Berger Picard

Characteristics

Health & Longevity

Average Life Span: 13-14 years
The Berger Picard is still a somewhat new breed in the USA, which means that all known diseases have not been documented yet, as breeders still learn about the dogs. Do not let this deter you from this breed though because the Berger Picard is considered a healthy breed of dog.

There are some health issues that you do need to watch out for including hip dysplasia, renal dysplasia, and progressive retinal atrophy.

Hip dysplasia occurs in many different breeds of dogs and the Berger Picard can have it as well. This condition occurs when the hip joint is not properly formed or it does not fit into the socket correctly. This causes the cartilage covering the joint to wear down abnormally fast. Hip dysplasia is a painful condition and can lead to weakness in your dog’s hind legs.

Renal dysplasia is a condition that affects the kidneys and is usually present when the puppy is born. This condition causes the kidneys to grow incorrectly and a puppy with this disease will have kidneys that are considered too small. There are not always symptoms that will alert you to the problem and many puppies act quite normal. If your Berger Picard is going to display any symptoms, you may notice weight loss, abnormal heat cycles, oral ulcers, and stunted growth.

Lastly, progressive retinal atrophy can occur in the Berger Picard. This is a genetic disease and it leads to loss of vision and total blindness.

The life expectancy of the Berger Picard is 13 to 14 years.

Temperament & Train-ability

The Berger Picard is often labeled as a loyal, good natured, and observant dog. Those words definitely fit and you will find that this is an awesome breed for your home.

When it comes to this breed, you have to understand that the Berger Picard views those in its family as its pack. You want to be part of this pack and not push yourself or the dog away, as this can cause problems later on down the road.

The Berger Picard needs a handler that is able to show him or her attention while remaining firm and consistent. You want to make sure that it is understood that you are the leader.

This breed is a natural hunter; however, if socialized and trained at a young age, you can break the desire and need to hunt, which will allow the Berger Picard to be a good companion in your home.

When trained properly, the Berger Picard is great with children and can live with other small animals without instincts kicking in. This breed does bark a lot and will need training to nip it in the bud.

Your Berger Picard will make a good watch dog as this breed is trained to watch over sheep and cattle. Even though this breed does like to protect its flock and family, don’t let that fool you. You and your children can still play with him or her outside and enjoy a wonderful time.

The Berger Picard is easily trained and he or she likes to please the owner. Firm, yet affectionate training is always the best method.

Grooming

The Berger Picard has minimal grooming requirements, which makes them easy to own. You should brush your dog’s coat at least once or twice per week to remove any tangles. This breed sheds minimally, so you do not have to worry about hair everywhere.

You do not have to bathe your Berger Picard on a schedule, but simply bathe him or her when they begin to smell or they get dirty.

You should trim your Berger Picard’s nails as they will grow too long without a trim and this can be painful for your pup, especially if their nails split or break.

Diet

Your Berger Picard will require two to four cups of food per day, ideally split into two meals. You do not want to feed your pet poor quality food and should focus on a food that is rich in nutrients. When choosing a brand of dog food, make sure that only wholesome products are used.

If you are unsure of what to feed your new Berger Picard puppy, talk to your veterinarian and find out what he or she recommends. You can also talk to your breeder to find out what food he or she has been giving your puppy.

Wet food can be given to your Berger Picard, but only in small portions and not as a main meal or every night. Wet food can cause weight gain and does not provide enough nutrients.
 

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Cost

A Berger Picard puppy can cost anywhere from $800 to $2,300. You will be hard-pressed to find this breed in an animal shelter anywhere. When it comes to the cost of your puppy, remember that price does not guarantee a healthy puppy, so do your due diligence and work with a reputable breeder and inspect the puppy before you make a purchase.

In addition to the cost of the puppy, you need to factor in other costs such as any pet health insurance you want to have, preventative medications, surgeries, vet checkups, vaccines, and supplies for your puppy. This can run you anywhere from an additional $600 to $2,000.

Paws ‘N’ Pups Ranking

Paws ‘N’ Pups ranks every breed out of 4 with 1 being easiest to integrate into your life and 4 being the toughest – The lower the ranking the better.

Ranking takes into account a few basic factors including cost, skill level needed, high vs low maintenance and how critical regular training is to success. The Berger Picard is a great watch dog and protector by nature. While easy to train, this puppy may or may not be a good option for your home. Whether this breed will work with your family will depend on how much time you are willing to put into socialization in the puppy stages. A well-socialized Berger Picard is a friendly, loving dog, but one that has not been socialized may not take to children or other animals. This breed ranks a 3.

 

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