El Berger by picardie belongs to the line of dogs that have served as shepherds. This function makes the character of the breed among the most precious to be inserted as family pets. In the case of the Picardie, it has achieved this inclusion in a very positive way both due to its physical characteristics and temperament.
The word that best defines these pets is balance in all its aspects. He's loyal, brave, friendly, and a good-natured guardian. Its appearance is not severe, its face resembles that of lap dogs but with a more imposing size. The owners of this breed have an invaluable canine friend with a rich history and a promising present.
European origin of the Berger de picardie
The dog Berger de Picardie or Picardy Shepherd It has served an invaluable role in herds since before the XNUMXth century, when it was already a breed that competed in dog shows. There is no evidence to confirm that it is native to Picardie, but it is clear that the breed spread through northwestern Europe.
By the end of the 1898th century, specifically in XNUMX, there was already enough evidence that this Shepherd dog it had all the necessary requirements to consider it a breed. In 1925 it was officially recognizedHowever, it was in 1955 when international organizations began their approval. As a breed it remains rare, even in France, its country of origin.
Features
The severe characteristics of sheepdogs are different in the Picardie breed which features a friendly face in contrast. What stands out first in its appearance is the balance between the pleasant appearance and strong, athletic and somewhat rustic demeanor.
The medium-built body is well built and the ride is graceful. As a medium-sized breed, its approximate measurements are 65 centimeters high. cross in the case of males. Females tend to be a little shorter, with an average height of 57 cm at the withers; it is not recommended that the height is below 55 centimeters in either gender.
In the case of the mischievous Shepherd the proportions of the body are very important. The body length from the shoulders to the sit bone should measure a little above the height at the withers. On this proportion the females are usually a little longer than the males. To be well proportioned, the muzzle must be equal in length to the cranial length, and the distance from the elbow to the ground must be half the height at the withers.
The head of the Picardie is very well proportioned to the body and is light in weight. Has bushy eyebrows and fur should not cover eyes, although he does have a slight beard and mustache. The Stop is not very pronounced, the muzzle is medium in size and ends in a black nose. The bite is a scissor bite, full and strong teeth with a thin-lipped mouth.
The eyes are oval in shape and the color is dark, and can degrade depending on the shade of the coat. The ears are medium in size and somewhat broad, straight and rounded at the tip. The shape of the neck allows an elegant and haughty demeanor that introduces a strong body, but not exaggerated in musculature. The rump is slightly inclined to the thigh and the chest has arched ribs and is followed by an ascending abdomen.
The fore and hind legs are well proportioned and end in round, compact feet with dark nails. The tail of the Picardie is long and in a resting state it reaches the height of the hock.. The end of it is somewhat curved and is covered with hair of the same length as the rest of the body.
The coat is rough to the touch and semi-long, measuring between 5 and 6 centimeters. Besides, it has a thinner and denser undercoat. The colors of the coat are tawny or brindle and the outer coat is dark or gray.. Sometimes they show small white spots on the feet and the sill which is not a reason for penalties in competitions.
Temperament
The temperament of the Berger de picardie is among the best characteristics of the breed. It is noteworthy that in this regard the pets that have performed in the herding function have genetically developed a exceptional behavior and intelligence. This allows education and training to run very smoothly.
Naturally it is a protective and guardian dog with an excellent relationship with its owner and with children. It is balanced in all aspects and if it is educated correctly from a puppy And thanks to positive reinforcement, it shows its qualities much more. Training should always be done with positive reinforcement and the earlier you start the better.
Care, health and diseases
The picardy breed does not require special care beyond what any sheepdog needs. Initially Visits to the vet must be respected and strictly adhere to the vaccination schedule. In this way diseases are prevented preventively. Besides, the instructions on the quality of the feeding and continuity of the rations must be followed according to the development and physical activity of the pet.
When it comes to caring for the coat, you should spend a little more time on it. It should be brushed two or three times a week and more while the dog is shedding. The bath should not be continuous, once every six to eight weeks depending on how dirty it is. Skin is delicate, so it needs to protect itself with its own natural oils.
The importance of physical activity should not be underestimated, as this breed requires at least one walk daily. It is also recommended that you practice other activities in dog parks and enjoy racing in open and wide spaces. This is essential as it evens out the pet's wonderful natural balance.
As a medium breed dog the life span of the picardy is between twelve and thirteen years. It is not a breed with complex inherited diseases. By providing basic care, you can have a life expectancy within expectations. with a high quality and harmony. The most important thing is to check your eyesight periodically because shepherds in general suffer from eye problems.
La hip dysplasia It occurs in medium and large dogs, so it is important to be attentive to changes in posture and gait in the pet. So that health is always well balanced it is important to keep them away from parasites such as mites, fleas and ticks, applying the appropriate dewormers for the breed.
Maintaining the hygiene of the ears and teeth prevents the appearance of fungi and infections or losing teeth prematurely. Specific products for the use of dogs should always be used. Never supply food for humans or for other species of pets such as cats or even dogs of other sizes.