Picardy Shepherd

Keeping the house and looking after the children and even if you want to "be part of the family", live at home. That's when you appreciate his exceptional behavior with children.

Also called Pikhaar Shepherds by some, it is originally a small farm or worker's dog which is expected to guard the meager family assets (barnyard, sheep, goats, sometimes cattle). He actively participates in improving income by being a smuggling dog between France and Belgium (tobacco, matches, small haberdashery). Often equipped with drooping or semi-erect ears, its build allows it to carry loads of a few kilos over fairly long distances. Thanks to his natural distrust of foreigners, he escapes capture or destruction by customs officers. They also use the ancestor of Picard to thwart smugglers. Depending on its destination, it is chosen dark (dark brindle) or light (fawn to sable). Versatile par excellence, unlike the English or German sheepdogs which have already specialized, it is above all the dog of the "little people". A first recognition of the breed, in the 1920s, was defeated by the Second World War. In 1947/1949, amateurs united their efforts to reconstitute the breed from a few subjects still present on the farms. The choice of the right ear is dictated by the fashion of the German Shepherd. The breed is defined by an approved standard. A breed club was responsible for ensuring its continuity in 1955. Although its morphology and appearance have changed a lot in 60 years, the Berger Picard is a de facto member of the shepherd and cattle breeds of a vast area extending between the France and Benelux (Bouvier des Flandres et des Ardennes, Loekenois, Dutch Wirehaired Shepherd, etc.). Their common characteristics are hardiness, versatility at work, great attachment to the master, ability to protect and guard family and property.

It is above all a sheepdog which certainly can do without the herd, but not the shepherd. He is active and needs to be framed with calm and firmness. It excels on agility grounds, in tracking, and in all sporting disciplines with or without bite. He often provokes bursts of laughter from the public with his antics. But it is in the family that the Berger Picard is most appreciated. An excellent guardian, he will ardently protect your property, you and those around you. He will be very happy outside, with shelter for bad weather or cold, although he can tolerate bad weather without any problem. But asks that we take care of him from time to time, because he is interested in everything, likes company. He will be happy to run alongside joggers, riders, cyclists, because tireless. Easy to maintain, a brush stroke from time to time, water all the time, and a bowl of dog food in the evening... With him, on a walk you will not go unnoticed, his "good face" his good humor is very pleasing. He does not live very old, from 11 to 15 years on average. Anyone who has owned a Berger Picard rarely changes it to another breed when it disappears.