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The Blue Picardy Spaniel is a French dog known in its homeland as the Bleu Picard. This dog was bred by the mating of black and gray Picardy Spaniels and Gordon or English Setters. They were originally bred for use in working with hunters, especially in the swamplands of the Somme region of France, where they are still today popular dogs. They are relatively rare to find in other areas. They are wonderful retrieving dogs and are therefore appreciated most by bird hunters. Their specialty is retrieval of the woodcock.

This breed is accepted for registry in the American Canine Association. In this organization, they are classified under the "retriever" category. Although having a registered dog may not mean that much to the average pet owner who is only looking for a loving companion, it does increase the value of the dog for those who want to breed the animal or compete with him or her.

According to breed standards, the Blue Picardy Spaniel should be between 55 and 60 inches tall, when measured from the ground to the withers. Their weight can vary a bit, but they should be right around 44 pounds, with males being larger than females of the breed. They should be strong and nicely proportioned in appearance, with a somewhat deep chest. The feathered tail is held in the downward position when the dog is at rest. When their interest is captured or they are excited, the tail may go into the upward position. The silky ears are held in the flop position, laying down flat against the sides of the head. The eyes are dark and large, having a sensitive, but alert and intelligent expression. The nose is black, and the muzzle is about average in length. They are good swimmers, having webbed feet, and love to be in the water.

Blue Picardy Spaniels have beautiful coats. The accepted colors are flecked gray or black and they may have black spots. The flecking is what creates the bluish tone where the name of the breed comes from. The coat is flat and silky, with either straight or wavy hair. They have feathering on both the tail and the legs. Their grooming is fairly easy, but must be maintained regularly. They need a thorough brushing at least once per week with a stiff brush to ensure that there is no matting, nothing stuck in the fur, and to remove any loose hairs. These dogs are average shedders.

They are quite intelligent and can be trained quickly, as long as their is a good communication and understanding between the two. The Blue Picardy Spaniel seems to enjoy learning and has a desire to please their owner. Training should be consistent, with the human establishing his or her position as "pack leader" from the start. If you are firm, stable, and calm, the dog will respond well to training and learn quickly, especially regarding the natural hunting instincts that they have, but also regarding their position and the expectations of them in the family. The trained Blue Picardy Spaniel will be very well-behaved, even in busy situations.

These dogs are kept today both by people who want a working dog, as well as those who are seeking a companion and a household pet. The Blue Lacy is a breed that will need a moderate amount as they have very active personalities and minds. They will need at least a brisk walk daily and they will also enjoy getting out for some time off the leash, playing with the family and friends. They are quite friendly and loving dogs, almost always good with children and other dogs.

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