Bergamasco

The Bergamasco originates in the mountains around Bergamo, Italy. Thought to be descended from Asian sheepdog ancestors brought from the Middle East by the Phoenicians in pre-Roman times, debates still continue as to whether it is a descendant of the Briard or if in fact the Briard is a descendant of the Bergamasco. Geographically, the latter makes sense, and it is likely the Bergamasco is contributory to many other heavy coated, solid, European sheep herding breeds.  

The distinctive coat likely served two functions, to protect the dog against the weather – the greasy flat mats are remarkably waterproof and wind-proof, and to protect against attack from predators. Becoming increasingly rare in its native mountains since the Second World War, the Bergamasco has found favour with showing and breeding enthusiasts from the UK, Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, the US and Canada. Though they remain rare, there is now an International Bergamasco Sheepdog Association to protect its interests. 

An owner experienced in managing and training pastoral breeds with a tendency to guard, who understands the socialisation process and has the time to put in serious amounts of work. They’ll also need to be able to manage the Bergamasco’s coat which needs special attention for the first 3 years. Ideally someone who lives rurally, has livestock (or can provide an outlet for that working desire), and has a secure garden. 

An hour of dog exercise  per day is a minimum for the Bergamasco and ideally owners should aim for more as this is a breed who will take as much as is offered. It’s always a good idea to include mental stimulation in the form of training, puzzle solving and dog games on top of physical exercise. The Bergamasco has the stamina you should expect from a mountain-living working breed. 

Although not a particularly large dog, the Bergamasco is a dog who does tend to smell particularly doggy so if that’s not something you are happy with throughout your home, the ability to split your home into dog areas and non-dog areas will be an advantage. Although the grooming requirements are relatively low, remember that once wet, the Bergamasco is going to take hours to days to dry fully. Wet and muddy, you’ll want a suitable room for them to rest in while they dry. 
Best suited to a larger home in a rural setting, with a large and very secure fence, this is an agile working breed, who wants to walk long distances so access to a variety of walks and secure off lead spaces is vital. 

Large breed dogs such as the Bergamasco, as well as having large appetites, benefit from a different balance of nutrients including minerals and vitamins compared to smaller-breed dogs. Some large breeds, such as the Bergamasco, are also prone to bloating and stomach problems; smaller, more frequent meals can help minimise this risk. Discover more about how to offer your dog a balanced diet with our easy-to-follow guide. 

The Bergamasco has a special coat that requires different amounts of grooming at different stages of its development. Initially, the puppy's coat needs a weekly brush but from around 10 months to three years, the adult coat begins to replace the soft puppy coat and needs daily attention to help the dreadlocks form. After three years, the mats are all formed and the coat needs very little attention – just brushing twice a month and a once- or twice-yearly bath. It will reach ground level when the dog is around five years of age. Coat, paws and beard should be checked daily after meals and after exercise. Drying and cleaning a muddy dog may take many hours. 

You can find out more about dog grooming and daily care with our article. 

The Bergamasco is intelligent and independent. They will respond well to positive reinforcement-based dog training but they are very quick to identify differences in handling skill and style across a variety of family members, do not be surprised if your Bergamasco behaves superbly for one person and totally ignores another! Still closely linked to working ancestors, the Bergamasco will excel at sports and activities that make the best of their herding skills. Training a solid, reliable recall is vital as this dog wants to herd and gather livestock, and doing so with any livestock other than your own can result in disaster!