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
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 weight | Freeze-dried per day | Per meal (×2) |
|---|---|---|
| 50 lb | 7.5 oz | 3.8 oz |
| 55 lb | 8.3 oz | 4.1 oz |
| 60 lbtypical Berger Picard | 9 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 pets need a little more, couch companions a little less — always adjust to body condition, not the bag.
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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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?
What is the best food for an active, high-energy Berger Picard?
How do I switch my Berger Picard to raw?
Does a Berger Picard need joint support?
Does feeding affect a Berger Picard's coat?
THE CLEAN BOWL GUARANTEE
If your dog won't eat it, it's on us
Try Berger Picard's first plan risk-free. If they turn up their nose, we'll make it right — money-back, and skip, pause or cancel anytime.
- Vet-formulated
- AAFCO complete & balanced
- 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
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.