Berger Picard vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison

Berger Picard vs Belgian Griffon - Breed ComparisonBerger Picard is originated from France but Belgian Griffon is originated from Belgium. Berger Picard may grow 45 cm / 18 inches higher than Belgian Griffon. Berger Picard may weigh 26 kg / 58 pounds more than Belgian Griffon. Both Berger Picard and Belgian Griffon has almost same life span. Berger Picard may have more litter size than Belgian Griffon. Berger Picard requires Low maintenance. But Belgian Griffon requires Moderate maintenance

History

berger picard - historyIn the Picardie region of northeastern France saw visiting Celts/Franks enter the region along with a shepherd dog. They arrived in the Pas de Calais in 800 AD and might be the oldest shepherd dog of France. Named for Pacardy, the Berger Picard is certainly one of the most ancient of today’s French breeds. Some believe this shepherd comes from the lines of Dutch and Belgian Shepherds, while other insist he is related to the Beauceron and Briard.

Never popular as a show dog due to its shaggy appearance, even though it was entered in Frances first dog show in 1863, the breed was almost extinct following the second World War. Currently there are a little under 5000 left in the world with most of them, 3000, in France. The Picard is a good herding dog and loved by the shepherds of the Picardy region. The United Kennel Club recognized the rare breed in 1994, but the AKC did not recognize it until 2016.

The Berger Picard is a loyal, people-oriented dog, good with children and families if socialized as a puppy. In 2006 the Berger Picard Club of America was formed as more and more dogs are being imported from France. There was a genetic study done this year that proposes that 7 breeds of shepherd all descended from a European herding dog that was all over Europe before 1859. This dog was the father of the Berger Picard, the German Shepherd, The Bergamaso Shepherd, the Lupino de Gigante, the Cane Paratore, the Cane da pasore della Lessinia e del Lagorai , and the Pastore d”oropa. After recognition, the Picard was shown for the first time at Krufts in March 2016. They followed that with a best of breed win by Gabby, Guess V.D. Benedicks

belgian griffon - historyThe Belgian Griffon isn’t your most attractive dog, but maybe its his quirky, gremlin looks that makes him such an adored pet for many. There are different varieties of Griffon, and the Belgian- and Brussels Griffon are one and the same. All small Belgian dogs have the same breed standards, with the Belgian having a rough coat The dog hails from Belguim and its ancestors were no doubt a mix of the Belgian street dog, the Stable Griffon and the Affenpinscher.

Later on in the 1800s, this combination was then crossed with the Pug, giving the dog the brachycephalic or flat faced look.

Unfortunately no written records were kept about the precise origin of this breed, but there is also the idea that the King Charles- and English Toy Spaniel were also involved in its development. These small dogs were bred to catch rats in the barns of European estates.

Basic Information

Group:
Herding dogs
Toy dog
Origin:
France
Belgium
Height Male:
55 - 65 cm
21 - 26 inches
18 - 20 cm
7 - 8 inches
Height Female:
53 - 64 cm
20 - 26 inches
16 - 20 cm
6 - 8 inches
Weight Male:
23 - 32 kg
50 - 71 pounds
2 - 6 kg
4 - 14 pounds
Weight Female:
21 - 31 kg
46 - 69 pounds
2 - 6 kg
4 - 14 pounds
Life Span:
13 - 14 Years
10 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 10
1 - 3
Size:
Medium dog
Small dog
Other Names:
Picardy Shepherd • Berger de Picard • Bacardi Shepherd • Berger de Picardie Picard
Brussels Griffon, Griffon Belge, Griffon Bruxellois Petit Brabançon
Colors Available:
grey, grey-black, blue-grey, red-grey, and light or darker fawn brindle
red, tan or black
Coat:
harsh, waterproof, tough, tusseled
2 types - soft or wiry
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal, Seasonal
Temperament:
Alert, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Stubborn
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Responsive, Social, Sweet
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
Yes
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
Yes

Description

berger picard puppy - descriptionThe Berger Picard is a muscular, medium sized, faithful companion. He is especially great with an owner who is athletic and energetic. They have a rugged constitution, slightly longer back, and full tail. The coat is thick, strong and harsh. They are never overweight or bulky. This gives the Berger Picard the look of a mixed breed dog. They have erect ears and thick eyebrows. This lanky looking dog is alert and lively. Movement is efficient, free and tireless. They have strong bones with a sturdy build and a take charge personality.

They have a strong rectangular head that is not massive. His eyes are oval and medium sized, never round or protruding. Eye color should be dark and never yellow. Cheek muscles are strong, and muzzle is smooth, ending abruptly at the nose. Scissors bite, deep chest and round feet. There should not be any dewclaws on the back legs.

Small but Full of Attitude

belgian griffon puppy - descriptionThere are different variations of this dog to give it its distinctive look and size. This quaint looking little Griffon canine comes with two different coat types - soft or wiry. With the Belgian Griffon, his wiry coat of red, tan or black will need to be brushed at least twice a week. Shedding with this dog is seasonal.

He has a compact, sturdy little body, and he trots around with attitude. With his sharp pointed ears and whiskers, he has been given the nickname ‘bearded dog’. His dark black eyes are alert. He is self-confident, intelligent and curious breed, a great family pet and good with children if he has grown up with them in the home. He is good with other pets. The fact that this is a small breed and that he doesn’t have excessive energy levels, means he is adaptable to city- and country living.

