At the commencement of the fifty, a passionate fan group and, commences to raise this unique dog breed on the base of an exact choice. They succeeded and in less than thirty years, they achieved a really sudden growth until the point of which at the modern times it is believed, by many in France, like among the best sheepdogs ever seen.
Picardy Sheepdog is a testimony of its ancient ancestry, pictures and etchings of the chivalric time. Its chronicle is characterized, all the same, by moments of great expansion and besides the deep crises around that period; the first Picardeses was introduced/exhibited in exposition in 1863 together with the Beaucerons and the Shepherds of Brie.
The two world wars almost caused the almost absolute disappearance of this race whose official standard is accredited in 1925.
Picardy Sheepdog is of average sizing, of great hardness, and stately in figure. The Picardy (or Picardés) Shepherd distinguishes itself chiefly, by its special aspect to the coat.
This peculiar dog is very intelligent, alert, playful and good with kids. It loves and requires lots of exercises as it is not primarily meant for indoors (except you take it upon yourself to engage it in regular walks). Picardy sheepdog is stubborn, sort of has a will of its own, and subject to mood swings. It loves to bark and does not take too well with strangers – it sorts of choose its own friends. Equipped with a funny expression, friendly, and a alert nature, Picardy Sheepdog has a character balance that takes it to make its work with out-and-out skill and loyalty. Picardy Sheepdog can also be used a watchdog as well because of its alert nature and intelligence.
Quite light – it doesn’t exceed the 22/23 kg. It has great immunity and nimbleness. The hard and rough hair to the tact, with ample fine sub hair and sure perfectly defends it of any harsh weather. The extended colours more are the gray with reflections that go of the black to the blue one, the gray-red one, the clear leonado one and dark, in tonality it uniforms to each other or mixed.
Head is moderately wide. Hair on the eyebrows long, but not sufficient it like covering the eyes. In front slightly vaulted. Strong snout, neither too long nor finishing in end. Moustache and beard are not very abundant. Well closed lean lips and. Powerful jaws.
Eyes of medium size, no salient, of more or less dark colour, according to the colour of the layer. Ears Of quite high birth, the dog takes them naturally raised, of medium size, wide in the base and with the end slightly cleared. Strong and muscular neck, enough length, muscular, long and oblique shoulders. Lean bones. Evident ligaments. Metacarpus slightly inclined of back forwards. Thorax that descends until the elbow. Length of the body a little greater than the raised one to the cross. Straight back, solid lumbar region. Belly little dissuaded. Long and muscular thighs. Metatarsus robust, lean perpendiculars to the ground.
Feet are cleared and short. Dark, strong and short nails.
Picardy sheepdog has a long tail with a curve in the end. It also possess a hard coat, with a length of 5 to 6 cm., mainly, the body and of 4 cm, in the head.
