St. Bernard vs Picardy Spaniel - Breed Comparison

St. Bernard vs Picardy Spaniel - Breed ComparisonSt. Bernard is originated from Switzerland but Picardy Spaniel is originated from France. St. Bernard may grow 10 cm / 4 inches higher than Picardy Spaniel. St. Bernard may weigh 65 kg / 144 pounds more than Picardy Spaniel. St. Bernard may live 4 years less than Picardy Spaniel. Both St. Bernard and Picardy Spaniel has almost same litter size. St. Bernard requires High maintenance. But Picardy Spaniel requires Moderate maintenance

History

st bernard - historyThe St Bernard breed was once called the Alpine Cattle Dogs or the Alpine Mountain Dogs. They have always been farm dogs and mountain dogs in the French and Swiss Alps. They come from the border land of Switzerland and France. They were herding dogs, hunting, search and rescue, watchdogs and draft dogs.

Their ancestors are considered to include the Sennenhunds and molosser breeds that came to the Alps with the ancient Romans. There are four Sennenhund breeds that are believed to have contributed to the original St. Bernard. These included the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog (Grosser Schweizer Sennenhund), the Appenzeller (Appenzeller Sennenhund), the Bernese Mountain Dog (Berner Sennenhund) and the Entlebucher Mountain Dog (Entlebucher Sennenhund) Today the St. Bernard is considered a Molossoid breed.

The first we know of the St. Bernard in any written records was in 1707 at the Great St. Bernard Pass and Great St. Bernard Hospice run by monks. There were found paintings of the dogs dating back into the late 1600’s. It is told that Barry saved upward of 100 people in the St. Bernard pass, and it is from these stories that the dogs gained their snow rescue reputation.

The St. Bernard of that time did not look like the St. Bernard does today as there was much crossbreeding. Many dogs dies during rescues in the avalanches of the mid 1800’s and so they Saint was crossed with the Newfoundland to preserve the breed. You can today see the resemblance in the build and looks of the two breeds. This cross brought about the long haired St. Bernard whose fur was too heavy for rescues.

The St. Bernards of mountain rescue fame were only about the size of a German Shepherd dog and were short haired. After crossing with the Newfoundland and moving into clubs and dogs shows, they have been bred to be much larger. Before the stud book was closed, it is thought that many larger breeds such as the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, the English Mastiff, the Tibetan Mastiff, the Rottweiler, the Great Pyrenees, the English Bulldog, the Great Dane, the Bernese Mountain Dog, the Boxer and the Caucasian Oycharka all contributed to today’s St. Bernard.

In 1884 The Swiss St. Bernard Club was founded and the breed entered the Swiss Stud book as its first entry in 1884. It was 1888 when the standard was approved and the breed became the national dog of Switzerland. Before the name St. Bernard came to be common, these dogs might be called, Barry Dogs, Alepnmastiff, Noble Steeds or Saint Dogs.

The dogs came to England in the early 1800s and to the United States soon after. They were recognized by the European kennel clubs first and by the early 1900’s they were the most popular breed in the AKC.

picardy spaniel - historyThe Picardy Spaniel hails from France and has always been used as a gundog, having been crossed with different British hunting dogs.

While this dog breed is related to the Blue Picardy Spaniel, the Picardy is the older of the two breeds. It has always been sought after by the French nobility for its hunting skills and the fact that its weather resistant coat allowed it to hunt in all kinds of weather conditions.

The dog’s popularity waned in the early 20th century. The UKC have recognized the Picardy Spaniel as a Gun Dog and the breed has also been accepted within the FCI as a Pointing dog group.

Description

st bernard puppy - descriptionToday’s St. Bernard is not a large dog, he is a giant dog. Weighing in at 140-200 pounds and standing 28 to 35 inches tall, he is a lot of dog. Bred with mastiffs and large mountain dogs, they have proportional and powerful build. They are strong, sturdy and well muscled. They have either a smooth or rough (short or long) coat. Their eyes are brown or occasionally blue. They have tight lids, and square heads and muzzles.

There are two coat types called smooth and rough, or short and long. The smooth shorter coat is tough, flat and close against the body and the long, rough coat is dense, wavy and heavy around the legs, neck and ruff. Both types have long tails that hang low and are heavy. Saints are known to slobber, drool and snore.

picardy spaniel puppy - descriptionThe Picardy Spaniel is larger than other spaniels. It is described as a medium sized dog, standing at 56 – 61cm in height and weighing between 20 and 25 kilograms. The body of the spaniel is squarely built and muscular body. The dog has long floppy ears and the coat which is shortish in areas except for feathering around the legs and belly can vary in colour from red to chestnut brown to sandy and chocolate. The tail is long and feathered.

