Dog
Bergamasco Champions
You must login to add your Champion Dog to this list.
Pronunciation:
ber-gah-mahs-koh
Breed Description:
The Bergamasco breed of dog is a compact dog that should be muscular and athletic. This medium sized breed was developed for herding so they should have the endurance needed for keeping up with the flock of sheep. In addition, they should never be too thick or cumbersome and should have the appearance of an agile dog. The body is usually square in shape and the head is broad with a slightly round shape. The large ears hang down the side of the head and the tail is medium length.
The coat of the Bergamasco is actually made up of three layers and is very distinctive. The undercoat should be short, soft and very dense. The next hair is the top coat, which should be long and dense. It should have a woolly texture and look to it. The third hairs is the "goat" hairs and these should be hard and very long and should be similar to the hairs you would see on a goat. When the Bergamasco is about 8 months of age, the coat begins to clump together to form flat, thick patches of hair known either as a "map" or "flock". This continues until the dog is roughly 2 years of age and then the "flocks" are formed. The flocks are not uniformed like a corded coat. The Bergamasco can be a number of colors including silver gray, anthracite and gray in any shade.
Temperament:
The Bergamasco breed of dog is a calm breed of dog that usually has a very even temper and is known for being gentle. This is an intelligent breed that can learn quickly and has proven themselves in a number of canine careers including as guide and service dogs. The breed is usually reserved and while they can be playful, they tend to take a watching role in the household. They are very loyal to their family and can be quite protective of them if needed, although they are not known for being aggressive. The Bergamasco is excellent with children and often becomes a completely different breed with them, becoming more playful and even gentler. The breed can do okay with other dogs and pets but they need to be properly socialized and you should expect other pets to be herded.
Height:
The average height of the Bergamasco is between 22 to 23.5 inches.
Weight:
The average weight for a Bergamasco is between 57 to 84 pounds.
Health Problems:
The Bergamasco breed of dog is a very hardy breed and has no known health problems at this time.
Living Conditions:
The Bergamasco breed of dog is not recommended for apartments and are recommended for homes with large fenced yards. The breed can do very well outdoors and make a successful outside dog if given proper shelter from the elements. Care should be taken with this breed during hot weather since they are better suited to colder climates.
Exercise:
The Bergamasco breed of dog is an active breed and they really do need a lot of exercise. Expect to give them about 60 minutes of exercise each day or about three very long walks. They make excellent jogging companions.
Life Expectancy:
13 to 15 years
Grooming:
The Bergamasco breed of dog can be a difficult breed to groom when they are still young, but as they get older, their coat becomes easier to manage. In general, the coat doesn't need to be brushed since it will begin to cord or "flock" together to create a matted effect. The hair should be separated to check the skin on a regular basis and it should be dried completely when you bath your Bergamasco. If you don't, the coat can begin to mold. Bathing should be done when necessary but it is important to note that the Bergamasco usually has a strong doggy odor. Nails should be trimmed once or twice a month and ears should be cleaned on a weekly basis.
Origin:
The Bergamasco breed of dog is an ancient breed of dog and can actually trace its origins back to over 2000 years ago. Because of their long history, the actual breeds that went into the Bergamasco and the actual place of origin is unknown. What we do know is that the breed was developed from a number of cattle dogs that were found through the Alpine Arch and the breed could be found in a number of countries from Persia to Western Europe. The breed was used for herding and worked closely with humans. The breed has remained a rare and unknown breed throughout their history but over the last few decades, there has been more awareness of them. Comments
The standards for all the breeds accepted to the AKC are used here for breed information, and those not part of the AKC are resourced from FCI standard information, where it is written and coded into the club rules for those breeds.
