If you’ve ever visited a small town in the French countryside, you may have seen a Berger Picard. The pudgy, short-legged dog is quite common in France and the surrounding countries. Are Berger Picards good for novice owners? If you’re considering adding one to your family, this article will make sure that you can care for one of these dogs responsibly and appropriately.
A Berger Picard is an excellent companion dog who thrives on human interaction. While they are active, they are not high-energy dogs and require minimal exercise after spending much of the day exploring their home.
They tend to be very protective but not aggressive toward other people or animals unless provoked or threatened. Let’s look at how you can give a Picard the best life possible and decide whether are Berger Picards good for novice owners?
What is a Berger Picard?
A Berger Picard is a medium-sized dog with a short coat and long legs. They are similar to the Picardy Shepherd, a breed that is closely related to the Picard. The Picard has a short-hair coat that is water-resistant, making it a good outdoor breed.
The Picard weighs between 35 and 50 pounds and stands 18 to 23 inches at the shoulder. They are considered a rare breed in many parts of the world, with fewer than 10,000 Picard dogs in the world. This breed is closely related to other herding breeds, particularly the Border Collie.
A Picard is a great dog for someone who wants a dog with a working instinct and a strong herding or hunting instinct. Picard dogs are highly intelligent and are considered to be one of the smartest breeds of dogs. This breed is also very active, and they need lots of exercise and mental stimulation to be happy.
Picard dogs are particularly good with children, and they are often used as therapy dogs. This breed is not appropriate for people who are away from home for long periods regularly.
How to Meet the Needs of a Berger Picard
Let’s take a look at how to meet the needs of a Picard. Keep in mind that every dog is an individual and different breeds have different needs. This is a general guide but always take the time to research the specific needs of this breed.
Medical Care
Like all dogs, your Picard will benefit from annual vaccinations and preventative parasite control. Be sure to have them tested for common dog diseases, including blood tests for heartworm, distemper, and hepatitis.
If you have a very young pup, you may want to consider a puppy vaccination booster to create a shield against the most common diseases that affect puppies. If your Picard will be going outside, they will also need to be on heartworm and flea prevention.
Picard dogs are particularly susceptible to ticks and should be on tick prevention year-round. All dogs should be kept up-to-date on vaccinations, including boosters as needed for distemper, parvovirus, and rabies.
Exercise
All dogs need exercise, but Picard dogs especially need it. Picard dogs were bred to be working dogs and have a strong instinct to herd, hunt, and explore. Picard dogs need frequent walks and playtime to burn off energy, stay healthy, and build a bond with their owner.
Picard dogs do not make good indoor dogs, since they need to explore and have a way to release pent-up energy.
Diet
Picard dogs are prone to gaining weight since they are genetically inclined to be chubby breeds. Keep an eye on your Picard’s diet to make sure they do not gain too much weight.
Picard dogs should also be fed a high-quality diet appropriate for their life stage, whether they are a puppy, adults, or senior dogs. Picard dogs have short digestive tracts, so they may not do well on certain types of dog food.
Mental Stimulation
All dogs need mental stimulation to keep them healthy, happy, and fulfilled. Picard dogs are especially intelligent breeds and need a lot of mental stimulation. Picard dogs can learn many tricks and have a strong desire to please their owner.
Playing fetch with a ball or Frisbee will wear out your Picard, help them get exercise, and provide mental stimulation. Other ways to provide mental stimulation for your Picard include puzzle toys or food-dispensing toys and taking your Picard to training classes.
How to train a Berger Picard
Picard dogs respond well to clicker training. Clicker training is a positive training method that engages your dog and helps them to understand what you want. These dogs are very smart and respond well to clicker training.
Keep in mind that Picard dogs are strong-willed breeds who are likely to challenge their owner as they come into their own. When training Picard dogs, be patient and do not let them challenge your authority. If your Picard starts to challenge you, walk away from the situation and try again later.
As with all breeds, consistency is key when training your Picard dog. Be sure to train your Picard dog often and consistently so they can learn what you want from them.
Be sure to praise your Picard dog when they do something correctly to reinforce this behavior so your dog knows what you want them to do and that they have done it correctly. Before we move on into the pros and cons of owning a Berger Picard, I hope now you already get answers : are Berger Picards good for novice owners? If your answers is yes, good. Let’s move into the next step.
The Pros of Owning a Berger Picard
Protective
Picard dogs have strong protective instincts and are likely to bark and protect you from danger. Picard dogs may bark at people walking nearby, including mail carriers, delivery people, and guests. This instinct is normal unless your Picard dog begins to bark at everyone and everything.
If your Picard is barking at everyone, they may have a medical issue, such as pain, or anxiety, or a medical condition like arthritis.
Good With Children
Picard dogs are very good with children. These dogs are lively but not hyperactive. Picard dogs provide excellent play and exercise for children. Picard dogs are also good with children who are not yet verbal, as they are attentive to nonverbal cues.
Good With Other Animals
Picard dogs are good with other animals, including cats, dogs, and livestock. If you plan to have your Picard dog around chickens, pigs, or other farm animals, be sure to supervise them so they do not hurt or kill your animals.
The Cons of Owning a Berger Picard
Prone to Being Overweight
Like many short-legged breeds, Picard dogs are prone to being overweight. If you feed your Picard dog a large amount of food, they are likely to become overweight. Monitor your Picard dog’s food intake and adjust as necessary to avoid them gaining too much weight.
Not Good for People Who Are Away From Home a Lot
As working dogs, Picard dogs need their owner’s attention. Picard dogs are not good for people who are away from home a lot. If you are a shift worker or travel a lot for work, you may want to consider a different breed.
Final Words
The Picard is a wonderful breed, but they are high-maintenance dogs that need a lot of attention. If you can commit to giving your Picard dog the attention and exercise they need, they will be very happy and loyal dogs.
So now, how about you? Are Berger Picards good for novice owners, such as you? If you think that a Picard may be a good match for you, be sure to research this breed to make sure that it is a good fit for your lifestyle.
