German Spaniel vs Berger Picard - Breed Comparison

German Spaniel vs Berger Picard - Breed ComparisonBerger Picard is originated from France but German Spaniel is originated from Germany. Berger Picard may grow 11 cm / 5 inches higher than German Spaniel. Berger Picard may weigh 7 kg / 16 pounds more than German Spaniel. Both Berger Picard and German Spaniel has almost same life span. Berger Picard may have more litter size than German Spaniel. Berger Picard requires Low Maintenance. But German Spaniel requires Moderate Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Herding dogs
Working dog
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France
Germany
Height Male:
55 - 65 cm
21 - 26 inches
45 - 54 cm
17 - 22 inches
Height Female:
53 - 64 cm
20 - 26 inches
45 - 54 cm
17 - 22 inches
Weight Male:
23 - 32 kg
50 - 71 pounds
18 - 25 kg
39 - 56 pounds
Weight Female:
21 - 31 kg
46 - 69 pounds
18 - 25 kg
39 - 56 pounds
Life Span:
13 - 14 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 10
2 - 6
Size:
Medium
Medium
Other Names:
Picardy Shepherd • Berger de Picard • Bacardi Shepherd • Berger de Picardie Picard
Deutscher Wachtelhund, German Quail Dog
Colors Available:
grey, grey-black, blue-grey, red-grey, and light or darker fawn brindle
copper, Brown, reddish brown with white
Coat:
harsh, waterproof, tough, tusseled
Medium to long - wavy or curly
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate, Seasonal
Temperament:
Alert, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Stubborn
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
Yes

History

berger picardIn 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

german spanielLooking like a smaller version of the Red Setter, the German Spaniel, known also as the Deutscher Wachtelhund or German Quail Dog, hails from Germany.

It isn't a new dog breed and in fact it was developed around 1890 already. Used as a hunting dog, the German Spaniel isn’t well known outside of Germany, but it was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1996.

There are a number of breeds which feature in the development of the German Spaniel, and one of the more prominent dog breeds used for the modern day German Spaniel is the extinct Stoeberer. The Stoeberer was crossed with water dogs and sporting spaniels to bring about the modern German Spaniel as we know it today.

It was in 1903 that the dog was recognized as a breed, and in the 1960s and 1970s the dogs were imported into the United States.

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.

german spaniel puppy - descriptionAs a medium-sized, muscular dog which stands at roughly 45cm to 54cm in height and weighs 18 – 25kg, the German Spaniel is a sporty gun dog who has a long back in relation to his height.

The ears are long and floppy with wavy or curly hair that will need to be attended to so as to avoid matting.

He has a long, wavy or curly weather-resistant coat, being short on the head but with feathering around the legs and stomach. Color of the coat includes brown, reddish brown and white. The white markings can be found on the chest of the dog, the legs, tails and muzzle. `

Temperament:

The German Spaniel loves to work and be busy and if he can be included in his human family’s activities, then so much the better. He is a social dog and gets on well with other dogs as well as children in the home. The German Spaniel is an intelligent dog and easily trained. In fact training and socialization are important for him, making him obedient and a pleasure to have around.

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.

german spaniel dog - characteristicsThe German Spaniel makes a wonderful family pet. He is friendly and sociable, getting along well with just about all dogs and people. He loves his human family, wanting to be involved in all their activities.

He is an active dog, used to hunting and being outdoors and he will therefore require a good deal of exercise from his owners, otherwise he becomes bored and frustrated and even destructive.

He is an adaptable dog, living in the city or the countryside, but wherever he is, exercise is important. Docile and non-aggressive, he has got all the characteristics that make him a splendid family pet.

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)

german spaniel puppies - health problemsHealth problems are fairly unknown with the robust German Spaniel, and if well cared for, he can reach 12 to 15 years of age.

There are always one or two hereditary health concerns, and the health issues that affect the breed the most are hip dysplasia, skin allergies and splayed feet.

The American Kennel Club tells us that this type of foot is flat, with spreading toes. It is a fault in your pet because it doesn’t support his weight well, causing health problems later on for your pet. This is why it is so important to have your pet’s nails clipped from time to time, because long nails can turn a good paw into a splayed one, actually injuring the tendons.

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.

Grooming:

german spaniel dogs - caringShedding quite heavily and seasonally, the German Spaniel’s thick coat will require being brushed twice a week to keep it shiny and healthy. He loves the attention you give him at the same time.

There are some German Spaniel owners who like to take their dogs in for professional grooming, requesting that the coat be cut short all round.

The long ears of your German Spaniel, especially if your pet spends a lot of time swimming, can be permanently damp, picking up dirt easily. Check inside the ears and make sure they are dry and clean to prevent ear infections.

Make sure to brush his teeth 2 or 3x a week as well because plaque build up leads to dental disease but it also negatively affects other body organs too, shortening your pet’s life.

Diet:

Every dog, just like any human being, requires good nutrition, fresh water and warm, dry sleeping facilities to remain happy and to give him a good chance at longevity.

Apart from the very best commercially manufactured dog foods, ensure he occasionally gets some raw meat in as well as some cooked brown rice, vegetables and chicken. These can be added into his kibble.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. German Spaniel vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
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  4. German Spaniel vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. German Spaniel vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. German Spaniel vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. German Spaniel vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. German Spaniel vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. German Spaniel vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. German Spaniel vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. German Spaniel vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
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  26. Berger Picard vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Berger Picard vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Berger Picard vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Berger Picard vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Berger Picard vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Berger Picard vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Berger Picard vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Berger Picard vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Berger Picard vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Berger Picard vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Berger Picard vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Berger Picard vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Berger Picard vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Berger Picard vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Berger Picard vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Berger Picard vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Berger Picard vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Berger Picard vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Berger Picard vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Berger Picard vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Berger Picard vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Berger Picard vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Berger Picard vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Berger Picard vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Berger Picard vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison