Basenji Berger Picard Mix

The Basenji Berger Picard Mix, is a mixed breed dog resulting from breeding the Basenji and the Berger Picard. Both of these dogs can be friendly but personalities differ, so you never know. The Basenji is affectionate, energetic, and intelligent. All dogs need proper socialization and that will be a big factor in how they interact with others. What does this mixed breed look and act like? Is it more like the Basenji or the Berger Picard? Those are the questions we will try and answer below. Continue reading below to see pictures, videos, and learn more about the beautiful Basenji Berger Picard Mix.

While we really recommend that you acquire all animals through a rescue, we understand that some people might go through a breeder to get their Basenji Berger Picard Mix puppy. That is, if they have any Basenji Berger Picard Mix puppies for sale.

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Basenji Berger Picard Mix History

All hybrid or designer dogs are tough to get a good read on as there isn’t much history to them. Breeding specific dogs like this has become common in the last twenty years or so even though I am sure that this mixed breed found it’s share of dogs to the shelter due to accidental breeding. We will take a closer look at the history of both parent breeds below. If you are looking at breeders for new, designer dogs please beware of Puppy Mills. These are places that mass produce puppies, specifically for profit and don’t care at all about the dogs. If you have a few minutes, please sign our petition to stop puppy mills.

Basenji History

The Basenji is a hunting dog originating in Africa, and people there hunt with them to this day. Basenji aficionados describe their dogs as “nature’s masterpiece” because of their striking appearance, hunting prowess, desire for companionship, and relative quietness.
The Basenji’s best-known trait is that she does not bark; early literature on the breed describes her as the “African barkless dog.” She is not, however, without vocal cords. instead of a bark, the Basenji produces a number of distinctive sounds that have been described as yodeling, crowing and chortling. She can also issue a warning growl. Wailing when unhappy is another part of her vocal repertoire.

Although kennel clubs classify the Basenji as a sight hound, she in fact uses both her eyes and ears when hunting.

Paleontologists have scientific reasons to suggest that the Basenji is a descendent of the earliest known dogs. In isolated Africa, she lived and thrived for thousands of years and was not known to Europe until about 1895. As a result, today’s Basenji is, so far, relatively unchanged by the human impulse to cross-breed dogs. Her size, shape, colors, coat texture, and temperament all are much the same as they have been for thousands of years.

Attempts to bring the breed to England failed until around 1937, when successful breeding stock was finally established there. The Basenji arrived in America shortly thereafter. The American Kennel Club formally accepted the breed in 1943.

Berger Picard History

The Berger Picard is a sheepdog from Picardy, France who has been introduced in the U.S. but has become rare in both countries since the end of World War II. Owners call them simply Picards. The Picard is muscular and of medium size, with a fawn or brindle coat of loose, longish hair, normally erect ears, and a tail carried in a J shape.

A fun fact about this breed: The producers of the movie Because of Winn-Dixie (2005) used three Picards, imported from Europe, to portray the titular dog. The Picard has the scruffy but exuberant look the producers wanted, but they needed three dogs of very similar appearance so that one could fill in for another as necessary, thus preventing dog-related delays in production. To this day, many people who watch Winn-Dixie believe its star is a mixed breed, not a purebred dog. The Picard is thought to be the oldest of all the French sheepdogs. Historians believe she arrived in northern France and the Pas de Calais during the second Celtic invasion of Gaul around 400 BC. Ancient tapestries, engravings and woodcuts depict a sheepdog closely resembling the Picard. There is some controversy on this subject: Some experts insist that the Picard is related to the more well-known Briard and Beauceron, while others believe she shares a common origin with Dutch and Belgian shepherds.

Although brilliant as a sheepdog, the Picard got a slow start in gaining respect among French dog fanciers, who insisted a sheepdog’s coat must be either very long or very short (the Picard’s coat is of medium length). She first appeared in a French dog show in 1863, but respect and popularity continued to elude her until 1925, when the French Shepherd Club formally recognized the breed.

