10 Things You Didn’t Know About the Berger Picard
The Berger Picard is an interesting dog breed that is fairly well known but hasn’t been officially recognized for that long. These amazing dogs are worth a second look. The owners of these dogs will vouch for the fact that they make great family dogs. To help you get to know the Berger Picard a little better, here are ten things you didn’t know about them.
1. They’re happiest when they’re working
The Berger Picard is a herding dog. They’re natural herders and this means that when you’re going out to get the morning paper, they may try to herd you. It’s a natural instinct so try not be get too annoyed with your pup. You will have to teach him not to nip the back of your legs though. This is common behavior until they learn that it’s not okay to pinch people on the legs.
2. They need a lot of exercise
Berger Picards are energetic dogs and they need to get plenty of exercises. This gives them a release for the excess energy that they build up. Training and exercise are very helpful for them. Take your BP out for a daily walk and it will help a lot.
3. They love to perform
This dog breed loves to perform in front of an audience. They are highly intelligent and they’re also very funny. Your dog can keep you entertained for hours. It doesn’t take a lot of work to teach them to do simple tricks. This breed has a need to stay busy and they crave affection so if they can get and hold your attention with a few performances, get ready for the show.
4. The name Berger Picard is pronounced differently than it looks
Berger Picard has a very unique pronunciation. It’s French in origin so this gives you a few clues on how to properly say the name. It is pronounced Bare Zay pee Car.
5. The name means shepherd
The translation of the name Berger means shepherd. Picard comes from the area of France where the dog breed first originated which is Picardy. When you put them both together, it’s Berger Picard or Shepherd of Picardy. Now you know everything there is to know about how the Berger Picard came to have its unique name.
6. New pups are not ready to rehome until they’re a little older
In general, a Berger Picard puppy needs to stay with its mother until it’s about 12 weeks of age. There are some breeders who allow them to leave earlier, but in general, it’s 12 weeks. Most other breeds are released to new homes between 8 and 10 weeks, but with this breed, it’s usually taken on a case by case basis and depends upon how well they’re eating on their own.
7. They’re good at sports
Berger Picards perform very well in agility and obedience. They’re great at competitive events if you take the time to train them. In fact, when these dogs are working hard in competitions, they are extremely happy because it’s important to remember that they are, after all, a working class dog. It’s what they were bred for and it’s still in their genes.
8. They almost went extinct
Here’s something that most people are not aware of. During the period of the two World Wars, the Berger Picard nearly went extinct. Times were tough in France during wartimes and the Picards almost did not survive the devastation. After the last WW, breeders in France, Canada, and the United States helped to repopulate their numbers and bring them back.
9. They come in several colors
The Berger Picard is born in a variety of colors. The two main colors are brindle and fawn. Some of them have a lovely trim on their ears that is a charcoal gray and there may be gray on the head, body or ears. The brindle colors can range from fawn, light gray or even black with stripes in a variety of different colors including red, fawn, gray and black.
10. They were not recognized in France as a breed until 1925
The French Shepherd Club acknowledged the Berger Picard in 1925 as an official breed. They were not recognized by the American Kennel Club until 2007. They gained full registration and recognition in the herding group in 2015.
