Berger Picard
A rugged, tousled French herding dog with upright ears: easy-going at home, energetic and sensitive outdoors.
At a glance
- Size
- Large
- Height at the withers
- Males 60–65 cm · Females 55–60 cm
- Weight
- Males 25–32 kg · Females 23–28 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12–14 years
- Exercise
- 60–120 min a day
- Grooming
- Once a week
- Coat
- Rough, medium
- Colours
- Fawn, Brindle, Grey
- Bred for
- Herding, Companionship
- Country of origin
- France
- FCI
- Group 1, no. 176 · Sheepdogs & cattle dogs
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 5/5 – Very high |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 4/5 – High |
| Good with other dogs | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Good with cats | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Open to strangers | 2/5 – Low |
| Energy | 4/5 – High |
| Playfulness | 4/5 – High |
| Needs mental stimulation | 4/5 – High |
| Easy to train | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Prey drive | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Watchful and protective | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Barking | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Shedding | 2/5 – Low |
| Grooming effort | 2/5 – Low |
| Drooling | 1/5 – Very low |
| Good for first-time owners | 2/5 – Low |
| Suits apartment living | 1/5 – Very low |
| Adaptability | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with being alone | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with heat | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with cold | 4/5 – High |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- want a rare, rustic-looking companion
- enjoy daily walks and some training
- prefer a coat that is easy to keep
Think twice if you …
- want an easy dog to find quickly
- are away for long hours
- prefer a dog that obeys without question
Care
Temperament
Picards are loyal, good-humoured and observant. They can be reserved with strangers and somewhat independent. They are sensitive and respond best to calm, fair handling.
Exercise
An hour or more of daily activity keeps them fit and settled. Herding, tracking, agility and long country walks suit them.
Grooming
The harsh coat is low-maintenance: brush weekly and bathe only occasionally. It sheds moderately and should not be clipped.
Training
Intelligent but independent and easily bored by repetition. Keep training positive and varied, and socialise early.
Health
Hip dysplasia and inherited eye conditions, including progressive retinal atrophy, are known in the breed. Breeding dogs are usually hip and eye screened, so ask the breeder for results.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Hips (HD)
- Eye examination
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Berger Picard is an old herding breed from Picardy in northern France. The two world wars, fought across its home region, brought it close to extinction, and the breed is still rare today. Its rough, tousled coat and tall natural ears give it a distinctive rustic look.
Picards are affectionate and loyal, with a gentle, sometimes clownish side. They are active and need daily exercise, but tend to be calmer indoors than some herding breeds. They can be reserved with strangers and sensitive to harsh handling, and they like to stay close to their people.
Did you know?
Berger Picards played the title dog in the 2005 film Because of Winn-Dixie.