One of the oldest French dog breeds is the tousled looking one German shepherd Berger de Picardie, also simply called Berger Picard.
What a Berger Picard looks like, what is the story behind them rare herding dogs and whether a Berger Picard fits into your life at all and other helpful information can be found in this article.
Berger Picard profile
Size Male: 60 to 65 cm, female: 55 to 60 cmWeightMale: 23 to 32 kg, female: 23 to 32 kgColorsgray – black, gray, gray – blue and gray red. Mixtures of all these shades of grey, in light or darkLife expectancy12 to 13 yearsOriginFrancecharacter/temperamentIndependent, headstrong, sensitive, people-related, strong protective instinctFCI groupherding dogs and cattle dogs
Look
At first glance, the Berger Picard looks disheveled and even unkempt.
Be hard, rough hairwhich in different shades of grey appears and the salient dense undercoat do not suggest a pedigree dog at first glance.
The dark eyesthe high set erect ears, shaggy eyebrows and whiskers as well as the good muscling let the Berger Picard powerful, but also elegant appear.
History & origin of the Berger Picard
The actual origin of the Berger Picard is disputed and cannot be exactly traced. However, it is believed that this breed of dog several thousand years old is and in the territory of Picardy, Francehas arisen.
Originally, these dogs were used as herding and driving dogs throughout north-western Europe. From 1925, the Berger Picard breed was officially recognized and is now one of the FCI recognized dog breed of Section 1.
This breed almost became extinct during World War II. It is thanks to a dedicated Berger Picard breeder who campaigned for the preservation and further breeding of this breed that the breed still exists today.
Because the breed is relative rarely was, dogs were searched together that corresponded to the type of the original Berger Picard.
This was the cornerstone for further breeding, which not only the race savedbut also led to a growing notoriety as dedicated working dogs.
The Berger Picard is still a popular herding dog today and is often used in rural areas to work the herds of sheep.
Essence & character of the Berger Picard
The Picard is originally a working dog and still has many of these qualities today. Despite looking relatively tough and shaggy, the Berger Picard has one loving and sensitive character.
Like all herding dogs, the Berger Picard is first to strangers suspicious and prefers to keep his distance, but enjoys and appreciates living together with his people.
The Berger Picard is still relatively original and, according to his dispositions, likes the work in a team.
The Berger Picard is very social and gets along well with conspecifics, as well as with other creatures.
He is not a loner and therefore does not feel comfortable in a kennel.
However, due to genetics, this breed of dog has a distinctive protective instinct, which he knows how to use in decisive moments. He is one of the impressive protection dog breeds.
The Berger Picard applies not as aggressive and is suitable as family dog.
Like most livestock guardian dogs, the Berger Picard is also considered a stubborn and dependent.
If he is exposed to repetitive work, he begins to question himself. If he doesn’t think it’s worth it, he lets it go.
Berger Picards are not known for their willingness to learn. Although in principle they are considered to be very trainable and intelligent.
attitude & upbringing
Like most working dogs, Berger Picards think and act a lot self-employed and at their own discretion.
Therefore, they are not the ideal dog for completely inexperienced dog owners.
The purchase should be well considered, since this dog breed often everything is questioned and their upbringing requires a certain amount of specialist knowledge, perseverance and experience.
His breeding as a working dog is not only reflected in his sometimes strong stubbornness reflected, but also in his pronounced urge to move and will to move.
If a balanced physical and mental workload is required, the Berger Picard can become a harmonious family member.
In addition to professional herding and protecting herds, they are also suitable for mental exertion dog sport, intelligence or fetch games.
The Berger Picard feels most comfortable with people who active daily move outside, stimulate him mentally and to a certain extent patience, Experience and consequence feature.
One good mental and physical A busy shepherd dog can easily stay at home alone for a few hours. After good socialization, he can easily live in a household with children.
Health & Care
The Berger Picard is a relatively original dog breed and is considered to be easy-care. Because the Berger Picard is a medium-sized dog, life expectancy is average 13 years.
Also at the Nourishment as well as at the grooming puts the Berger Picard no big needs to its holder.
Due to its physique, the Berger Picard is usually ahead of the usual Joint diseases spared.
His agile nature protects him overweight and also breed-specific hereditary diseases are not known.
In general, the Berger Picard is considered healthy, easy care and hardy dog breedwhich can also withstand bad weather conditions and, despite the striking coat, requires almost no grooming.
However, Berger tends towards Picard brittle claws. Therefore these should regularly checked and shortened if necessary.
Is the Berger Picard right for me?
Originally had a Berger Picard at his work 100 kilometers daily return. This shows how extraordinarily large the urge to move this dog breed is.
The Berger Picard agrees dog ownerswhich active in sports want to stay outside in wind and weather and do something and achieve something with the dog as a team.
The Berger Picard is also suitable for dog owners who are active dog sport want to operate. However, the most important thing for the Berger Picard is: Variety.
Since Berger Picard have their origins in working in the herds, they can sometimes be called «invaders». loud and also long term through bark to sue.
Purebred Berger Picard are relatively rare. Therefore, finding the right future partner requires some time and research.
A Berger Picard as a puppy currently costs an average of approx. 1000 Eurowithout FCI papers.