The Berger Picard dog breed, also known as the Picardy Shepherd, is claimed to be the oldest of the French sheepdogs. Their scruffy appearance and vibrant intellect have gained them a lot of admirers throughout the decades, and they've even landed movie parts.

Although these are purebred canines, they may be found at shelters or rescue organisations. Keep in mind to adopt! If you want to bring one of these dogs home, don't go shopping.

Berger Picards are quick to take up new skills, yet they may be obstinate. They also have a lot of energy and require a lot of exercise. If you can match the breed's requirements, you'll have a devoted, caring family member who even enjoys children.

Berger Picard Dogs Highlights
Breed Size	Medium
Nature	Playful, Friendly
Energy Level	Active
Intelligence	High
Barking Level	When Necessary
Coat Length	Short, Medium, carly
Breed Group	Working
Droll Amount	Low
Good with	Familes, Children, Dog
Feed Level	Medium, High
Colour Type	Bicolor, brindle
Other Facts	Easy to groom,cold weather tolerant,strong loyalty tendencies,good hiking companion.

Dog History

Imagine falling in love with Brad Pitt in a movie theatre, then returning home to discover that you can actually purchase him. That's how Betsy Richards, president of the Berger Picard Club of America, recounts how she first became aware of the breed after seeing the film "Because of Winn-Dixie."

She found a breeder in France on the Internet and travelled there in September 2005 to pick up her new puppy. She recognised she needed a second dog almost as soon as she got home since her three boys had monopolised the new puppy. That marked the start of the breed's formal history in the United States. Despite the fact that several Picards had been brought previously, no one had ever seen one.

Picard, however, herded sheep in northern France long before emigrating to America, and is regarded to be the oldest of the French sheepdogs. Although the notion of pure breeds did not emerge until the mid-nineteenth century, dogs like the Picard have been featured in tapestries, engravings, and woodcuts for centuries.

In 1863, the Berger Picard made a debut in a French dog show and competed in herding events, but it was not particularly well-liked. It wasn't until 1925 that the French Shepherd Club officially recognised the breed. In 2007, the American Kennel Club began registering the breed through its Foundation Stock Service, and in July 2015, the Picard was recognised as a member of the Herding Group.

Many of the dogs died as a result of the two World Wars and were on the verge of extinction, but dog enthusiasts in the 1950s tried to save them. Picards can now be found in various European nations, Canada, and the United States, in addition to their home France.

Health and Care

The Berger Picard is a relatively healthy breed with a 12- to 15-year life expectancy. In the United States, the oldest Picard is presently 13 years old.

Every dog, like every human, has the potential to acquire hereditary health concerns. Run, don't walk, away from any breeder who does not give a health guarantee on her puppies, who claims that the breed is completely healthy and free of known disorders, or who claims that her babies are kept separate from the rest of the family for health reasons. A professional breeder will be forthright and honest about the breed's health issues and the frequency with which they arise in her lines.

The greatest source of worry in Picards at the moment is a condition known as progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). The breed is also prone to hip dysplasia.

The Canine Health Information Center (CHIC), a health database, is a member of the Berger Picard Club of America. To obtain a CHIC number, a dog does not need to receive good or even passing scores on the evaluations. While CHIC registration does not guarantee soundness or the absence of disease, all test results are posted on the CHIC website and can be accessed by anyone who wants to check the health of a puppy's parents.

• Hip dysplasia
• Eyes
• DNA repository
• OFA cardiac (heart) evaluation
• OFA elbow dysplasia evaluation
• OFA thyroid evaluation

Breeders examine their breeding canines for hereditary illness and breed only the healthiest and most attractive specimens, but Mother Nature has other ideas, and a puppy gets a sickness despite careful breeding methods. Because of advancements in veterinary treatment, the dog can still enjoy a happy life in many circumstances. Ask the breeder about the ages of the dogs in her lines and what caused their deaths if you're purchasing a puppy.

If a breeder claims that she doesn't need to undertake the tests because her lines have never had issues, that her dogs have been vet examined, or that she has any other justification for not doing genetic testing on her dogs, walk away immediately.