Characteristics

berger picard dog - characteristicsThe Berger Picard needs to be a part of a pack with an owner who is clearly the pack leader. This is an intelligent, friendly, and sensitive to harsh voice scolding. They are not easy to train, and you need to be calm and patient when working with him. The Picard has a tendency to be stubborn with an owner who appears to be weak. If raised with or socialized to children and other animals, they will live fine with them. They are best in a rural environment rather than a close neighborhood. They are very quiet dogs, but they need a job and they excel at work.

belgian griffon dog - characteristicsThe Belgian Griffon is an affectionate pet and often establishes a strong bond with one member of the family. You’ll have your Griffon with you for about 15 years so make sure he is trained and a pleasure to have around.They are difficult to train, being somewhat stubborn so they are going to require patience. They’re sensitive too, and they won’t respond well to aggressive treatment.

They’re much more indoor dogs than outdoor dogs because they’re also vulnerable to heat stroke. They just want to come indoors and be with their human family, and when you do that for them, they’ll become a wonderful friend and companion to you.

Health Problems

berger picard puppies - health problemsThe Berger Picard is not a heavy or extra-large dog, but they still can have hip dysplasia, though it is not nearly as prevalent as it is in larger breeds. Eye infections can present in puppies more than adults and hereditary eye issues such as PRA and RD are all too common. (Progressive Retina Atrophy and Retinal Dysplasia)

belgian griffon puppies - health problemsWhen you get your Griffon from a reputable breeder, you always have a better chance that he’ll be healthy. As it is, the Belgian Griffon has few hereditary health issues. However his dark eyes will have some genetic problems to contend with and he could suffer with progressive retinal atrophy. This is an illness which can lead to blindness

Other health issues to look out for are -

Syringomyelia – this is a neurological condition – an abnormality of the spinal cord – a disease which occurs more frequently in small breeds. It can cause your pet to endure a lot of pain.

Birthing Issues - these little dogs often have problems with giving birth, and a vet often has to intervene and perform a cesarean.

Caring The Pet

Feeding

berger picard dogs - caringThis is an athletic and active breed with a lot of energy. They need a high-quality food that is full of nutrients and not empty calories. Don’t overfeed him as some will have a tendency to become obese. They should be fed twice a day in equal proportions. Treats are good when training but don’t overdo it.

Health issues

Since the Berger Picard has not been overbred, there are not a lot of genetic disorders in the breed. They do have some

  1. Hip Dysplasia
  2. Eye Infections
  3. Progressive Retinal Atrophy
  4. Retinal Dysplasia

You should have your puppy certified by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) and then the Canine Eye Research Foundation that they do not have these issues and if they do, resolve them. The results of these tests should be published in the OFA registry. This breed is also a participant in the Canine Health Information Center. This means their eyes and hips have been checked and the results published. Their blood is being stored for DNA purposes and one of the following have been evaluated: heart, elbows or thyroid. There is an OFA Berger Picard health survey whose results are available to anyone who asks. This does not track individual dogs but the breed as a whole.

Exercise and games

This is a breed that needs a lot of exercise. She likes to swim, take long walks, take runs with you on your bike. They love to jog with you as well. Agility, obedience and any other type of competition will appeal to your Picard. However, don’t expect them to excel at competition because they are not consistent performers. But if they don’t get enough exercise and fun they will become very destructive. Barn hunt and non-competitive herding activities are perfect for the Picard.

Food and Water

belgian griffon dogs - caringThe Belgian Griffon will do well if you invest in high quality foods. You can make your own, but if you’re concerned about his health, it would be best to check what ingredients should go into his home-prepared meals to ensure he gets all the vitamins and minerals he needs.

If you want to go with commercially manufactured dog foods, check with your vet about wet- and dry foods. Your vet will help with choosing a food appropriate to his size and age. Always ensure that there is clean, fresh water available to your pet.

Exercise

Even though he is a small breed, he is fairly active and he will need his fair share of exercise like ball games and walks. Training and socialization are a must for him. You’ll notice that training isn’t particularly easy with this breed, and first time dog owners might not have the patience with him.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Pomeranian vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  2. Maltese vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  3. Pug vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  4. Maltipoo vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  5. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  6. Cockapoo vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  7. Cavapoo vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  8. Cavachon vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  9. Papillon vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  10. Japanese Chin vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  11. Miniature English Bulldog vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  12. Bolognese vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  13. Italian Greyhound vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  14. Jug vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  15. Miniature Pinscher vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  16. Dorgi vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  17. Belgian Griffon vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  18. Belgian Griffon vs Bantam Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  19. Carlin Pinscher vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  20. Dorkie vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  21. German Spitz (Klein) vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  22. Doxiepoo vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  23. Bospin vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  24. Damchi vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  25. Lowchen vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  26. Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Berger Picard - Breed Comparison
  27. Collie vs Berger Picard - Breed Comparison
  28. Dutch Shepherd vs Berger Picard - Breed Comparison
  29. Blue Healer vs Berger Picard - Breed Comparison
  30. English Shepherd vs Berger Picard - Breed Comparison
  31. Catahoula Cur vs Berger Picard - Breed Comparison
  32. Catalan Sheepdog vs Berger Picard - Breed Comparison
  33. Pyrenean Shepherd vs Berger Picard - Breed Comparison
  34. Bergamasco vs Berger Picard - Breed Comparison
  35. Berger Picard vs Australian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  36. Berger Picard vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  37. Berger Picard vs Australian Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison
  38. Berger Picard vs Bearded Collie - Breed Comparison
  39. Berger Picard vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  40. Berger Picard vs Australian Collie - Breed Comparison
  41. Berger Picard vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  42. Berger Picard vs Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison
  43. Berger Picard vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  44. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Berger Picard - Breed Comparison
  45. Queensland Heeler vs Berger Picard - Breed Comparison
  46. German Coolie vs Berger Picard - Breed Comparison
  47. Bohemian Shepherd vs Berger Picard - Breed Comparison
  48. Croatian Sheepdog vs Berger Picard - Breed Comparison
  49. Red Heeler vs Berger Picard - Breed Comparison
  50. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) vs Berger Picard - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds