The Berger Picard, also called the Picardy Shepherd, is believed to be one of the oldest breeds of French Sheepdogs. Until recently, there had been much speculation about the precise lineage of these dogs, but a genetic study in 2018 found that it was a prevalent breed of European herding dogs that greatly influenced the rise of the Berger Picard around the mid 19th century. Unfortunately, by the end of the First World War the Picard’s breeding stock had been nearly wiped out entirely. Though some efforts were made to bolster their population again after the war, the breed would again be brought to the verge of extinction during WWII. Though the breed has since been carefully preserved by breeders and fanciers, the Berger Picard remains rare outside of France. There are currently only about 3,500 Berger Picards in France, and roughly another 1,000 abroad. Despite their low numbers, they have gained a name for themselves in recent years. In 1955 they were officially recognized by the FCI, and more recently they have even been featured in several films, including Because of Winn-Dixie. The breed was also recognized by the UKC in 2014.