Berger Picard
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HamiltonstövareThe Berger Picard has an ideal character to keep. The dog is malleable and very loyal to its owner. Owners can safely leave the animal with children. Affection and sociability are an advantage of the Berger Picard.
Table of Contents
Breed Information
| Another Name | Picard, Berger de Picardie, Picardy Shepherd, Picardy Sheepdog |
| Origin | France |
| Height | Males 55-65 cm Females 50-60 cm |
| Weight | Males 27-30 kg Females 23-27 kg |
| Fur | Long, stiff |
| Color | White with yellowing, pale, gray in different shades, white with pale spots, gray-feather, and pale-feather |
| Lifespan | 15 years |
| FCI Classification | Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) |
| Group | Dogs for the family, herding dogs |
| Price | $900 |
Breed Photos
Origin History
Almost 11 centuries ago, breeders began working on breeding the Berger Picard. It is one of the oldest dog breeds in the whole world. The name of the species came from the place where the dog was first seen – Picardy in northern France.
People created the dog for herding livestock. But the First World War came. After that, there were significantly fewer dogs. And then the breed seemed to popularize, but then World War II happened. After it, the breed almost died out. And only thanks to breeders, the dog continues to exist. But to meet such a species, for example, in the CIS, is almost impossible. In the West, there are about 100 individuals.
Appearance
The Berger Picard is a medium-sized dog. The animal has an athletic build, muscular and healthy back. The height of male dogs of this breed reaches 65 cm, bitches have up to 60 cm at the withers. Adult male Berger Picard weighs 35 kg. Females weigh 30 kg. The Berger Picard has a long, stiff coat. The dog has several colors: gray-blue, pale, black, and gray. Almost all Berger Picards have shaggy eyebrows and thick whiskers.
Character
The Berger Picard has an ideal character to keep. The dog is malleable and very loyal to its owner. Owners can safely leave the animal with children. Affection and sociability are an advantage of the Berger Picard.
It is not an aggressive dog. If the future owner is looking for a guard dog, the Picardy Sheepdog will not do. As for the disadvantages, the Picardian shepherd dog does not tolerate separation from the owner well.
Care
Since a Picardian Sheepdog’s hair is very tough, it needs to be combed out every day. If this is not done, tangles will start to form. Pets will gladly live both in an apartment and in a large enclosure or in an area free to move around. It is best not to keep the Picardian Shepherd on a leash; this can lead to homesickness in this dog.
Bathe no more than 1-2 times a year with a special shampoo and conditioner. The oral cavity should also be examined 1-2 times a month. When the hair at the eyes, in the ears, and between the fingers grow, it should be trimmed. The owner needs to keep the ears and teeth of the Picardy Sheepdog clean.
Training
If the owner can handle the dog’s stubbornness as a puppy, the Picardy Sheepdog will not cause future problems. Picardian Sheepdogs are easy to train. They learn and memorize commands quickly. If you can not teach them on their own, it is worth inviting a dog handler. Training should be done in the form of games.
Common Diseases
The Picardian Sheepdog has good immunity. But it can inherit dysplasia of the joints. They also observed diseases: arthritis and eye abnormalities.
Nutrition
Specialists recommend a balanced diet for the Picardian Sheepdog. The diet’s central part should be natural food – dairy products, eggs, sea fish, beef. During the period of growth and increase in weight of the pet, the owner should add vitamins to the diet. Feed an adult dog twice a day – in the morning and in the evening.
