LE BERGER PICARD - Club Canadien Du Berger Picard

The breed will be definitely recognized 1925. Up to the 2nd World War the breed dwindled, it’s only after that a group of faithful fans started searching through Picardy to find well typed subjects from which to breed and save the Picardy Shepherd. After several years where the breed Club had difficulty obtaining memberships and been recognized, Mr. Robert Montenot, a distinguished canine specialist, creates the Club “Les Amis Du Berger Picard” in 1955. The Club will definitely be affiliate in 1959 and a new breed standard is approved by the CSC in 1964. The current Standard has been prepared by M.J.C.Larive, President of the Club and members of his committee in collaboration with M.R. Triquet.

General Appearance: The Berger Picard is a medium sized dog.It is strong,rustic,well muscled and well without ever being heavy.It is very elegant in both static movement.His lively and enlightened expression is characterized by its scrawled.

Cranial Region: Front wiew of the front should not be flat but slightly arched, with a small depression in the middle.The stop is not apparent, it lies midway between the occiput and the tip of the snout.

Nose: Well developed. Always black, nostrils open. Muzzle: Strong,not too long.Must not come to a point.The chamfer is right.Presence of slight mustache and goatee. Cheeks: Must have a certain roundness. Lips: Dry and well joined. Teeth: Jaws powerful.The bite is scissor.The teeth should be complete. Eyes: Horizontal,medium size,oval,not prominent,dark(the color may be more or less dark according to that of the dress,but never more clear than the hazel hue) Ears: Medium size, broad at the base,set high,the remaining natural rights,the tips slightly rounded.The port diverge is tolerated but not sought. Neck: Strong and muscular,of good length,well clear of the shoulders to bear the head proudly. Body: The frame is solid,without exageration,hair and muscles. Chest: Achieved but does not descend below the elbow. A proper chest perimeter taken immediately behind the elbow is higher than the height at 1/5th around.The ribs are curved at their level and then gradually flatten until sternum. Back: Right. Loin: Strong. Croup: Slightly sloping gradually merges with the buttocks. Belly: Slightly raised. Tail: Entire. At rest,it must reach the tip of the shank and hae a slight curvature at the end. In action,the whip can be met without ever being brought over the back. The hair on the tail is the same length as the body.

Membership Forequarters: Of upright seen in profile and face. Shoulders: Long and oblique. Elbows: Although the body. Forearm: Rights and well-muscled. Pasterns: Slightly sloping from back to front. Feet: Rounded,short and compact.

Hindquarters: Althoufg parallel seen behind and upright seen in profile Thigh: Long and well muscled. Knee: stifle. joint: strong. Hocks: Moderately curved, not too open or too closed. Metatarses: Perpendicular to the ground. Feet: Rounded, short and compact. No dewclaws or extra fingers.Pad form.Nail dark. Gait: Soft and clear.Both give an impression of elegance and ease. Average of the previous extension, the remaining parallel.

Hair: Hard,half-length.It must feel crisp to the touch.Length 5 to 6 cm over the entire body including the tail. Undercoat fine and dense.

Color: Fawn,charbonné fawn,fawn brindle,gray remaining generally dark,without large white patch(a small white spot is allowed on the chest and the ends of the feet).

Size At he withers: Males 60 to 65 cm 55 a female 60cm (tolerance 1cm or below)

Faults: Any departure from the foregoing should be considered as a defect that will be penalized according to its severity and its impact on health and welfare of the dog.

Severe faults: Lack of 2 teeth other than PM 4 of the lower jaw(the PM I have not taken into account). Bite reversed without loss of contact with the incisors. Light eyes. Tail carried over the back or overly short. Hair tends to curl. Hair too flat, less than 4 cm or more than 7cm.Soft or woolly hair. Defects aplomb important especialty defective rear hand,excessive panardise, cow hocks.

NB: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicules fully descended into scrotum.

Berger Picard Skills

Companion Dog: Good family dog, they can adapt when they are puppies to other pets such as dogs, cats and horses. They are truly children’s friends and they love to play. When properly trained the Berger Picard is a loyal and fun companion. The Berger Picard is the oldest French Herding dog.

Protector and Guard dog: It is a herding Shepherd, the Berger Picard has a natural instinct to protect his/her family and is aloof to strangers. It is very alert to sounds.

Movie Star: We can see the Berger Picard in many movies like in Because of Winn Dixie.

Jogging is not recommended until your dog is 2 years old. If you over excert a young dog it can be very determental to their health later in life. Why? The bones and muscles as well as the tendons of a young dog develop at a normal rate and will be fully mature at the age of 2, no additional stress is needed. If you do not respect the above mentioned advice your pup may suffer of hip dysplasia or any other disease that affect the hips.