Remember that after you've brought your new puppy home, you have the authority to prevent him against one of the most prevalent canine health issues: obesity. Keeping a Picard at a healthy weight is one of the simplest methods to ensure a long-term healthy dog.

Dog Breed Care Tips and Important Instructions

Though regular grooming is required, your Berger Picard won't require too many spa days. These dogs are low-maintenance because to their wiry, waterproof coats, however they do have some face hair that has to be trimmed. Brushing them once a week during shedding season and once a month thereafter should suffice to maintain them looking and feeling their best. You'll also need to maintain their nails cut and neat, just like any other dog.

In terms of their other requirements, early training is critical to establishing the loving and respected connection you desire with your Berger Picard. To get the most out of your training sessions, always employ positive reinforcement training strategies.

Feeding

It's critical to examine the anatomy and digestive system of the Berger Picard while choosing on the finest Berger Picard meal. Dogs' digestive systems haven't changed much since they were undomesticated wolves, and they're best adapted to eating fresh, high-protein prey. This is what we term "species-appropriate nutrition," and it's what a natural, raw diet aims to achieve.

The stomach of a dog isn't built to digest and ferment carbs (the main ingredient in kibble). Even grain-free food, such as beans, peas, and lentils, sometimes contain high quantities of starchy carbohydrates. Feeding this to a dog puts their system under strain, generating physiologically demanding insulin, glucagon, and cortisol surges throughout the day, as well as inflammation and stress on important organs, which can lead to death in certain situations.

There's no question that the canine species is tough, and that even if they consume a diet lacking in natural components, they will adapt and survive for a long time. Nonetheless, there is a significant difference between surviving and flourishing.

Whether you pick Prodog Raw's no-fuss, no-nonsense raw dog food or make your own DIY raw food recipes at home, the switch to a natural species-specific diet will fuel your dog's well-being, regardless of breed.

Fun Facts

What made Richards fall in love with Berger Picards? After watching one appear in the film Because of Winn-Dixie, she was completely enamoured with the breed.

• The movies Daniel and the Superdogs and Are We Done Yet? both featured this breed.
• They’re happiest when they’re working
• They need a lot of exercise
• They love to perform
• The name Berger Picard is pronounced differently than it looks
• The name means shepherd
• New pups are not ready to rehome until they’re a little older
• They’re good at sports
• They almost went extinct
• They come in several colors
• They were not recognized in France as a breed until 1925

Home Training Tips and General Information

• When teaching your Berger Picard puppy, it is critical to show gratitude and provide positive reinforcement.
• You should never scream at your Berger Picard or penalise them for not listening – positive reinforcement is the most effective way to train your Berger Picard.
• Instead than patting your Berger Picard on the top of their head or back, give them a pat beneath their chin or chest, since this is more compassionate for them.
• Long bouts of training for your Berger Picard are not recommended.
• It is more dependable to teach them throughout the day with frequent yet brief sessions. Berger Picards should be trained 3-5 times per day for 5-minute sessions. This ensures that you will receive their undivided attention.
• Treat your dog with a canine reward after they have successfully completed what you have asked.
• A common blunder made by many Berger Picard owners is allowing their pup to perform activities at an early age that they would not want them to do later (e.g. laying on furnishings). Allowing them to participate in this activity will make it difficult to change your dog's behaviour afterwards.
• A Berger Picard's puppy training must begin at the age of eight weeks, and they usually reach full knowing capabilities between the ages of eight and twelve weeks.
• Your intonation is your most powerful training tool; use a pleasant tone when praising and a stern tone when saying "No" (but don't shout).

FAQS

Berger Picard Dogs Unique Name

Male Name	Female Name
Blaze	Angel
Brody	Callie
Cain	Hershey
Coco	Izzy
Eli	Liberty
Emmett	London
Freddy	Maisy
Kane	Muffin
Maverick	Nala
Moose	Olivia
Oliver	Roxy
Petey	Summer
Radar	Tasha
Sarge	Zoe
Scrappy	Abbey
Stewie	Charisma
Wally	Chessie
Comet	Chivas
Tinker-bell	Patsy
Troy	Patty