Picardy Spaniel (Epagneul Picard)

Print my Pet · 20. October 2026 · 3 min di lettura·Aggiornato 20.10.2026

Picardie-Spaniel als Wandbild im Stil Kohle-Sketch, Raum: gelbe Wohnküche

Two breeds bear Picardy’s name, and the FCI standard says colour is their main distinction. The Picardy Spaniel (Epagneul Picard) is the brown one: grey mottled with dark brown patches, usually tan on head and legs. In France, this blend of brown, tan and white has its own name: autumn leaves.

FCI	Group 7 (Pointing Dogs), Section 1.2 Continental Pointing Dogs, Spaniel type, Standard No. 108, with working trial
Country of origin	France
Size (height at the withers)	Males 57 to 62 cm, females 55 to 60 cm; 2 cm above or below allowed but undesirable
Weight	not specified in the FCI standard
Life expectancy	no reliable study figure found (N/A)
Coat	dense and not too silky, fine on head, slightly wavy on body, often with undercoat; wavy, silky hair on ears, feathered legs and tail
Colours in the standard	grey mottled with dark brown patches on body and root of tail, usually tan on head and legs (brown roan with tan and white, traditionally “autumn leaves”); white or black patches disqualify

A hunting dog that stayed at home

The standard begins by explaining how Picardy’s varied landscape led local hunters to seek a strong, versatile and generous dog. This old breed was worked mainly in its home region and therefore never spread far beyond it. Hunters are now rediscovering it, especially for small game. The FCI has definitively recognised it since December 1954; no German standard exists. Meet its blue-grey relative in the Blue Picardy Spaniel entry.

Steady on game, gentle at home

The standard describes it at work as firm and happy on point, with a nose that gives game no chance. At home, it should be adaptable, gentle and balanced, fitting well into family life. It is described as a true friend to children, joining their games without bowling them over. Training is still your responsibility.

An athlete needs to get out daily

The standard calls it a sporting dog needing daily exercise to release its energy. Allow two hours or more, plus tasks for its nose: search games, dummy work and retrieving, ideally from water too. Bred to find game, it needs reliable recall among its first training goals; in wildlife-rich areas, a long line remains your friend.

Silky ears, hairy paws

The slightly wavy hair is straightforward, but feathering on legs, tail and ears mats without brushing. Combing through twice weekly usually suffices. Its long, thick ears reach the nose tip when drawn forwards: look inside after walks and remove grass awns.

What is known about its health

Very little, honestly. We found no study with reliable lifespan or disease figures for this breed; McMillan and colleagues’ British analysis lists it but does not analyse it (McMillan et al. 2024). The standard excludes undershot and overshot bites and substantial tooth gaps from breeding. With such a small population, ask how closely related the parents are and which hip and eye results are available.

A good home for it

With small-game hunters, but also active families offering daily exercise and scent work.

Less happy

As a purely indoor dog with short walks, with people away for many hours, or with anyone expecting a spaniel to be a small lapdog.

Before seeking a breeder, the breed quiz gives an honest assessment; our book offers more detail: “Welcher Hund passt WIRKLICH zu dir?” (book in German). For the early days with a puppy, there is the free Puppy Starter Pack. Its autumn-leaf coat looks striking on a magazine cover on canvas , with more ideas among our dog portraits.