Nutrition: One must be cautious in buying dog food. Vitamins and dog food with added vitamins may affect the health of your dog, they accelerate the growth of muscles and bones which can cause health problems over time.

List of foods toxic to your dog: Avocado, chocolate, coffee, onions, fatty foods, grapes, raisins, dough (yeast), salt, nuts, moldy food.

Training: It is recommended to sign up your dog for training classes to develop his social skills, provide a mental stimulus and increase his willingness to be obedient and respectful to yourself and others. Picardy Shepherds require a lot of patience on the part of their master. They are very sensitive and can even be moody sometimes. Your efforts will be rewarded if you take into account these characteristics and be patient.

Health care: The Berger Picard is robust and healthy dog that requires very little maintenance.

[Top Page] [History] [Standard] [Skills] [Cares]

Berger Picard History The Picardy Shepherd has very ancient origins. It is unclear whether the Picardy Shepherd is strictly native of the Picardy region; it’s possible, even probable that there has been a much wider dispersion of the breed, wirehaired cattle and sheep herding dogs been typical throughout the North-West part of Europe. In 1863 the first Berger Picards were judged in the same class as the Beaucerons and Briards. In 1898 the existence of a Picardy breed appears as a fact. In 1922 the first breed standard was developed by Paul Megnin.
The breed will be definitely recognized 1925. Up to the 2nd World War the breed dwindled, it’s only after that a group of faithful fans started searching through Picardy to find well typed subjects from which to breed and save the Picardy Shepherd. After several years where the breed Club had difficulty obtaining memberships and been recognized, Mr. Robert Montenot, a distinguished canine specialist, creates the Club “Les Amis Du Berger Picard” in 1955. The Club will definitely be affiliate in 1959 and a new breed standard is approved by the CSC in 1964. The current Standard has been prepared by M.J.C.Larive, President of the Club and members of his committee in collaboration with M.R. Triquet.

[Top Page] [History] [Standard] [Skills] [Cares]

	Standard De la Race General Appearance: The Berger Picard is a medium sized dog.It is strong,rustic,well muscled and well without ever being heavy.It is very elegant in both static movement.His lively and enlightened expression is characterized by its scrawled. Important Proportions: The Berger Picard is a medium size dog.The length of the body of the tip of the shoulder to the edge of the buttock should be slightly higher than the height at (in a radio of 5 to 8%). Females are generally slightly longer than males. The skull and muzzle are of equal length. Distance from elbow to ground is equal to half the height at the withers.
Behavior/Temperament: The Berger Picard is a balance dog.It is not aggressive or fearful,or worried. It must be both wise and bold.This allows it to easily accomplish his work which is to lead and keep herds of sheeps.It is also a very good steward of the house and an excellent family dog that likes to live close company with the children.
Head: While not massive,they must be proportionate of being pointed. Viewed in profile,the lines of the skull and muzzle are parallel. The type is given by the scrawled appearance, the well marked eyebrows(hair approximately 4 cm should not obscure the eyes), and mustache and goatee.
Cranial Region: Front wiew of the front should not be flat but slightly arched, with a small depression in the middle.The stop is not apparent, it lies midway between the occiput and the tip of the snout.
Facial Region: Nose: Well developed. Always black, nostrils open. Muzzle: Strong,not too long.Must not come to a point.The chamfer is right.Presence of slight mustache and goatee. Cheeks: Must have a certain roundness. Lips: Dry and well joined. Teeth: Jaws powerful.The bite is scissor.The teeth should be complete. Eyes: Horizontal,medium size,oval,not prominent,dark(the color may be more or less dark according to that of the dress,but never more clear than the hazel hue) Ears: Medium size, broad at the base,set high,the remaining natural rights,the tips slightly rounded.The port diverge is tolerated but not sought. Neck: Strong and muscular,of good length,well clear of the shoulders to bear the head proudly. Body: The frame is solid,without exageration,hair and muscles. Chest: Achieved but does not descend below the elbow. A proper chest perimeter taken immediately behind the elbow is higher than the height at 1/5th around.The ribs are curved at their level and then gradually flatten until sternum. Back: Right. Loin: Strong. Croup: Slightly sloping gradually merges with the buttocks. Belly: Slightly raised. Tail: Entire. At rest,it must reach the tip of the shank and hae a slight curvature at the end. In action,the whip can be met without ever being brought over the back. The hair on the tail is the same length as the body.
Members Membership Forequarters: Of upright seen in profile and face. Shoulders: Long and oblique. Elbows: Although the body. Forearm: Rights and well-muscled. Pasterns: Slightly sloping from back to front. Feet: Rounded,short and compact.
Hindquarters: Althoufg parallel seen behind and upright seen in profile Thigh: Long and well muscled. Knee: stifle. joint: strong. Hocks: Moderately curved, not too open or too closed. Metatarses: Perpendicular to the ground. Feet: Rounded, short and compact. No dewclaws or extra fingers.Pad form.Nail dark. Gait: Soft and clear.Both give an impression of elegance and ease. Average of the previous extension, the remaining parallel.
Robe
Hair: Hard,half-length.It must feel crisp to the touch.Length 5 to 6 cm over the entire body including the tail. Undercoat fine and dense.
Color: Fawn,charbonné fawn,fawn brindle,gray remaining generally dark,without large white patch(a small white spot is allowed on the chest and the ends of the feet).
Size At he withers: Males 60 to 65 cm 55 a female 60cm (tolerance 1cm or below)
Faults: Any departure from the foregoing should be considered as a defect that will be penalized according to its severity and its impact on health and welfare of the dog.
Severe faults: Lack of 2 teeth other than PM 4 of the lower jaw(the PM I have not taken into account). Bite reversed without loss of contact with the incisors. Light eyes. Tail carried over the back or overly short. Hair tends to curl. Hair too flat, less than 4 cm or more than 7cm.Soft or woolly hair. Defects aplomb important especialty defective rear hand,excessive panardise, cow hocks.
Eliminating Faults: Aggressive or fearful dog. Lack of type. Overshot or Undershot loss of contact with the incisors. Lack of 2 PM to 4 more teeth other than 2 PM 4(PM I have not taken into account). Eyes too light or yellowish. Ears not carried erect. Tail: Too short or absente. Colors: Blanck, white, harlequin, pie, too extensive white chest, feet fully white. White spots in places other than specified above. Taille sortant des limites du standard (y compris la tolérance). Size outgoing limits of the standard (including tolerance). Sizes of 67cm for males and 62cm for females may be tolerated only for subjects of high quality. Any dog clearly showing physical anomalies or behavioral be disqualified.
NB: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicules fully descended into scrotum.

[Top Page] [History] [Standard] [Skills] [Cares]

Berger Picard Skills
Herding sheep: The Berger Picard is a herder of sheep, in the past this is what they were used for, now this is a game more than work. It is best not to over monopolize a Picard, they need to have a sense of independence and initiative which suits them best. Tracking: They have an excellent nose and are good at tracking. They love to play and learn very quickly by method of play. Agility: They love to work and love the challenge in the ring, they love to run, jump. They especially love to please and obey their master when they know this will please them.
	Companion Dog: Good family dog, they can adapt when they are puppies to other pets such as dogs, cats and horses. They are truly children’s friends and they love to play. When properly trained the Berger Picard is a loyal and fun companion. The Berger Picard is the oldest French Herding dog.
Protector and Guard dog: It is a herding Shepherd, the Berger Picard has a natural instinct to protect his/her family and is aloof to strangers. It is very alert to sounds.
Movie Star: We can see the Berger Picard in many movies like in Because of Winn Dixie.

[Top Page] [History] [Standard] [Skills] [Cares]

		Care and Nutrition
		Excercise: When you excercise your puppy; be it a walk or another physical activity; you should respect the following advice: 5 minutes of excercise for every month. For example, if the puppy is 3 months old you your walks should not exceed 15 minutes in one session, you may take more than one walk but the time limit should be 15 minutes. The Berger Picard needs to exercise or walk every day.
Jogging is not recommended until your dog is 2 years old. If you over excert a young dog it can be very determental to their health later in life. Why? The bones and muscles as well as the tendons of a young dog develop at a normal rate and will be fully mature at the age of 2, no additional stress is needed. If you do not respect the above mentioned advice your pup may suffer of hip dysplasia or any other disease that affect the hips.
Nutrition: One must be cautious in buying dog food. Vitamins and dog food with added vitamins may affect the health of your dog, they accelerate the growth of muscles and bones which can cause health problems over time.
List of foods toxic to your dog: Avocado, chocolate, coffee, onions, fatty foods, grapes, raisins, dough (yeast), salt, nuts, moldy food.
Training: It is recommended to sign up your dog for training classes to develop his social skills, provide a mental stimulus and increase his willingness to be obedient and respectful to yourself and others. Picardy Shepherds require a lot of patience on the part of their master. They are very sensitive and can even be moody sometimes. Your efforts will be rewarded if you take into account these characteristics and be patient.
Between the age of 2 and 4 months it’s important to socialize the puppy, show him the world, let him experience as much as possible, take him out, have friends and strangers gently touch him.
Health care: The Berger Picard is robust and healthy dog that requires very little maintenance.

[Top Page] [History] [Standard] [Skills] [Cares]