Picardy Sheepdog
Other names: Picardy Shepherd

The Picardy Shepherd is medium sized sheepdog with a long, shaggy coat. This ancient breed can be traced back to 800 AD, while the "modern" version was developed in France during the middle of the 19th Century. It's a close relative of the German shepherd, the Bearded Collie, and the Belgian shepherd, and shares many of the same personality traits. Like its cousins, the Picardy Shepherd is a highly intelligent animal, energetic, and very loyal. Although their numbers are growing, Picardy Shepherds are still rare. There are less than 4,000 registered in their home country.
Key facts about the Picardy Sheepdog
Access the rest of the content after the ad

Loading advertisement ...
Origins and history
Although it's hard to pinpoint its exact origins, references to long-haired herding dogs go back thousands and thousands of years. However, many experts suggest that cattle dogs originated in and around France during the 8th and 9th centuries. The modern-day Picardy Shepherd appeared in the mid 19th century and made its first appearance at a Parisian dog show in 1863. It was officially recognised as an independent breed during the 1920s. It was thought to be on the brink of extinction following World War II. Luckily, its numbers have been growing steadily since the late 1940s, although it is still a rare breed. It's estimated that there are less than 50 registered in the UK.
FCI breed nomenclature
FCI Group
Group 1 - Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs)
Section
Section 1 : Sheepdogs
Physical characteristics of the Picardy Sheepdog
Adult size
Female : Between 22 and 24 in
Male : Between 24 and 26 in
Weight
Female : Between 44 and 66 lb
Male : Between 44 and 66 lb
Coat colour
Fawn. Brindle. Light or dark grey.
Type of coat
Short undercoat. Long wiry topcoat.
Double coated. Long, Can look a bit “scruffy.”
Eye colour
Dark brown or a light hazel colour.
Description
The first thing you'll notice about these dogs is their long, shaggy coats. Although it can look "scruffy," it also gives them a friendly and endearing appearance. They have large, high set ears that permanently stand to attention, and a relatively long muzzle for a medium-sized dog. They don't look very athletic, but beneath all that fur there is a lean and muscular dog. It's lively expression reflects its overall personality.
Good to know
Picardy Shepherds are very rare. Any potential owners will have to contact a specialist breeder. You may have to wait a few months before finding a puppy. And they can be very expensive, especially from top breeders.
They do have a “naughty” side. Even a well-trained Picardy Shepherd will retain some of it's mischievous nature. This can be entertaining and will certainly keep you on your toes. However, it can lead to bad behaviour if you let them get away with too much.
It's important to note that the Picardy Shepherd is a working dog that hasn't been as domesticated as much as some other herding breeds. Keeping them as just a "pet" is not ideal. Their natural work ethic needs to be satisfied. This means you'll need to keep them entertained with interesting games and activities. Alternatively, you can enter them into obedience and herding competitions.
Temperament
Behaviour of the Picardy Sheepdog
Access the rest of the content after the ad

Loading advertisement ...

Is the Picardy Sheepdog right for you?
take the testLifestyle
Compatibility
Price
Because they’re quite a rare breed, Picardy Shepherds are more expensive than most dogs. A purebred puppy is hard to come by, especially in the UK. We do not have enough data to set an average price for the Picardy Sheepdog.
Grooming
Despite their thick, long coats, these dogs don’t require much grooming. A weekly or bi-weekly brush is all they really need. And these self-cleaning dogs rarely need a bath. Picardy Shepherds have an extremely low oil content in their fur, meaning it rarely gets dirty or smelly.
Shedding
The Picardy Shepherd is not prone to hair loss, although they do shed quite heavily during spring and autumn.
Nutrition of the Picardy Sheepdog
These high-energy dogs need 3-4 cups of high quality dog food split into two meals. As they become older and less active, it’s important to decrease the portion sizes. If not, they’ll soon start putting on some extra weight. They also need access to fresh drinking water.
Health of the Picardy Sheepdog
Life expectancy
The average lifespan for a Picardy Shepherd is between 12-14 years.
Strong / robust
The Picardy Shepherd might look soft and fluffy, but these dogs are tough, sturdy and very robust. They're also very mentally strong and thrive of new and interesting challenges.
Withstand heat
Its long shaggy topcoat and insulating underlay means that the Picardy Shepherd doesn’t do very well in hot climates.
Withstand cold
These herding dogs deal with the cold extremely well. In fact, it’s what they were designed for. They have thick, double layered coats that keep in the warm, while the outer coat protects them from wind and rain.
Tendency to put on weight
They’re not prone to obesity or weight gain. But it’s still important to restrict their food intake. Obesity can lead to a host of health problem.
Common illnesses
- Elbow Dysplasia
- Hip Dysplasia
- Cataracts
- Arthritis
- Bloat
- Glaucoma
- Cataracts
- Progressive retinal atrophy