The Berger Picard, like most of today's French herding breeds, originated from the dogs brought to northern France and the Pas de Calais, during the second Celtic invasion of Gaul around 400 BC. Throughout the Middle Ages, sheepdogs resembling Berger Picards have been depicted in tapestries, engravings and woodcuts.
Although the Berger Picard made an appearance at the first French dog show in 1863, the breed's rustic appearance did not lead to popularity as a show dog. Even though Picards continued to be shown and participated in defense and guarding trials, the breed was not officially recognized in France until 1925.
With its population concentrated on the farms of northeastern France between Normandy and Paris, the Picardy Shepherd, as it is known in some countries, was decimated by the ravages of the World Wars and the breed was reduced to near extinction. In the late 1940's several devoted fanciers scoured Picardy looking for well-typed subjects to rebuild the breed. The Picards' easy care and happy, though mischievous, temperament has the breed back on the road to recovery.
