At a glance the quick version
The FCI standard gives no weight; Wikipedia gives roughly 20-27 kg.
Coat and looks how to spot one
curly to wavy coat
A coat of curls, or at least strong waves, over the body, while the face stays smooth. Curly hair gathers into a topknot and also dresses the ears, tail and even the spaces between the toes.31
Personality what they are like
A friendly, soft-natured gundog with a kind, open expression. It learns readily and is known in France for its playful, clownish side, while the standard calls for a dog that is neither aggressive nor overly timid.13
Daily activity how busy a day looks
A hunting spaniel that loves water and marshland work; it needs regular outdoor exercise, ideally with chances to swim and use its nose.13
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
The curly coat benefits from regular brushing to keep curls tidy, with attention to the feathered ears and the hair between the toes.3
Home where they are happiest
Best suited to an active household with access to open country or water, reflecting its background as a marsh and duck dog.1
Company who they like around
An affectionate dog that enjoys close contact with its people.1
The story where it all began
The breed was shaped in 19th-century Normandy, with English and Irish water spaniel blood in its background. Numbers fell sharply after the Second World War, so from 1949 the breed club allowed carefully chosen outcrosses, including the Irish Water Spaniel, to rebuild it. In 1980 its club joined forces with the Picardy Spaniel club.1
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
In France it is nicknamed the little clown of the marshes.1
- 2
Its breed standard describes curly hair growing even between the toes.3
- 3
It was traditionally a specialist at hunting wild ducks in wetlands, and today it is also used on rabbit and pheasant.1
- 4
Since 1980 it has shared a breed club with the Picardy Spaniel.1
Recognised by the official bits
- FCI
- Standard no. 114, Group 7 (Pointing Dogs), Section 1 Continental Pointing Dogs, spaniel type. Definitively accepted 15 December 1954; current standard published 1 August 2023.2
- UKC
- Recognised in the Gun Dog Group (per Wikipedia).1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Pont-Audemer Spaniel. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery 2 days
- Bathevery month
- HaircutTrim feathering and feet, or keep a short cutevery 8 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
- Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- Eye wipeGently wipe around the eyesevery day
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 8every year
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Picardy Spaniel
Blue Picardy SpanielLike what we are building? Buy us a coffee.
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- Wikipedia: Pont-Audemer Spaniel en.wikipedia.orgused for history, weight, temperament, fun facts, UKC
- FCI nomenclature: Epagneul de Pont-Audemer fci.beused for group, acceptance date
- FCI Standard No. 114, Epagneul de Pont-Audemer fci.beused for size, coat, colours, temperament
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.