Darkwater Blues - Blue Picardy Spaniels

28/08/2024

We are so proud of Johanne and Zuko (the Merine-Mika boy we co-own with her) and their great progress in the field. It is a great feeling when our pups are doing what they love and were bred to do.

From Johanne:

On a fini les épreuves pr Zuko cette annee avec 2 titres (FD et WDJ) avec des notes de plus de 90% et 2 notes parfaites de 100%.

C est plus que nous pensions faire et notre Zuko est capable de plus donc on va continuer. Avec les conseils de Karl Lafrance (birddog training and boarding), Club de Chien d'Arrêt de l'Outaouais (CCAO), ceux offrant et jugeant des épreuves et tous les participants de celles-ci, ca nous donne du courage pr le faire!

On n avait jamais fait deux épreuves ds la meme fin de semaine. Cela a commencé à la poule korthal où Zuko a obtenu 2 tests qualificatifs pr son FD. Ensuite, son titre FD à CEF Club de l'Epagneul Français au Québec depuis 1978.

On avait fini notre saison. Zuko aime tellement l eau et on en a tout le tour de la maison. On a appris que des bartas ca coulent!!! Yves Sylvain et Lafrance, nous ont donné des canards. On a pratiqué et inscrit pr 3 tests qualificatifs pr son WDJ au Ottawa Valley Pointing Dog Club Water Extravaganza ds la meme journée. On espérait que Zuko serait en forme. Il l a été. Finisant meilleur et 2e meilleur pr 2 de ses essais et obtenant son titre. Merci au Ottawa Valley Pointing Dog Club qui nous a permis de realiser cela lundi passé et avec nos beaux pointages, on s est vu offrir un beau sac cadeau.

On m a dit que Zuko est le premier épagneul bleu de Picardie au Canada à obtenir un titre à l eau et le 4e à obtenir un titre de field dog (FD).

We finished the Zuko tests this year with 2 titles (FD and WDJ) with scores of over 90% and 2 perfect scores of 100%.

It's more than we thought we'd do and our Zuko is capable of more so we'll continue. With the advice of Karl Lafrance (birddog training and boarding), Outaouais Pointing Dog Club (CCAO), those offering and judging the events and all the participants in them, it gives us courage to do it !

We had never done two tests in the same weekend. It started at the Korthal pool where Zuko obtained 2 qualifying tests for his FD. Then, his FD title at CEF Club de l'Epagneul Français in Quebec since 1978.

We had finished our season. Zuko loves water so much and we have it all around the house. We learned that bartas flow!!! Yves Sylvain and Lafrance gave us ducks. We practiced and registered for 3 qualifying tests for his WDJ at the Ottawa Valley Pointing Dog Club Water Extravaganza on the same day. We hoped that Zuko would be in good shape. He was. Finishing best and 2nd best pr 2 of his trials and obtaining his title. Thanks to the Ottawa Valley Pointing Dog Club who allowed us to achieve this last Monday and with our good points, we were offered a beautiful gift bag.

I am told that Zuko is the first Blue Picardy Spaniel in Canada to obtain a water title and the 4th to obtain a Field Dog (FD) title.

12/04/2024

Reba getting the proper foundation work done!

01/03/2024

Like mother, like daughter - Jazmine and Reba, the queens of floor-defying fun! 🤦‍♀️

17/02/2024

We had no idea we had another fan in the house!

(Carrick is by far the most musical dog we’ve ever had - you hear Cadence in the background, but she just follows his lead 💙)

13/02/2024

Having fun getting Reba up-to-speed with Mike at Sweet River Gun Dogs!

17/01/2024

Carrick has discovered a new love for bagpipes!
(He already sings along with violins and trumpets!)

12/01/2024

Happy birthday Kenny Rogers puppies!

12/01/2024

Happy birthday Reba’s!

06/01/2024

Make sure your next family member is purchased from an ethical breeder.

• Are litters carefully researched and planned?

• Are the puppies and mom receiving proper veterinary care?

• Are the puppies being socialized and getting adequate exercise?

• Will the breeder take the puppy back if it turns out they are not a good fit for your family?