Temperament:

The Picardy Spaniel is a docile breed of dog and makes a great family pet, loving being playful with the children in the home and getting on well with other dogs. He is gentle but sociable and intelligent too and is easy to train and socialize.

Although he has been used as a hunting dog he can slot into life in the city or the countryside. He can be indoors or outdoors and still be happy, so long as his family members are close by.

He is an active dog though, and won’t be content to be sitting around for too long, loving nothing more than to be chasing a ball or going for a walk with you.

Characteristics

1Children friendliness excellent

2.Special talents tracking

st bernard dog - characteristics3.Adaptability no - these are giant dogs that need a lot of room. A large fenced yard or farm is best. They won’t do well in an apartment. They need exercise every day and loping around a yard is very good for them. They love to play in the snow, carry a backpack or pull a cart. They love to have a “job”

4.Learning ability – They are smart and highly trainable if motivated. They may appear lazy but they are just laid back and need a motivation.

picardy spaniel dog - characteristicsThe Picardy Spaniel is a docile dog who forms strong bonds with his human family.

He doesn’t gel easily with strangers though, but socialization and training will at least make him well behaved among strangers.

A well-mannered Picardy Spaniel is a joy in the home, and this gentle dog is guaranteed to make you the most wonderfully loyal and loving pet and companion.

Health Problems

st bernard puppies - health problemsThe first problem this breed faces is how fast they grow and gain weight. This can lead to serious health issues if not controlled. Their bones can be damaged by this excessively fast rate of growth. Other issues facing the breed include:

  • Hip and elbow dysplasia – can cause arthritis and lameness.
  • Bloat – can be fatal if not treated immediately.
  • Bone Cancer or Osteosarcoma – tends to be fatal.
  • Entropion and Ectropion – eyelids turn in or out and can be corrected.
  • Epilepsy – controlled by medication
  • Dilated Cardiomyopathy – can be fatal.
  • Eczema – skin disease can be treated.
  • Be careful of extreme heat.

picardy spaniel puppies - health problemsWithout any major health issues, your Picardy can reach 14 years of age and possibly even older. A couple of common dog conditions to be on the watch for include:

Ear Infections:

Your beautiful Picardy Spaniel has floppy ears and this opens up the tendency to suffer with ear infections. The inside of the ears are moist and hot and you as the dog owner can try to keep the inside of the ear clean and dry.

He is a dog that loves water too, and swimming encourages dampness. If you prefer not to work on the inside of the ears, dog groomers or your vet can clean the ears for you. An ear infection can be painful for your pet and it will require veterinary intervention.

Obesity:

These are dogs which can pick up weight quite easily. Dogs which are overweight are more prone to developing cancer, diabetes and heart disease, not to mention joint problems.

Other problems to look out for include cancer, bloat, dental disease and parasites.

Caring The Pet

st bernard dogs - caring1.Feeding the puppy – You want to control their growth. Do not overfeed, and make sure they exercise but not too much. Feed a high quality large breed puppy food 3-4 X a day in small amounts.

2.Feeding the adult – The problem you face with he adult St. Bernard is the potential for Bloat. Don’t over feed. Don’t feed before or after strenuous exercise. Feed 2-3 X a day in smaller amounts to prevent Bloat. Feed a high quality breed specific food if possible or an extra large breed formula.

3.Points for Good Health stamina and strength in cooler weather.

4. Games and Exercises They need exercise but not as much as you might think. The St. Bernard is a laid back lumbering character so don’t over exercise her. They enjoy weight and cart pulling but they are not athletes who enjoy frisbee or agility. Search and rescue trials and tracking trials are perfect athletic endeavors for them.

Grooming:

picardy spaniel dogs - caringYour Picardy has a thick coat which sheds and the coat should be brushed at least twice a week to prevent matting. The ears of the Picardy Spaniel require special attention. Because they are long they will need to be cleaned and kept dry otherwise an ear infection can develop.

At the same time, check your pet over for ticks and fleas, check his eyes, keep the nails trimmed, and check inside his mouth for rotting teeth which can be the source of many health problems if left untreated.

