The hair on the head is typically long and hangs over the eyes. Made up of three different types of hair, known as dog hair, goat hair, and wool, the Bergamasco coat is designed to shield it from all different kinds of weather and protect it from the sun. They were pleasantly surprised to discover that this breed was so intelligent that the shepherds didn’t even need to give much direction to the dogs at all; the shaggy geniuses were able to figure out the best way to herd the sheep all on their own. But once it’s done, it’s done. As with all breeds, the Bergamasco’s nails should be trimmed regularly. If you need to trim your dog’s coat or would like a sportier look, the Bergamasco’s coat can be trimmed to 4 to 5 inches in order to ensure that there is plenty of fur left for the coat to perform its function of protecting the dog from weather and regulating heat. If you are looking for a low maintenance, friendly, hypoallergenic dog that is good with kids and people of all ages, then the Bergamasco may be the breed you are looking for. Read the Official Breed Club Health Statement. 16 months. Flock Development. Small Midwest kennel of rare breed. They are among several Middle-Eastern breeds that were bartered around the Mediterranean basin in the distant past by the Phoenicians, wily seafaring traders of the pre-Roman ancient world. It is oily to the touch and forms a waterproof layer against the skin. The Bergamasco Sheepdog has hair of three different textures that form naturally occurring loose mats, or “flocks” (strands of hair woven together, creating flat layers of felted hair), covering the body and legs. It is one of the most ancient breeds of sheepdogs and has a history stretching back nearly 2000 years. They have a gentle, attentive personality that is not aggressive in any way. They are eager to please, and can be trained to some extent. There is a well-defined furrow between the tendon and the bone above the hock. The Bergamasco’s numbers dwindled in Italy during the years after World War II, but more recently dog people around the world have rallied behind this serene but fearless protector. Despite its formidable appearance, underneath that coat the Bergamasco Sheepdog is really a trim, athletic dog weighing 57-84 lbs, with no tendency to overeat. Healthy You, Healthy Dog, Healthy New Year! The Bergamasco’s characteristic feature is its unique coat, made up of three types of hair. Pelvis slopes at 35 degrees from horizontal. 17 months. This strong-boned and well-muscled dog is capable of running long distances for fairly long period of time. The Bergamasco's coat is made up of hair, not fur and is considered to be non-shedding. Thanks to the passion and hard work of an Italian breeder, Dr. Maria Andreoli, the breed was saved and bred once more to create reliable bloodlines that would carry on for generations. The Bergamasco's coat is made up of hair, not fur and is considered to be non-shedding. The mats grow over the course of the dog’s life, reaching the ground at approximately 6 years of age. © The American Kennel Club, Inc. 2020. This fringe still allows them to see fine but is there to shield their eyes from the sun’s intense glare against the snow of the mountains. Bergamascos are bright, loyal, loving, and trainable—with a dash of mountain-dog independence. The Bergamasco Sheepdog looks more like a dreadlocked Rasta than anything else. This was most likely because, when the Bergamasco was first bred, the shepherds originally wanted a guard dog who could protect them and the sheep while out in the fields. The “goat hair” is long, straight, and rough in texture. The Bergamasco's feature characteristic, however, is its shaggy coat. The felt-like mats grow over the course of the dog’s life, reaching the ground at approximately 6 years of age. 8 months. she's just an awesome dog great personality, Bergamaschi, Bergamese Shepherd, Cane da Pastore Bergamasco, Bergamo Shepherd Dog. See Grooming the Bergamasco for more details. The Bergamasco Sheepdog is a large, muscular shepherd of ancient time. The Bergamasco had been approved to compete in the Miscellaneous Class from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2014. The Bergamasco is a sociable, highly intelligent breed who possesses a deep desire to please his master. The Bergamasco is compact in profile but is just slightly longer than tall. As these dogs mature they develop thick "flocks," which are similar to cords in other breeds but larger. We have plenty of opportunities to get involved in your local community, thanks to AKC Breed Clubs located in every state, and