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Origin and use:
The country of origin of the Mostin de Pirineos is Spain. These dogs accompanied the herds of often 1000 or more sheep from the north to the south and in reverse from the high-altitude pastures into the valleys, in order to protect them if necessary against bears and wolves. Since 1946 the different breeds of the flock guardians and flock herders were summarized from the Spaniards and separated according to purpose. A publication of the breed standard of the F.C.I. was published in the year 1982.
Features
Minimum size approx. 77 cm, dogs approx. 72 cm, with no upper height restrictions. His body is powerful, durable, muscular and appearing large and strong with a powerful head and firm bone. Despite the size he must not appear to be ponderous or cloddy. The hair is close, thick and moderate length, the basic colour is always white with a well defined mask. The ears must be marked partly, as well as having well defined marks well over the entire body. Ears and tail are natural, not cropped or docked. The hair of the tail is clearly long and soft and forms a beautiful flag.
Character
He is gentle, calm, noble and a very intelligent dog. With a very high threshold of toleration. With other dogs he is good-natured and only shows his superior strength as a last resort. He is incorruptible and to his family he is faithfully devoted. It is an expressly a family dog and needs a consistent, but just as affectionate education. Despite his generally friendly nature he is capable of determining a situation and is able as a protector if required. Although saying this, he is NOT suitable for protection dog training.
Attitude
However the size of the dog determines the need for this appropriate attitude. It is by no means a flat dog, nor is he a kennel dog. He needs a family and its the day-to day happenings involved with being part of a family. He is extremely weather-resilient and very much a wash and wear type of dog due to his thick skin and long coat. His feeding requirements are moderate. As a fully grown dog he can participate in normal family activities such as bicycle riding, hiking, or the like.
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Origin and use
The Berger Picard originates from the north French region "Picardie". It is one the oldest and at the same time most unknown sheepdogs. In 16. Century there is record of the Picard. Used as work dogs, Picards held were originally presented for the first time around the turn of the century at dog exhibitions. As a cattle herder they worked in the best way as being active agitator dogs at cattle. 1925 he was recognized in France and after wards of the F.C.I., as an independent breed. Outside of France the Picard is still very unknown. In Germany there are approximately 300 Picards.
Features
Size, 60-65 cm, 30-35 kg
Dogs, 55-60 cm, 22-28 kg
Medium sized, well built. The skin is hard, coat approx. 6 cm long and should be coarse between the fingers. The skin colors vary from Faun over Grey, Grizzle Red, Grizzle Blue, grizzle. with an agouti banded hair of two or more colors banded on each strand. The picard has a pricked uncropped ear.
Character
The Picard is more giving, unusually child like dog. Similarly as a herd protection dogs, he meets strangers carefully, even somewhat reservedly. If the contact is however first times cordial, within a short time his "best side" very intelligent, but due to his self-willingness, not always a readily learning contemporary. During his education, as with the Mastin de Pirineos, the Picard needs love, patience, and perseverance. He must not be trained with a hard hand, but just consistently. Picards are used as protection dogs, in the emergency service and as therapy dogs for handicapped people.
Attitude
A Picard can be kept in a small dwelling, if sufficient exercise and activity is available to him. He is not suitable as a kennel dog despite his independence. What he wants the most from life is direct proximity to his family. Due to his natural soundness he is a pleasant Jogging and bicycle companion. Nearly all Picards go gladly into the water, it does not matter whether it is summer or winter.
The coat care extends to 1x weekly brushing.
Picards can live to 10-12 years.