WILGEFORTIS is the Kennel name  for "OKANAGAN BERGER PICARDS"

The donkey ears, prominent eyebrows and chin beards that make Picardy Shepherds so rustic and recognizable made us want to choose a kennel name that also had a long and distinctive history.

WILGEFORTIS is the Patron Saint of BEARDED LADIES

Young Wilgefortis prayed not to have to proceed with her arranged marriage. Miraculously, the beard that started to grow on her chin made her so unattractive that she was crucified and martyred.

Those feeling weighed down by burdens and anxiety can pray to Wilgefortis for relief or to be unencumbered hence her German alias "Unkummer".

Our dogs exhibit pure joy in everything they do. Their joy makes it easy to provide them with the daily walks and hikes and play times that they love so much. We get so much back in return, especially... relief from our anxiety and burdens and perspective around what we really value in our lives.It's been my longtime dream to raise a litter of healthy puppies.
Step by step, that dream is making its way into reality.

Collie, German Shepherd and Husky crosses were my first best friends. I love active breeds that are happiest when we keep them physically active and mentally stimulated. "Mutts" make excellent companions but it's irresponsible to breed them as there are so many already looking for homes. I didn't want to contribute to dog overpopulation, so I set my sites on "at risk" breeds. It didn't take long for me to fall in love with Berger Picards.

I started following Berger Picard groups and breeder pages from all over the world, read everything I could get my hands on and travelled to kennels and shows so that I could meet these dogs and their owners before adopting my own. The few Berger Picard breeders that I could find in Canada and close by