Berger Picard: Key Characteristics of Berger Picard Dog Breed

Group: The Berger Picard Dog belongs to the herding group.

Also Known As: Berger Picard Dogs are also known as Berger de Picardie, Picardy Shepherd, Bacardi Shepherd and Berger de Picard

About Berger Picard Origin and History of the Breed The Berger Picard breed of dogs originated in France. This is the oldest of all French shepherds that had arrived in Picardy and the Pas de Calais with the Celts in 200 AD. It is from the Picardie region of Northwestern France that the Berger Picard has derived its name. There are different opinions held regarding the lineage of the Berger Picard. While some experts opine that the breed is related to the Briard and Beauceron- well-known dogs others point out that the Berger Picard and the Dutch and Belgian Shepherds share a common origin. The breed’s easy care and happy, albeit mischievous, temperament has drawn the attention of pet lovers towards it and the breed has been saved from extinction.

A General Description of the Dog

The dogs have got a distinctive weatherproof coat. This is harsh and crisp to touch. It has got a minimal undercoat. The colors of the Berger Picard dogs may be gray, blue-gray, red-gray, gray-black and light or dark fawn. The hairs on the dog’s body are not fluffy and light and hence do not fly around in the air.

Picards are medium in size. They are well muscled and are slightly longer than tall. Though tousled the dogs are esteemed for their grace. The eyes are dark, wide at base and naturally erect and high-set. Picards have thick eyebrows. However, these do not shield the eyes. The dogs’ natural tail reaches to the hock. They carry it with a slight J-curve at the tip.

Height: Between 21 inches and 26 inches.

Weight: 50-70 pounds.

Personality

Temperament of the Dog

Berger Picards are intelligent and lively dogs. They are sensitive and assertive and respond quickly to obedience training. They seem to have a well-developed sense of humor too (it has been said that they know ‘how to smile’). However, these dogs tend to stay reserved with strangers.

Picards are very friendly towards children. They are energetic dogs and enjoy doing work. They like being praised and enthused for their work. They are very suitable as guard dogs owing to their protective nature. These are relatively non-barking dogs though some lines have been known to bark frequently. They also do not have much of a hunting tendency.

The Picards are picky eaters. Hence there might be difficulties arising about selecting a suitable diet program for them. The dogs might not like what the owner may find to be a proper diet plan for them.

Being herding breeds the Berger Picard Dogs require much human companionship. These dogs can become very demonstrative to their owners and can enthusiastically befriend other pets too provided they are made to undergo formal obedience training and endeavors are made to inculcate positive socialization in them.

Activity Level

How active is the breed?

Berger Picard dogs need to be considerably exercised. Apart from taking the dogs out for long walks regularly they can also be provided with opportunities to swim and run alongside moving bikes. Being an intelligent dog breed it can be engaged in dog sports like agility, Flyball, French Ring Sport and Tracking.

Suitable for apartment living?

Berger Picard dogs, though more suited for staying outdoors, can stay fine in apartments too. However, they need to get sufficient exercise daily. There may not be a large yard made available for the dog to exercise itself. The dog is at ease playing, running and sniffing around in a small yard also. They are quiet dogs and may even be taken to the workplace instead of being left alone at home when the owner goes to work. In such cases it is best if two such dogs are kept together.

Grooming

The Berger Picard is an easy to care for pet. The rough, tousled coat of the dog does not mat and the dog requires little grooming to maintain its rustic appearance. Once a month brushing will be fine. Bathing is to be rarely done. The fur must not be trimmed. If needed by trimming may be carried out only around the ear edges. The dogs do not shed too much and also do not have any ‘doggy odor’.

Health Problems

The Berger Picard is not too heavy and hip dysplasia though known to be a health problem with these dogs is not really common. Puppies at times get eye infections due to draught or dirt getting into the eye. However, this becomes a rarity after the puppy completes one year of age.

The dogs may be having hereditary eye problems like PRA (Progressive retina Atrophy) and RD (Retina Dysplasia) and all males and females of the breed need be checked for these diseases at least once every two years.

Life Expectancy: Berger Picards live for around 13-14 years.