more than 450 AKC Rescue Network groups across the country. Recommended Health Tests from the National Breed Club: Bergamasco Sheepdogs (Italian plural: Bergamaschi) have been associated with the Alpine town of Bergamo, near Milan, for many centuries. Breeder of Bergamasco Italian sheepdogs. The depth of the rib cage is equal to half the dog’s height at the withers. A happy and healthy breed, the Bergamasco Sheepdog is a patient, intelligent family dog that's devoted to his work--herding—and boasts a one-of-a-kind coat that's much more low-maintenance than it looks. The head is long, more or less, proportionate to the size of the dog, with the skull and muzzle of equal length, parallel to one another, and joined at a pronounced stop. They were brought across by the migrating Asians who were heading West, looking for fresh pastures. Flocking takes place when the fine top coat and the goat hair begin to weave together. 16 months. Like many of the other ancient breeds, the Bergamasco faced extinction after World War Two. The Bergamasco is a large purebred Italian dog from Bergamo in the Italian Alps. It was originally used as a herding dog. The flocks provide protection from the fierce cold and wild predators of the Italian Alps, the breed’s ancestral homeland. But fortunately, a … Because the coat aids in thermoregulation, a Bergamasco should never be shaved down. Because of this, the breed has been unaltered for centuries and still possesses a gentle, intelligent, and proud personality. They passed through Anatolia, the Caucasus Mountain Range at the border of Europe and Asia, The Carpathian Mountains of Central And Eastern Europe and The Alps before ending up at the Italian Alps near Bergamo- hence the name. Eager to please, smart, and stubbornly devoted to work, Bergamascos are patient but protective. The distance from the point of hock to the ground is no less than 25 percent of the height at the withers. © 2020 Wag Labs, Inc. All rights reserved. It’s made up of three types of hair, called “dog,” “goat,” and “wool.” Goat and wool hairs don’t start to appear until the dog is a year old. It is important to remember that the nomad shepherds truly admired the independent nature of the Bergamasco and did not alter it in any way. Its coat is made up of three kinds of hair, which combine to form dense, flat, felt-like mats that cover the dog's body and legs. Puppies are born with soft fluffy fur which needs to be brushed every month. As with all breeds, early socialization and puppy training classes are recommended. While the intricacy of the Bergamasco coat may seem overwhelming to first timers, it actually isn’t that difficult to take care of once the mats have been set. Learn about which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. Viewed from behind, the rear pasterns should be vertical and parallel to one another. This particular breed may be a bit wary of strangers and new people; however, once they are familiar with the person there is no problem at all. All Bergamasco Sheepdog found here are from AKC-Registered parents. Due to this hard work and determination, the Bergamasco has now been successfully developed in the United States. These days, the Bergamasco is primarily a family companion or show dog, though some still have a strong herding instinct. All rights reserved. The wrist follows the vertical line of the forearm and is very mobile. The Bergamasco worked closely with the shepherds, and unlike other sheepdogs, this breed enjoyed a unique relationship with their owners. The outer coat is woolly and somewhat finer in texture than the “goat hair.” The “goat hair” and outer coat are not distributed evenly over the dog and it is this pattern of distribution that is responsible for the formation of the characteristic flocks (strands of hair weaved together creating flat layers of felted hair). Wary of strangers until properly introduced, Bergamascos are aggressive only as a last resort. Tuck-up – Tuck-up is nearly absent. Want to connect with other people who love the same breed as much as you do? Beneath the one-of-a-kind coat is a large, muscular shepherd dog of ancient pedigree. Like all breeds there may be some health issues. More than ever, our goal is to secure the future of the Bergamasco by being very selective with our puppy homes and our breeding practices. 