Berger Picard

Lots of exercise is required for this breed, including a long daily walk. It will enjoy swimming, running beside your bike, and a nice long walk. The Berger Picard makes an excellent jogging companion. Enrolling it in obedience class or in an agility skills class is an excellent way to keep it happy. They do not do well in competition because they find it almost impossible to perform consistently.

Moderate Maintenance: The Berger Picard is a low maintenance dog. The rough, tousled coat can mat if not brushed on a regular basis (once every other week) but the coat does not require special care to yield its rustic appearance. Bathing is rarely done. Their fur should never be trimmed except possibly hand-stripping the ears. They do shed but not as much as other breeds. Picards have low oil content in their fur and therefore have little "doggie odor".

The Berger Picard is a medium-sized, well-muscled dog, slightly longer than tall, with a distinctive rough coat, erect ears, and a natural tail that normally reaches to the hock and is carried with a slight J-curve at the tip. The Berger Picard should be evaluated as a working sheep-herding dog, and exaggerations or faults should be penalized in proportion to how much they interfere with the dog’s ability to work.

The Berger Picard's attributes include a lively, intelligent personality and a sensitive and assertive disposition that responds quickly to obedience training. By and large, Picards are laid back and mellow but they are known for having a stubborn streak and being reserved towards strangers. They require a lot of socialization during the first two years of their lives. Picards are energetic and hard working, alert and are not excessive barkers. Some Picards are notoriously picky eaters, and it may be difficult to decide on a diet that you and the dog agree on. The breed also has a well-developed sense of humor, making them an endearing companion, and they continue to be used very effectively as both sheep and cattle herder in their native land and elsewhere. Like many herding breeds, Picards require human companionship and lots of it. Since they can be demonstrative to their owners and enthusiastic friends towards other animals, formal obedience training and plenty of positive socialization is a must. Athletic, loyal and filled with a desire to work a long day, the breed excels in any "job" as long as enthusiasm and praise is a part of the task.

The Berger Picard, named for the Picardie region in northeast France, is one of the oldest French breeds of sheep-herding dogs. Some scholars believe the breed was introduced by the Celts, while others claim it is descended from dogs of Asian tribes who invaded Europe in the Middle Ages. Some experts insist that this breed is related to the more well-known Briard and Beauceron, while others suppose it shares a common origin with Dutch and Belgian Shepherds. Although the Berger Picard made an appearance at the first French dog show in 1863, the breed’s rustic appearance did not lead to popularity as a show dog. The two World Wars nearly caused the extinction of the Berger Picard and it is still rare, even in France. The Berger Picard was recognized by the United Kennel Club on January 1, 1994.