The FCI standard explicitly distinguishes the two Picardy spaniels in only one respect: coat colour. The Blue Picardy Spaniel (Épagneul Bleu de Picardie) is silver-grey to grey-black speckled, with or without black patches, giving a bluish appearance. White or brown patches lead to disqualification.
| FCI | Group 7 (Pointing Dogs), Section 1.2 Continental Pointing Dogs, spaniel type, Standard No. 106, with working trial |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | France |
| Size (height at the withers) | Males 57 to 62 cm, females 55 to 60 cm; deviations of 2 cm above or below permitted but undesirable |
| Weight | not specified in the FCI standard |
| Life expectancy | no reliable study figure found (N/A) |
| Coat | flat or slightly wavy, with good feathering on legs and tail; ears covered in attractive, wavy, silky hair |
| Colours in the standard | silver-grey to grey-black speckled with a bluish sheen, with or without black patches; white or brown patches disqualify |
From the spaniels of the north
In the 19th century, authors in Picardy described black or black-and-white spaniels called Épagneuls du Nord. Only from the early 20th century did the blue dogs compete in a separate class, before being recognised as a breed. When its standard was registered in 1938, it was described as rather low-set and well built for work. Definitive FCI recognition dates from 1954, and the current version has applied since June 2023. Its sister breed is the Picardy Spaniel (Épagneul Picard).
A woodcock specialist
The standard describes a close-working dog that searches within shooting range and adapts to all small-game hunting. It is especially skilled at hunting woodcock. A dog working near its person is also easier to guide in daily life than a wide-ranging searcher.
Gentle at home
Supple, gentle and even-tempered, well adapted to family life, calm and never aggressive: that is the standard’s description. It adds that this dog always finds a way to an affectionate cuddle.
How much exercise it needs
According to the standard, it needs a daily walk to stay fit and unwind. For an athletic pointing dog, understand that as more than a circuit of the block: one to two hours with opportunities to run and search. Search games, dummy work or tracking give it a purpose.
Feathering and ears
The flat coat needs brushing and combing once a week, with leg and tail feathering needing more attention after wet days. The standard describes abundant hair between the toes. Check the long, silkily coated ears regularly.
Little health data
The large British longevity study lists the breed but does not analyse it (McMillan et al. 2024). We found no breed-specific disease study. The standard requires breeding dogs to be functionally and clinically healthy. Ask the breeder for hip X-rays and eye results for both parents.
Who it suits, and who it does not
Families and couples spending plenty of time outdoors who value a calm, affectionate hunting dog. Anyone with little time for exercise, or wanting a dog happy to sleep the day away, will not be happy with this breed. A smaller French spaniel is the Brittany (Épagneul Breton).
Our breed quiz answers whether this blue French dog fits your daily life; our book provides more background: “Welcher Hund passt WIRKLICH zu dir?” (book in German). For puppyhood, there is the free Puppy Starter Pack. Speckled grey looks lovely as a poster in a wooden frame, with all styles in our dog portraits from your own photo.
Further reading
- Cocker Spaniel: cheerful, nose-led and prone to ear trouble
- Puppy will not sleep: what really helps on the first night
- Taking your own dog photos: 10 professional tips for the perfect portrait photo
Sources, accessed on 20.10.2026: FCI-Standard Nr. 106 Epagneul Bleu de Picardie (Blauer Picardie-Spaniel) (fci.be, English version dated 10.08.2023, valid original standard published 08.06.2023, no German version); McMillan KM et al., Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death, Scientific Reports 2024 (breed listed but not analysed).
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