• Is the breeder screening, your family, and always available for advice and support?

Do your homework and ask questions to make sure you are working with an ethical and responsible breeder!

Ethical breeding practices are fundamental to maintaining the well-being of dogs and the integrity of the breeding profession.

We are honoured to work with great breeders across Canada and hope to highlight their remarkable diligence in preserving their beloved breeds while honouring best practices.

Did you know that responsible breeders:

Avoid Overbreeding:
Responsible breeders carefully plan each breeding to avoid overbreeding, which can lead to health issues for both the breeding dogs and their offspring.
Have a thorough understanding of the genetic background of breeding pairs and assessing their overall health to make informed decisions about breeding frequency.

Provide the Best Care for their Breeding Dogs:
Ensuring the health and well-being of breeding dogs is paramount. Regular veterinary check-ups and care, a healthy, balanced diet, and appropriate living conditions contribute to the overall health of the breeding dogs.

Know that proper socialization, exercise, and mental stimulation are essential to promoting the physical and emotional health of the dogs.

Address the Welfare of Puppies in their Care and Ongoing:
Ethical breeders prioritize the welfare of the puppies produced. This includes providing a clean and safe environment for the puppies, appropriate veterinary care, and socialization experiences.
Responsible breeders often conduct thorough screening of potential buyers to ensure the puppies are placed in suitable homes.
Many insist on taking a puppy back if new owners have second thoughts to ensure no puppies end up in shelters.

Balance Demand with Responsible Practices:
Managing the demand for specific breeds can be challenging, especially when certain breeds become popular. Ethical breeders resist the temptation to compromise on standards or engage in unethical breeding practices to meet high demand.

Educating potential buyers about the specific needs and characteristics of the breed helps in ensuring that the dogs are placed in homes that are well-prepared to meet those requirements.

Lifetime Responsibility:
Ethical breeders take a lifelong responsibility for the dogs they bring into the world. This includes being available for advice and support to puppy owners throughout the dog's life.
In cases where owners can no longer care for their dogs, responsible breeders are likely willing to take back or assist in rehoming the dogs they bred.

By adhering to these ethical breeding practices, breeders contribute to the overall health and happiness of the dogs they work with, while also upholding the reputation of responsible breeding within the community.

A great resource for learning about different breeds and finding a great breeder in Canada is the Canadian Kennel Club. Canadian Kennel Club

https://www.ckc.ca/en/Choosing-a-Dog/Finding-an-Accountable-Breeder

To all the amazing breeders we have the honour of knowing, thank you for all that you do! We appreciate your commitment to excellence.

PetTech Solutions

01/01/2024

💙 Happy New Year from our pack to yours! 🎉🐾

13/10/2023

Learn more about our beautiful Blues! 💙

The is a docile dog with a calm demeanour. Patient, well-mannered and very adaptable, they get on well with other dogs and animals. https://www.ckc.ca/en/Choosing-a-Dog/Choosing-a-Breed/Sporting-Dogs/Spaniel-Blue-Picardy

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L’épagneul bleu de Picardie est un chien docile et calme. Patient, bien élevé et très adaptable, il s’entend bien avec les autres chiens et animaux. https://www.ckc.ca/fr/Choosing-a-Dog/Choix-d%E2%80%99une-race/Chiens-de-sport/Epagneul-bleu-de-Picardie

05/10/2023

These weren’t posted together, but both are 💯% true!

The frustration. The laundry. The exhaustion. The $$…

(But oh, the absolute joy our puppies and their families bring us! 💙)

08/09/2023

Have you ever met a BPS?!
This is Suede from our friends at Brighthope Kennels - Blue Picardy Spaniels

Have you ever met a "B.P.S.?"

Favorite hunting grounds have sometimes lead to the creation of some terrific breeds, if unwittingly. In the 19th and early 20th century, France was a popular destination for hunters from Great Britain who crossed the English Channel with their dogs to get there. Brittany’s sandy moors and the Picardie marshes in particular became favorite grounds for many setter and spaniel owners, but when the British quarantine was implemented, these hunters were prohibited from reentering the country with their dogs. Many of the sportsmen boarded their English Setters or Gordon Setters on Picardie farms where local Picard Spaniels bred with them. The result? The Blue Picardy Spaniel, or BPS, also known as the Epagneul Bleu de Picardie.

Blue Picardies are particularly clever at hunting snipe in marshy land, but are overall excellent field dogs who make wonderful family companions: Quiet, playful, and steadfast. The blue tinge on their coat is roan in nature and made up of white, grey & black hair with solid black patches that can range from blue-grey to blue black and almost black. Puppies are born white with black patches – the roaning color developing as they mature.

Though the breed’s roots are partially British, the Blue Picardy Spaniel is regarded as a French pointing dog. When the Picard Spaniel and Blue Picardy Spaniel Club was formed in 1907, the two different breeds of Picardy Spaniel were specified, but in 1938, France recognized the Blue Picardy as a separate breed. While the BPS isn’t registered with the AKC, the Canadian Kennel Club accepted the breed in 1995, and the FCI followed suit in 1998.

Image of “Suede” is shared with consent by the owner/photographer, Kim Ratigan/Brighthope Kennels

26/08/2023

Happy International Dog Day from the Darkwater Blues Crew! 🐾

This is the day we celebrate the bond between humans and their four-legged best friends. 💙

(Reba, Cadence, Jazmine, Merine and Carrick)

25/08/2023

Our bird dog who also loves chasing butterflies! 🦋 (Reba)

23/06/2023

Cute photo (finally!) of Reba v what most of her photos look like 🤦‍♀️
She just doesn’t sit long enough!

23/06/2023

Like mother, like daughter! 🐾
Jazmine and pup Reba

10/04/2023

All the Little Reba's have headed off to their furever homes. They are all off in different directions (Kitchener, Wasaga Beach, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Virginia and Nevada) to each take on their new adventures with their wonderful new folks. Judging from the updates we have received so far, they are all adjusting really well and enjoying their new lives and activities!

Darkwaters Look For The Light (Orion)
Darkwaters Is There Life Out There (Ursula)
Darkwaters Promise Me Love (Harlow)
Darkwaters Fancy (Nyx)
Darkwaters Forever Love (Cassaydee)
Darkwaters Me and My Arrow (Fletcher)

** Photos to follow soon :)

10/04/2023

Introducing Reba (Darkwaters I'm a Survivor), the newest member of the Darkwater pack. She will be part of our breeding program and starting her field training shortly!

23/03/2023

Do you think they are related?! 😂

23/03/2023

Happy puppy day! We are just in the middle of placing the little Reba’s with their wonderful new furever families!

10/03/2023

I’m not sure they even realize who they’re dancing with most of the time 🤣

10/03/2023

A snowy Friday ❄️

10/03/2023

"This exquisite creature" 💙

This exquisite creature is a Blue Picardy Spaniel, a originating in (wait for it) - - - - Picardy, France! It's one of two breeds native to this region, but the Blue shows more of an English influence. Though popular in Canada and recognized by the Canadian Kennel Club, this biddable, athletic, intelligent and incredibly affectionate breed is relatively unknown in the United States.

It's has exceptional field ability and is a medium range pointer for upland game birds and love to work on land and water. They are said to have a temperament similar to a Golden Retriever, but are smaller and lighter.

The breed very nearly died out after the second World War and survived mostly through the efforts of Mr. Piras, virtually the only breeder still active after the war. Until the 1990s, the Blue Picardy was essentially confined to northern France where the dogs were owned mostly by hunters - but things improved in a big way. In 2008, a record 296 puppies were born, three times as many as the year before, and ten times as many in the years following the war. Today, the breed is on solid footing.

10/03/2023

Happy 8 week Birthday to the Reba Litter! 💙

09/03/2023

We thought this hide and slide treat puzzle might be too difficult for the pups, but they’ve sure enjoyed playing with it for the past week and I’m surprised at how engaged they’ve been - and how much kibble they can get out of it!

05/03/2023

Happy Sunday!

02/03/2023

❄️ Fun in the snow! ❄️

01/03/2023

The puppies braved the big enclosure this afternoon! - And then they needed a big sleep to recover 😴 💙