All canids and felids worldwide
Planethoster

Picardy Sheepdog

Picardy Sheepdog

FCI standard Nº 176
Origin
 France
Translation
 Jennifer Mulholland in collaboration with R. Triquet
Group
 Group 1 Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs (except Swiss Cattle Dogs)
Section
 Section 1 Sheepdogs
Working
 With working trial
Acceptance on a definitive basis by the FCI
 Monday 27 June 1955
Publication of the official valid standard
 Tuesday 04 November 2008
Last update
 Wednesday 04 August 2010
En français, cette race se dit
 Berger de Picardie
Diese Norm ist in deutscher Sprache sichtbar
 Picardie Schäferhund
En español, esta raza se dice
 Pastor de Picardia
In het Nederlands, wordt dit ras gezegd
 Picardische Herdershond
In his country of origin, his name is

Berger Picard

Usage
Shepherd and guard dog.

Brief historical summary
The Picardy Sheepdog has very ancient origins. Of course it is not certain that the Picardy Shepherd originates strictly from the Picardie region; it is possible, even probable, that it was widerspread as harsh-coated sheep and cattle dogs were typical throughout north west Europe.
In 1863, the first Picardies were judged at a show in the same class as Beaucerons and Briards. In 1898 it became evident that the Picardy was a breed. Paul Megnin drafted the first standard in 1922. The breed obtained definitive recognition in 1925.
The breed stagnated somewhat until the second world war and it was only afterwards that fanciers, who wanted to revive interest in the breed, began searching in Picardie, at the source, for the most typical subjects for breeding.
After many years, during which the Breed Club had difficulties in obtaining official recognition, Mr Robert Montenot, an eminent dog specialist, created the “Les Amis du Berger Picard” Club in 1955. The club obtained definitive recognition in 1959 and a new breed standard was approved by the S.C.C. in 1964. The present standard was drawn up by Mr. J.C. Larive, President of the Club, and his committee in collaboration with Mr. R. Triquet.

General appearance
The Picardy Shepherd is a medium-sized dog. It is solid, hardy, well muscled and well built without ever being heavy. It remains very elegant whether standing or in action. Its lively and alert expression is characterized by its rugged appearance.

Important proportions
The Picardy Sheepdog is mediolinear (of medium proportions). The length of the body, from the point of the shoulder to the point of buttock, should be slightly more than the height at the withers (from 5 to 8%). Females are generally a little longer than males. The skull and muzzle are of equal length. The distance from the elbow to the ground is equal to half the height at withers.

Behaviour / temperament
The Picardy Sheepdog is even tempered. It is neither aggressive, shy nor nervous. It should be both obedient and fearless. These qualities enable it to easily accomplish its work which consists of driving and protecting flocks of sheep. It is also a very good guard for the home and an excellent family dog who enjoys close contact with children.

Head

Cranial region
Head
 Without being heavy, it should be in proportion to the size. Delicately chiselled, it should not give the impression of being pointed. Seen from the side, the lines of the skull and muzzle are parallel. The type is stamped by the rugged aspect; distinct eyebrows (hair approximately 4cm long and which should not veil the eyes) along with beard and moustaches.
Skull
 Seen from the front, the forehead should not be flat but slightly convex, with a minimal depression in the middle. 
Stop
 Only slightly defined; it is placed at equal distance from the occiput and the tip of the nose.

Facial region
Nose
 Well developed. Always black, well opened nostrils.
Muzzle
 Strong and not too long. It should not end in a point. Presence of thin beard and moustaches.
Lips
 Thin and tight-fitting.
Nasal bridge
 The nosebridge is straight.
Jaws and teeth
 Powerful jaws. Scissors bite. Dentition should be complete.
Cheeks
 Should be moderately round.
Eyes
 Horizontal, of medium size, oval, not prominent, dark colour (the colour can be more or less dark depending on that of the coat, but never lighter than hazel).
Ears
 Of moderate size, wide at set-on, high set, always carried naturally erect with slightly rounded tips. A diverging carriage is tolerated, but not sought after.

Neck
Strong and muscled, of reasonable length, springing cleanly from the shoulders to allow for proud carriage.

Body
Body
 The bone structure is solid, without exaggeration, and the muscles are lean.
Back
 Straight.
Loin
 Strong.
Croup
 Sloping slightly and progressively into the buttocks.
Chest
 Reaches the elbows but not beyond. The correct chest perimeter measurement, taken immediately behind the elbows, is superior by 1/5th to the height at withers. The ribs are well sprung at the top then gradually flatten towards the sternum.
Underline and belly
 Slightly tucked up.

