Goldador vs Blue Picardy Spaniel - Breed Comparison

The Blue Picardy Spaniel is a direct descendent of the French spaniel. It was in the 14th century that recorded descriptions of the French ‘setting dogs’ emerged but it is believed that the spaniel originated before that.

The spaniels separated into different regional types where size and colour varied according to the region they were in. It was developed in the northern part of France and bred with Gordon- and English Setters, resulting in a Belton blue color, which is a type of blue ticking coloration. The dog was recognized as a separate breed in France in 1938.

Introduced as a designer dog, the Goldador is beautiful – a mix between Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers, two of the most popular dog breeds in the world.

The dog was specifically bred to be an excellent working dog, and in fact today he makes the most wonderful guide-, rescue- and therapy dog.

Known also as Golden Labradors, the Goldador is a dog that has many capabilities, one of which is to make a wonderful family pet. As a designer breed, the dog isn’t recognized as a standardized breed by any of the major kennel clubs.

His Looks

The medium-sized, well muscled Blue Picardy Spaniel has such an amicable expression on his face with such gentle brown eyes that it is difficult to think of him as a gun dog. He is often described as a quiet dog, but lots of fun. He has long legs and stands about 56–61 cm high at the withers, weighing about 19–20 kg. His speckled grey-blue coat with black patches is medium length and wavy and you’ll find typical Setter feathering on the legs, the tail and underside. The medium-length, drooping ears are also covered in silky, feathery hair, a blue/grey coat with black patches and has long feathering on the belly, legs, ears and tail. When the puppies are born they’re white with black patches, but this changes as they mature.

Temperament

The Blue Picardy Spaniel is a loyal and devoted companion, who just loves to spend time with his human family. He loves to work hard and play hard and he makes a splendid family pet. He’ll also get along well with other pets. Treat him with love and care and you’ll find that the Blue Picardy Spaniel is an even-tempered pet who wants to please. Being alert, he will bark to warn you of strangers.

The Goldador is a large muscular dog standing at between 56 – 61cm in height at the withers and weighing between 27 – 36kg in weight.

His double coat is short and smooth but in can also be longer. It comes in shades of gold or yellow with hints of red, but it can be liver or black too. Goldadors are well-balanced dogs, and just the look in their kind brown eyes makes you realize that this beautiful dog can make a wonderful pet.

He has a well proportioned head with medium length floppy ears, a black nose and a long tail.

Temperament:

Loving, intelligent, loyal and playful, the Goldador is the kind of dog that gets on well with everyone. It’s why he isn’t a particularly good watchdog as he is just too friendly with strangers. You have to be careful though – his rambunctious nature, his energy and playfulness can see him being a bit rough around small children or the elderly. It is why socialization and training are so important for him as then he becomes obedient and more relaxed around everyone.

He loves his human family and never wants to be left on his own for too long. Intelligent and alert, he is an easy dog to train as he makes it easier by being a dog that wants to please.

The Blue Picardy Spaniel is a gentle, intelligent breed and he responds well to training. He is such an easy going dog who wants to please his owners. They also do well with children and other pets, making him a wonderful family pet.

This excellent sporting dog bred in the Picardy region of France is sociable and amicable, a sought after companion animal in France. He is highly trainable breed and his wonderful nature makes him a wonderful choice for first-time dog owners. He is a gentle all-rounder who loves to be with family, making him an exceptional friend.

Goldadors are intelligent dogs and they’ve been used extensively for guide- and therapy dogs, loving to be useful and busy. Its the kind of dog that thrives in a loving, active family – one that counts him in as a family member.

He makes an exceptional family pet and companion and you can rely on him to be a loyal, loving pet.It’s why the Goldador is becoming such a sought after pet – he simply ticks all the right boxes.

No Genetic Health Problems

The Blue Picardy Spaniel is considered a healthy breed and there are no known genetic health issues. He is a rare dog breed and not excessively bred, meaning they aren’t prone to genetic health problems. When he is loved and well looked after, he can reach 14 years of age and beyond.

You won’t find more health issues with this breed than with other gun dogs. Always be looking out for hip dysplasia, a malformation of the hip joint. The socket of the hip is too shallow, resulting in damage to the joints of the dog, more so as it ages. Symptoms of hip dysplasia include stiffness and trouble with getting up after lying down.

Goldadors luckily don’t have many health issues, and as a hybrid, he has fewer health issues than pure breds.

You can say with confidence that a nutritious diet, regular exercise, good grooming, lots of love and attention and visits to the vet if your pet is ill are key aspects for maintaining good health.

There are always going to be some common health problems that your Goldie could get -

Ear Infections:

You’ll need to be checking your Labrador Retriever's floppy ears. They don’t get as much air in them as a dog with erect ears. A dog like the Goldador with floppy ears will need to have his ears cleaned for bacteria. Be very careful how you clean your pet’s ears as you can damage them if you probe too deeply.

Spaying and neutering:

Did you know that by spaying or neutering your Goldador can save them from getting some serious illnesses later on? Speak to your vet about it when your pet reaches 9 months to a year of age.

Obesity:

Goldadors can easily put on weight if they aren’t given enough daily exercise to burn off the calories. Some put on weight after being spayed or neutered and it's important to watch their weight after these procedures. Being overweight puts a lot of extra strain on a dog’s internal organs.

Food for an Active Breed

The Blue Picardy is an energetic gun dog and he will certainly require a good deal of exercise. If he isn’t running around on a farm you will need to take him for walks regularly or let him off the leash in the park. He is always ready for ball games and just loves to play. It’s why he gets on well with children too- he loves the fun and games he gets.

He’ll need a high quality dog food that has been specially formulated for high energy dogs. Always follow the directions on the packaging. Home made food with meat, rice and vegetables is always a welcome change and remember to ensure he gets some raw meat into his diet too. Never deprive him of fresh, cool water. This should be readily available to him 24/7.

Grooming

The Blue Picardy Spaniel is a moderate shedder with a couple of heavier shedding periods during the year. His grooming requirements are pretty moderate too and he will require a good brush twice a week to get rid of those loose hairs.

Other basic care for your beautiful pet includes clipping his nails, brushing his teeth 2 or 3 times a week, making use of a special dog toothbrush and toothpaste. His ears should certainly be checked for infection.

Grooming:

Goom your Goldador regularly. He can either have short- or long hair, but he is a fairly low maintenance dog so a good brush twice a week to remove loose hairs will be good for him.

Diet:

Diet is everything, and by giving your Goldador nutritional food, you can actually lengthen his life. If you’re going to be giving him commercially manufactured food, follow the feeding guidelines on the packaging. Remember there are foods that cater specifically for a dogs age and his energy levels.

Try and give him some home-made food from time to time such as cooked rice, vegetables and chicken as well as some raw meat occasionally as this can ensure his skin and coat remain healthy.

Always provide plenty of cool, fresh water, especially seeing that he will be thirsty after a long walk or other exercise. Dehydration in a dog can be fatal.

Shelter:

Provide your Goldador with a warm, dry place to sleep. Make sure that it offers shelter from the sun and rain and also provides shade.