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Blue

Hello from Canada

HiHo, name's Nick signing in from canada. Pleased to be here.

I have an 8 month old Blue Picardy Spaniel that I'm interested in trialing. We've been doing basic obedience training with a clicker and she's coming along quite well. Her instincts are strong and she's very 'birdy' but we both have a lot to learn so here we are Smile

guy

Great to have you with us.
josie

Hi Nick, There are a few of us on here who use clicker training, and other methods too. Welcome to the forum.
BritAnnie

Goodness, we are Worldwide Laughing
Welcome Nick and BSP - what's his/her name? Any more photos?
BritAnnie
windem bang

Hi Nick, welcome to the forum. Your breed is one that I have never seen in the flesh. I believe they stand about 22 - 24 inches at the shoulder. That would make them about the same height as many British trial bred setters. Do they "go" like setters and how stong is the pointing instinct?

Sorry to be so nosey but I am always interested in the characteristics of any working gundog breed.

Bill T.
Liz

Hi Blue and welcome. I've seen a Picardy spaniel once in France a few years ago, but know very little about them. Be very interested to learn more.
Helen

Welcome to the board! I've heard of the picardy but know nothing about them! Are there many in Canada? What do they have in their background?

Helen
sako75

Hi Nick ,

Welcome to the forum !!! Wink


Barry.
Blue

Hello again and thanks for the welcome.

There are approx. 150 Blues in Canada, about 2 dozen in the U.S. and 2000 or so in their country of origin France. Needless to say they aren't a well known or widespread breed, possibly because they've never developed a "show line" . There are only working lines.

The breed history is vague at best and there isn't much information out there at all, except in French, and my high school french seems to have deserted me Rolling Eyes
What I do know is this; the BPS is one of the 5 native French Spaniel breeds. The others are the Brittany, the Pont Audemer, the French and the Picard Spaniel.

The various original spaniels developed regionally in france due to the areas landscape and the hunting habits of the locals. Picardie France was a popular spot for hunters of waterfowl and near the end of the 19th century many Brits crossed the channel with their dogs (setters and spaniels mainly) to hunt in the marshes of Picardie. When the British quarantine was put into effect many Brit hunters chose to leave their dogs boarded on Picardie farms. The Picard Spaniel was then crossed with Blue Belton English and Gordon Setters resulting in the Blue Picardy Spaniel .

The Picard and Blue Picardy Spaniel club was formed in 1921. In 1938 the Blue was recognized as a separate race by the FCI and was recognized by the Canadian Kennel Club in 1995 in the sporting dog class. It is under the gundog class in the UKC.

Here's the "company line" courtesy of versatiledogs

Quote:
The Blue Picardy Spaniel, one of Canada's most rare breeds, is a CKC Group One Sporting Dog. Males are 55 to 62 cm at the withers and weigh 20 to 25 kg. In size, head type and overall proportions, the Blue Picardy Spaniel resembles a setter more than a spaniel. It has a ram-shaped muzzle with a prominent nose. Its eyes are expressive and dark amber in color. Its chest is deep and its legs are strong and well boned with large feet. The Blue Picardy Spaniel has a distinctive gray-black, mottled coat with black spots that is flat and straight with feathering on the ears, legs, underside and tail.
The Blue Picardy Spaniel is a versatile hunting dog that was developed to hunt, point and retrieve all types of game. It has a fine sense of smell and systematic approach to hunting. It has a strong desire to retrieve and is a capable water dog. The breed has a gentle, acquiescent, affectionate character.



Here's a couple of links (French, I'm afraid)

http://pagesperso-orange.fr/epagneul.bleu/accueil.htm

http://www.club-epi-ebp-epa.com/

Blue

My girls' name is Sadie (Shireoak Winterberries) and I got her when she was 6 months old so we've only had a couple of months together so far.

She shows great instinct to point, she quarters naturally and is very interested in birds larger than a mourning dove and smaller than a Canada goose Wink

She ranges from me at about 30 to 50 yards, she has ridiculous amounts of energy, loves water, always seeks the high ground , loves tall grass and has a very good nose from what I can tell.

I think retrieving may be her achilles heel.

She's very intelligent but at this point her main problem is focus. She is easily distracted and is very much a puppy.

that's about all for now, if you have any questions I'll try to answer them



BritAnnie

Now, isn't that strange??? Rolling Eyes
Quote:
near the end of the 19th century many Brits crossed the channel with their dogs (setters and spaniels mainly) to hunt in the marshes of Picardie. When the British quarantine was put into effect many Brit hunters chose to leave their dogs boarded on Picardie farms. The Picard Spaniel was then crossed with Blue Belton English and Gordon Setters resulting in the Blue Picardy Spaniel


This is EXACTLY what we have been given to understand about the Epagneul Breton(the Brittany in the UK), the American Brittany being a distinct divergence from the French variety

I wonder where the BPS and Breton separated if all of this is true Wink or are the French just throwing us all a line Twisted Evil
BA
munstyman

Hi Nick welcome to the board.
Quote:
The Picard Spaniel was then crossed with Blue Belton English and Gordon Setters resulting in the Blue Picardy Spaniel .

Are you sure there wasn't a randy munsterlander in the area Question Rolling Eyes Laughing Laughing Laughing
Peter
münstermanager

Hi Nick & welcome to the Board

I was fascinated by Picardy Spaniels a few years ago but, like others, have never seen one in the flesh.

The photos I have seen are of Picardys much heavier set, or perhaps it's because Sadie is still a pup and female Laughing . I look forward to hearing more

Best wishes

Sue & LM Beecham (I agree Peter...)
Blue

I have no doubt that the French are messing with us....or maybe they're all just the same dog,,who knows?


BritAnnie wrote:
Now, isn't that strange??? Rolling Eyes
Quote:
near the end of the 19th century many Brits crossed the channel with their dogs (setters and spaniels mainly) to hunt in the marshes of Picardie. When the British quarantine was put into effect many Brit hunters chose to leave their dogs boarded on Picardie farms. The Picard Spaniel was then crossed with Blue Belton English and Gordon Setters resulting in the Blue Picardy Spaniel


This is EXACTLY what we have been given to understand about the Epagneul Breton(the Brittany in the UK), the American Brittany being a distinct divergence from the French variety

I wonder where the BPS and Breton separated if all of this is true Wink or are the French just throwing us all a line Twisted Evil
BA
Blue

Isn't there always a randy munsterlander in the area?

Wink

munstyman wrote:
Hi Nick welcome to the board.
Quote:
The Picard Spaniel was then crossed with Blue Belton English and Gordon Setters resulting in the Blue Picardy Spaniel .

Are you sure there wasn't a randy munsterlander in the area Question Rolling Eyes Laughing Laughing Laughing
Peter
Blue

Blues are born mostly grey/white and the black (blue) fills in over the next 2 to 3 years. So right now Sadie is definitely in her Munsterlander stage of colouring. Also those pics are when she was 6 1/2 months old and very skinny...she's put on 3 kgs since then, her feathering is coming in and her chest is filling out.
She's never going to win any best of breed shows though as her head is too setter like and she's a bit gangly









münstermanager wrote:
Hi Nick & welcome to the Board

I was fascinated by Picardy Spaniels a few years ago but, like others, have never seen one in the flesh.

The photos I have seen are of Picardys much heavier set, or perhaps it's because Sadie is still a pup and female Laughing . I look forward to hearing more

Best wishes

Sue & LM Beecham (I agree Peter...)

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