The History of the
BERGER PICARD
By Betsy Richards
T
hought to be the oldest
of the French Sheep-
dogs, the Berger Picard
was brought to northern
France and the Pas de
Calais during the second
Celtic invasion of Gaul around 400 BC.
Sheepdogs resembling Berger Picards
have been depicted for centuries in tapes-
tries, engravings and woodcuts.
One renowned painting in the Bergerie
Nationale at Rambouillet (the National
Sheepfold of France) dating to the start
of the 19th century, shows the 1st Master
Shepherd, Clément Delorme, in the com-
pany of a medium-sized, strong-boned dog
with mid-length crisp coat and naturally
upright ears, resembling in many ways a
Berger Picard of today.
Of course it is not certain that the
Berger Picard originates strictly from the
Picardie region of France; it is possible,
even probable, that they were widespread
as harsh-coated sheep and cattle dogs
were typical throughout northwestern
Europe. Some experts insist that this breed
is related to the more well-known Briard
and Beauceron, while others believe it
shares a common origin with Dutch and
Belgian Shepherds.
Around the mid-19th century, dogs
used for herding were initially classified
as one of two types: long hair (Berger de
Brie, or Briard) and short hair (Berger de
Beauce, or Beaceron). The mid-length
coat was ignored for some time, but final-
ly recognized as the Berger de Picardie
(
or Picard).
Although the Berger Picard made an
appearance at the first French dog show
in 1863 and were judged in the same class
as the Beaucerons and Briards, the breed's
rustic appearance did not result in popu-
larity as a show dog. In 1898 there was
proof that the Picard was a recognizable
breed but it was tricolor, piebald with red
brown markings.
Picards would continue to be shown
and participate in herding trials but strug-
gled for recognition. Descriptions of the
Picard and a standard were written but it is
“
Some experts insist
that this breed is
related to the more
well-known Briard and
Beauceron, while
others believe it
sHAREs A
Common oRIGIn
wITH DuTCH
AnD BElGIAn
sHEPHERDs.”
“...
THE BERGER
PICARD mADE
An APPEARAnCE
AT THE fIRsT
fREnCH DoG
sHow In 1863
and were judged in
the same class as
the Beaucerons and
Briards,
THE BREED’s
RusTIC
APPEARAnCE
did not result in
popularity as a
show dog.”
S
how
S
ight
M
agazine
,
D
ecember
2012 • 93