Berger Picard
🧠 Temperament & character
The Berger Picard is lively, sensitive and self-assured. He is affectionate, alert and closely bonded to his family, but rather reserved towards strangers. As a clever, independent dog he enjoys learning yet also questions things - he needs loving consistency rather than harshness. With his humour and his devotion he is an entertaining, loyal companion.
📜 Origin & history
The Berger Picard is one of the oldest French herding dogs and was used above all in the Picardy region of northern France to drive sheep and cattle. Despite his long history he always remained a rural working dog, away from the great shows. After the two World Wars the breed came close to extinction several times. Only dedicated enthusiasts rebuilt the population, yet the Picard has remained rare to this day.
✂️ Grooming, care & training
The medium-length, rough and harsh coat with beard and eyebrows is pleasingly easy to care for: occasional brushing is enough, and bathing is only rarely needed. More important is keeping him occupied, for the Berger Picard is an active herding dog with a good need for exercise. Long walks, hikes and dog sports such as agility or tracking keep him content. As he is sensitive and thinks along, training works best through motivation and fair leadership.
🩺 Health
The Berger Picard is regarded as a largely robust breed with a life expectancy of around 12 to 13 years. Occasionally hip dysplasia and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), which can lead to blindness, occur. Reputable breeders X-ray the hips and have the eyes examined or use DNA tests. Thanks to the small, original gene pool the breed is on the whole little overbred.
🏡 Who is this breed right for?
The Berger Picard suits active people and families who appreciate an original, sensitive herding dog and offer him exercise as well as close involvement. For very calm owners or as a pure apartment dog without a programme he is less suitable. He gets along well with older children, provided the family is active. In Switzerland he is rare, so those interested should prepare for waiting times with reputable breeders.