Gun dog Medium size 20-30 kg

Blue Picardy Long Haired Pointer

A gentle French pointing dog that is affectionate and biddable - a good active-family fit, provided it gets the daily running and company it craves.

Compare
Find out how this breed matches your household

Quick overview

Medium
Size
20-30 kg, 55-62 cm tall
High
Activity
Sporting dog; needs long daily exercise
Low
Alone-time tolerance
Very people-oriented; dislikes isolation
High
Trainability
Eager to please and quick to learn
Moderate
Coat care
Feathered coat; brush weekly, check ears
Good
Fit with kids
Gentle and playful with children
Good
Other pets
Generally sociable with other pets
Light
Health burden
Generally healthy; ear care needed

The Blue Picardy Long Haired Pointer typically weighs 20-30 kg, stands 55-62 cm, and lives 12-13 years.

Consider this breed if…

you hunt over a pointing dog, or run and hike most days,
you want a soft-tempered gun dog that trains with a light hand,
the dog can be with its people most of the day,
kids and other pets share the home - this breed usually blends in well.

Do not consider this breed if…

the house is empty through long workdays - it wilts alone,
an hour-plus of real exercise daily is not realistic for you,
you want an instantly available breed; expect a search or import,
feathered-coat upkeep and muddy-field grooming annoy you.

A typical day with a Blue Picardy Long Haired Pointer

  1. 6:30 · Morning
    Long run or free-galloping field time
  2. 9:00 · Midmorning
    Settles quietly at your feet
  3. 13:00 · Noon
    Short walk, some retrieving play
  4. 16:30 · Afternoon
    Training or scent-and-point games
  5. 19:00 · Evening
    Gentle family time; stays close
  6. 22:00 · Night
    Sleeps near its people, calm and quiet

Temperament and training

Gentleness Very high
Attachment to people Very high
Trainability High
Energy High
Prey drive Moderate
Guarding tendency Low
Common owner mistakes
Leaving a velcro gun dog home alone all day, then facing the anxiety · Skipping ear care under heavy feathered drop ears · Assuming gentle means low-energy - the engine is real

Family and environment

Kids Good
Gentle and playful; a classic active-family dog.
Dogs Good
Sociable; rarely starts trouble.
Cats Good
Usually fine when introduced young; may chase outdoors.
Apartment Conditional
Calm indoors, but daily field-level exercise is a must.
House with a yard Suitable
A yard plus real outings is the right formula.
City Manages
Works if runs and green space are routine.
Countryside Ideal
Open ground to quarter and point is its element.
Health data provided by RealVetCost
Overall health burden Light

Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.

View the full health profile
Top health concerns
Hip Dysplasia Screen breeding stock
Chronic Ear Infections Drop ears trap moisture; check regularly
Progressive Retinal Atrophy Inherited eye condition
Dental Disease Routine dental care needed

Similar breeds - by reason

Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.

Close Picardy cousin, nearly the same dog in brown
French Long Haired Pointer
A friendly long-coated French pointer for an active hunting home, with a feathered coat that needs regular grooming.
View profile →
Same gentle, feathered bird-dog character, easier to find
English Setter
A gentle, feathered bird dog that is great with family but needs daily exercise and regular coat care to stay content.
View profile →
Smaller, higher-octane French pointing breed
Brittany Spaniel
A bright, tireless bird dog and affectionate family companion for active homes - its high energy quickly overwhelms sedentary owners.
View profile →

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Blue Picardy Spaniel cost?
This breed is rare in the US - most breeders are in France and Quebec, so plan on $1,500-$2,500 for the puppy plus travel or import costs, and a waitlist measured in months. Over a 12-13 year life, food and routine care for a medium sporting dog typically add $13,000-$18,000 more.
Is this a pointer or a spaniel?
Officially a spaniel - Epagneul Bleu de Picardie - but it works like a setter-type pointing dog: quartering ground and pointing birds rather than flushing at close range. The site's name reflects how it hunts. Functionally, compare it to setters and long-haired pointing breeds, not to cocker-style spaniels.
How much exercise does a Blue Picardy need?
Plan on at least an hour of genuine free running or fieldwork daily, plus training or scent games for its head. It is famously calm indoors, but that calm is purchased with outdoor work - skip it for a week and you will meet a restless, whiny, destructive version of the same dog.
Is it good for first-time owners?
Among pointing breeds, yes - it is soft-tempered, forgiving and eager to please, without the wild edge of some gun dogs. The honest caveats are availability (few breeders, likely an import) and the non-negotiable exercise and companionship needs. An active beginner who is home a lot can do well with one.