Explore the breed's characteristics, health, and history — and find trusted breeders
At a glance
The essentials — key facts, traits, and health priorities — before you dive deeper.
Health grade
Relative to other breeds
The Epagneul bleu de Picardie is a largely robust hunting breed with an average genetic predisposition to health issues. As is typical for the breed, the primary focus is on joint conditions such as hip dysplasia (HD) and elbow dysplasia (ED), which are well-managed through mandatory health tests within breeding programs. By ensuring that the parents have official health clearances when purchasing a puppy, you can significantly minimize the risk of these mobility issues.
Lifespan
12–14 yrs
Height
55–60 cm
Weight
20–30 kg
Practical
Typical coat colors
Temperament
Daily life
What matters most
Especially with a Blue Picardy Spaniel, choosing the right breeder is the single most important decision you'll make. Serious breeders consistently test the parents for inherited conditions, prioritize healthy early socialization, and stay accountable long after handover. A cheap puppy without health screening tends to become the most expensive dog later on.
See HonestDog breeder standards →The Epagneul bleu de Picardie is a calm, enduring pointing dog and flushing dog (Stöberhund) — bred in Northern France for all-day searching in wet, open terrain, cooperative with the hunter and gentle in nature.
The real vibes check
An Epagneul bleu de Picardie is not a dog you can just have 'tag along' while you work — he is a quiet but tireless partner looking for a job to do. If you provide that, you get one of the calmest yet most capable family dogs in France; if you don't, you end up with a quietly frustrated dog.
The Epagneul Bleu de Picardie is an impressive medium-sized hunting dog with a robust yet elegant appearance. His body is well proportioned and muscular, giving him the necessary agility and endurance for his work. This dog is a real eye-catcher with his shiny, wavy coat, which is a mix of black and white with shades of blue. The ears are of medium length and fall in loose folds down the sides of the head, while the eyes are lively and expressive. Its nose is always black, and its tail is usually carried at back level. The breed belongs to FCI Group 7, the pointers. Although there are no specific performance and show lines within the breed, all Epagneul Bleu de Picardie dogs are high-performance working dogs that can also be successful in beauty competitions.
The Epagneul Bleu de Picardie has its origins in the north of France, more precisely in the Picardy region from which it takes its name. This breed was created by crossing local French Spaniels and English Setters and is closely related to the Picard Spaniel and the Pont-Audemer Spaniel. The breed was first documented in the late 1800s, but is believed to have existed for much longer. These dogs were specifically bred to hunt in the swampy, wooded areas of Picardy, where they were equally efficient on both land and water. They were originally used for bird hunting and are excellent retrievers. The breed was not officially recognized until 1938 and today remains a relatively unknown breed outside of its native region in France.
The Epagneul bleu de Picardie was bred to hunt waterfowl in marshy areas.
France
1800
The Epagneul Bleu de Picardie is a highly intelligent and versatile dog that can adapt to a variety of tasks, although its primary role remains that of a hunting dog. His sharp instincts and natural curiosity make him an efficient worker, able to make decisions independently and master complex tasks. But despite his work orientation, the Epagneul Bleu de Picardie also shows a very gentle and loving side. He is very people-oriented and loves spending time with his family. His playful and friendly nature makes him a great companion for children and other pets. Although the Epagneul Bleu de Picardie is an active breed, it does not tend to be hyperactive. He enjoys his active moments, but also needs his rest times. He can learn to stay alone provided he gets enough exercise and mental stimulation when the family is home. An Epagneul Bleu de Picardie has a natural hunting instinct and often displays strong prey-catching behavior. Although this is useful in a hunting environment, it can be challenging when living in a household environment where smaller pets are present. That's why it's important to train an Epagneul Bleu de Picardie early and consistently to control this instinct. The Epagneul Bleu de Picardie is a natural guardian and tends to be vigilant. He is not an aggressive guardian, but more of a careful observer who will alert his family if he notices anything unusual. This makes him an effective but not overly vocal guard dog. However, it is important to note that each dog is individual and that the temperament and behavior of each Epagneul Bleu de Picardie is influenced by a number of factors including genetics, socialization, training and environment.
| Trainability Picks up commands quickly and wants to please. | Eager to learn |
| Watchfulness Reports unusual activity but stays controlled. | Moderate |
| Openness to Strangers Warms up quickly and is generally welcoming. | Friendly |
| Hunting or Herding Drive Powerful instinct that can override recall when triggered. | Strong |
Fun Fact!
