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Berger Picard breed guide
The American Kennel Club calls the Berger Picard a lanky herding dog of strong bone and sturdy build that spent centuries as a take-charge, independent problem-solver.
You can spot one a mile away by erect ears 4 to 5 inches high, a wavy fawn or brindle coat and a tail that tapers to a J-hook.
Temperament
Loyal, good-natured and observant, Berger Picards have a stubborn streak, so early socialization and positive training are necessary. They are very intelligent and eager to please, which makes training fairly easy.
The breed is an ideal companion for athletic owners, with a rugged constitution and agility.
Lifespan
Berger Picards live 12 to 13 years. That, as in all breeds, a few dogs meet health problems while most stay healthy.
Care
The double coat pairs a soft dense undercoat with a shaggy, wiry, waterproof topcoat. In shedding season, brushing every day or two with a rake and a slicker brush removes dead hair before it lands on the floor and furniture.
Bred to work in the fields, the Berger Picard needs lots of daily exercise and mental stimulation and without a good outlet it may become destructive and unhappy.
History
France stayed an agricultural nation long after the Industrial Revolution began elsewhere in Europe and French shepherds developed many pasture dogs over the centuries. The Picard might be the oldest.
The rustic herder was reputedly brought to northern France by the central-European Celts who invaded Gaul in prehistory and while not every authority accepts that, all agree the breed is of great antiquity.
AKC trait ratings
| Trait | AKC rating | Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Energy Level | 4 of 5 | Couch Potato to High Energy |
| Trainability Level | 4 of 5 | Self-Willed to Eager to Please |
| Shedding Level | 3 of 5 | No Shedding to Hair Everywhere |
| Barking Level | 2 of 5 | Only To Alert to Very Vocal |
| Adaptability Level | 3 of 5 | Lives For Routine to Highly Adaptable |
| Good With Young Children | 3 of 5 | Not Recommended to Good With Children |
| Good With Other Dogs | 3 of 5 | Not Recommended to Good With Other Dogs |
| Watchdog/Protective Nature | 4 of 5 | What's Mine Is Yours to Vigilant |