Berger Picard Breed Details
Below are details and specs for the Berger Picard dog breed.
Berger Picard Dog Breed
Berger De Picardie
Berger Des Picard
Picardy Sheepdog
Picardy Shepherd
The Berger Picard (pronounced "bare-ZHAY pee-CARR"), or Picardy Shepherd, is a loyal, humorous member of the herding class. Originating in France, Picards are known for their shaggy coats and tireless work ethic. This medium-to-large-size breed is low-maintenance, very athletic, and adapts well to a variety of climates and living conditions.
Berger Picard Breed Description
Picards tend to be on the larger side of medium-size. Normal weight is 50-70 pounds. Average female height is 22-24 inches; males, 24-26 inches.
This herding breed is intelligent and extremely loyal to its owners. If introduced to children or other animals when a Picard is young, it will be an excellent lifelong companion.
Picards are extremely low-maintenance. Aside from a daily exercise requirement, little care is needed. The breed has almost no hygiene issues, but Picards may be finicky eaters. Occasional trimming of the ears and clipping of the nails may be necessary.
Berger Picard Breed History
The Berger Picard existed in Northern France as early as 400 BC. "Berger" is the French word for "shepherd," and "Picard" is derived from Picardy, a French region north of Paris. The Picardy region was especially devastated during both world wars, and many Picards were killed, contributing to the rarity of the breed. The Picard's popularity grew in the 2000s, partly because of the 2005 movie Because of Winn Dixie, which had as its central character a Picard named Winn Dixie. The Berger Picard Club of America formed in 2006, and in July 2015 the AKC officially recognized the Picard as a member of its herding group.
Berger Picard Appearance
The Picard is a medium-sized dog, with a rough, shaggy coat; it is sturdy and muscular, but lean in appearance. Eyes are oval and medium-sized, usually medium to dark brown. The Picard's ears are fairly large, 4 to 5 inches long, naturally turned forward and high-set. Its coat is wiry, usually 2-3 inches long; this breed's most distinctive feature is its "griffonage" (an abundance of hair on the eyebrows and on the front and sides of the snout). The Picard's length is normally a bit more than its height, and it has moderately long legs. The breed has a tail of medium length, usually with a slight hook at the end.
Berger Picard Colors
The images below represent the coat colors and patterns associated with Berger Picards.
Fawn
Brindle
Berger Picard Temperament
As a natural herder, the Picard is intelligent, observant, loyal to its handler, and lively. And like other herding breeds, these dogs require a good bit of companionship, whether from humans or other animals. Responds very well to training, but since it can be demonstrative to its handler, the Picard may need obedience training and moderate socialization, especially as a puppy. The Picard is hard-working, with an assertive, sensitive personality, and the breed is known for having a highly cultivated sense of humor. Interestingly, Picards are known as picky eaters, and the owner may have difficulty choosing the correct diet for their dog.
Berger Picard Maintenance
Overall, Picards are considered low-maintenance. They require plenty of exercise; despite their medium-length coat, they shed very little. This breed has almost no "doggie odor," and baths are necessary only once every couple of weeks. Because of their finicky appetites, Picards may be difficult to feed; once an owner finds a food his or her dog likes, he or she should stick with it.
Grooming Requirements
Occasional hand-stripping of the ears is necessary for Picards. The ears should also be checked regularly for wax buildup, which could result in infection. This breed's nails are strong and grow quickly, so its nails should be trimmed often.
Exercise Requirements
As natural herders, Picards possess a great deal of energy, so they should be exercised often. An hour-long daily walk (or jog, as these dogs are excellent running companions) is recommended. Too much inactivity will lead to rowdy and destructive behavior, as Picards bore easily.
Living Requirements
Though the breed is naturally an "outdoors" dog, it will adapt well to being indoors, but time spent outdoors every day is necessary. Since a Picard's natural instinct is to be with its "shepherd," it prefers to be with its owner, so accompanying these dogs during their exercise time is highly recommended.
Berger Picard Health
Though Picards are generally known as healthy dogs, not much health info exists because of the rarity of the breed. Depending on inherited health issues, Picards may suffer from glaucoma or hip dysplasia, though these cases are rare.
Berger Picard Health Concerns
Below are potential health concerns associated with Berger Picards.
Hip dysplasia
Progressive retinal atrophy
Eye infections
Retinal dysplasia
Related Pages
About this Article
Updated:June 22, 2016