Fast-forward 20 years: Breeders would have to re-establish the Picard as a breed, since nearly all breeding stock was lost to the two world wars. Some dogs died serving France in the trenches; others starved to death. At this time dogs belonging to “peasants” were not registered, so their actual numbers are unclear, but eager breeders searched all of Picardy until they found a suitable breeding pair. They became the origin stock for the breed as we know it today.

Americans began to take interest in the dog in the mid-1970s, importing individuals and breeding pairs. The Berger Picard Club of America has worked tirelessly with the AKC to cross all hurdles involved in AKC recognition. American breeders are particularly concerned with maintaining the breed standard and protecting the Picard from the American impulse to cross-breed and create new types of dogs. The Berger Picard finally made her debut as a recognized breed at Westminster in 2016!

Basenji Berger Picard Mix Size and Weight

Basenji
Height: 17 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 22 - 24 lb.
Lifespan: 12 - 16 years

Berger Picard
Height: 22 - 26 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 23 - 32 lb.
Lifespan: 12 - 13 years

Basenji Berger Picard Mix Personality

The Basenji and the Berger Picard might be a little bit spunky. They can be an inquisitive little fella so keep on the lookout for that behavior! All dogs need attention and don't want to be left alone. That's why you have a pet, right? Plan on putting forth effort to socialize her as this will reap dividends in the long run. Please use always use positive reinforcement even though they can have a mind of their own. Enjoy being with your new mixed breed and love the relationship you will have with them.

Basenji Berger Picard Mix Health

All dogs have the potential to develop genetic health problems as all breeds are susceptible to some things more than others. However, the one positive thing about getting a puppy is that you can avoid this as much as possible. A breeder should absolutely offer a health guarantee on puppies. If they won’t do this, then look no more and don’t consider that breeder at all. A reputable breeder will be honest and open about health problems in the breed and the incidence with which they occur. We obviously recommend that you look for a reputable animal rescue in your area to find your new mixed breed. Health clearances prove that a dog has been tested for and cleared of a particular condition.

The Basenji mixed with the Berger Picard might be prone to joint dysplasia, corneal dystrophy, patellar luxation, among others.

Note that these are just common problems in both breeds.

Basenji Berger Picard Mix Care

What are the grooming requirements?

Even if you know the breed, sometimes it is hard to tell if it will be a heavy shedder or a light shedder. Either way, Get ready to invest in a good vacuum if you want to keep your floors clean! Give them baths as needed, but not so much that you dry out their skin.

What are the exercise requirements?

Plan on taking them for extremely long walks and hikes to keep their energy level down. This mix will more than likely have a high energy level. This exercise will keep them from being destructive. A tired dog is a good dog. A tired dog is a good dog though. Never tie your dog up outside - that is inhumane and not fair to him.

What are the training requirements?

This is an intelligent dog that will be a little bit challenging to train. They are going to want to take the alpha position and need someone with a firm, strong, hand that can let them know their place. The best thing you can do is break the sessions into shorter daily sessions to keep their attention span higher. It might have a prey drive and be disposed to running for and chasing small prey, but if handled properly this can be managed. All dogs respond best to positive reinforcement. So make sure to praise her when she does well. She is an intelligent dog who loves to please, and loves a physical challenge. The more exercise she gets the easier she will be to train. Proper socialization is imperative to all dogs and puppies. Make sure to take her to the park and doggy day care to get her around as many people and dogs as possible.

Basenji Berger Picard Mix Feeding

"A lot of times diet is done on a per-dog basis. Each one is unique and has different dietary requirements. Most dogs in the U.S. are overweight. A mix like this one that is prone to hip and elbow dysplasia should really be on fish oil and glucosamine and chondroitin supplements as soon as possible. A good diet to look into is Raw Food Diet. A raw food diet will be especially good for the Wolf background.

Overfeeding any dog is not a good idea as that can really exacerbate health problems such as elbow and hip dysplasia.

I good diet to look into is Raw Food Diet. A raw food diet will be especially good for the Wolf background."

Basenji Links

Links to other breeds you might be interested in