AKC Herding Group
History
Also known as the Cane da Pastore Bergamasco, this seemingly dread-locked sheepdog originated some 7,000 years ago in what is now known as Iran. Dogs migrated with groups of nomadic shepherds into the mountains of Europe, including Anatolia, the Caucasus, the French Alps, and the Pyrenees. These dogs developed a thick coat that felts into long, flat flocks of matted hair, including in front of the eyes. This dense coat protected the dogs against harsh winter weather and snow glare, as well as against attacks by predators of sheep flocks.
The Bergamasco Sheepdog developed in the Italian Alps, where these hardy, protective dogs worked one-on-one with shepherds in the mountains to manage flocks of sheep. The breed evolved into a very intelligent dog that both works well with humans and is capable of thinking for itself.
After World War II, wool production decreased in Europe, which led to a drop in the demand for sheepdogs. One Italian breeder, Dr. Maria Andreoli, is reputed to have single-handedly saved the Bergamasco by studying its bloodlines and carefully breeding the dogs for more than 40 years to create several lines of healthy animals. They were first imported to the United States in 1995 and accepted as Foundation Stock by the AKC in 1997. The breed became eligible to compete in the AKC Miscellaneous Class in 2011 and joined the AKC Herding Group in January 2015.
Description
While the Bergamasco Sheepdog looks something like a rag mop with eyes, under that coat is a compact, muscular dog capable of impressive herding feats. Beneath its thick curtain of hair, the eyes are large, oval, and brown, with an attentive, calm expression. The ears hang down, with a triangular shape and slightly rounded tips. The teeth should meet in a scissors bite. The neck and back are strong and the loin is well muscled. There is almost no tuck-up to the belly.
The shoulders should be massive and strong; the feet should be oval and covered with hair. The tail is never docked and should be raised in a curve over the dog’s back when he is working or excited.
The dog’s most notable feature is his coat, which is formed of flocks (strands of hair weaved together, creating flat layers of felted hair) that protect the dog from weather and predators. The hair on the head is typically long and hangs over the eyes. The coat is made up of three types of hair: a short, oily, waterproof undercoat; a long, straight, but rough mid-coat (called “goat hair”); and a woolly outer coat.
The coat can be any variation of gray, including black. As hair in the flocks ages, it might turn a fawnish color, which is acceptable. White markings also are acceptable as long as they don’t cover more than one-fifth of the body.
The characteristic gait of this herding dog is a slow, easy trot, which helps him both cover ground and preserve energy.
Key Facts
- Height: 23.5 in. (male); 22 in. (female)
- Size: Large
- Weight: 57 to 84 lbs.
- Availability: Difficult to find
- Talents: Herding, watchdog, guarding, agility
Notes
Dewclaws may be removed. Flocks usually start growing before the dog’s first birthday and reach the ground around the fifth year. Shaving or clipping can result in dense mats, not flocks, that block oil production in the skin and create severe skin conditions, including mildew, hot spots, and rot. Flocks can be cut, however, to keep the coat more manageable. Very little grooming is needed after initial formation of flocks. Between 9 and 18 months, however, the coat needs to be manually split into the flocks, which is a lot of work. The Bergamasco Sheepdog has no known health problems.
Personality
The Bergamasco Sheepdog is a very intelligent and attentive dog, one that has not only a desire to herd, but also a strong protective instinct. While he wants to please—and work closely with—his owner, centuries of managing hundreds of sheep at a time has resulted in a dog that is capable of great feats while working independently with livestock. He remains very connected to his humans. Balanced, gentle, and calm in temperament, but imbued with a great love of play, this dog makes an excellent companion for children and a rewarding working partner for adults. The Bergamasco tends to create strong relationships with all members of the family and will suffer if left alone all day, as he considers his primary duty to be keeping an eye on his people.
Behavior
- Children: Good with children
- Friendliness: Moderately protective
- Trainability: Can be slightly difficult to train
- Independence: Not particularly dependent or independent
- Dominance: Moderate
- Other Pets: Good with pets if raised with them from puppyhood
- Combativeness: Can be a bit dog-aggressive
- Noise: Average barker
Care
- Grooming: Regular grooming needed
- Trimming and Stripping: None needed
- Coat: Long coat
- Shedding: None or very light
- Docking/Cropping: Neither
- Exercise: Moderate exercise needed
- Jogging: A fair jogging companion
- Indoors: Moderately active indoors
- Apartments: Not recommended for apartments
- Outdoor Space: Best with at least an average-sized yard
- Climate: Best in cooler climates
- Owner: Not suitable for novice owner
- Longevity: Moderately long-lived, 13 to 15 years
Useful Links
AKC® Bergamasco Sheepdog Breed Standard
http://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/Bergamasco.pdf
