Berger Picard

Grooming Tips

Brush the coat weekly to keep it clean and remove dead hair. You’ll need a coat rake to remove the undercoat during the twice-yearly shedding seasons in the spring and fall. Ask your dog’s breeder to show you how to pluck or strip the long hair edging the ears.Frequentbathsaren’t necessary unless you show your dog, but if you have a water-loving Picard, give him a thorough freshwater rinse to remove chlorine, algae or salt after a dip in the pool, lake or ocean. When you bathe him, use a dog shampoo formulated for a harsh coat.The rest is basic care.Trim the nailsevery week or two, andbrush the teethoften — with a vet-approved pet toothpaste — for good overall health and fresh breath.

Exercise Tips

Bred to work in the fields, the Berger Picard is active and athletic, with plenty of stamina and drive.Thisbreed needs lots of daily exercise and mental stimulation. The Picard must have a good outlet for all his energy, or he may become destructive and unhappy.Owners should expect to go on at least one long walk every day. Picards also make excellent companions on hikes and bike rides, and they enjoy swimming and playing fetch.Many Picards participate inagility,tracking,obedience, Schutzhund (protection), flyball, French ring sport,rally, andherdingcompetitions.

Feeding Tips

Berger Picards are an energetic breed and should be fed on high quality dried or canned foods. Their diet can also be supplemented with occasional raw meats.Any diet should be appropriate to the dog’s age (puppy, adult, or senior). Berger Picards are athletic, active canines, so be mindful that your dog is getting enough good nutrition to meet his needs.Conversely, some dogs are prone to gettingoverweight, so watch your dog’s calorie consumption and weight level.Treatscan be an important aid in training, but giving too many can cause obesity.Learn about whichhuman foodsare safe for dogs, and which are not. Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog’s weight or diet.Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.

Health Tips

Berger Picards are generally a very healthy breed of dog. They can sometimes have problems with hip dysplasia. Certain hereditary ailments such as progressive retinal atrophy and retinal dysplasia can occur in certain lines.

Trainability

Like most other shepherding breeds Berger Picards are highly intelligent and responsive to obedience training.However, they can be willful and stubborn when faced with a lack of leadership.Therefore it is important that owners display a calm and assertive style of leadership consistently.

Long before the Picard immigrated to America, he herded sheep in northern France and is thought to be the oldest of the French sheepdogs. The concept of pure breeds didn’t exist until the mid-19th century, but dogs resembling the Picard have been depicted for centuries in tapestries, engravings and woodcuts.The Berger Picard made an appearance in a French dog show in 1863 and participated in herding trials but was not especially popular. The French Shepherd Club did not officially recognize the breed until 1925.The American Kennel Club began registering the breed with its Foundation Stock Service in 2007 and recognized the Picard as a member of the Herding Group in July 2015.Many of the dogs did not survive the ravages of two World Wars and approached extinction, but dog lovers in the 1950s worked to bring them back. Picards are now found not only in their native France but also in other European countries, Canada and the United States.