Berger Picard Guide: Temperament, Size, Grooming and Adoption
Berger Picard history and overview
The Berger Picard is named for the Picardie region in northeast France and is one of the oldest French sheep-herding breeds, according to the United Kennel Club. The AKC places the breed in the Herding Group and lists France as its origin. Both World Wars nearly caused the breed to disappear, and it remains rare even in France. The AKC recognized the breed in 2015, while the United Kennel Club had recognized it on January 1, 1994.
Berger Picard size and weight
The AKC puts the Berger Picard in its large size category. The AKC publishes a weight of 50-70 pounds for the breed. The United Kennel Club describes the breed as medium-sized, well-muscled and slightly longer than tall.
Berger Picard temperament and personality
The AKC uses the words loyal, good-natured and observant for the Berger Picard's temperament. The United Kennel Club describes the breed as lively, energetic and affectionate, with protective instincts, and says many are very good with children. Because French shepherds wanted a herding dog with a strong protective instinct, protectiveness is part of the breed's working heritage. The AKC rates the breed 4 of 5 for protective tendency and 3 of 5 for stranger openness.
Activity needs
The AKC gives the Berger Picard a general rating of 4 of 5 for energy and 4 of 5 for mental enrichment.
Berger Picard grooming and shedding: do Berger Picards shed?
The AKC describes the coat as medium and wiry, and the United Kennel Club calls it a shaggy, rough double coat with a harsh outer layer and a soft, dense undercoat. On Berger Picard shedding, the AKC gives a general rating of 3 of 5, so the breed does shed to a moderate degree. The AKC rates grooming frequency at 1 of 5.
Berger Picard training
The AKC gives the Berger Picard a general trainability rating of 4 of 5. The United Kennel Club says the breed's intelligence suits it to work beyond herding.
Berger Picard lifespan
For Berger Picard life expectancy, the AKC gives a general figure of 12-13 years.
Adopting a Berger Picard
Anyone looking to adopt a Berger Picard should know the breed is still rare, even in France. The AKC's moderate ratings for adaptability and compatibility with children and other dogs suggest meeting an individual dog before deciding.
AKC breed facts
These are the American Kennel Club’s general facts and 1 to 5 ratings for the Berger Picard as a breed. General tendencies don’t establish any one dog’s ancestry, personality or health; ask the listing organization about the dog you are considering.
- AKC group
- Herding Group
- AKC recognition year
- 2015
- Height (AKC published)
- 23.5-25.5 inches (male), 21.5-23.5 inches (female)
- Weight (AKC published)
- 50-70 pounds
- General life expectancy
- 12-13 years
- AKC size category
- Large
AKC general breed ratings (1 to 5)
- Energy: 4 of 5
- Mental enrichment: 4 of 5
- Trainability: 4 of 5
- Grooming frequency: 1 of 5
- Shedding: 3 of 5
- Vocalization: 2 of 5
- Drooling: 1 of 5
- Adaptability: 3 of 5
- Playfulness: 3 of 5
- Watchful or protective tendency: 4 of 5
- Affection toward family: 3 of 5
- Openness toward strangers: 3 of 5
- AKC child compatibility rating: 3 of 5
- AKC dog compatibility rating: 3 of 5
Health screenings AKC lists for the breed
Breeding evaluations AKC names for the breed; they are not a diagnosis or a testing plan for any one dog.
- Hip Evaluation
- Ophthalmologist Evaluation
Source: American Kennel Club breed profile (opens in a new tab), retrieved November 4, 2026 (snapshot akc-2026-11-04).
Written by Lily's Second Chance with AI assistance from the sources listed under References. Facts were checked automatically against those sources on November 8, 2026.
References
- Breed Standards : Berger Picard | United Kennel Club (UKC) (opens in a new tab), United Kennel Club, checked November 8, 2026
- Berger Picard - AKC breed profile (snapshot akc-2026-11-04) (opens in a new tab), American Kennel Club, checked November 4, 2026