Tail
Naturally long. At rest, it should reach the point of the hock joint and be slightly curved at the tip. In action, it can be carried higher but never over the back. The hair on the tail is the same length as that on the body.

Limbs

Forequarters
Generality
 Upright, seen from the front and side.
Shoulders
 Long and sloping.
Elbows
 Tight to the body.
Forearm
 Straight and well muscled.
Pastern
 Sloping slightly forwards.
Forefeet
 Rounded, short and compact.

Hindquarters
Generality
 Parallel seen from behind and upright seen from the side.
Upper thigh
 Long and well muscled.
Stifle
 Strong articulation.
Metatarsus
 Upright.
Hock
 Moderately bent; neither too open or closed.
Hind feet
 Rounded, short and compact. No dewclaws or supernumery digits. Pads are firm. Nails dark in colour.

Gait and movement
Supple and free. Giving the impression of being both elegant and effortless. Moderate reach of forelegs; limbs remaining parallel.

Coat
Hair
 Harsh, semi-long. It should feel crisp when touched. Should measure from 5 to 6 cms over the entire body including the tail. Fine, dense undercoat.
Colour
 Fawn, fawn with dark overlay, fawn brindle and grey which generally remains dark. Without any large white patches (a slight white mark is tolerated on the forechest and the end of the feet).

Size and weight
Height at withers
 Males 60 – 65 cms, females 55 – 60 cms, tolerance +/- 1cm.

Faults
• Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and its ability to perform its traditional work.
• Faults listed should be in degree of seriousness.

Serious faults
 Absence of 2 teeth except for PM4 in the lower jaw (PM1 are not taken into consideration).
 Reverse bite without loss of contact of the incisors.
 Eyes very light in colour.
 Tail curled over the back or excessively short.
 Coat which has tendency to curl.
 Coat too flat; length less than 4 cm or more than 7 cm.
 Limp or woolly coat.
 Very irregular conformity of limbs; especially, faulty hindquarters, excessively turned-out feet, cow-hocked.

Disqualifying faults
 Aggressive or overly shy.
 Lack of type.
 Overshot or undershot with loss of contact of incisors.
 Absence of 2 PM4 or more than 2 teeth other than PM4 (The PM1 are not taken into consideration).
 Wall eye or light eye tending to yellow.
 Ears not naturally erect.
 Tail rudimentary or absent.
 Colour black, white, harlequin or pied; white spreading too much over the forechest, completely white feet, white elsewhere than stated above.
 Height not within the limits of the standard (including tolerance), heights of 67 cms for a male and 62 cms for a female can only be tolerated for subjects of exceptional quality.

NB :
• Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.
• The above mentioned faults when occurring to a highly marked degree or frequently are disqualifying.
• Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
• Only functionally and clinically healthy dogs, with breed typical conformation should be used for breeding.

Bibliography
http://www.fci.be/
Details
Also available: Français (France) Deutsch (Deutschland) Español (España) Nederlands (nl-NL)
Hits: 251

No comments

The latest updated breeds

Recognized cat breeds
  • Ojos azules

    Ojos azules

    Ojos azules Translation Francis Vandersteen Origin The Ojos azules is a breed of cat native to the United States. This cat is characterized by its blue or odd-colored eyes, regardless of coat color. A brief historical overview The history of the Ojos Azules began in the early 1980s with the discovery in New Mexico of Cornflower, a tortoiseshell...
  • Ocicat

    Ocicat

    Ocicat Translation Francis Vandersteen Origin The Ocicat is a breed of cat native to the United States. This medium-sized cat is characterized by its mottled fawn coat, reminiscent of the Ocelot. A brief historical overview The Ocicat was created in 1964 in the United States by a breeder, Mrs. Virginia Daly. She wanted to breed Siamese tabby...
  • Norvégien

    Norvégien

    Norvégien Translation Francis Vandersteen Origin The Norvégien, also known as the Norwegian Forest Cat or Norsk skogkatt, is a semi-long-haired cat breed from Norway. This large cat is characterized by its very thick semi-long-haired coat and its wild look. A brief historical overview Cats are thought to have arrived from southern Europe and were...
  • Nebelung

