Berger Picard

Berger Picard is a popular herding dog breed. They herd sheep on farms and in the fields. They originally belonged to the herding group. The picards are difficult to find in the U.S. So, whenever this breed pops up, they get attraction quickly. Sometimes you may hear “What kind of dog is that?”. Yet, they are whimsical in appearance, intelligent, and independent.

Physical Characteristics

Berger Picard
Image-Source: petful

Picards look simple and tousled. They have sturdily grown and well-muscled. The dogs have shaggy, wiry topcoats and short, dense undercoats gray, and brindle. Moreover, they have brown eyes, erect ears, and a distinctive smile. The Picard weighs between 50 and 70 pounds.

Personality and Temperament

According to Gina DiNardo, executive secretary of the American Kennel Club, Picards are friendly and good-natured. Picards like people and love to engage with children and they have the potential to bear with strangers to them. They are alert, protective of their families, and good watchdogs. You may socialize them to have successful relationships.  The Berger Picard Club of America, the official AKC parent club, advises pet owners to make sure their dogs spend time with their families by going on outings and visiting places where they’ll meet people or other dogs.

Picards can get along with other animals. Dogs can be stubborn and eager to get their owner’s praises by responding well to positive training. The delighting factor is that they do not bark excessively.

Care

Like other dog breeds, the Picards need plenty of physical activity to stay happy and out of mischief. “They need exercise and outlets for their intelligence and stamina,” DiNardo says. Picards need an active and engaging family to give them exercise to keep them away from getting bored. Picards love to walk, swim, and run. They will happily jog alongside their bike-riding owners. You need not have a lot of pennies in your pocket when it comes to Picard’s grooming. They are low-maintenance dogs. They do not shed much, but you may brush their coat at least once a month to prevent matting with occasional baths. Hand-strip their flock of hair by the ears.  It will make your dog look neat.

Health

The Picard has an average lifespan of 12 to 13 years. They are often prone to eye disorders including cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy. It’s similar to macular degeneration in humans, according to the Berger Picard Club of America. If your dog experiences such a disorder, you may schedule eye examinations. Hip dysplasia also affects the breed. More health issues will emerge as this breed becomes more popular.

History and Background

Berger is French for “shepherd” and Picardy is the region in northern France. This dog breed initially originated in Northern France. Their ancestors were herding dogs brought to Northern France and the Pas de Calais during the second Celtic invasion of Gaul around 400 B.C. In the Middle Ages, the Picards appeared on tapestries, engravings, and woodcuttings. The dogs nearly became extinct after Picardy was devastated during World Wars I and II. But in 1925, Picard was officially identified as a dog breed in France. And, they recently arrived in the States. The American breeders connected with European breeders online to bring down the Picards to the U.S. In the end, the AKC officially recognized the Picard in 2015.

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