The Berger Picard is considered to be the oldest French sheepdog. There is argument that the breed is related to the Beauceron and Briard. Others believe that the dog is more closely related to the Dutch shepherd and Belgian shepherd. The breed was dangerously close to extinction during both World Wars, when the area of north-eastern France was ravaged. The breed bounced back thanks, in part, to the vigorous efforts of breeders. While there are only about 400 Berger Picard's between America and Canada today, they are incredibly popular in Europe.
The Berger Picard is a French medium-sized, athletic dog breed that was originally bred for herding. It has a long body and a deep chest. Its muzzle is pointy and its triangular, erect ears sit high atop their heads. They have thick eyebrows and their coats are wiry are coarse. Although the coat looks shaggy, they have an overall elegant appearance. Grooming needs are minimal; they just need regular brushing to remove dead hair. Check the ears regularly for infections.
Personality
The Berger Picard (pronounced Bare-zhay peecar) is one of the oldest French herding breeds. They are known for their "smiles" and are patient, sweet, lively and intelligent dogs. Berger Picards need plenty of daily exercise to stay happy. Without it they may become bored or destructive. They are affectionate towards their human families and make great playmates for children. They are suspicious of strangers and other dogs but only get aggressive if they feel threatened.
Breed Characteristics
| Life Span: | 12 - 15 years |
| Nicknames: | Berger de Picardie, Picardy Shepherd, Picardy Sheepdog |
Berger Picard Build Information
The Berger Picard is a French medium-sized, athletic dog breed that was originally bred for herding. It has a long body and a deep chest. Its muzzle is pointy and its triangular, erect ears sit high atop their heads. They have thick eyebrows and their coats are wiry are coarse. Although the coat looks shaggy, they have an overall elegant appearance. Grooming needs are minimal; they just need regular brushing to remove dead hair. Check the ears regularly for infections.
| Size: | Medium |
Behaviour and Personality
The Berger Picard (pronounced Bare-zhay peecar) is one of the oldest French herding breeds. They are known for their "smiles" and are patient, sweet, lively and intelligent dogs. Berger Picards need plenty of daily exercise to stay happy. Without it they may become bored or destructive. They are affectionate towards their human families and make great playmates for children. They are suspicious of strangers and other dogs but only get aggressive if they feel threatened.
| Activity Level: | Very active |
| Affection Level: | Affectionate |
| Kid Friendliness: | Very Friendly |
Appearance
If you are looking for a low-maintenance dog, the Berger Picard may be it. The dog has a rough coat that has a tousled appearance. The coat can mat, but it does not happen as quickly as with other breeds. Brush your Berger Picard every two weeks or so and it will look perfectly unkempt. The fur does not need to be clipped, but some aficionados suggest hand stripping the ears. If you decide that you want to brush your Berger Picard’s teeth, it will need to be done daily to be effective. Nails should be clipped when they become pointed, and ears should be cleaned with a proper cleaner every two weeks.
| Shedding: | None |
| Grooming: | Low Maintenance |
Berger Picard Common Health Conditions
The Berger Picard is not a dog that has been over bred. Because of this it remains a relatively healthy breed of dog. Health issues that the breed may suffer with include hip dysplasia and eye disorders, including progressive retinal atrophy. It is recommended that the puppy you purchase comes from parents that have been certified. At a minimum, the sire and dam should be certified as having healthy hips and eyes. Some breeders also choose to have the heart, thyroid, or elbows evaluated.
Berger Picard Pet Insurance
When adding a dog or cat to your family you want to make sure your pet is happy, healthy and protected. During its lifetime your pet is exposed to many illnesses and diseases and some breeds are affected by a congenital disease which is a condition existing at birth. At these moments when your pet is ill or maybe needs surgery, you want to be protected for the unexpected and high veterinarian costs.
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Breed Talents and Facts
Berger Picards were used to smuggle matches and tobacco across the Belgian-France border. The dog's coat looks perpetually unkempt; a trait that aficionados adore. The breed is a mellow but mischievous one; it needs early obedience training. These dogs rarely need to be bathed; dirt is easily combed from their fur. Berger Picards are great with children provided that they are socialized when young. The dog is happiest when it has a job to do. This breed is considered to be enthusiastic with other animals.
| Training: | Moderately easy |