A little look at life together.
Getting to know the Bergamasco Sheepdog
The Bergamasco Sheepdog is an Italian herding breed whose adult coat develops broad, flat flocks rather than ordinary brushed feathering. Seek experienced advice during coat development; mature flocks require a different routine from a long brushed coat.
An everyday routine
Plan a daily mix of walks, play, and rest. The amount that works for a particular dog depends on age, fitness, experience, and temperament.
Coat care to plan for
The coat develops into flat flocks as the dog matures. Get help through the coat-development stage; a mature flocked coat is not managed like a conventional brushed coat.
Before deciding, meet the individual dog and ask about their history, handling preferences, and current routine. Breed tendencies are a starting point, not a promise about personality.
Bergamasco Sheepdog questions
Do Bergamasco Sheepdogs shed?
Very little. The dog does not blow its coat, though you will still find the odd hair around the house. The exception is the coat change at around a year old, when a young dog can seem to shed for a while.
Are Bergamasco Sheepdogs hypoallergenic?
No dog is completely hypoallergenic. Many people who react to other dogs are not bothered by this coat, but that is not a guarantee. Spend time with an adult Bergamasco before you commit if allergies are a concern.
How do you groom a Bergamasco Sheepdog's coat?
Not with a brush. The coat is made of three kinds of hair that weave into flat, felted mats called flocks, and at about a year old the owner separates the coat into those flocks by hand, a job that takes a few hours to a few evenings. After some months of weekly checks, upkeep is minimal, with a bath only one to three times a year.
Can you shave a Bergamasco Sheepdog?
It is not recommended. The coat helps the dog regulate its temperature in heat and cold, and a shaved coat grows back as a tangle. If a floor-length coat is too much, the flocks can be trimmed to about 4 to 5 inches instead.
What is the difference between a Bergamasco and a Komondor?
They are different breeds from different countries, and the coats are built differently. The Bergamasco's flocks are flat, while the Hungarian Komondor's cords are round, like rope. The Bergamasco is also gray to black in color.
How big does a full-grown Bergamasco Sheepdog get?
Males stand 23.5 inches tall and weigh 70 to 84 pounds, and females stand 22 inches and weigh 57 to 71 pounds. Under the coat is a muscular dog built slightly longer than tall.
How long do Bergamasco Sheepdogs live?
Typically 13 to 15 years. That is a breed-wide figure, not a prediction for one dog.
Are Bergamasco Sheepdogs good family dogs?
They are generally happy with children and other animals, calm, and wary of strangers until introduced. They need only moderate daily exercise, ideally something done together, and they bark only to alert. Expect an independent thinker: the breed was developed to solve problems on its own in the Alps.
