There are breeds that can’t seem to be kept out of the earth. Read: there’s a reason that the group of dogs known as terriers derive their name from the French word, terrier [tɛʁje], meaning “burrow.”
At the other end of the element spectrum are the dogs that can’t seem to get enough of the water. The Poodle, a natural retriever, was first known as the Pudelhund, and Pudel means “to splash about” in German.
We segue to another breed that is a born “water baby”, but one that isn’t as ubiquitous as the Poodle, and that is the Picardy Spaniel. Known in its earliest days as the French Spaniel, that moniker would be inaccurate today as there is an entirely different breed known as the French Spaniel, or Epagneul Français. Indeed, in the early 20th century, French Spaniels as a group began to be funneled into separate regional breeds, and the Picardy Spaniel was recognized as a stand-alone breed in 1907.
Dogs of this breed have won several field trial champions over the years, and are admired by their fans for being soft mouthed (but not soft tempered) “work-with-you” retrievers who hunt with passion. Some opine that it just might be the best water worker of all the French pointing breeds. Former breed club president, Joël Mailly, has said of the breed: “If you are hunting in thick beet fields they will stay closer; if you are on open plains they will reach out. They adapt to the cover and will always hunt with you.”
Enjoy three minutes of watching a Picardy at work in the video below:
As you saw, the Picardy runs at a medium gallop with his head normally held in line with the back, but his largely depends upon the terrain. Almost cat-like when scenting game, the dog will point standing up.
Talent in water comes early. Check out this 9 week old Picardy Spaniel puppy doing her first water retrieve in the 19 second video below:
The breed is recognized by the FCI, and the North American Hunting Dog Association. More information about the breed can be found at the North American Picardy Spaniel Alliance.
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