Picardy Spaniel
Temperament:
The Epagneul Picard is a traditional dog breed from the French region of Picardy. This hunting dog with a fine nose has a calm, balanced nature. He will be happy in a real job, like hunting or as a therapy or school companion dog. He is not suitable as a pure family dog.
Characteristics
The Epagneul Picard is a dog breed from France, recognized by the FCI under the number 108 and classified in group 7 (pointing dogs).
He is a stocky dog with strong legs that carries his head proudly. His smooth or slightly wavy coat is spotted gray, with brown areas in some parts of the body and at the base of the tail. In addition, there are tan markings on the paws and head. The ears are located a little above the level of the eyes and are quite thick, studded with fine and wavy hair. The tail is not docked, appreciated a beautiful "flag".
The Epagneul Picard is obedient, reliable and friendly by nature. Nevertheless, he is not suitable as a pure family dog, because he needs additional challenges. He has all the characteristics of a hunting dog and has a fine nose. That is why he likes to be used in hunting after the shot and then performs excellent welding work, i.e. successfully follows the blood traces of hit animals. Both on land and in water, the dog cuts a great figure when hunting.
If an Epagneul is not regularly used for hunting, you as the owner should find a suitable other task to nevertheless utilize the dog.
Coat care:
Shedding:
Energy level:
Trainability:
Children suitable:
The right food
For the diet of the Epagneul Picard, it is important that a high proportion of meat ends up in the bowl - but it does not have to be game, despite the dog's enthusiasm for hunting! Meat should be first on the list of ingredients in the dog food. Not good for the Epagneul, on the other hand, are foods containing cereals.
Please do not change foods in rapid succession, this can overload the Epagneul Picard's stomach and cause vomiting and diarrhea. When changing foods, mix the old and new foods and gradually transition from one to the other.
Epagneuls, like all dogs, love treats, but here you should pay attention to quality: no sugar or grain, is the motto. Instead, dried meat pieces should be on the snack plan, possibly supplemented by dental care morsels.
In view of the Epagneul Picard's urge to move, it is important that he always gets enough fresh water. During his hunting trips, it is best to carry a portable drinking bowl and a water supply.
Picardy Spaniel Care
You should brush and comb the coat of the Epagneul Picard once a day to avoid matting. The dog can be showered and should be accustomed to it from an early age.
It is important to inspect the ears regularly, because inflammations can develop here unnoticed. It's best to clean the ears regularly with a designated agent from the specialized trade. Also claw care is indicated, best with a special claw pliers for dogs.
The Epagneul does not tolerate heat very well, at high temperatures you have to pay attention to a sufficient supply of water. He needs a lot of exercise and should ideally be hunted.
Suitable accessories
The Epagneul Picard likes to retrieve, so balls and retrieving objects of all kinds are a nice toy for him. Treats motivate the dog and can help with training as a reward. For grooming, a coat brush and comb are recommended, as well as scissors to remove fur knots the "hard way" if necessary. Occasionally, dog shampoo can be used.
Other helpful grooming utensils include claw clippers and ear cleaners.
Origin & History
Long-haired French pointing dogs were already mentioned in the Middle Ages. They are the ancestors of Spaniels, Setters and the modern longhaired pointing dogs from Germany and France. The Epagneul Picard, like his gray brother, the Epagneul Bleu Picard, found favor with the French royal family beginning in the 16th century.
Dogs of this breed are children of Picardy, a diverse northern French landscape that includes forests, fields, bodies of water and marshes. Hunting in these terrains requires a robust dog that can tirelessly scour the fields and find waterfowl in the region's waters. Picardy includes the area where the Somme River flows into the North Sea, a popular spot for duck hunting. Even today, the region is the center of breeding Epagneul Picard.
After a decline at the end of the 18th century, it was possible to increase the Epagneul Picard again at the end of the 19th century through selective breeding. From about the middle of the 20th century, it became increasingly popular outside France. In Germany, the breed has meanwhile gained high popularity and growing spread, because of its great hunting abilities, its calmness and its reliability.
