Berger Picard
皮卡迪牧羊犬
Updated 2026-09-09
At a glance
The Berger Picard is a lanky, shaggy, erect-eared herding dog from the Picardy region of northern France, one of the oldest French sheepdogs and still rare after nearly disappearing in two world wars. Centuries as an independent problem-solver left it with a stubborn streak, but it is intelligent, sensitive and devoted, quiet indoors and full of energy outside; it needs real daily exercise and mental work, and its high prey drive means it will chase anything that moves.
Facts
| Size | Large |
|---|---|
| Height | 53–65cm |
| Weight | 23–32kg |
| Life expectancy | 12–13years |
| Breed group | AKC: herding FCI: 1 |
| Role | Herding |
| Coat | Wire coat |
| Shedding | 3/ 5 |
| Exercise | 30–120min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 4 hours |
| Companionship need | 4/ 5 |
| Trainability | 4/ 5 |
| Barking | 2/ 5 |
| Good with children | 3/ 5 |
| Good with other dogs | 3/ 5 |
| Heat tolerance | 3/ 5 |
| Cold tolerance | 3/ 5 |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
General health screening
The kennel-club pages consulted do not single out breed-specific conditions; ask your vet about routine screening (hips, eyes, heart) appropriate to a dog of this size.
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
An inherited eye condition the parent club lists among the serious issues seen in the breed; it asks breeders to show eye testing on breeding stock. Ask your vet or breeder about eye screening.
Heart conditions
The parent club lists heart disease including dilated cardiomyopathy among the serious issues reported in the breed and expects breeders to test hearts. Ask your vet about heart checks at routine visits.
Hip dysplasia
Joint problems are reported in the breed and the parent club asks breeders to test hips and elbows through OFA. Ask your vet about hip screening and about keeping your dog lean and fit.
Behaviour
Stubborn streak, sensitive nature
The AKC says Picards spent centuries as take-charge, independent problem-solvers, so early socialisation and positive training are needed to cope with their stubborn streak; they are intelligent and eager to please, respond to praise more than food, and do not respond to harsh methods. The CKC calls it intelligent, alert and lively, thriving on human companionship with a touch of mischief.
Athletic partner that must have an outlet
The AKC calls it an ideal companion for athletic owners with plenty of stamina and drive: expect at least one long walk a day plus hikes, bike rides, swimming or fetch, and note that prolonged idleness is likely to lead these sensitive, super-smart dogs to destructive behaviour. Many compete in agility, tracking, herding and ring sport.
Energy and exercise
Energy level is rated 4/5 (high) on the AKC breed-trait chart. The Royal Kennel Club puts its exercise need at "up to 1 hour per day".
Training and barking
AKC trait chart: trainability 4/5, barking level 2/5. Individual dogs vary; early socialisation and reward-based training are recommended for every breed.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
American Kennel Club — Berger Picard
Breed overview, breed-trait chart, history, official standard summary and health notes from the AKC and the national parent club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Canadian Kennel Club — Berger Picard (Herding Dogs)
Origin, temperament, activity level, height/weight, coat and grooming as described by the Canadian Kennel Club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
The Royal Kennel Club — Picardy Sheepdog Imp
Breed characteristics (size medium, exercise up to 1 hour per day, lifespan over 10 years).
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
FCI nomenclature — Picardy Sheepdog (standard no. 176, group 1)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
What owners say
Owner advice is quoted from public community posts and reflects those owners' opinions, not PocketPaw's position. It is unverified and not a substitute for professional advice. Each item links to where it was said.
“The parent club says a Picard can do surprisingly well in city life provided it gets enough energy-releasing exercise, and that it will always choose to be inside with you over a big yard alone; indoors it is usually very quiet. It advises crate-training every puppy, a physical (not electric) fence, and remembering the breed's high prey drive — it will chase squirrels, cats, deer and anything else that moves.”
— Berger Picard Club of America — Living Conditions via breed clubWorldwide2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Berger Picard — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]Berger Picard — Choosing a Breed — Canadian Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]Picardy Sheepdog Imp — Breeds A to Z — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]Picardy Sheepdog — FCI standard no. 176 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [5]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [6]Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016 (Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Scientific Reports 10:9128) — Nature / Scientific Reports (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [7]Berger Picard Health — Berger Picard Club of America — Berger Picard Club of America (public health pages) (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [8]Living Conditions — Berger Picard Club of America — Berger Picard Club of America (public breed pages) (Accessed 2026-09-09)
Still have questions?
Ask owners on the PawMunity forum — every breed has its own board.
Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.