About

Breed information

 

Length range  : 84-99 cm

Height range  : 56-66cm

Weight range : 23-32kg

Coat : Rough|medium-length|harsh crisp weather-proof coat|dense undercoat|wiry|slightly wavy|rustic shaggy appearance

Life expectancy years : 12-15

Colors: fawn|brindle|grey|grey-black|light grey with black sheen|bluish-grey|reddish-grey|orange , mahagoni red|blue , silver|cream|small white markings on paws and chest

Activitity Level : Very Active

Origin: France

Similar Breeds : Beauceron|Briard|German Shepherd|Belgian Shepherd|Bearded Collie

 

History

The Berger Picard is one of the oldest French herding breeds from Picardy in northern France and has worked for centuries as a flock dog. Its progress in formal breeding was disrupted by World War I and World War II in its home region , leaving the breed rare and nearly extinct before enthusiasts preserved it and it gained wider recognition in the 20th century.

 

 

characteristics

Temperament

courageous|smart|energetic|friendly|alert|independent problem-solver|watchful with strangers|gentle with family

Personality

smart|energetic|friendly|courageous|loyal|observant|people-oriented|independent|sensitive|watchful

Needs

large private garden preferred|active lifestyle|mental stimulation|early socialization|positive training|loving consistency|not suited to small apartment living

Social Needs

people-oriented and loyal with family|can be good with children if properly socialized|can live with other pets especially if raised with them|wary or aloof with strangers

Grooming 

weekly brushing recommended|more often during moulting|easy coat care|infrequent bathing to preserve natural oils|low grooming needs outside shedding season|trim nails regularly

Nutrition

high-quality balanced diet|protein-rich food for lean muscle support|food choice can be wet , dry , home-cooked or BARF if it suits the dog|avoid frequent food changes

 

Breed Standard

Ancient French herding dog from Picardy with a medium-sized , sturdy and well-muscled body , erect high-set ears and a harsh weather-proof rustic coat. The breed is traditionally fawn or brindle and should appear alert , agile and capable of sustained pastoral work.

Did you know?

The Berger Picard nearly vanished after both World Wars in northern France and remains rare today. Many people outside the breed first recognized it from film appearances , including Because of Winn-Dixie and the Eberhofer crime films’ dog Ludwig.

HEALTHCARE

Most Common / iconic illnesses 

Hip Dysplasia, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Multi-Ocular Defects, Gastric dilatation-volvulus bloat

, Cryptorchidism

 

Symptoms

1. hind limb lameness , difficulty rising , bunny-hopping gait and reluctance to jump or use stairs may occur
2. muscle thinning in the hindquarters might develop

1. poor night vision , hesitation entering dark rooms , dilated or hyper-reflective pupils may occur
2. progressive daytime vision loss and eventual blindness might develop

1. cloudy or white lens spots , tissue strands across the iris , abnormal tracking behavior or unusually small eyeballs may occur
2. visual impairment might vary by defect severity

1. completely unproductive retching or gagging , swollen firm abdomen , restless pacing and excessive drooling may occur
2. pale gums and cold extremities indicating shock might develop

1. one or both testicles may be absent from the scrotal sac by puppyhood
2. the condition may be otherwise asymptomatic day-to-day but long-term cancer risk might increase

Onset of symptoms

 

Hip Dysplasia

1. severe juvenile cases may emerge between 4 and 12 months
2. more often it may present as gradual stiffness in mature to senior dogs

Probability Of Onset:

1. Moderate

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

1. typically may become clinically diagnosable between 2 and 5 years of age

Probability Of Onset:

1. Moderate

Multi-Ocular Defects

1. many defects may be congenital and present at birth
2. secondary cataracts may mature and worsen as the dog grows

Probability Of Onset:

1. low to moderate

Gastric dilatation-volvulus bloat

1. may occur acutely at any point in adulthood especially around a single massive meal or heavy water intake near strenuous activity

Probability Of Onset:

1. Moderate

Cryptorchidism

1. usually becomes apparent in early puppyhood and is often diagnosed by 6 months

Probability Of Onset:

1. low to moderate

Reasons

Hip Dysplasia       

1. No specific missing chemical is identified in the provided material.
2. The condition is described as polygenic and is worsened by rapid weight gain , overnutrition and improper high-impact exercise during development.
3. The text links the disorder to inherited joint formation problems rather than a defined nutrient deficiency.

