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FREEZE-DRIED RAW FEEDING GUIDE

How to feed a Berger Picard

The Berger Picard is a rustic, tireless French herding dog — built lean and muscular for a full day in the field, with a weatherproof double coat and an active mind that never really clocks out.

Here is exactly how to feed a Berger Picard on freeze-dried raw: by weight and life stage, with the nutrition that fuels their working stamina, protects their hips, and keeps that scruffy coat healthy.

  • Adult weight50–70 lb
  • SizeLarge
  • EnergyHigh
  • Lifespan12–13 years
  • CoatShaggy wiry double coat — low shedder
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A healthy Berger Picard
iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

What a Berger Picard's body needs

Every Berger Picard trait comes back to one thing: how you feed them. Here's what matters most.

  • High-energy herding stamina

    Needs: High-quality animal protein and fat

    83% meat, organs and bone delivers lean fuel for all-day stamina — steady working energy without the carb fillers that spike and crash a busy herding dog.

  • Lean, muscular working build

    Needs: Real protein to maintain muscle

    Whole-food raw protein supports the dense, athletic muscle a Picard relies on, while keeping calories honest so an active dog stays trim, not bulky.

  • Shaggy wiry double coat

    Needs: Omega-3 fatty acids

    Whole-food animal and fish fats feed the skin barrier from the inside, supporting that rustic topcoat and dense undercoat and helping it stay healthy through the seasons.

  • Hip dysplasia risk

    Needs: Joint support and a lean body

    Real meat, organ and ground bone supply natural glucosamine and chondroitin; omega-3s help calm joint inflammation, and staying lean takes load off developing hips.

  • Sharp, intelligent mind

    Needs: Steady whole-food nutrition

    Minimally processed raw fuels consistent blood sugar and focus — useful for a clever, easily bored breed that thrives on training and work.

How much to feed a Berger Picard

Quick answer: a healthy adult Berger Picard (50–70 lb) needs about 7.5–10.5 oz of freeze-dried raw per day, split across two meals. Freeze-dried is calorie-dense and measured dry — so it's much less by volume than kibble. Feed to a lean waistline and adjust every few weeks.

Ideal adult weightFreeze-dried per dayPer meal (×2)
50 lb 7.5 oz 3.8 oz
55 lb 8.3 oz 4.1 oz
60 lb typical Berger Picard 9.0 oz 4.5 oz
65 lb 9.8 oz 4.9 oz
70 lb 10.5 oz 5.3 oz

Starting points for a moderately active adult (~0.15 oz of freeze-dried per lb of ideal weight). Active dogs need a little more, couch companions a little less — always adjust to body condition, not the bag.

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What to feed a Berger Picard

For a Berger Picard we recommend complete freeze-dried raw as the daily base — real meat, organs and ground bone with no heat-processed filler — or as a topper while you transition.

Lean single proteins like Chicken suit everyday feeding, Salmon adds extra omega-3 for that working coat, and richer Beef helps hard-working or underweight Picards hold condition. Just add water and serve.

Recipes for Berger Picards

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Daily support for Berger Picards

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Treats Berger Picards love

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Feeding a Berger Picard by life stage

  • Puppy: Berger Picard puppies should grow slowly and steadily to protect developing hips. Feed roughly 5–8% of current body weight across 3–4 meals and avoid overfeeding — fast growth raises hip dysplasia risk in this medium-to-large breed.
  • Adult: Feed to a lean, visible waist, split across two meals, and scale the amount up on heavy working or hiking days. Use the chart below as a starting point and adjust to body condition, not the bag.
  • Senior: Activity eases with age but appetite often holds. Trim portions to match, keep protein high to preserve lean working muscle, and lean into joint-supporting nutrition.

Common Berger Picard concerns — and the diet connection

  • Hip dysplasiaLargely genetic, but keeping a Picard lean plus joint nutrients (natural glucosamine from bone and cartilage, omega-3) helps support day-to-day comfort and joint health.
  • Eye disorders (cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy)Diet does not treat these inherited conditions, but a whole-food diet rich in antioxidants and omega-3 helps support overall eye and nerve health alongside regular eye exams.
  • Skin & coat healthThat weatherproof wiry double coat depends on the skin underneath; an omega-rich, low-filler whole-food diet supports the skin barrier and a healthy, resilient coat.
  • Energy & lean muscleA working herding dog runs on clean animal protein and fat for sustained energy and muscle maintenance — not on carbohydrate fillers that leave gaps in the day.

Diet supports health but doesn't replace veterinary care — ask your vet about any specific condition.

Feeding a Berger Picard: what to know

A Berger Picard burns through real energy on a working or active day, so feeding amounts can swing with the season — more in a busy herding or hiking stretch, less when a cold week keeps them quieter. Feed to body condition: you should feel the ribs easily and see a clear waist from above.

Because they carry a thick coat that hides their frame, weigh portions instead of eyeballing them and re-check the amount every few weeks, especially after a change in activity, an injury, or recovery from a layoff.

Berger Picard feeding questions

How much should I feed my Berger Picard?
A healthy adult Berger Picard (50–70 lb) needs roughly 7.5–10.5 oz of freeze-dried raw per day, split between two meals. Freeze-dried is calorie-dense and measured dry, so it is far less by volume than kibble — feed to a lean waistline and adjust up on heavy working days.
What is the best food for an active, high-energy Berger Picard?
A complete freeze-dried raw diet built on real meat, organs and bone gives a working herding dog clean, sustained energy without filler. Rotate leaner proteins like Chicken with richer Beef or omega-rich Salmon to match activity and keep meals interesting for a clever breed.
How do I switch my Berger Picard to raw?
Transition over 7–10 days, mixing a little more Land Animal into the old food each day. Picards usually adapt well — it is rich, so start at the lower end of the range and watch the waistline under that thick coat.
Does a Berger Picard need joint support?
Many benefit from it, given the breed's hip dysplasia risk and active lifestyle. Freeze-dried raw with real bone and organ provides natural glucosamine and omega-3, and keeping your Picard lean is the most effective joint protection there is.
Does feeding affect a Berger Picard's coat?
Yes. The shaggy, weatherproof double coat is fed from the inside — a whole-food diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids supports the skin barrier and helps keep that rustic topcoat and dense undercoat healthy and resilient.

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  • Vet-formulated
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  • Pathogen-tested every batch

  • "Knowing exactly how much to feed took all the guesswork out. He's leaner, with more energy on our walks."

    — Jenna & Cooper

  • "My picky rescue finally runs to the bowl — and cleanup in the yard is a fraction of what it was."

    — Priya & Luna
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Portions are starting points for freeze-dried raw and AAFCO complete-and-balanced recipes. Always feed to your individual dog's body condition and ask your vet about specific health needs.