Did you know that, despite its breed name, the Epagneul Bleu de Picardie does not originally come from Picardy, but from the northern region of France?
The Blue Picardy Spaniel is a lively and hardworking pointing dog. It is characterized by its endurance and strong hunting instinct. These dogs are intelligent and eager to learn but require consistent training and sufficient activity. Due to their friendly nature, they are well suited as family dogs but are especially suitable for active people who spend a lot of time outdoors.
Although the Epagneul Bleu de Picardie is an active hunting dog, he can also adapt well to city life provided he gets enough exercise and mental stimulation. He is not only a good hunting dog, but also a loving family dog that gets along well with children. However, since it has a strong hunting instinct, it may prey on smaller pets such as cats. It is therefore important to get him used to other animals early on and to teach him to respect them.
Loves family life and thrives in a group.
Takes boisterous and affectionate children in its stride.
Usually gets on fine with other dogs.
City-appropriate with enough exercise and stimulation.
Owning a dog is a privilege, but it's also a real responsibility. Before you bring one into your life, be honest with yourself about the commitment it takes.!
The Epagneul Bleu de Picardie is an intelligent and studious dog that is well suited to various types of training. Due to his hunting origins, he is well suited to dog sports such as agility, rally obedience or tracking work. However, you should be careful not to overwhelm the dog, as he also needs rest periods. It is also important to teach the Epagneul Bleu de Picardie to tolerate frustration and control impulses, especially due to his strong hunting instincts. Early and consistent training can help prevent potential problems.
The Epagneul Bleu de Picardie requires a balanced and nutritious diet to support its active lifestyle. Since he can be prone to hip dysplasia, it is important to maintain a healthy body weight and avoid being overweight. In consultation with a veterinarian or nutritionist, a feeding plan can be created that is tailored to your dog's individual needs. In terms of care, the Epagneul Bleu de Picardie is quite easy to care for. He has a double coat coat with a dense undercoat and a longer top coat that should be brushed regularly to prevent matting and keep the coat clean and healthy. Since it is one of the dog breeds that shed, the coat can become thicker, especially during the spring and autumn seasons. Despite his undercoat, he copes well with the German climate.
| Care Level Minimal effort — occasional brushing and bathing. | Low-maintenance |
| Exercise Needs Needs several hours of serious exercise every day. | Very active |
| Shedding Regular shedding — dog hair on clothes is now normal. | Moderate |
| Trainability Picks up commands quickly and wants to please. | Eager to learn |
Our experts are still reviewing this information. Spotted something wrong? Email us at info@honestdog.de.!
Solid, watch carefully
The Epagneul bleu de Picardie is a largely robust hunting breed with an average genetic predisposition to health issues. As is typical for the breed, the primary focus is on joint conditions such as hip dysplasia (HD) and elbow dysplasia (ED), which are well-managed through mandatory health tests within breeding programs. By ensuring that the parents have official health clearances when purchasing a puppy, you can significantly minimize the risk of these mobility issues.
Grade is relative to other breeds — AI-generated by our veterinary-genetics model.
You should keep the ears clean and dry regularly — especially after water and field work — and ensure joint-friendly rearing during the growth phase.
Reputable breeders have the parents' hips X-rayed, pay attention to healthy eyes without eyelid defects, and provide clear instructions on consistent ear care for active hunting and water dogs.
No specific health tests are currently available for this breed.
Als wir uns vor einigen Jahren für einen Epagneul bleu de Picardie entschieden haben, suchten wir einen vielseitigen Jagdbegleiter, der sich im Alltag aber auch als angenehmer Familienhund zeigt. Und genau das haben wir bekommen. Unsere Hündin ist im Haus unheimlich sanftmütig, extrem verschmust und zeigt absolut keine Aggressivität – gerade im Umgang mit unseren Kindern ist sie ein Traum und weicht ihnen kaum von der Seite.
