The Bergamasco Sheepdog is an old breed that was created by shepherds as a herding and guarding dog. The clever breed is currently regarded as a pleasant and gregarious companion and show dog, well noted for their unusual matted, mop-like coats.

Bergamese Shepherd, Cane da Pastore Bergamasco, and Bergamo Shepherd Dog are some of the various names for the Bergamasco Sheepdog. Despite the fact that they are purebred dogs, they may still be found at shelters and rescues. Keep in mind to adopt! If this is the breed for you, don't go shopping.

This gregarious breed enjoys forming bonds with a large number of people, making it an excellent choice for families or households with many members. The Bergamasco Sheepdog may survive in almost any environment as long as it has an active and attentive companion. And, contrary to appearances, the Bergamasco's distinctive coat is rather minimal maintenance.

This dog bed is recommended by DogTime for your medium-sized Bergamasco to have a nice night's sleep. For any outdoor trips you have with your dog, you should also pick up this dog water bottle!

Bergamasco Shepherd Highlights
Breed Size	Medium
Nature	Friendly, Outgoing, Playful, Protecative
Energy Level	Active
Intelligence	High
Barking Level	When Necessary
Coat Length	Short
Breed Group	Working
Droll Amount	Low
Good with	Familes, Children, Dog
Feed Level	Normal
Colour Type	Black, Merle, Fawn, Silver-gray, Black & Brown, Grey, Light Fawn
Other Facts	Gentle yet brave and intelligent temperament.

Dog History

Bergamasco Sheepdogs, or Bergamaschi, have been traced back to the Middle East up to 7,000 years ago, according to enthusiasts. Some speculated that the dog was derived from the Briard, a Gallic herder breed.

However, Italian supporters of the species point out that if the breed were to migrate west from the Middle East, it would have to pass through Italy first. Bergamo, an Italian city high in the Alps, gave the breed its name because its flocked coat helped keep these dogs safe from the harsh conditions of the highlands.

After WWII, the breed began to dwindle in Italy, but breed lovers battled to maintain the old breed alive. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale approved the breed in 1956. (FCI).

The Bergamasco Sheepdog was first recognised by the AKC in the Herding category in 2015. Bergamascho Sheepdog supporters throughout the world continue to lobby for the breed's inclusion in various kennel associations.

Health and Care

Bergamasco Sheepdogs are typically healthy, although little information on the unusual breed has been gathered. Because it hasn't been overbred, many people feel the Bergamasco Sheepdog is still a robust breed.

Nonetheless, Bergamaschi is susceptible to a number of health issues, including:

Hip Dysplasia

Bloat, though rare.

Care

You should take your Bergmasco Sheepdog to the vet on a regular basis, just like any other dog, to catch any health problems early. Your veterinarian can assist you in developing a care routine for your dog that will keep him healthy.

Bergamaschi, while being herding dogs, do not require a lot of activity. Bergmasco Sheepdogs need at least one excellent half-hour to hour-long walk each day, with a few nice, energetic play sessions and shorter walks thrown in for good measure.

Check their ears for dirt and vermin on a regular basis, and clean them according to your veterinarian's instructions. Once or twice a month, trim your dog's nails before they become too long. They shouldn't be slamming into the ground. This is something that your groomer can assist you with.

Keep an eye on their dental hygiene. You should wash their teeth on a regular basis, as instructed by our physician.

Dog Breed Care Tips and Important Instructions

Bergamasco sheepdogs require continuous training and socialising, as well as a reasonable amount of daily activity. Plus, as long as you know how to maintain it, their unusual coat is very easy to care for.

Walks, jogging, trekking, playing, and other forms of exercise should be provided to these dogs at least once a day. They also love canine sports like agility and herding, which assist to keep their bodies and minds in shape. Swimming, on the other hand, is not typically a good idea since the water weights down their flocked coat and makes it difficult to move.

The coat of the Bergamasco is made up of three different hair types: dog (soft), goat (coarse), and wool (fuzzy). The last two do not appear until the dog has reached adulthood.

The coat must be "torn" when the dog reaches its first birthday, a process that creates mats, or flocks. This may take a few hours, but it is a one-time procedure for the life of the dog. Following that, the flocks will increase and get denser, requiring less brushing and shedding. While the flocks are technically matted fur, the mats do not travel all the way to the skin, which can cause discomfort.

Baths are only necessary a few times a year, and the flocks must be properly dried with fans afterward. Every month, inspect your nails to see if they need to be trimmed. Brushing the dog's teeth on a regular basis is also recommended.

Make sure your dog has access to fresh water at all times. Also, offer a nutritionally balanced high-quality canine meal. Typically, two measured meals are served each day. However, consult your veterinarian about the sort of food and the amount to ensure you're fulfilling your dog's specific requirements. Keep an eye on treats and other additional food to ensure your dog doesn't overeat, and keep a close eye on its weight.

Feeding

A Bergamasco Sheepdog diet should be designed for a medium- to large-sized breed with moderate energy levels.

The nutritional demands of the Bergamasco Sheepdog will alter from puppyhood to adulthood, and will continue to evolve into their senior years, as they do with other dogs. Because there is just too much variance among individual dogs—including weight, energy, and health—to provide a particular prescription, you should seek your veterinarian for advice on your Bergamasco's food.

Fun Facts

Bergamaso Sheepdogs (or Bergamasco Shepherd Dog as he is sometimes called) have a pleasant, intelligent, tranquil, and well-balanced nature. This is a breed of herding dog.

When they're around children, their inherent herding and protective instincts come out, and the Bergamasco dog breed has been employed as therapy dogs for handicapped children with great success. They are excellent family dogs since they build tight bonds with all family members, not just the alpha male.

The coat of a Bergamasco is made up of three different types of hair that weave together as the dog grows older: a dense oily undercoat made up of fine hairs that produces a waterproof layer, a longer type of hair that is rougher and comparable to goat hair, and a woolly outer coat.

These three forms of hair are woven together to create flat flocks of hair that feel like felt. This was employed to keep the Bergamasco warm in chilly locations, and as a result, hair shedding is low, making these dogs suitable for allergy sufferers.

He is sceptical and apprehensive of outsiders, yet he isn't violent, and he is fiercely devoted to his master.

The Bergamasco Sheepdog gets along nicely with other dogs as long as they don't pose a threat to him, and cats should be OK as well. If you can raise them both together when they're little, that's even better.

Home Training Tips and General Information

You must keep a watch on your puppy at all times until he learns. If you can't, you'll have to put her in a cage. Create a regimen for the puppy to help her settle down quickly. Hourly toilet breaks, food times, sleep intervals, strolls, play time, training, and so on should all be part of the schedule. A dog with a busy day has little time to get bored or mischievous.

Teach the dog to obey your commands. Bergamasco Shepherds live in groups and follow a leader instinctively. When you establish your authority in no clear terms, instruction becomes more easier since the puppy will always obey you and will not challenge your authority.

Use only motivating training techniques. Never yell at, slap, or otherwise discipline your Bergamasco Shepherd. It is not only cruel, but it may also cause behavioural issues. Electric shocks, prong collars, sprays, and other similar methods might potentially hurt the animal.

Demonstrate to the puppy that "nothing in life is free." This is a concept that is widely regarded as a useful instrument for teaching. If you emphasise this, your dog will learn that in order to receive things like attention, a walk, or a food, he must behave appropriately.

Demonstrate the meaning of the word "no" from the start. Jumping, snarling, tug-of-war, barking, or fleeing open gates and doors should not be encouraged. When there is good behaviour, praise it; when there is negative behaviour, ignore it or move away. The puppy will quickly learn that if he misbehaves, he will lose his buddy.

You should catch the Bergamasco Shepherd in the act of breaking a habit and surprise him by shaking a jar of stones. Once you've done that, encourage him to improve his behaviour by rewarding him with a treat and your praise. Bergamasco Shepherds don't remember what happened before, therefore reprimanding him after an occurrence is pointless.

Make a point of calling/using his name in a pleasant manner. Saying "Bad TOM" or "No Tom" will cause confusion, and the Bergamasco Shepherd will assume that you are calling his name for a bad reason. The dog must associate his name with pleasant experiences such as hugs, stroking, strolls, treats, and so on. If this occurs, he will cheerfully return the instant you call his name.

Make a short and simple training regimen, around ten minutes three times a day. Long, repetitive lessons might bore the Bergamasco Shepherd and cause him to lose interest in learning. Make training more fun by using trick training to demonstrate commands like sit, down, and come.

Bond with the Bergamasco Shepherd, and your lessons will be a blast for both of you. The dog should anticipate spending quality time with you rather than avoiding you by fleeing or hiding. Make sure to socialise the puppy as soon as possible. One of the most important lessons is socialisation. The Bergamasco Shepherd must learn to coexist with a wide range of different animals, humans, sounds, cars, and activities. As a result, while the puppy is young, gradually introduce him to typical activities and sounds. Introduce him to youngsters and other pets, and teach him not to be scared of the vacuum cleaner and water hose.

Learn all there is to know about crate training, leash walking, housebreaking, and food training. Every Bergamasco Shepherd puppy must learn these remedial courses. Recognize all of the breed's quirks and distinguishing characteristics. This will provide you with valuable information on how to properly train your dog.

FAQS

Bergamasco Shepherd Unique Name

Male Name	Female Name
Bandit	Eden
Brownie	Ginger
Casper	Jasmine
Gus	Juliet
Harvey	Mila
Hawkeye	Minnie
Milo	Olive
Norm	Piper
Otto	Sage
Pablo	Summer
Petey	Brie
Rascal	Cali
Reese	Cameo
Romeo	Cha Cha
Smoky	Chelsea
Winston	Cherokee
Tilly	Cheyenne
Yoshi	Patsy
Banjo	Vegas
Wiz	Skye