Longevity
Life expectancy
Its usual lifespan is between 12 and 15 years. Regular physical activity but adapted to its age, maintaining a healthy weight, preventive care and a quality diet help preserve its vitality over the years.
Constitution
Is this a robust breed?
Rustic and hardy, this French shepherd tolerates exertion well and has a solid constitution. Its double coat protects it effectively from bad weather, but its robustness does not exempt it from vaccinations, antiparasitic treatments, dental check-ups and a prompt consultation in the event of any unusual change.
Things to watch for
What to look out for
The breed does not show a marked general fragility, but responsible selection and regular monitoring help to limit hereditary disorders or those related to activity. The veterinarian will adapt the examinations to the dog's age, family history, and lifestyle.
Hip dysplasia: An abnormality of the joint can promote pain and osteoarthritis; screening breeding dogs and controlled growth reduce the risks.
Hereditary eye conditions: Regular ophthalmological examinations and screening breeding dogs make it possible to identify certain abnormalities early.
Activity-related injuries: Its energy can expose it to sprains or trauma; warm-up, gradual increases in effort, and recovery are important.
Climate
Tolerance to cold and heat
Its harsh coat combined with a dense undercoat gives it good resistance to cold and bad weather. It tolerates heat moderately: in summer, exercise must be moved to cooler hours, with permanent access to shade and water. It must never be left in a closed vehicle.
Weight
Prone to weight gain
Very active, the Berger de Picardie does not easily gain weight when it gets enough exercise. Its ration must nevertheless be adjusted to its age, its activity, its sterilization and its body condition. The ribs must remain palpable without being visible, and any lasting variation in weight deserves veterinary advice.
Everyday care
Good habits to keep your pet healthy
- Keep vaccinations and antiparasitic treatments up to date.
- Have the hips and eyes of breeding dogs checked.
- Inspect paw pads, ears and coat after outings in nature.
- Schedule an annual veterinary check-up, then more frequent for seniors.
Vaccination
Picardy Shepherd vaccinations: schedule
Which vaccines does a Picardy Shepherd need? Like all dogs, Picardy Shepherds should receive their core vaccines from 8 weeks of age: CHPPi (core vaccine) and Leptospirosis. Puppies receive their initial Picardy Shepherd vaccinations in several shots spaced 4 weeks apart, followed by a first booster at 1 year. Depending on their lifestyle (hunting, hiking, boarding, travel, region), your veterinarian may add vaccines against Rabies, Kennel cough, Piroplasmosis, Lyme disease and Leishmaniasis.
| Vaccine | Primary vaccination | First booster | Then | For whom? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CHPPi (core vaccine)Core Distemper, Rubarth hepatitis, parvovirosis and parainfluenza | 8 weeks · 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | All animals |
LeptospirosisCore Leptospirosis (bacterium transmitted by rodent urine and stagnant water) | 8 weeks · 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | All animals |
RabiesDepending on lifestyle Rabies | 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | Mandatory for travel abroad, categorized dogs, most boarding kennels and shows |
Kennel coughDepending on lifestyle Bordetella bronchiseptica and parainfluenza | 8 weeks | 1 year | every year | Dogs attending boarding kennels, daycares, dog clubs and shows |
PiroplasmosisDepending on lifestyle Tick-borne babesiosis | 5 months · 6 months | 1 year | every year | Hunting dogs, dogs living in rural or wooded areas, dogs highly exposed to ticks |
Lyme diseaseDepending on lifestyle Tick-borne borreliosis | 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | Hiking dogs, hunting dogs, forest areas of the East and the Center |
LeishmaniasisDepending on lifestyle Leishmaniasis transmitted by sandflies | 6 months | 1 year and 6 months | every year | Dogs living or staying in the South of France, Corsica and the Mediterranean basin |
Adult Picardy Shepherd booster shots are given annually for leptospirosis and rabies. For distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus, a booster every three years is often enough after the first booster. Your veterinarian will tailor the schedule to your dog's actual risk.
Which boosters does your Picardy Shepherd need?
Enter your companion's age to see which vaccines are due now and when the next boosters are needed.
Choosing well
Adopting a healthy Picardy Shepherd
Before breeding, it is advisable to have the hips assessed and to request an ophthalmological examination of the breeding dogs. An annual veterinary check-up, then more frequent in the senior, makes it possible to monitor weight, locomotion, eyes, dentition and vaccination status.
This information is for guidance only and doesn't replace advice from a veterinarian. If you have any concerns about your pet's health, consult a professional.
