INTERVIEWS ON THE BERGER PICARD
JACQUELINE CARSWELL
2. What are your “must have” traits in this breed? JC: Solid temperament, natural crisp coat (not scissored or clipped), efficient movement, correct tail carriage with J-hook. LR: Since this is a Herding dog, it must be sound so it can work all day. Good movement coming, going and on the side. Good condition, strong topline. Then it must have the rustic, shaggy look. Very natural and not overly groomed or trimmed. Large ears. MT: To me, the over-all correct shape is essential, length and strong headpiece, good expression for the breed and a natural presentation. The last two are very important to me—I could easily bypass an exhibit that is over groomed and brushed out, lacking the rough, natural appearance that makes the breed. To me, correct expression is essen- tial in all the breeds I judge, this is true for me with the Berger Picard. Without the correct eye shape, color and placement, the breed, to me, lacks the confident, pleasant expression. 3. Are there any traits in this breed you fear are becoming exaggerated? JC: From the very first weekend out, July 2015, overly groomed dogs were given high rewards. Overgrooming is mentioned in the standard and is to be severely penal- ized. I’ve seen a few unbalanced Picards in that their rears were over angulated and the front assembly rather straight (not balanced). I do hope this does not become a problem in this breed as it has in so many other breeds. LR: Not at this point. The only thing that concerns me is that people might tend to overly groom and trim to give them a more “finished” look. But that is not correct in the breed. MT: Having judged one of the breed’s Open Shows, I saw a variety of exhibits—my concerns include the lack of a correctly placed and carried tail ending in a J-hook, a near must for me. As mentioned previously, I really like a good, correctly shaped and colored eye—some have eyes that are a bit owlish, not something I think gives the correct expression for the breed. And, finally, the trend to over groom—I love the natural appearance—the breed carries it well. 4. Do you think the dogs you see in this breed are better now than they were when you first started judging? Why or why not? JC: The Berger Picard is an ancient breed, but new to the United States. The very first attempts at breeding in the late 1970s to early 80s were not successful due to lack of interest in the breed. It wasn’t until late in 2000 that the breed finally started to gain some popularity and gained momentum after the movie Because of Winn Dixi e was released in the movie theaters. The Berger Picard Club of America was founded in late 2006 and in 9 short years,
I live in Blackshear, GA. Blackshear is a small farming community 70 miles north- west of Jacksonville, FL. I brought home my first Irish Wolfhound 35 years ago at the age of 19. I have been exhibiting for 35 years, showing first in obedience, then conformation and have also enjoyed lure coursing with my hounds. I imported my first Berger Picard from France in 2009.
My first sweepstakes assignment was for the Irish Wolfhound Association of the West Coast Specialty in 1999. Currently I am licensed to judge Irish Wolfhounds and Rhodesian Ridgebacks. I have judged the Berger Picard at Open Shows and plan on obtaining my license very soon. LINDA ROBEY I live in High Ridge, Missouri, which is about 25 miles outside of St. Louis. I travel with my husband in our motorhome. I also shoot skeet and some trap and golf when I get a chance. Dogs takes up much of my time. I’ve loved dogs all my life, so did my parents, so we have had dogs for as long as I can remember. I started showing in obe- dience in the mid-1970s, so around 38 years. I’ve been judging about 20 years. MERLE TAYLOR
I live in Central Illinois where we are surrounded by fields of corn and soybeans. Retiring after 38 years from teaching busi- ness in a public high school, I currently work part-time for a financial planner. I attended my first dog show when I was in college (1968); we showed our first Scot- tish Terrier in 1970—I was never going
back to another show—that worked well for me, didn’t it? I had great mentors, developed some wonderful friendships and developed a marvelous passion for the sport. I handled profes- sionally until Carolyn and I began judging in 2000.
1. Describe the breed in three words. JC: Comical, loyal and sensitive. LR: Rustic, medium sized, sturdy. MT: I like the words rustic, confident and natural.
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