Back in 2014, we asked Berger Picard owners on our Facebook page what the biggest challenge was in owning their terrific breed. Here’s what we got:
- “This is a breed that is aloof with strangers. They require a lot of socialization to become confident and friendly adults. Even with plenty of socialization, they prefer to do the greeting and like to be able to approach people themselves. Because they are so scruffy and muppet-like, people often assume they are cuddly dogs and want to grab them and hug them. They enjoy being hugged by a stranger as much as you would. But they do have an incredible memory for people. Usually after they have met someone even once, you are a friend for life. The greetings that they reserve for their family are a whole other story;”
- “The attention they attract when out….it’s a great opportunity to introduce and educate;”
- “They like to do things on their own terms which normally isn’t the same terms as you have for them. A great example is stand[ing] for examination. They might walk right up to a judge but then when the judge walks up to them, they’re like, “Oh hell no!” They also can be very manipulative if they don’t want to do something. It’s understanding the balance of firmness and knowing when to call their bluff;”
- “They can be stubborn. You have to make them think that they want to do things. Like it was their idea and not yours;”
- ” Explaining the breed to strangers;”
- “Uncontrolled hugging when they’re young;”
- “Some people will say the Berger Picard is stubborn, others will say that it is not stubbornness, but the failure of the handler to figure out the proper techniques to motivate the dog. I will just anthropomorphize and say my particular Picard doesn’t do anything he doesn’t want to do, and he puts a smirk on his face because he knows what I want but thinks it is stupid;”
- “Socialization needs of the breed cannot be overemphasized. It is an ongoing process that really needs to continue throughout the life of the dog;”
- “I have two picards (male and female) who are very different personalities. Young picards are a breed all their own! I have also found that when a Picard is done working they are DONE. Both of mine just lay down and look at me when they’ve had enough (puppy class, agility training, whatever). Stubborn? Not really. Redundancy just isn’t their thing;”
- “Cuteness on an aloof dog keeps the owners on their toes. I am most aware when I am out with mine. My shepherd and Scotty are extremely friendly so I have a different mind set when I am out with Jean Luc. But on the other hand, he has been shown since he was three months old and I can walk him through a really busy and crowded show and I have never had to correct him. But I love peoples’ guesses as to what they are. All time favorite comment was the woman that said that he was the most handsome mutt that she had ever seen. Second is a fellow told me that he didn’t know Scotties came in large;”
Interesting responses to a breed with a history that included gunpowder-making owners, bobbin-makers, and lace traffickers who used the Picard to smuggle lace to avoid fees. They often wrapped up to 25 pounds of lace wound around the dog’s body and concealed it with a false skin.
Image of a Berger Picard created from 10 to 20 individually hand cut pieces of paper, layered and mounted on color stock so that no two are the same, by Patricia Peters – CanineCutUps at https://www.etsy.com/shop/CanineCutUps
I have never loved a dog as much as Brody. He is gentle, brilliant, STUBBORN and the most lovable animal we’ve ever had. He is a best friend and great company, not to mention absolutely hilarious! We love introducing him to new people and talking about this incredible breed of dog.
Robin, he looks like a hoot! As owners of a few stubborn dogs, ourselves, we’ve come to view the quality as intelligence on stilts. Just saying.
Bruno is an amazing dog. Gentle and kind with other dogs. When he likes someone, he really LIKES them. But he is the one that decides if he likes a new person. He is more head strong than any other breed I have owned. It is true, the trick to training a new command must be done by making him think he invented that activity! I can not wait to start herding training with him!
Bruno is lovely, Susan! Keep us apprised of your progress in his herding training?
Peanut had been around dog shows and dog sports since basically the day he was born so it has been hard to say about the socialization, but I do know that I love these breed. I have been around them of all ages and they are all different personalities. From aloof to clowns. I think it is all about which dog you get. I think that goes with the level of stubbornness you get as well. So far, probably shooting myself in the foot here, Peanut hasn’t been too stubborn. He is only 8 months old and has been up for anything. I chock most of it up to throwing him in the deep in and he always up for a challenge. He has two legs of barn hunt, has done herding lessons, comformation lessons and shows and pretty much anything we throw at him. I think it is all because of good breeding and positive reinforcement. Love me some Sketchbook Dogs!!
Emily, Peanut is ADORABLE! Congrats on having those two Barn Hunt legs, and kudos to you for keeping him busy!
Tonight, after posting my dog on facebook,( our grooming experience), someone asked if she was a Picard. She was found in a field as a pup and no vet had ever confirmed her breed. Vets have pegged her as a cross between a Keeshond and something else.
So here is a pic before a grooming.
What are your thoughts please?
Alison
Alison, we’d like to present this picture to a small group of fanciers who know their stuff. We ask for your patience as we wait for their opinions.
Did you ever get any opinions on Alison’s dog?
Not so far, NinaBoo
Could be, she is adorable.
I ordered a DNA kit from Viaguard on Amazon for $40, cause I thought my newley adopted boy was Picard and red fox. Took 16 business days. I was right on the Berger Picard, 75% and the other majority breed is Pembroke Welsh Corgi and a small amount of Jack Russel and Rat Terrier. You should get one and put your mind to ease. I regret not doing one on my Schnauzer mix who passed 6 months ago on the 29th.
Heres my new adopted Berger Picard Corgi mix
she looks like a Briard mix. based on the coat colors it could range from Keeshond to Belgian Trevern. What’s her temperment like? That would give me a better idea. 🙂