Bergamasco Shepherd Dog

Bergamasco Shepherd Dog Other Names

Cane de Pastore Bergamasco.Bergamese Shepherd.

Bergamasco Shepherd Dog Native Country

Italy

Bergamasco Shepherd Dog Breed Description

Head: Large appearance. Capacious skull. Pronounced superciliary arches. Marked stop. Fairly short, blunt muzzle. Large nose.
Ears: Soft, triangular drop ears. Thin leather
Eyes: Large and oval. Brown color. Darkness of shade varies with color of coat. Black rims. Long fall covering the eyes.
Body: Square body outline. No dewlap on the neck. Full brisket. Short, powerful loin. Straight, well-muscled back. Broad, sloping, solid, well-muscled croup.
Tail: Thick and strong at the base tapering toward the tip. Covered in slightly wavy, shaggy hair. Hangs in the shape of a saber when relaxed.
Hair: Very long and wiry (goat hair) on the front portion of the body. Corded over the rest of the body. Short, dense, soft undercoat.
Coat: Gray flecked with black, tan, or white. Uniform black coat is acceptable, though uniform white is not. White spots covering no more than 1/5 of the body are permitted.
Size: Dog: 58 to 62 cm. (22.8-24 in).Bitch: 54 to 58 cm. (21.2-22.8 in). Weight: Dog: 32 to 38 kg. (70.5-83.8 lb).Bitch: 26 to 32 kg. (57.5-70.5 lb).

Bergamasco Shepherd History

This ancient sheepdog spread throughout the Alps region of Italy, but were most concentrated in the Bergamo area where sheep farming was particularly developed. Some believe the Bergamasco is descended from the Briard. Others hypothesize that the Bergamasco came to Italy from Asia, stating that sheepdogs of this type arrived in Western Europe during the Mongol invasions.

Behavior

Alert, keen, and well-balanced, this dog has an ideal personality for flock guarding. This breed’s friendly disposition, gentleness, and patience also make him an excellent pet. His impressive size makes him a good guard dog. This often stubborn dog requires early, firm training.

Bergamasco Shepherd Advice

This is not a city dweller. He needs space and a lot of exercise. Groom the coat by running your fingers through the hairs to separate the cords.

Function

Sheepdog. Guard dog, search-and-rescue dog (avalanches, natural disasters). Pet