Breed History

After a period of evolution in the 19th Century, the Spaniel breeds of France officially went their separate ways in 1907 and were given their own individual recognition, with the breed standard for the Picardy Spaniel draughted in 1908 and which has remained largely unchanged to this day. The First World War from 1914 to 1918 which badly affected this region in France could have caused serious harm to the breed but with enthusiastic breeding, numbers remained relatively high. The French breed club (Club de l’Épagneul Picard) was formed in 1921, and later amalgamated with the Blue Picardy Spaniel club (Club de l’Épagneul Bleu de Picardie) in 1937. As author Craig Koshyk states in his book Pointing Dogs, Volume One: The Continentals, “The Second World War proved even more difficult for the breed than the First. When it was over, the Picardy Spaniel had almost disappeared. Fortunately, a small group of breeders, led by former breed club president François Prin, united to save it. By the 1980s it was clear that their efforts had paid off. The number and quality of the dogs had improved considerably. Picardy Spaniels were winning field trials, dog shows and the admiration of more and more hunters, especially in the north of France. Today, the breed remains virtually unknown outside of France but enjoys a well-deserved reputation among French hunters as a solid gundog, well equipped for hunting in difficult conditions and terrain.” The club further amalgamated with the French club of the Pont Audemer Spaniel (Club de l’Épagneul de Pont Audemer) in 1980 to form today’s French Club for all three breeds called Club de l’Épagneul Picard, du Bleu de Picardie et de l’Épagneul Pont-Audemer. The French club is now called CEPPA, the "Club de l'Épagneul Picards et le Pont Audemer".