8 months. The profuse and distinctive flocks that cover the dog protect him from the bitter cold of high altitudes, and they serve as armor when doing battle with sharp-toothed, razor-clawed predators looking to feast on a stray sheep. Despite this breed’s amazing qualities, there was a time after World War II when the Bergamasco almost became extinct. Because of this freedom and their great intelligence, the Bergamasco became a breed that combines a desire to please its master and the ability to think for itself and problem solve. The Bergamasco traces its origins back nearly 7,000 years to what is now Iran. The shoulders are massive and strong. It is thought that the first Bergamasco dogs originated from Asia. The skin on the head is tight with no wrinkles. Generally happy to get along with kids and other animals, this healthy breed is eager to please and protective of their loved ones. (It should be noted that though the Bergamasco bears a passing resemblance to its Hungarian cousin, the corded Komondor, the coats are distinctly different. Ear length does not exceed half the length of the head, and shorter is preferred. According to a 2018 genetic study on Italian herding breeds there have been observed signatures of haplotype sharing between the Bergamasco Shepherd and the Briard and Bernese Mountain Dog, the Lupino del Gigante and Leonberger, and the Cane Paratore and Boxer. Some dogs may be faced with these health challenges in their lives, but the majority of Bergamascos are healthy dogs. A flock is a tuft or lock of wool or hair. Viewed from the side, the ears appear to be an extension of the curve of the back of the neck. This is cross between a Yorkshire Terrier and a Poodle. A sheepdog with a strong work ethic, the Bergamasco's most unique characteristic is its coat, which contains "dog hair," "goat hair" and "wool" that combine to form black or gray felt-like mats. The Bergamasco Sheepdog 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 Bergamasco Sheepdog is also known as the Cane da Pastore Bergamasco. The Bergamasco Sheepdog was recorded in the Foundation Stock Service from 1997 to 2014. There is no dewlap. A sheepdog with a strong work ethic, the Bergamasco’s most unique characteristic is its coat, which contains “dog hair,” “goat hair” and “wool” that combine to form black or gray felt-like mats. Your Dog Deserves Nothing But the Best: Meet AKC Canine Retreat in Midtown West Manhattan, iy_2020; im_12; id_28; ih_12; imh_04; i_epoch:1609185849179, py_2020; pm_12; pd_13; ph_23; pmh_04; p_epoch:1607929470405, link-block-publisher; link-block-publisher_link-block-publisher; bodystr, pn_tstr:Sun Dec 13 23:04:30 PST 2020; pn_epoch:1607929470405. 16 months. History & Overview The Bergamasco, also known as the Bergamese Shepherd, the Italian Bergama sheepdog, the Cane de Pastore Bergamasco (in its native Italy), this ancient breed has been working in the mountains around Bergamo, near Milan from the Middle Ages. Furthermore, the Bergamasco Shepherd dog breed is very affectionate and tolerant. But, since the coat is the breed’s hallmark, let’s take a close look. Answer a few simple questions and find the right dog for you, Compare up to 5 different breeds side by side, Browse the AKC Marketplace to find the right puppy for you, Browse our extensive library of dog names for inspiration, Find out the best and worst foods for your dog and which to avoid, 70-84 pounds (male), 57-71 pounds (female), Magdanphoto/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images, Vanessa Lassin Photography/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images, The Bergamasco Sheepdog should do well on a high-quality. But, over time the hair will begin to grow out and reach the flocking stage (around 8 to 9 months). The pasterns are straight when viewed from the front, and slightly sloping when viewed from the side (10 percent from vertical). Like all dogs that have worked as shepherds, the Bergamasco is very intelligent, observant, patient, and attentive. Bergamasco Shepherd Breed Appearance As the most distinguishing feature of the Bergamasco, this dreadlocked coat has a lot of components to it. 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Which is surprising for a Bergamasco are black, grey, or a silvery of... Well-Defined furrow between the tendon and the need for shepherding dogs was almost completely gone and let down the. To 3 inches wide around 1 to 3 inches wide goal of was... Been successfully developed in the northern part of Italy characteristic feature is its shaggy coat,. Happy with kids and other animals, the goal of which was originated from Asia an owner that the... European stock dog of Bergamascos are patient but protective fur and is to! The majority of Bergamascos are patient but protective AKC is the breed 's.

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