Bergamasque – Italian Herding Dog

When it comes to dogs with felt hair, many people think of Pulis – or simply of street dogs that need some care. The Italian Bergamasque has a wild look with its natural Doppio Pelo felt, but the irregular mat on the rump is practical for the herding dog for many reasons and is a typical breed trait. In the guide, you will find out why the Cane da Pastore Bergamasco is becoming more and more popular not only as a working dog but also as a family dog.

The Unique Look of the Bergamasque – What’s Under the Felt Shag?

Under the felt shag is a large and compactly built herding dog: the Bergamasco is about as long as it is high and the chest reaches halfway to the height at the withers. The FCI breed standard specifies an ideal height at the withers of males of 60 cm (58 to 62 cm is tolerated), females should measure about 56 cm at the withers (54 to 58 cm are tolerated). Males vary in weight between 32 and 38 kg, females should weigh between 26 and 32 kg – about 0.5 to 2 kg of the total weight is distributed over the hair, which can become quite heavy in bad weather.

Breed standard

• The head is relatively large in relation to the body, with a length of about 2/5 of the height at the withers. The abundant hair on the head makes it appear even larger. The muzzle is about as long as the skull. Overall, the skull should be only half as wide as the head is long.
• Forehead prominences and eyebrows are very prominent. The stop is also clearly visible.
• The nose is always black and forms an upturned extension of the muzzle. The muzzle tapers slightly towards the tip to form a truncated cone. The lips are tight and the muzzle is not too flat, but rather deep.
• The friendly eyes are slightly oval in shape and the corners of the eyelids are slightly sloping. With their long and strong eyelashes, Bergamasques can push the hair off their forehead out of their field of vision. Chestnut brown is said to be the ideal iris color.
• The triangular ears are set high and rise slightly at the base. Most of the earlobe hangs straight down and has long hairs. 11 to 13 cm ear length and 6.5 to 8 cm width are considered ideal.
• The neck is slightly shorter than the head and should never form a dewlap. It transitions into a well-developed and prominent withers and a straight back. The croup is inclined at about 30° to the horizontal and is very broad. The lower profile line is only slightly tucked up on the belly.
• The front legs are vertical and the strong shoulders are sloping. Parallel elbows do not extend beyond the shoulder blade, long and dense hair grows from the elbows down, resembling ‘flakes of wool’. The paws are oval and close-fitting. The hind legs are straight and muscular, the hip joint angle varies between 100° and 105°.
• The powerful tail is set far back and tapers towards the tip of the tail. She is covered with goat hair that is slightly wavy (not matted). Normally the tail is carried in the saber position.

The special coat – natural felt as weather protection

The bergamasker’s flaky coat is divided into different zones:

• Harsh fur (like goat hair) grows in slightly wavy flakes on the front of the body, and hair grows long all over the head, forming bushy eyebrows and a mustache.
• The long hair forms pointed fringes on the ears.
• From mid-chest onwards, the body is covered with woolly, long hair that knots and mats with the long undercoat. The felt flakes start at the upper profile of the back and fall down the sides like a coat.
• The fur on the belly grows rather short and no felt drops form.
• Long hair also grows on the limbs, which should be rough in front and matted in back.
• The tail is also fringed with hair, but no felt knots should form there.
• The felt flakes are longer in older dogs than in young ones, they can be thicker or thinner and are not groomed. Drop shapes or round flakes also occur.
• Bergamasque puppies have very soft fur. The felt flakes only form after 1 to 1.5 years.

The felt hair comes in many colors

• The most common base color is grey. Dark or light gray patches are allowed all over the body.
• Black as the basic color is also allowed, the dreadlocks often lighten up to a brownish hue at the tips.
• Isabell and fawn tones in combination with gray are also accepted.

The traditional shepherd dog from the mountains of Italy

Evidence of the use of the Cane da Pastore Bergamasco can be traced back to the 13th century. In the Middle Ages, the breed was widespread throughout the Italian Alps and Pre-Alps region and irreplaceable for shepherds. In 1891 the breed was officially recognized in Italy.

Once a normal shepherd dog, now a rarity

• In the 18th century, the traditional pastoral work was replaced by more modern farming methods and the number of dogs declined.
• During the First and Second World Wars, Bergamascos almost became extinct (like almost all purebred working and companion dogs in Europe).
• Today, most Bergamasque shepherd dogs live as family dogs in the countryside. In Italy, an average of 97 puppies are born each year.