 

Multi-Ocular Defects:

1. No specific missing chemical 
2. The condition is described as a heritable disturbance affecting embryonic ocular tissue development.
3. The text links abnormal eye structure to developmental disruption rather than a nutrient lack.

 

Hip Dysplasia       

1. No specific missing chemical is identified in the provided material.
2. The condition is described as polygenic and is worsened by rapid weight gain , overnutrition and improper high-impact exercise during development.
3. The text links the disorder to inherited joint formation problems rather than a defined nutrient deficiency.

Multi-Ocular Defects:

1. No specific missing chemical is identified in the provided material.
2. The condition is described as a heritable disturbance affecting embryonic ocular tissue development.
3. The text links abnormal eye structure to developmental disruption rather than a nutrient lack.

 

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

1. The text states that an autosomal recessive mutation may interrupt vital cellular metabolism and structural maintenance in the retina.
2. No specific missing dietary chemical is identified in the provided material.
3. Loss of normal retinal cellular support may make vision progressively fail over time.

Gastric dilatation-volvulus bloat

1. No specific missing chemical is identified in the provided material.
2. The condition is tied to deep-chested anatomy and lifestyle triggers such as rapid eating , stress or intense post-meal exercise.
3. The text describes mechanical stomach rotation risk rather than a chemical deficiency.

Cryptorchidism

  1. 1. No specific missing chemical is identified in the provided material.
    2. The condition is described as a sex-limited heritable defect that may inhibit normal hormonal or physical descent of the testicles.
    3. The text links the disorder to developmental failure rather than a missing nutrient.

Normally Treament Methods

Hip Dysplasia:

  1. 1. weight optimization , low-impact conditioning , physical rehabilitation and NSAIDs may be used
    2. advanced cases might need total hip replacement

 

Progressive Retinal Atrophy:

  1. 1. no medical cure or surgery may stop or reverse PRA
    2. management might focus on home safety modification and support for a blind dog’s quality of life

 

Multi-Ocular Defects:

  1. 1. mild cases may need monitoring
    2. advanced cataracts might require surgical phacoemulsification to preserve eyesight

 

Gastric dilatation-volvulus bloat:

  1. 1. immediate emergency care may include IV fluids , stomach decompression and surgery to de-rotate the stomach
    2. gastropexy might be used to secure the organ

 

Cryptorchidism:

  1. 1. complete surgical neutering with abdominal or inguinal exploration may be used to remove the retained testicle. Ask professional vets for detailed information.

 

Supplements

Hip Dysplasia :

  • 1. glucosamine hydrochloride can,might be helpful for joint cartilage support
    2. chondroitin sulfate can,might be helpful for cushioning support
    3. MSM can,might be helpful for inflammation support
    4. omega-3 marine oils EPA and DHA can,might be helpful for joint comfort
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Progressive Retinal Atrophy

  • 1. lutein can,might be helpful for ocular antioxidant support
    2. zeaxanthin can,might be helpful for retinal support
    3. astaxanthin can,might be helpful for oxidative stress support
    4. vitamins A , C and E can,might be helpful for eye support
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Multi-Ocular Defects

  • 1. Coenzyme Q10 can,might be helpful for general ocular support
    2. lutein can,might be helpful for antioxidant eye support
    3. vitamins E and C can,might be helpful for ocular health
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Gastric dilatation-volvulus bloat

  • 1. high-quality probiotics can,might be helpful for gut motility support
    2. digestive enzymes can,might be helpful for reducing fermentation gas
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Cryptorchidism

  • 1. supplements do not alter this physical anatomical condition and routine supplementation can,might be unhelpful
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