Feeding your Picardy:

If you have a puppy, you will need to provide 4 bowls of food in a 24 hour period. Check on the directions provided on the food packaging to see how much to feed your puppy.

By the time your Picardy is one year of age, he can move over to 2 bowls of food a day. Only the highest quality commercially manufactured food will be good enough for your dog. Food and its quality impacts the health and longevity of your pet.

Apart from dry kibble, try and provide some home-made food, keeping it as simple as possible. Dogs thrive on simple, consistent foods. Chopped up boiled chicken, brown rice, sweet potatoes, spinach and carrots added to the kibble now and then will thrill your pet. Occasionally you can also add in some raw meat.

Avoid feeding your dog things like coffee, chocolates, popcorn, nuts and onions as all these will just upset your dog's digestive system. The secret is to keep things simple and nutritious.

Make sure your pet always has access to fresh, cool water.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Gun dog
Origin:
Switzerland
France
Height Male:
63 - 71 cm
24 - 28 inches
56 - 61 cm
22 - 25 inches
Height Female:
60 - 69 cm
23 - 28 inches
56 - 61 cm
22 - 25 inches
Weight Male:
54 - 90 kg
119 - 199 pounds
20 - 25 kg
44 - 56 pounds
Weight Female:
52 - 85 kg
114 - 188 pounds
20 - 25 kg
44 - 56 pounds
Life Span:
8 - 10 Years
12 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 9
6 - 8
Size:
Giant dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
St. Bernhardshund Bernhardiner Alpine Mastiff (archaic)
Épagneul Picard
Colors Available:
redish- Brown and white with a black mask to blond and white with black mask
chocolate, Chestnut brown, sandy colored markings
Coat:
rough or smooth
Shortish, dense, slightly wavy
Shedding:
Constant
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Protective, Social, Stubborn, Sweet
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
High maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. St. Bernard vs Bernese Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  2. St. Bernard vs Newfoundland Dog - Breed Comparison
  3. St. Bernard vs Anatolian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  4. St. Bernard vs Leonberger - Breed Comparison
  5. St. Bernard vs Alaunt - Breed Comparison
  6. St. Bernard vs Alangu Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  7. St. Bernard vs Pyrenean Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  8. St. Bernard vs Bisben - Breed Comparison
  9. St. Bernard vs Moscow Watchdog - Breed Comparison
  10. St. Bernard vs Spanish Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  11. St. Bernard vs Kars Dog - Breed Comparison
  12. St. Bernard vs Moscow Water Dog - Breed Comparison
  13. St. Bernard vs Ciobanesc de Bucovina - Breed Comparison
  14. St. Bernard vs Great Dane - Breed Comparison
  15. St. Bernard vs English Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  16. St. Bernard vs Neapolitan Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  17. St. Bernard vs American Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  18. St. Bernard vs Bully Kutta - Breed Comparison
  19. St. Bernard vs Irish Wolfhound - Breed Comparison
  20. Pudelpointer vs Picardy Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  21. Picardy Spaniel vs English Springer Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  22. Picardy Spaniel vs American Cocker Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  23. Picardy Spaniel vs Brittany - Breed Comparison
  24. Picardy Spaniel vs English Setter - Breed Comparison
  25. Picardy Spaniel vs French Brittany - Breed Comparison
  26. Picardy Spaniel vs Boykin Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  27. Picardy Spaniel vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  28. Picardy Spaniel vs Braque d'Auvergne - Breed Comparison
  29. Picardy Spaniel vs Barbet - Breed Comparison
  30. Picardy Spaniel vs Ariege Pointer - Breed Comparison
  31. Picardy Spaniel vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  32. Picardy Spaniel vs Blue Picardy Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  33. Picardy Spaniel vs Canadian Pointer - Breed Comparison
  34. Picardy Spaniel vs Deutsch Drahthaar - Breed Comparison
  35. Picardy Spaniel vs Clumber Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  36. Picardy Spaniel vs Large Munsterlander - Breed Comparison
  37. Picardy Spaniel vs Braque du Bourbonnais - Breed Comparison
  38. Picardy Spaniel vs Cesky Fousek - Breed Comparison
  39. Picardy Spaniel vs Drentse Patrijshond - Breed Comparison
  40. Pont-Audemer Spaniel vs Picardy Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  41. Stabyhoun vs Picardy Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  42. Styrian Coarse Haired Hound vs Picardy Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  43. Vizsla vs Picardy Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  44. Tyrolean Hound vs Picardy Spaniel - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds