Épagneul picard

The French Spaniel and the Picardy Spaniel are considered the two oldest spaniel breeds on the continent. Both appear to descend from the bird dog described in the works of Gaston Fébus (13th century). At that time, hunting was one of the most appreciated activities of French nobility and the French-type spaniel was one of the most appreciated breeds. The breed is moreover represented in paintings from this period by artists such as Alexandre-François Desportes and Jean-Baptiste Oudry. It is also the first dog breed to be admitted to shows. The breed became more popular after the French Revolution, hunting no longer being an activity reserved exclusively for nobility. Although it is found distributed throughout the country, a significant contingent is present in the northwest of the country, where its water-resistant coat makes it an ideal breed for hunting in woods and marshes. During the 19th century, English hunters crossed the Channel and came to the northwest of France to hunt in these reputed lands. They then brought their own hunting dogs, which the French gradually adopted, putting the Picardy Spaniel in danger. Moreover, the infusion of English setter blood into the breed created the Blue Picardy Spaniel. The Picardy Spaniel is a very rare dog breed, found almost exclusively in metropolitan France. The Picardy Spaniel is recognized by the International Cynological Federation, the American Rare Breed Association, the United Kennel Club as well as the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association (NAVHDA).

The Picardy Spaniel is considered a docile dog breed that loves to play with children and easily bonds with its master. It is generally described as having a good temperament and being easy to train.

The Picardy Spaniel is a braccoïd-type pointing dog, robust and well-proportioned, expressing strength and elegance. Its silhouette is slightly elongated: the length of the body exceeds the height at the withers by approximately one tenth, which gives it a harmonious and solid appearance.