Mary Allen
Shoulder height: 55 – 62 cm
Weight: 26 – 38 kg
Age: 11 – 13 years
Colour: all shades of gray from light gray to dark gray, black
Use: working dog, companion dog, the family dog
According to the FCI classification, the Bergamasco Shepherd Dog (Cane da Pastore Bergamasco) belongs to the group of herding dogs and cattle dogs and comes from Italy. He is a hardworking and spirited dog, a reliable guard with remarkable patience and concentration. With his balanced nature, he is a pleasant, easy-to-handle family dog.
Origin and history
The Bergamasco Shepherd Dog is a very old Italian breed of dog and was a common herding dog throughout the Italian Alpine region. The population of these dogs was and is particularly large in the Bergamasco valleys in particular, where sheep breeding was well developed. In 1898 the first stud book was started in Italy.
Appearance
The Bergamasco Shepherd Dog is a medium-sized dog with a rustic appearance. He is strongly built, but very well-proportioned. The dense, rough, long fur on all parts of the body is striking. In adult dogs, the top and bottom coats become matted to form the breed-typical shag. The fur on the head is less rough and it covers the eyes. The coat, which naturally becomes matted, does not require much care when it comes to brushing and grooming. However, the dirt sticks very well in the long shags – fanatics of cleanliness will therefore not have any particular joy with the Bergamasque shepherd dog.
Nature
The true task of the Bergamasco shepherd Dog is leading and guarding the herd, a job for which it is exemplary thanks to its vigilance, its ability to concentrate, and its mental balance.
Its even-tempered and patient nature also makes him the ideal guard and companion dog. Today it is also becoming increasingly popular as a family companion dog and is suitable for a wide range of dog sports activities, such as dog dancing, mantrailing, and agility. In addition to the original herding work in the Alps, Bergamascos are also used as therapy dogs in old people’s homes, for example. He gets along well with other dogs and doesn’t start fights of his own accord.
It forms a close bond with humans and is considered easy to train. However, he does need a meaningful job and regular occupation, ideally outdoors. Therefore, it is not the best choice for lazy people and city dwellers.