The
Bergamasco Shepherd (Italian pastore bergamasco) is a breed of dog with its
origins in the Italian Alps near Bergamo, where it was originally used as a
herding dog.
Appearance
The
Bergamasco is a muscular, heavy-boned herding dog with a large head and a thick
tail that hangs down to the hock and curves slightly upward at the end. The
entire dog is covered with an abundant coat that forms mats. The Bergamasco is
compact in profile but is just slightly longer than tall. The Bergamasco’s
characteristic feature is its unique coat, made up of three types of hair. The
coat forms flocks (strands of hair weaved together creating flat layers of
felted hair) or loose mats, which cover the dog's body and legs, and protect
the dog from weather and predators. The hair on the head is typically long and
hangs over the eyes.
Dogs
stand 23½ inches and bitches 22 inches, measured at the withers. One inch
taller or shorter than the ideal is acceptable. Males weigh between 70 and 84
pounds. Females weigh between 57 and 71 pounds. The Bergamasco is a muscular,
heavy-boned herding dog with plenty of substance. The Bergamasco is very
slightly longer than tall, with the length of body measured from point of
shoulder to point of buttocks about 5 to 6 percent longer than the height
measured at the withers.
Coat and color
The
breed's most distinctive feature is the unusual felted coat, a normal and
healthy characteristic of the breed. The coat is characterized by three types
of hair: a fine, dense, oily undercoat, long harsher hairs similar to a goat's
and a top woolly outer-coat. The three types of hair weave together as the dog
gets older to form flat mats or flocks. The mats start from the spine and go
down the flanks, growing every year to reach the ground. The color can be solid
gray or gradations of gray (including merle) up to and including solid black,
provided it is not shiny or lustrous. Color also includes shadings only of
isabella and fawn at the lower part of flocks (as a result of discoloration of
old hair, not as a base color), Solid white also occures in the breed.
The
Eastern European breeds, the Komondor and Mioritic Shepherd, have a single coat
consisting of relatively little guard hair, but mainly curly down hair as an
adaptation to that environment. The Western European breeds, such as the Briard
and the Spanish Water Dog, also have a single coat, however, it consists mainly
of guard hair. The Alpine region geographically between them, home of the
Bergamasco shepherd, appears to form a bridge between these two groups. The
Bergamasco shepherd has a double coat in which both types of hair are present
in almost equal proportions, although straighter and differently distributed.
The
Bergamasco's coat is considered to be non-shedding. The Bergamasco shepherd's
coat does not cord (cording is the twisting of hairs together to create a
spiral strand), like the Komondor. The Bergamasco coat is very different, in
that the strands of hair weave together creating flat layers of hair (called
flocks). A flock is a tuft or lock of wool or hair. Each flock of hair ranges
in width anywhere from 1½ to 3 inches wide.
Temperament
The
Bergamasco is an alert, observant and patient dog breed with good self-control
and balance. This breed is suited even as a guard and companion dog. The
Bergamasco establishes close bond with his owner. Aggressive or overly shy
behavior is a fault.
Activities
This
breed can compete in dog agility trials, obedience, showmanship, flyball, and
tracking events. Herding instincts and trainability mean the dog can be trained
to compete in herding trials. Although the Bergamasco is often photographed
herding sheep, it is traditionally a cattle dog that performs well in a
mountain environment. The cattlemen let their dogs go and they bring the herd
back without human supervision.
Health
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