Bergamasco Sheepdog

The Bergamasco is the flocked sheepdog of the Italian Alps — its coat forms broad felted mats rather than cords, and it takes years to develop.

History

It has worked sheep in the Bergamo valleys for centuries, and the coat is functional insulation against alpine cold and weather, made of three different hair types that felt together as the dog matures. The breed nearly disappeared when Italian wool declined after the Second World War and was rebuilt from a handful of dogs.

Temperament

The breed is known for being calm, attentive and independent — a herding dog that was left alone with a flock for weeks and learned to decide for itself, patient with children and watchful with strangers.

Care and training

It needs substantial exercise and work. The flocks need separating by hand as they form in the first years and almost nothing afterwards — the coat is not brushed and is bathed rarely. Training works as partnership, not as drill.

Health

Generally robust, with hip dysplasia and eye conditions among the known tendencies. These are patterns for the breed rather than a forecast for one dog; the measured facts are in the panel.