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> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://www.pedibase.com/llms.txt)
+4
Dogs
# The Picardy Shepherd: temperament, price, health, and breeders
France
A rustic, lively and affectionate French shepherd, as elegant at work as with the family.
Size LargeLife expectancy 12–15 yearsBudget ≈ €113/monthPuppy €900 – €1,200
[Find a breeder 16](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-picardy-shepherd) [ Compare with other breeds](https://www.pedibase.com/en/compare-dog-breeds?races=picardy-shepherd)
The right choice?
## Is this breed right for you?
[Find your ideal breed with our online quiz!](https://www.pedibase.com/en/choose-your-dog)
Families and children Very good
Daily exercise needs Very high
Apartment living Fair
First-time owners Very good
Other pets Good
Tolerance of being alone Fair
Guarding instinct Very good
Strengths and weaknesses
- Affectionate companion: He forms a close relationship with his family and particularly enjoys shared activities.
- Great versatility: His abilities are expressed in herding, hiking, agility and tracking.
- Balanced guardian: Vigilant and courageous, he protects without naturally showing aggression.
- Simple maintenance: His rustic coat mainly requires weekly brushing outside shedding periods.
- High activity needs: He tolerates inactivity poorly and demands long outings as well as daily mental stimulation.
- Apartment living is difficult: A limited space suits him only if his physical needs are fully compensated.
- Reserved with strangers: Early socialization is necessary to channel his natural wariness.
- Seasonal shedding: Hair loss becomes significant in spring and in autumn.
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- Active families: He loves children and thrives with available loved ones to play and go out with him.
- Outdoor enthusiasts: His stamina makes him an excellent partner for hiking and sporting activities.
- Consistent and present owners: His sensitivity and intelligence respond well to a firm, gentle, and consistent education.
- House with a fenced garden: This environment makes his daily activity easier without replacing walks.
Not recommended for
- Very sedentary people: Its need for daily exercise is incompatible with an inactive lifestyle.
- Households often away: It copes poorly with long periods of inactivity and a lack of interaction with its loved ones.
- Looking for a very obedient dog: Intelligent but thoughtful, it cooperates better when it understands the purpose of the request.
- Apartment without sustained outings: The lack of space and activity may cause boredom and frustration.
Meet the breed
## What does it look like?
1,75 mHuman
62 cmPicardy Shepherd
- Height at the withers
- 58–65 cm
- Weight
- 20–30 kg
- Coat
- Medium-long, harsh, fine and dense undercoat
- FCI group
- 1
- Origin
- France
- Grooming
- Easy to care for
## Photos and videos
See the Picardy Shepherd in photos and videos: coat colors, size, and distinctive expressions.
Origins
## Where does it come from?
Originally from Picardy, the Berger de Picardie is said to descend from ancient sheepdogs that arrived in northern France with the Celts as early as the 4th century BC. Dogs very close to its type appear as early as the Middle Ages. Presented for the first time at a show in 1863, this ancient breed almost disappeared before being revived after the Second World War. Robert Montenot founded the club of the Friends of the Berger Picard in the mid-1950s. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale definitively recognized it in June 1955 under number 176, then the Société Centrale Canine approved a new standard in 1964.
Appearance
## What does it look like?
The Picardy Shepherd is a medium to large dog, sturdy without heaviness, with lean musculature and a naturally elegant gait. Its harsh, medium-length coat measures about 5 to 6 cm, with a fine, dense undercoat. Its finely shaped head has eyebrows that do not hide the eyes, as well as characteristic moustaches and a small beard. Its medium ears are set high and always erect. Its oval eyes range from hazel to dark brown. The back is straight, the loin solid and the tail reaches the hock. The coat can be fawn, brindled fawn or charcoal fawn, sometimes marked with dark gray, without a white spot.
Temperament
## Temperament and personality
Wise and bold, the Berger de Picardie is intelligent, calm, affectionate and very attached to those close to him. Vigilant, courageous and naturally reserved towards strangers, he proves to be a good guard dog without being aggressive or fearful. Playful and close with children, he retains a working dog temperament, great liveliness and the desire to cooperate with his owner.
