want
- A family-friendly companion
- Room for routine exercise
- A more forgiving first ownership experience
Plan ahead for
- 4/5 exercise needs
- moderate shedding and coat upkeep
- moderate barking in daily life
Owner Fit & Everyday Behavior
Best for
- active homes that enjoy outdoor dog activities
- families wanting a gentle sporting companion
- owners interested in scent work or retrieving
- people willing to maintain ears and feathering
Not ideal for
- homes wanting a mostly indoor lap dog
- owners unable to provide daily outdoor exercise
- people who dislike coat checks after mud or cover
- apartments without a serious exercise plan
Common challenges
- under-exercise leading to restlessness
- ear moisture after wet work
- matting behind ears or in feathering
- recall around birds or wildlife
Barking & behavior
Most barking problems come from boredom, alerting, or frustration. Give the dog work, reward quiet responses, and practice calm settling after activity.
Training style
Use kind, practical training built around recall, retrieving, scent games, and handling. The breed usually responds well when lessons feel purposeful.
Grooming & shedding
Brush regularly and inspect ears, feet, and feathering after field walks. The coat is functional, but it still collects moisture, seeds, and debris.
Care Guide
Exercise
Most Picardy Spaniels need 60 to 90 minutes of daily exercise, with more on active hunting or training days. Long walks, retrieving, scent games, swimming where safe, and field-style work suit the breed better than repetitive leash-only walks.
Grooming
Brush the dense, slightly wavy coat several times a week, especially behind the ears, on feathering, and after wet or muddy outings. Check ears carefully because drop-eared sporting dogs can trap moisture and debris.
Training
The Picardy Spaniel is usually responsive when training is clear, fair, and connected to useful work. Use rewards, retrieve games, recall practice, and calm handling rather than heavy repetition.
Nutrition
Feed a measured diet for an active medium sporting dog. Adjust portions around hunting seasons, long hikes, or quieter periods so the dog stays lean and well muscled.
Behavior & Environment
Energy level
High
Barking level
Moderate
Drooling level
Low
Watchdog ability
2/5
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 diseaseObesity if under-exercised
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Picardy Spaniel the same as the Blue Picardy Spaniel?
No. They are related Picardy-region pointing spaniels, but the main visible difference is coat color. The Picardy Spaniel is traditionally grey-brown mottled with brown patches and tan, while the Blue Picardy has a blue-grey appearance.
Is the Picardy Spaniel a family dog?
Yes, it can be a gentle family dog when exercised and trained. It is still a working sporting breed, so family life should include outdoor activity and mental work.
How much exercise does a Picardy Spaniel need?
Most adults need 60 to 90 minutes daily, with longer outings welcome. Scent games, retrieving, swimming, and field-style training are especially useful.
Does the Picardy Spaniel need much grooming?
It needs moderate grooming. Brush the coat several times weekly and check ears, feathering, feet, and skin after walks through cover or wet ground.
Is the Picardy Spaniel good for first-time owners?
It can work for prepared first-time owners who want an active sporting dog and are ready to learn grooming, recall, and daily enrichment routines.
Does the Picardy Spaniel bark a lot?
It is not usually kept as a nuisance barker, but boredom, under-exercise, or alerting can create noise. Exercise and settling practice help.
What is the biggest challenge of owning a Picardy Spaniel?
The biggest challenge is meeting its working-dog needs while keeping the coat and ears clean after outdoor activity. It is gentle, but not low effort.
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