Berger Picard
Also called Berger de Picardie, Picardy Sheepdog, Picardy Shepherd, Picard
From France, in the Picardy region of the north-east, where it worked as a shepherd's dog.12
A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.
At a glance the quick version
The FCI and UKC standards set no weight; Wikipedia gives 23-32 kg for the breed overall.
Coat and looks how to spot one
rough, harsh double coat
A shaggy, crisp outer coat around 5-6 cm long lies over a soft, thick undercoat, giving a slightly tousled look that stands up well to wet and wind. Tall, naturally erect ears and a lanky, athletic frame complete the outline.12
Personality what they are like
A lively, affectionate herder with a calm core. It is watchful around the home and bonds well with children, but it likes to think for itself, so it responds best to early socialisation and reward-based training.124
Daily activity how busy a day looks
An energetic working breed that needs daily exercise and something to do; herding, long walks and training games suit it well.24
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
The rough coat is designed to be low-fuss: an occasional brush through keeps it tidy, and it is meant to look natural rather than trimmed.12
Home where they are happiest
Suits an active home with room to move and regular outdoor time; the weatherproof coat copes well with cool, damp weather.32
Company who they like around
A family-oriented dog that enjoys being involved with its people and gets on well with children when raised with them.12
The story where it all began
One of France's oldest sheepdog types, the Picard was shown at the first French dog show in 1863 and recognised in France in 1925. Fighting across Picardy in both World Wars left very few dogs, and breeders rebuilt the breed afterwards, founding the Les Amis du Berger Picard club in 1955.132
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
The film Because of Winn-Dixie (2005) starred a Berger Picard, and the producers brought five Picards over from Europe for the shoot.3
- 2
The breed was at France's very first dog show in 1863.1
- 3
A German Picard called Joker played a starring role in six Bavarian comedy films between 2014 and 2021.3
- 4
Its naturally upright ears, set high on the head, are one of the breed's trademark features.1
Recognised by the official bits
- FCI
- Group 1 (Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs), Section 1 Sheepdogs; standard dated 04.08.2010, country of origin France. The standard notes first official recognition in France in 1925 and definitive recognition in 1959.1
- UKC
- Herding Dog Group; recognised 1 January 1994.2
- AKC
- Herding Group; full recognition on 1 July 2015 (per Wikipedia).3
- The Royal Kennel Club
- Accepted onto the import register on 1 April 2014 (per Wikipedia).3
Popularity Ranked 166th of AKC-registered breeds5
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Berger Picard. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- BrushingDaily during heavy sheddingevery 3 days
- Double coats insulate against cold and heat, so shaving is not recommended
- Bathevery 10 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
- Ear checkevery 2 weeks
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 7every year
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Berger Picard, and at what times?
Feed your adult Berger Picard at least two meals a day, and puppies three to four smaller meals. Times can be consistent with your routine; ask your vet for a schedule tailored to your dog.6
What should a Berger Picard eat, and which foods are dangerous?
Feed a high-quality dog food suitable for its age and activity level. Avoid dangerous foods like chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol, and others listed by the ASPCA. Always check with your vet for the best diet plan.7
How often should I bathe a Berger Picard?
Furry Diary's starting plan suggests a bath every 70 days, which is about every two and a half months. You can bathe more often if your dog gets very dirty, but avoid over-bathing to keep the coat's natural oils.8 Furry Diary plan
How often does a Berger Picard need brushing?
Brush your Berger Picard every few days to keep the rough coat tidy, and increase to daily during heavy shedding seasons. This helps remove loose hair and keeps the coat healthy.12 Furry Diary plan
How do I trim a Berger Picard's nails, and how often?
Trim your Berger Picard's nails about once a month, or sooner if you hear them clicking on the floor. Cut a small amount at a time, avoiding the quick (the pink part inside). Ask your vet or groomer to show you if unsure.8 Furry Diary plan
How much exercise does a Berger Picard need?
Your Berger Picard needs daily exercise, such as long walks, herding activities, or training games. This breed thrives when it has a job to do, so aim for at least an hour of active time each day.24 Furry Diary plan
How do I look after a Berger Picard's teeth and ears?
Brush your Berger Picard's teeth several times a week using a dog-safe toothpaste, and check ears every two weeks for dirt or redness. Clean ears gently with a vet-recommended solution, never inserting anything into the canal.8 Furry Diary plan
How long does a Berger Picard live?
A Berger Picard typically lives between 12 and 14 years with good care.3
Is a Berger Picard good with children and other pets?
Yes, the Berger Picard is affectionate with children and does well with other pets when properly socialised from an early age. It is a family-oriented dog that enjoys being involved.124
Can a Berger Picard be left alone?
This breed enjoys being with its family, so it may not do well left alone for long periods. The amount of alone time it can handle depends on the individual dog; ask your breeder or a trainer for guidance.
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
You might also like
Briard
Pyrenean Sheepdog
Belgian ShepherdLike what we are building? Buy Archy a bone.
All of this is free for everyone, with a source on every fact, and it will never show annoying ads. It was a big job to build, so if it helped you, buy Archy a bone. Any amount is lovely, and no is a perfectly fine answer too.
Archy is our Australian Cattle Dog and chief taste tester. Tips go to 4V3D OÜ, the small family studio behind Furry Diary.
Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- FCI Standard No. 176, Berger de Picardie fci.beused for recognition, height, coat, colours, temperament, history
- UKC Berger Picard breed standard ukcdogs.comused for recognition, height, coat, colours, temperament, history
- Berger Picard, Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for weight, lifespan, AKC/KC recognition, population, fun facts
- AKC Berger Picard breed page akc.orgused for temperament, training
- AKC, The Most Popular Dog Breeds of 2025 akc.orgused for popularity
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.