Affectionate Playful Intelligent Sociable Protective
Living together
## Living with children and other pets
Active and athletic, he needs sustained daily outings and particularly enjoys long walks, hikes and outdoor activities. He can excel in herding, agility, tracking or dog sports. A house with a fenced garden suits him better than an apartment, even if he can live in an urban environment when his needs for exercise, stimulation and presence are truly met. Prolonged inactivity harms his balance.
Training
## Training and socialization
His training must combine firmness, gentleness and consistency. Intelligent and sensitive, he learns willingly when he understands the usefulness of the exercise, but does not obey mechanically. Short, varied and positive sessions help channel his enthusiasm and develop his cooperation. Early socialization with people, dogs, other animals and different environments promotes his balance as an adult.
Budget
## Price and budget for the Picardy Shepherd
The purchase price varies depending on the reputation of the breeding kennel, the quality of the selection, the parents’ health tests, the pedigree, the puppy’s intended purpose and the guarantees provided. The relative rarity of the breed can also lengthen waiting times and limit the choice of litters.
[See cost breakdown](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/picardy-shepherd/price)
Health
## Health at a glance
The Berger de Picardie is known to be particularly robust and generally enjoys good health when it receives a balanced diet, enough activity and regular veterinary follow-up. As with any active medium-sized dog, monitoring of the joints, eyes and body condition remains recommended.
[Prevention and things to watch for](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/picardy-shepherd/health)
Nutrition
## Feeding your pet well
Its diet must be complete, balanced and sufficiently rich to support its activity level, without excess calories. High-quality kibble or a home-prepared ration formulated with a veterinary nutritionist may be suitable. The ration must always be adapted to weight, age, physical expenditure and health status.
[Our feeding advice](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/picardy-shepherd/food)
Did you know?
## Fun facts and popularity
Also called the Picard Shepherd, it is recognizable by its scruffy appearance, its erect ears and its very expressive facial expressions. Despite its long history, it remains a little widespread French breed. Versatile, it has retained its abilities as a herd guardian while distinguishing itself in several sporting disciplines such as agility and tracking.
FAQ
## Frequently asked questions about the Picardy Shepherd
Answers to common questions from future owners before their new companion arrives.
### Is the Picardy Shepherd suitable for a family with children?
Yes, it is generally affectionate, playful and close with children. As with any dog, interactions must be supervised, children must respect its rest, and the dog must be socialized and trained consistently.
### Can it live in an apartment?
Apartment living is possible but not well suited to its natural needs. It requires several outings daily, long physical activities, regular mental stimulation and sufficient presence to avoid boredom.
### Does the Picardy Shepherd shed a lot?
It has two seasonal shedding periods, in spring and autumn, during which hair loss is more pronounced. Outside these periods, weekly brushing is generally enough to maintain its rustic coat.
### Is it easy to train?
Its intelligence and attachment make training easier, but it needs to understand what is expected of it. A positive, firm, gentle and varied method suits it better than repetition or constraint.
## Find a Picardy Shepherd breeder
The areas where Pedibase lists the most Picardy Shepherd breeders, along with their litters and typical prices.
[Picardy Shepherd breeders in Hauts-de-France6](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-picardy-shepherd/hauts-de-france) [Picardy Shepherd breeders in Normandy3](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-picardy-shepherd/normandy)
### Picardy Shepherd breeders by country
[16 breeders of Picardy Shepherd in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-picardy-shepherd) [15 breeders of Picardy Shepherd in Germany](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-picardy-shepherd/germany) [2 breeders of Picardy Shepherd in Switzerland](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-picardy-shepherd/switzerland) [1 breeder of Picardy Shepherd in Austria](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-picardy-shepherd/austria)
[All breeders of Picardy Shepherd in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-picardy-shepherd)
## Ready to welcome a Picardy Shepherd?
Find a registered, verified breeder near you and meet your future companion with confidence.
[View breeders](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-picardy-shepherd)
## Discover other breeds
[Briard
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/briard)
[Pyrenean Shepherd
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/pyrenean-shepherd)
[Berger de Savoie
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/berger-de-savoie)
[Beauceron
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/beauceron)
[Miniature American Shepherd
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/miniature-american-shepherd)
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