Best Pet Insurance for Berger Picards
The Berger Picard (bair-ZHAY pee-KARD) is a rustic, medium-sized French herding dog with a distinctive tousled coat and an expressive, alert face topped with erect ears. One of France's oldest herding breeds, the Picard nearly became extinct after both World Wars devastated the breed's numbers in the Picardy region. Today, the breed remains relatively rare, gaining AKC recognition in 2015. Picards are energetic, intelligent, and opinionated — they need experienced owners who appreciate an active, mentally engaged dog. They form deep family bonds while maintaining an independent streak inherited from their herding heritage. Their weatherproof coat requires minimal grooming compared to other shaggy breeds.
Best Pet Insurance for Berger Picards (Ranked)
Excellent match for Berger Picards. Covers 5 of 5 key health risks with competitive pricing.
Covers your breed's key risks:
Score Breakdown
Excellent match for Berger Picards. Covers 5 of 5 key health risks with competitive pricing.
Covers your breed's key risks:
Excellent match for Berger Picards. Covers 5 of 5 key health risks with competitive pricing.
Covers your breed's key risks:
Berger Picard Health Risks & Conditions
Understanding your Berger Picard's specific health risks helps you choose the right coverage.
Hip Dysplasia
moderate riskHip dysplasia is the primary orthopedic concern in Berger Picards. OFA screening data shows a notable percentage of tested dogs have fair to dysplastic hips. The condition causes progressive joint degeneration and pain. Radiographic diagnosis costs $200–$400. Conservative management including joint supplements, controlled exercise, and NSAIDs runs $500–$1,500/year. Surgical options range from FHO ($1,500–$3,000) to total hip replacement ($4,500–$7,000 per hip).
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
moderate riskPRA is a hereditary retinal degenerative disease causing gradual vision loss and eventual blindness. The Berger Picard Club of America recommends annual CAER eye exams and DNA testing before breeding. A genetic test for the prcd-PRA mutation is available ($80–$150). There is currently no treatment, but affected dogs can adapt well to blindness with proper environmental management. Annual ophthalmology screenings run $150–$300.
Persistent Pupillary Membranes (PPM)
moderate riskPPM are strands of fetal tissue in the eye that fail to fully regress after birth. In mild cases they cause no visual impairment. In severe cases, strands spanning the iris can lead to corneal opacities or lens cataracts that affect vision. Diagnosis via ophthalmologic exam costs $150–$300. Mild PPM requires no treatment; severe cases with visual impairment may require surgical intervention ($1,500–$2,500). Annual CAER exams are recommended.
Elbow Dysplasia
low riskElbow dysplasia has been identified in the breed and is part of responsible breeding health screening protocols. Affected dogs show front-limb lameness beginning as early as 4 months. Diagnosis requires radiographs and potentially CT imaging ($400–$1,200). Surgical correction ranges from $1,500–$4,000 per elbow for fragment removal. Without treatment, progressive arthritis leads to chronic pain management costs of $400–$1,200/year.
Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI)
low riskEPI occurs when the pancreas fails to produce sufficient digestive enzymes, leading to malnutrition, weight loss, and chronic diarrhea despite a healthy appetite. Diagnosis via TLI (trypsin-like immunoreactivity) test costs $80–$150. Treatment requires lifelong supplementation with pancreatic enzyme powder added to food ($80–$200/month). Additional costs include vitamin B12 injections ($20–$50/month initially) and a highly digestible prescription diet ($60–$120/month). Annual management costs typically run $1,500–$3,000.
What to Look for in Berger Picard Pet Insurance
Berger Picards are generally hardy dogs but have known hereditary risks worth insuring against. Key coverage priorities: (1) Hip and elbow dysplasia coverage without exclusions for hereditary orthopedic conditions; (2) Eye condition coverage for PRA and PPM; (3) Gastrointestinal coverage for EPI, which requires expensive lifelong enzyme supplementation. Recommended providers: Embrace (covers hereditary conditions, wellness add-on for routine CAER exams), Fetch (comprehensive coverage including chronic GI conditions), Trupanion (no per-condition limits, ideal for chronic EPI management).
Berger Picard Quick Stats
Common Berger Picard Health Conditions
All Providers Ranked for Berger Picards
Excellent match for Berger Picards. Covers 5 of 5 key health risks with competitive pricing.
Covers your breed's key risks:
Excellent match for Berger Picards. Covers 5 of 5 key health risks with competitive pricing.
Covers your breed's key risks:
Excellent match for Berger Picards. Covers 5 of 5 key health risks with competitive pricing.
Covers your breed's key risks:
Excellent match for Berger Picards. Covers 5 of 5 key health risks with competitive pricing.
Covers your breed's key risks:
Excellent match for Berger Picards. Covers 5 of 5 key health risks with competitive pricing.
Covers your breed's key risks:
Excellent match for Berger Picards. Covers 5 of 5 key health risks with competitive pricing.
Covers your breed's key risks:
Excellent match for Berger Picards. Covers 5 of 5 key health risks with competitive pricing.
Covers your breed's key risks:
Excellent match for Berger Picards. Covers 5 of 5 key health risks with competitive pricing.
Covers your breed's key risks:
Excellent match for Berger Picards. Covers 5 of 5 key health risks with competitive pricing.
Covers your breed's key risks:
Excellent match for Berger Picards. Covers 5 of 5 key health risks with competitive pricing.
Covers your breed's key risks:
Excellent match for Berger Picards. Covers 5 of 5 key health risks with competitive pricing.
Covers your breed's key risks:
Excellent match for Berger Picards. Covers 5 of 5 key health risks with competitive pricing.
Covers your breed's key risks:
Excellent match for Berger Picards. Covers 5 of 5 key health risks with competitive pricing.
Covers your breed's key risks:
Excellent match for Berger Picards. Covers 5 of 5 key health risks with competitive pricing.
Covers your breed's key risks:
Excellent match for Berger Picards. Covers 5 of 5 key health risks with competitive pricing.
Covers your breed's key risks:
Excellent match for Berger Picards. Covers 5 of 5 key health risks with competitive pricing.
Covers your breed's key risks:
Excellent match for Berger Picards. Covers 5 of 5 key health risks with competitive pricing.
Covers your breed's key risks:
Excellent match for Berger Picards. Covers 5 of 5 key health risks with competitive pricing.
Covers your breed's key risks:
Excellent match for Berger Picards. Covers 5 of 5 key health risks with competitive pricing.
Covers your breed's key risks:
Excellent match for Berger Picards. Covers 5 of 5 key health risks with competitive pricing.
Covers your breed's key risks:
Excellent match for Berger Picards. Covers 5 of 5 key health risks with competitive pricing.
Covers your breed's key risks:
Excellent match for Berger Picards. Covers 5 of 5 key health risks with competitive pricing.
Covers your breed's key risks:
Excellent match for Berger Picards. Covers 5 of 5 key health risks with competitive pricing.
Covers your breed's key risks:
Excellent match for Berger Picards. Covers 5 of 5 key health risks with competitive pricing.
Covers your breed's key risks:
Excellent match for Berger Picards. Covers 5 of 5 key health risks with competitive pricing.
Covers your breed's key risks:
Excellent match for Berger Picards. Covers 5 of 5 key health risks with competitive pricing.
Covers your breed's key risks:
Consider alternatives with stronger hereditary condition coverage for Berger Picards.
Consider alternatives with stronger hereditary condition coverage for Berger Picards.
Covers your breed's key risks: