This ancient breed of guard dogs of herds has spread all over the region of the Alps; the total number of these dogs was especially great in the Bergamo valleys, where the breeding of sheep was highly developed.From a personal memoir of Annibale Guidobono Cavalchini, comes lovely the following:"The flock were driven up to their Swiss summer pastures in May... a grand Pastoral Transhumance as each year the shepherds with large flocks of sheep from the  Po valley,including ours. They grazed their flocks on fallow land in search of grass and at night returned to the farm where they were made welcome in exchange for a little fresh-ricotta cheese or other cheeses which they specially prepared for me with whole grains of pepper. Those were unforgettable flavours of the past. The shepherds were accompanied by their Bergamaschi dogs, which were widesread throughout the Alps. Their ability and intelligence in driving the sheep fascinated me, as it did many of the other farmers of the lower Po valley. No traffic policemen could have done better."

Wally bei Spluegenpass

The Character and Temperament of the Bergamasco Sheepdog

"The Bergamaschi are dogs with a lively intelligence, always alert but at the same time quiet when their intervention is not required.  When needs be, they are determined, courageous and excellent guard dogs.  They establish a close bond with their owner and family and do not like being left alone.
They have a sweet face with an almost languid expression, which always seems to want to communicate something to you.  They learn easily, but do not like to carry out useless tasks.  They know how to use up their strength sparingly and control their behaviour depending on the situation.  Their well-balanced temperament and natural intelligence make them excellent guard dogs but above all ideal companions.  They can be trained for a great variety of tasks: environmental services, man-work, obedience, agility and of course, guardingand herding sheep.
This is a rustic breed, strong and rugged, resistant to all types of weather and particularly suitable for life in the open air, an excellent companion for sports-loving people with an outdoor lifestyle."

 Work with sheep
Most Bergamasco sheepdogs have  maintained the natural instinct which drives them to round up a flock of sheep or other animals which are scattered at pasture and drive them to where the shepherd indicates.  The breed has been selected for this task and carries it out with an ancestral passion.
The dogs can drive livestock even over difficult terrain and mountain paths with intelligence and self-control and are indispensable to shepherds during their travels.
Bergamaschi can also be trained for pleasure and to take part in work dog trials organised by organisations such as the C.L.B. (Cani da Lavoro su Bestiame). http://users.iol/aditec/clb

The coat
The adult dogs have a very abundant coat which is the most striking characteristic of the breed.  The front half of the body has a harder textured  coat with wavy locks, while half way from the chest to the back of the body, and on the legs,  the coat develops matted strips the length of which depend on the age of the dog;  on the face the coat is less rough and falls over the eye , hiding them.  The coat develops progressively  in time and does not become fully matted until two and half to three years old.

The colour of the coat
The colour is solid grey or merle of all nuances from pale grey to black; and shades of Isabella and light fawn are also permitted.  Solid black is permitted provided it is opaque. Solid white is not permitted and is a disqualifying fault, as are wall eyes.
White patches are tolerated as long as they do not exceed one fifth of the whole coat, otherwise it is a disqualifying fault.

Special care of the coat
The coat of the Bergamasco sheepdog does not require  as much attention as one might suppose.   The matted strips form naturally.  Particular attention must be paid at about one to one and half years old when, in some specimens, the coat can tend to form a uniform matted fleece.  In this case,  the coat must be divided by hand into strips a little at a time.  The coat should never be cut except under exceptional circumstances but worked by hands making large wide strips of about 3-5 cm wide.  In the front part of the body and around the ear, these strips must be divided so that large matted patches do not form.
The adult dogs that live in the house can be bathed quite frequently, while those specimens  that live outdoors should be bathed less often.
It is very important not to brush the coat while the hair is wet. Once the coat is dry, the beard and the forelock can be brushed out.
The coats of older dogs can be trimmed when it gets particularly long, especially round the genital area.  If the coat is well cared for your dog should not smell.Show dogs should not have their coat trimmed but it should be clean, abundant and of the correct texture.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Important note about the coat

The Bergamasco has, what is called in Italian  DOPPIO PELO, which means that the dogs have, at least on the neck and shoulders, 'goat hair' that doesn't felt as easily as the rest of the 'wool' on the body. This is very important to help the dog move properly. As well, the mats are finer and shorter on the frontlegs and breast so not to hinder the dog  by agitating bidirectional movement.