    Nebelung

    Nebelung Translation Francis Vandersteen Origin The Nebelung is a cat breed originally from Russia. This cat is the semi-long-haired variety of the Russian Blue, whose genetic characteristics it shares. A brief historical overview The instability of the early 20th century was very difficult for many breeds, some of which almost disappeared. Such is...
  • Munchkin

    Munchkin

    Munchkin Translation Francis Vandzersteen Origin This cat is characterized by its very short legs, hence its nickname of “basset cat”. This cat is characterized by its very short legs, hence its nickname of “basset cat”. Standard For a cat to be recognized as a Munchkin, it must conform to the breed standard. If certain criteria are not met, the...
  • Mau égyptien

    Mau égyptien

    Mau égyptien Translation Francis Vandersteen Origin The Egyptian Mau is a cat breed originally from Egypt. Developed from 1953 in Italy and then in the United States by a Russian princess. A brief historical overview Nathalie Troubetzkoï was a Russian princess exiled in the palace of the Egyptian ambassador to Italy during the Second World War. A...
  • Mau arabe

    Mau arabe

    Mau arabe Translation Francis Vandersteen Origin The Mau arabe is a cat breed from the Arabian Peninsula. This medium-sized cat is characterized by its ancestral origins. A brief historical overview The Mau arabe is a natural breed, but was only recognized in 2009. These cats have occupied the Arabian Peninsula for thousands of years, living in...
  • Manx

    Manx

    Manx Translation Francis Vandersteen Origin The Manx is a breed of cat originating from the Isle of Man (British Isles). This cat is characterized by its lack of tail. A brief historical overview The Manx cat (kayt Manninagh or stubbin in Manx), also known as the Isle of Man cat, originated, as its name suggests, on the British Isle of Man.The...
  • Mandarin

    Mandarin

    Mandarin Translation Francis Vandersteen Origin The Mandarin, also known as the Oriental longhair and Javanese, is a breed of cat native to the United States. This cat is the semi-longhair variety of the Oriental. A brief historical overview The history of the Mandarin begins with that of the Oriental. In fact, the Mandarin is a semi-long-haired...
  • Maine coon

    Maine coon

    Maine coon Translation Francis Vandersteen Origin The Maine coon is a longhaired cat breed from the state of Maine in the United States. This rustic-looking cat is characterized by its large size, plumed tail, square muzzle, plumed ears and long coat. A brief historical overview The Maine Coon is probably one of North America's oldest natural...
  • LaPerm

    LaPerm

    LaPerm Translation Francis Vandersteen Origin The LaPerm is a cat breed originally from the United States. This medium-sized cat is characterized by its curly coat. A brief historical overview The breed was created in 1982 in the U.S. state of Oregon by a woman named Linda Koehl. The curly hair is due to a natural mutation in the genes of one of...
  • Korat

    Korat

    Korat Translation Francis Vandersteen Origin The Korat is a breed of cat native to Thailand. This small cat is characterized by its blue coat and green eyes. A brief historical overview The Tamra Meow, or Book of Cat Poems, is a richly illustrated Thai collection of verses written between 1350 and 1767, describing seventeen different cats, some...
  • Khao Manee

    Khao Manee

    Khao Manee Translation Francis Vandersteen Origin The Khao Manee is a breed of cat native to Thailand. This cat is characterized by its white shorthair coat. Its eyes can be yellow, blue or mint. Standard Official recognition of the Khao Manee is underway, notably through TICA and GCCF. It has been possible to register adult and juvenile Khao...
  • Himalayen

    Himalayen

    Himalayen Translation Francis Vandersteen Origin The Himalayen, also known as the colorpoint or colorpoint (US), is a cat breed originating in the United States. In some European countries, this breed does not exist and is considered a coat of the Persian. A brief historical overview The Himalayen is a colorpoint Persian. These Persians are...
  • Highland Fold

    Highland Fold

    Highland Fold Translation Francis Vandersteen Origin The Highland Fold is a breed of cat originally from Scotland. The name Highland Fold is given to the shorthair variety. A brief historical overview The first known specimen of a cat with folded ears is Susie, a cat living on a farm north of Dundee in Scotland. She was discovered in 1961 by...
  • Scottish Fold

    Scottish Fold

    Scottish Fold Translation Francis Vandersteen Origin The Scottish Fold is a breed of cat originally from Scotland. The name Scottish Fold is given to the shorthair variety. A brief historical overview The first known specimen of a cat with folded ears is Susie, a cat living on a farm north of Dundee in Scotland. She was discovered in 1961 by...