QUESTIONS ET REPONSES - Club Canadien Du Berger Picard

I’ve seen picture of Picardy Shepherd with their ears down and other with ears up, are the ears cropped?

The breeder who knows his dogs well will be able to guide you and recommend the appropriate puppy in regards to his temperament and their physical attributes. In order to have a better ideal of what the puppy will look like as an adult it is a good ideal to see both parents. Please keep in mind that it is not fool proof, genetics can be funny sometimes. You should choose a puppy for its temperament. The Picardy Shepherd will grow quickly but will mature slowly like a good wine. The Picardy Shepherd will be full grown at 18 month of age.

Is it reasonable to consider adopting a Picardy Shepherd if I live in an apartment?

Does the Picardy Shepherd require much grooming?

Is the Picard Shepherd considered a hypo-allergenic dog?

Is the Picardy Shepherd a good family dog?

Our family spends the entire summer on the lake, is the Picardy Shepherd a good swimmer?


	I’ve seen picture of Picardy Shepherd with their ears down and other with ears up, are the ears cropped?
	The Picardy Shepherd standard stipulates that the dog ears stand up naturally. It is most likely that you saw a picture of a puppy and an adult Picard. The Picardy Shepherd puppy is born with their ears completely down on each side of their head, they gradually reach their erect position on their own between the age two to four months. There are different factors that may influence when the ears are up, like nutrition, the size of the ear.

	I would like to adopt a Picardy Shepherd puppy but they look so different as adult dogs that I wouldn’t know how to choose one. How do I make the right choice?
	The breeder who knows his dogs well will be able to guide you and recommend the appropriate puppy in regards to his temperament and their physical attributes. In order to have a better ideal of what the puppy will look like as an adult it is a good ideal to see both parents. Please keep in mind that it is not fool proof, genetics can be funny sometimes. You should choose a puppy for its temperament. The Picardy Shepherd will grow quickly but will mature slowly like a good wine. The Picardy Shepherd will be full grown at 18 month of age.

	Is it reasonable to consider adopting a Picardy Shepherd if I live in an apartment?
	This all depends on the time and dedication you are willing to invest to ensure this will work. The Picardy Shepherd does not like to be penned up all day he/she needs to burn energy by exercising. If you are committed to his/hers daily needs to exercise in a secure area off leash, you will have a calm and stable companion. If the Picardy Shepherd does not get his/her daily exercise it will be bored and may tend to have destructive behavior. Keep in mind that the Picard Shepherd belongs to the working group.

	Does the Picardy Shepherd require much grooming?
	The Picardy Shepherd is considered a rustique yet elegant dog. In order to keep the coat clean he/she needs a good brushing. The only grooming which is required is brushing, an occasional bath and nail trimming.

	Is the Picard Shepherd considered a hypo-allergenic dog?
	There really isn’t such a thing as a hypo-allergenic dog; there are some breeds that are considered less allergenic. It is highly recommended that you spend some time with a Picardy Shepherd in order to establish if you are allergic to the dander before adopting one.

	Is the Picardy Shepherd a good family dog?
	Please keep in mind the Picardy Shepherd was breed to herd. If the dog has some of his herding instinct it is most likely try to herd children. The Picardy Shepherd needs a gentle but firm environment in order to be an excellent family dog; they are very gentle, playful and patient dog as well as protective and guardian of its family. Inside the house Picardy Shepherds are quiet and calm reserving their energy for the outside activities which they greatly need.

	I recently saw two Picardy Shepherd in conformation and noticed there both had different style feet, is this normal?
	The Picardy Shepherd has two types of feet, one is short and round (cat feet) and the other is long and fine (hare feet); the importance is that the feet are harmonious. The CKC standard indicates the feet need to be rounded, short, closed, arched, nails that are short, strong and dark in color.

	Our family spends the entire summer on the lake, is the Picardy Shepherd a good swimmer?
	All dogs know how to swim, some love the water more than others, the Picardy Shepherd is a lover of water (this is the best exercise for a young Picardy because it alleviates the stress on the growing bones and muscles). The Picardy Shepherd will not think twice before jumping in to follow the family, he/she may even try to herd the young children to shore.