The Berger Picard Mix is a unique and lovable breed that's a combination of the Berger Picard and another dog breed. They're known for being intelligent and active, making them a great companion for outdoor enthusiasts.
They typically weigh between 20-40 pounds and stand between 17-20 inches tall, with a short, easy-to-maintain coat. Their intelligence and trainability make them a popular choice for first-time dog owners.
Their friendly and outgoing personalities make them a great addition to families with children. The Berger Picard Mix is generally a healthy breed, but like all breeds, they can be prone to certain health issues, such as hip dysplasia and eye problems.
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Physical Characteristics
The Berger Picard mix is a unique breed with a distinctive physical appearance.
Their coats are harsh and crisp to the touch, not excessively long, and have a minimal undercoat.
Berger Picards are powerful dogs with strong, level backs and muscular shoulders and hindquarters.
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Their tails are strong at the base and taper to the tip, typically hanging straight and reaching to the point of the hock.
Their ears are high-set, broad at the base, and taper to a slightly rounded tip.
Their eyes are medium to dark brown and convey an alert, observant, confident expression.
The Berger Picard is a medium-sized, well-muscled dog, slightly longer than tall.
Their natural tail typically reaches to the hock and is carried with a slight J-curve at the tip.
Their weather-proof coat is harsh and crisp to the touch, not excessively long with a minimal undercoat.
Berger Picards come in two colors: fawn and brindle.
Fawn dogs may be clear or true fawn with no dark markings or fawn charbonné with dark charcoal trim on the outer edges of the ears.
Brindle dogs can be any shade of base color from black to light grey or fawn with stripes of black, brown, red, grey, or fawn.
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Temperament and Behavior
Berger Picard mixes are known to be intelligent and lively dogs, responding quickly to obedience training.
Their sensitive and assertive disposition requires a lot of socialization during the first two years of their lives to prevent them from becoming reserved towards strangers.
As herding breeds, Berger Picard mixes are energetic and hardworking, requiring human companionship and exercise to prevent boredom and destructive behavior.
They are not excessive barkers, but some lines have been known to bark frequently.
Berger Picard mixes are independent problem solvers with strong stubborn streaks, requiring consistent and fast-paced training that appeals to their eager-to-please nature.
Positive reinforcement and rewards-based training is essential to channel their energy in positive directions.
Formal obedience training and socialization is crucial to help them become good-natured, observant, and loving companions.
They are suitable for active families and can thrive in apartments if provided with sufficient exercise daily.
Their protective nature makes them suitable as guard dogs, but they can also be friendly towards children and other pets if socialized properly.
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Care and Management
The Berger Picard mix requires regular health checks to prevent and detect potential issues.
Hip dysplasia, although not common, is a known health problem in this breed.
Puppies are prone to eye infections due to dirt or dust getting into their eyes, but this usually resolves itself after they reach one year of age.
Exercise and Activities
The Berger Picard is an active breed that requires regular exercise to stay happy and healthy. They excel in agility trials, making them a great choice for owners who enjoy dog sports.
To keep your Berger Picard engaged and stimulated, consider enrolling them in activities like obedience, showmanship, and Schutzhund. These can help burn off energy and strengthen the bond between you and your dog.
Berger Picards are natural herders and can be trained to compete in herding trials. Herding instincts and trainability can be measured at noncompetitive herding tests.
Health and Care
Berger Picards are generally a healthy breed, but like all dogs, they can be prone to certain health issues.
Hip dysplasia is a known problem in Berger Picards, although it's not extremely common.
Puppies may get eye infections due to dirt or dust getting into their eyes, but this usually stops after they reach one year of age.
Regular check-ups are crucial to monitor for hereditary eye problems like PRA (Progressive Retina Atrophy) and RD (Retina Dysplasia), which can affect both males and females of the breed.
Here are some health issues to be aware of in Berger Picards:
- Hip dysplasia
- PRA (Progressive Retina Atrophy)
- RD (Retina Dysplasia)
Nutrition
Feeding your Berger Picard a high-quality dog food is essential for their health and well-being. This should be a formulated dry food that meets their nutritional needs.
Berger Picards can easily become overweight if they're allowed to eat as much as they want, so portioning out their food with a measuring cup is a must. Limiting treats to no more than 10% of their daily calories can also help keep them fit and trim.
Active Berger Picards need more calories than older, less active dogs, so you'll need to balance their caloric intake with their lifestyle. This is crucial to prevent obesity, which is a common issue in Berger Picards.
Berger Picards are prone to obesity, and the number one cause of obesity in this breed is excess calories.
Frequently Asked Questions
What breeds make a Berger Picard?
The Berger Picard is closely linked to the German Shepherd Dog and several Italian herding breeds, including the Bergamasco Sheepdog. Its genetic origins are more complex than previously thought, making it an interesting breed to learn more about.
Do Berger picards bark a lot?
Berger Picards have a moderate to high tendency to bark, but training can help manage excessive barking. With proper training, they can learn to reserve their barking for situations that truly warrant an alarm.
Are Berger Picards good dogs?
Berger Picards are known for their friendly, good-natured, and protective nature, making them a great companion for many families. With their intelligence and independent spirit, they can thrive as a loyal and loving pet with proper care and attention.
What is a Berger de Picardie in English?
The Berger Picard, also known as the Picardy Shepherd, is a rare French herding dog breed. Originating in Picardy, it nearly became extinct after both World Wars.
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