Auf der Jagd zeigt sie jedoch ihre wahre Passion. Sie ist unermüdlich, besonders bei der Arbeit am Wasser und im dichten Unterholz. Man merkt ihr die enge Bindung zu mir extrem an: Ihre Suche ist im Vergleich zu anderen Vorstehhunden eher kurz und konzentriert (meistens so um die 50 Meter), da sie ständig den Blickkontakt zu mir sucht. Das macht die Zusammenarbeit im Revier sehr angenehm und gibt mir viel Sicherheit.
Eine kleine Herausforderung war für uns allerdings das Vorstehen. Es hat mich einiges an Geduld und Training gekostet, bis das richtig saß, da ihre Vorsteh-Leistung anfangs nicht ganz so fest war wie bei anderen Rassen. Wer sich für diesen tollen Hund entscheidet, sollte wissen, dass er eine sehr feinfühlige, weiche Hand bei der Ausbildung braucht – mit Härte erreicht man bei dieser sensiblen Rasse überhaupt nichts.
Ich führe meinen Rüden jetzt seit über vier Jahren aktiv im Revier und bin nach wie vor begeistert von seiner Vielseitigkeit. Er ist ein absoluter Spezialist für die Arbeit im feuchten Gelände und am Wasser – egal wie kalt es ist, er zögert keine Sekunde, ins Wasser zu gehen, um Enten zu apportieren. Seine Nase ist hervorragend und er arbeitet im Wald und im Feld extrem gründlich und ausdauernd.
Man darf jedoch nicht unterschätzen, dass diese Hunde für die Arbeit gezüchtet wurden. Ein reines Leben als reiner Couch- und Familienhund ohne echte Aufgabe würde ihm absolut nicht gerecht werden. Wenn er nicht jagen darf, braucht er unbedingt eine alternative Beschäftigung wie Fährtenarbeit oder Mantrailing, um geistig ausgelastet zu sein.
Im Haus ist er dafür die Ruhe selbst. Er bellt kaum, ist extrem anhänglich und sehr sensibel für meine Stimmungen. Er ist ein wunderbarer, ausgeglichener Begleiter, der aber eine konsequente, liebevolle Führung braucht, da sein Jagdtrieb sonst im Alltag schnell die Oberhand gewinnt.
Wir haben uns damals bewusst für den 'Blauen Picard' entschieden, da wir einen sportlichen, aber im Haus ruhigen Hund gesucht haben. Und genau das erfüllt er perfekt: Drinnen merkt man ihn kaum, er ist unheimlich verschmust, sehr kinderlieb und absolut kein Kläffer. Er schlägt zwar kurz an, wenn jemand das Grundstück betritt, ist aber kein aggressiver Wachhund.
Die große Herausforderung ist und bleibt jedoch sein ausgeprägter Jagdtrieb. Spaziergänge ohne Leine im Wald sind bei uns nur nach sehr intensivem Antijagdtraining und mit ständiger Aufmerksamkeit möglich. Man muss seine Körpersprache genau lesen lernen, um ihn rechtzeitig abzurufen, bevor er eine Fährte aufnimmt.
Da wir nicht jagen, lasten wir ihn mit Dummy-Arbeit und Mantrailing aus. Das braucht er auch, denn ohne diese geistige Beschäftigung merkt man schnell, dass er unausgeglichen wird. Für Menschen, die einen unkomplizierten 'Nebenbei-Hund' suchen, ist die Rasse wegen des Jagdtriebs und des Beschäftigungsbedürfnisses eher nicht geeignet.
Paraphrased from real owner reports
Showcase your kennel on HonestDog and reach families searching for a responsibly bred Blue Picardy Spaniel.
The Blue Picardy Spaniel is an active dog that needs plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Research the temperament, grooming needs, and space requirements before deciding.
The average life expectancy of a Blue Picardy Spaniel is 12-14 years. With proper care and regular vet visits, your dog can live a long, healthy life.
Blue Picardy Spaniel grooming requirements include regular brushing, nail trimming, and dental care. HonestDog provides detailed grooming tips for every breed.
The Blue Picardy Spaniel can be a great family dog. Proper training and socialization are key. HonestDog provides family suitability information for every breed.
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