The Berger Picard is a lanky herding dog with a robust bone structure and a sturdy frame. Picards have spent decades as self-sufficient problem solvers, thus early socialization and good training are required to deal with their stubborn streak. Berger Picards are easily identified by their prominent ears that stand 4 to 5 inches tall, wavy fawn or brindle coat, and muscular tail that tapers to a unique J-hook. Males can reach a height of 26 inches while females can reach a height of 21 inches. The eyes are dark and gleaming, and the rectangular head is adorned with shaggy brows, a beard, and a mustache, evoking the picture of a wise and worldly Frenchman. Their tough build, agility, and inexhaustible enthusiasm make them willing partners in a variety of sports, games, and outdoor activities. Exercise is essential; prolonged inactivity and neglect will almost certainly lead to destructive behavior in these sensitive, super-smart canines.
Berger Picard
loyal / good-natured / observant
Average sizes and life
expectancy of the breed.
Height
23.5-25.5 inches (male)
21.5-23.5 inches (female)
Weight
50-70 pounds
Life Expectancy
12-13 years
Breed Traits & Characteristics
Shedding Level
How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.
Coat Grooming Frequency
How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.
Drooling Level
How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.
Coat Type
Corded
Curly
Double
Hairless
Rough
Silky
Smooth
Wavy
Wiry
Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.
Coat Length
Long
Medium
Short
How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.
Affectionate With Family
How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members, or other people he knows well. Some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while other breeds treat everyone they know like their best friend.
Good With Young Children
A breed's level of tolerance and patience with childrens' behavior, and overall family-friendly nature. Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs.
GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS
How generally friendly a breed is towards other dogs. Dogs should always be supervised for interactions and introductions with other dogs, but some breeds are innately more likely to get along with other dogs, both at home and in public.
Shedding Level
How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.
Coat Grooming Frequency
How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.
Drooling Level
How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.
Coat Type
Corded
Curly
Double
Hairless
Rough
Silky
Smooth
Wavy
Wiry
Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.
Coat Length
Long
Medium
Short
How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.
Openness To Strangers
How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some breeds will be reserved or cautious around all strangers, regardless of the location, while other breeds will be happy to meet a new human whenever one is around!
Playfulness Level
How enthusiastic about play a breed is likely to be, even past the age of puppyhood. Some breeds will continue wanting to play tug-of-war or fetch well into their adult years, while others will be happy to just relax on the couch with you most of the time.
Watchdog/Protective Nature
A breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. These breeds are likely to warm to strangers who enter the house and are accepted by their family.
Adaptability Level
How easily a breed handles change. This can include changes in living conditions, noise, weather, daily schedule, and other variations in day-to-day life.
Trainability Level
How easy it will be to train your dog, and how willing your dog will be to learn new things. Some breeds just want to make their owner proud, while others prefer to do what they want, when they want to, wherever they want!
Energy Level
The amount of exercise and mental stimulation a breed needs. High energy breeds are ready to go and eager for their next adventure. They'll spend their time running, jumping, and playing throughout the day. Low energy breeds are like couch potatoes - they're happy to simply lay around and snooze.
Barking Level
How often this breed vocalizes, whether it's with barks or howls. While some breeds will bark at every passer-by or bird in the window, others will only bark in particular situations. Some barkless breeds can still be vocal, using other sounds to express themselves.
Mental Stimulation Needs
How much mental stimulation a breed needs to stay happy and healthy. Purpose-bred dogs can have jobs that require decision-making, problem-solving, concentration, or other qualities, and without the brain exercise they need, they'll create their own projects to keep their minds busy -- and they probably won't be the kind of projects you'd like.
About the Breed
What To Expect When Caring For a Berger Picard
Owning a dog is not just a privilege; it’s a responsibility. They depend on us for, at minimum, food and shelter, and deserve much more. When you take a dog into your life, you need to understand the commitment that dog ownership entails.
Health
Berger Picards are a relatively healthy breed. There may be certain health difficulties, like with any breed. Some dogs may suffer certain health issues in their lives, but the vast majority of Berger Picards are healthy.
Recommended Health Tests From the National Breed Club:
- Hip Evaluation
- Ophthalmologist Evaluation
Grooming
The double coat of the Berger Picard is made up of a velvety, dense undercoat for insulation and a shaggy, wiry, waterproof topcoat. During shedding season, combing with a rake and a slicker brush every day or two will remove dead hair before it accumulates on the floor and furnishings. A Picard just has to be brushed once a month the rest of the year. Bathing the breed only on occasion is recommended, and shampoos intended for crisp coats are recommended. The Picard's nails, like those of all breeds, should be cut on a regular basis.
Exercise
The Berger Picard was bred to work in the fields and is lively and athletic, with plenty of stamina and drive. This high-energy breed requires a lot of exercise and mental stimulation on a regular basis. Picard needs a healthy outlet for all of his energy or he will become destructive and miserable. Every day, owners should anticipate to go on at least one long stroll. Picards also enjoy swimming and fetching and make wonderful hiking and biking buddies. A lot of Picards compete in agility, tracking, obedience, Schutzhund (protection), flyball, French ring sport, rally, and herding.
Training
Early socialization and puppy training sessions are essential for all breeds. Training should begin as soon as possible to avoid the formation of negative habits. Picards are stubborn, but they are also very intelligent and eager to please, so training is usually rather simple. They are more likely to respond to praise and affection than to food, and severe teaching methods are unlikely to work.
Nutrition
The Berger Picard should thrive on high-quality dog food, whether purchased commercially or produced at home with your veterinarian's supervision and consent. Any diet should be tailored to the age of the dog (puppy, adult, or senior). Berger Picards are athletic, active dogs, so make sure he gets enough excellent food to suit his demands. Some dogs, on the other hand, are prone to becoming overweight, so keep an eye on your dog's calorie consumption and weight level. Treats can be a valuable training aid, but feeding too much can lead to obesity. Discover which human foods are suitable for dogs and which are not. If you have any concerns regarding your dog's weight or diet, consult with your veterinarian. At all times, clean, fresh water should be available.
History
