Bergamasco Sheepdog: temperament, size, care and health

About the Bergamasco Sheepdog

The Bergamasco Sheepdog is a sturdy, medium-large herding dog from the Italian Alps, standing roughly 23 to 24.5 inches at the shoulder and weighing about 57 to 70 pounds. Its defining feature is a unique coat made of three kinds of hair, a fine, oily undercoat, long goat-like hair and a woolly texture, which interlock as the dog matures to form flat, felted mats called flocks. The result is a thick shield over the whole body, including the head and eyes, and the dog appears larger than it is. Colors are gray or black, in solid or in patches.

The Bergamasco was bred to guard and herd sheep in the mountains near Bergamo, and the coat protected it from cold, rain and predators. Today it is a rare breed, kept by owners who like the look, the independence and the steady disposition.

Temperament and family life

A Bergamasco is calm, patient and deeply attached to its family. It tends to be reserved with strangers and watchful without being aggressive, and it is not a frequent barker. The breed is known for a thoughtful, decision-making style typical of dogs who worked without supervision in the hills.

With children raised in the home the breed is generally gentle, but its size, its stubbornness and its herding instinct make it better suited to families with older children. It usually gets along with other dogs and pets. It may be slow to warm to new people and benefits from early, repeated socialization. A Bergamasco that is lonely can become bored and mischievous.

Exercise and training

The Bergamasco needs a good walk each day and the chance to roam in a secure yard. It enjoys herding, hiking and outdoor work, and the exercise requirement is moderate rather than extreme. It is a steady worker with stamina, and it prefers a job to a treadmill. Keep an eye on its heat tolerance in warm weather.

Training takes patience. The breed is intelligent but independent and may question instructions that seem pointless. Positive training with short, varied sessions and consistent rules works best, and harsh treatment leads to withdrawal or stubbornness. Early socialization and puppy classes are valuable. Fencing should be sturdy, and the dog should be leashed in open areas.

Grooming and shedding

The coat is the major feature and the major task. It begins as a soft fuzzy puppy coat and changes in the first two years, when the hair begins to form flocks. These need to be separated by hand into flat, flexible sections and kept from forming into a single mass. After this, the coat is not brushed with a comb. It is bathed from time to time and must be dried completely, which can take a long time, since damp flocks can cause skin problems.

The Bergamasco sheds very little because loose hair is trapped in the flocks. The coat should not be shaved except under veterinary advice. Keep the eyes clear, clean the ears, trim the nails and brush the teeth.

Health

The breed is generally healthy but has some concerns, including hip dysplasia, bloat (a life-threatening emergency in deep-chested dogs), skin and ear infections that can arise in a heavy coat, and some eye conditions. Responsible breeders test hips and eyes and keep close track of pedigrees given the small breeding population.

This is general information about the breed. A veterinarian is the person to ask about any particular dog.

History

The Bergamasco is generally traced to the Alpine and pre-Alpine regions of northern Italy, where shepherds kept the dogs to manage and protect flocks. As sheep farming declined, the breed's working role shrank, and enthusiasts worked to preserve it. It spread slowly outside Italy, and the American Kennel Club recognized it in 2015.

Is the Bergamasco Sheepdog right for you?

A Bergamasco suits an experienced, patient owner who appreciates an unusual coat and a calm, independent guardian, and who has space and time for grooming. It does not suit hot climates, a household in a hurry or someone who wants a quick, easy-to-train dog.

Other corded or shaggy breeds to compare include the Puli, the much larger Komondor and the French Briard. The Berger Picard has a rustic look without the commitment of corded hair.