The Bergamasco Sheepdog: Flocked and Fabulous
Imagine a dog that looks like it‘s wearing a mop on its back. But under that mass of flocked fur lies a sharp mind, a huge heart, and a truly special soul. That‘s the Bergamasco sheepdog in a nutshell. Let‘s untangle the mysteries of this dreadlocked dog breed with an ancient history, a one-of-a-kind coat, and a personality to match.
From the Alps to Your Couch: A Breed History
The Bergamasco sheepdog‘s story starts in the Italian Alps thousands of years ago. Some researchers believe the breed originated in ancient Persia around 7,000 years ago and slowly migrated west. By Roman times, the Bergamasco‘s ancestors were well-established in the Alpine regions of what are now Lombardy and Piedmont in northern Italy. The name Bergamasco comes from the area around the city of Bergamo.
For centuries, these rugged yet agile dogs served the shepherds of the Alps as herders and guardians of sheep and goat flocks. Traversing steep rocky passes and weathering long, cold winters, Bergamascos guided their charges between high mountain pastures in summer and lowland valleys the rest of the year. With their keen intelligence and independent judgment, Bergamascos were entrusted to protect valuable livestock from wolves, bears, and human thieves, often working far out of sight of their shepherds.
As the Industrial Revolution reached the mountains and farming declined in the early 20th century, many working Bergamascos found themselves out of a job. The breed teetered on the brink of extinction until a veterinarian named Dr. Maria Andreoli made it her mission to preserve these special dogs in the 1960s. Thanks to the efforts of Dr. Andreoli and other dedicated breeders, the Bergamasco survived and gradually gained recognition as a unique companion canine.
The Italian Kennel Club accepted the Bergamasco in 1956. After a small number of the breed arrived in the United States in the 1990s, the American Kennel Club followed suit in 2015. Today, the Bergamasco remains an extremely rare breed. As of 2023, it ranks 187th out of 200 AKC recognized breeds by popularity.[1] The worldwide Bergamasco population is estimated at under 3,000 dogs[2], with only a few hundred in the US.
Form Meets Function: The Bergamasco Build
Bergamascos are medium-to-large dogs with muscular bodies and distinctive, heavy coats that evolved to protect them from the harsh conditions of their Alpine homeland. Beneath the shaggy mane, adult male Bergamascos stand about 24 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh between 70 and 85 pounds. Females are a bit smaller at around 22 inches tall and 55-75 pounds. From nose to tail, Bergamascos measure slightly longer than they are tall.
Other defining physical features of the breed include:
- Head: long and tapered with a rounded top, pronounced stop (forehead), and powerful muzzle
- Eyes: large, oval, set forward, color blends with coat (brown to pale yellow)
- Ears: hanging, triangular, small in proportion to head
- Neck: Strong and slightly arched
- Topline: straight with slight dip behind shoulders
- Chest: deep and moderately broad
- Legs: straight and sturdy with oval, compact paws
- Tail: long, set on low, curved slightly upward, covered in flocks[3]
The Bergamasco Coat: How Does It Work?
Of course, we have to address the shaggy elephant in the room: that astounding Bergamasco coat! Bergamascos have one of the most unusual fur textures in the dog world. The breed standard calls it "a dog with three types of hair that combine to form a protective coat that has the feel of a loose, pliable felt.[3]
Bergamascos are born with short, fluffy puppy coats. But as they mature, three different hair types start growing in:
- Undercoat: fine, dense, oily hair that forms a waterproof layer close to the skin
- "Goat hair": long, straight, harsh hair that forms a sort of net to catch debris
- "Wool": fine, crimped hair that intertwines with the goat hair[4]
Around 9-10 months old, a Bergamasco puppy starts shedding its soft fluff to make room for the mature coat pushing through. This is the time for human intervention to get those famous flocks started. The owner must separate the new coat into small mats by gently pulling apart the hair against the grain all over the dog‘s body. It‘s a painstaking process that takes many sessions over a few months. But it‘s crucial for allowing the hair types to weave together properly and felt into the flat, uniform mats that give the Bergamasco its mop-like appearance.
By 2-3 years old, a Bergamasco usually has a full, flocked coat that reaches to the ground. The flocks are typically 1-3 inches wide and distributed evenly over the body and legs. A long curtain of hair covers the eyes, while the head and legs sport a tousled, less matted look. The thick, feltlike coat acts as full-body armor against the elements, insects, and overly curious critters.
The Bergamasco comes in various shades of gray, including:
- Solid gray
- Solid gray with white markings
- Shades of gray/merle
- Solid black (rare)
Fawn coloring also occurs but is not an accepted color in most breed standards.
The Bergamasco Personality
So what‘s going on under all that hair? People who know Bergamascos gush about their inquisitive, gentle, affectionate yet independent personalities. Spend time with a Bergamasco and you‘ll quickly notice:
Sensitivity. Bergamascos are keenly observant and responsive to their human‘s moods. They often seem to "just know" when you need a calm, understanding presence by your side. Because of this sensitivity, Bergamascos don‘t respond well to harsh training methods or punishment. Veterinarian and breed expert Dr. Maria Andreoli calls them "wise dogs" who "quickly lose their trust in anyone who treats them unfairly, roughly or without respect."[5]
Intelligence. With their herding background, Bergamascos are quick learners who can master complex tasks. They have excellent spatial awareness, memory, and problem-solving skills. But they aren‘t robots waiting for commands. Bergamascos were bred to assess situations and make decisions on their own, out of sight of humans. They tend to carefully consider requests rather than blindly obeying. While highly trainable, Bergamascos can have a stubborn streak. They do best with patient, creative training approaches and lots of positive reinforcement.
Watchfulness. True to their history as flock guardians, Bergamascos are naturally aloof with strangers and protective of their people and property. They aren‘t typically aggressive but will bark to alert you of anything unusual. Bergamascos tend to patrol their homes and check in on family members, especially children. While loving with their own family, they need careful socialization to avoid being overly suspicious of guests.
Playfulness. Bergamasco fanciers adore the breed‘s sense of humor. Bergamascos are known for inventing silly games, performing goofy antics to get attention, and just generally clowning around. They love romping with their humans and learning fun tricks and tasks. Bergamascos retain their playful streaks well into adulthood.
Loyalty. Bred to form tight bonds with their shepherds and charges, Bergamascos thrive on human companionship. They don‘t like being left alone for long periods or isolated from their families. If Bergamascos had their way, they‘d accompany their special humans everywhere, serving as a combination guardian, court jester and guidance counselor rolled into one dreadlocked furball.
Living with a Bergamasco
Think a Bergamasco could be the dog for you? Consider the following to determine if your lifestyle is compatible:
Activity level. As herding dogs, Bergamascos have moderate exercise needs. They require at least an hour of physical activity daily, divided between walks, hikes, backyard play sessions, or dog sports. Mental stimulation is equally important for this brainy breed. Teaching them new skills, providing puzzle toys, playing scent games, and setting up obstacle courses are just some ways to keep Bergamascos happily occupied.
Training. While Bergamascos are highly trainable in the right hands, they aren‘t pushovers. They need a firm but fair leader who establishes consistent rules and expectations. First-time dog owners may find the Bergamasco‘s intelligence and independence challenging at times. Enrolling in positive puppy classes and working with a trainer who understands herding breeds is a good idea.
Socialization. Bergamascos need extensive socialization starting in early puppyhood to develop into discriminating watchdogs who can tell friend from foe. Puppy kindergarten and gentle exposure to all sorts of people, animals, places, noises and experiences are essential for helping Bergamascos become confident, stable adults.
Grooming. Although Bergamascos don‘t need daily brushing, their coats do require some specialized care. The most important step is the flocking process in late puppyhood when the adult coat first comes in. This involves separating the coat into small mats to get the flocks established.
After the initial flocking, Bergamasco coats are fairly low-maintenance. The mats continue to grow throughout the dog‘s life, getting fuller and reaching the ground. The flocks don‘t need brushing and are amazingly resistant to dirt. Debris tends to work its way out on its own. An occasional bath every few months with a gentle moisturizing shampoo meant for wool and a thorough rinse is all that‘s needed to keep a Bergamasco clean and odor free.[6]
The Bergamasco‘s low-shedding, low-dander coat makes it a good choice for many allergy sufferers. While no dog is 100% hypoallergenic, the Bergamasco comes close.
Health. With a lifespan of 13-15 years, the Bergamasco is a sturdy breed with few health issues compared to many other large dogs. Some conditions seen occasionally in the breed include:[7]
- Hip dysplasia (~8%)
- Elbow dysplasia (~2%)
- Eye disorders like distichiasis, entropion, ectropion (~4%)
- Autoimmune disorders
The best way to stack the odds in favor of getting a healthy Bergamasco is to work with a reputable breeder who does the recommended genetic and health screenings on their breeding stock. These include hip and elbow evaluations, eye exams, and DNA tests for certain inherited conditions.
Costs. Bergamasco puppies typically cost $2000-$3500 from a quality breeder, depending on the pedigree and whether breeding rights are included. Expect to pay more for a show prospect. Because they are so rare, Bergamascos often require getting on a waiting list.
Budget at least $500-$1000 for initial supplies like puppy food, bowls, leashes, collars, toys, and vet checkups. Annual expenses for food, preventive care, toys, and incidentals are around $1000-$1500. Training, grooming, pet sitting and other services can add considerably to the total.[8]
Bergamasco Quirks and Quotes
Still interested in a Bergamasco? Consider these memorable breed moments shared by people who love them:
"My Bergamasco once brought me the TV remote when I complained about a show that was on. They‘re so intuitive." -Bergamasco owner in Rome, Italy
"I was at the dog park when a little girl asked what kind of dog I had. When I told her it was a Bergamasco sheepdog, she said, ‘No, that‘s not a sheep dog. It‘s a SHEEP!‘" -Bergamasco owner in Seattle, Washington
"My Bergamasco is obsessed with carrying around socks. Not chewing them, just holding them gently in his mouth while he follows me from room to room." -Bergamasco owner in Toronto, Canada
"Every time we come home, our Bergamasco greets us with a different toy in his mouth, his whole back end wagging. It‘s like he carefully picks out a present for us." -Bergamasco owner in Milan, Italy
"My Bergamasco is a champion counter surfer. I never know what I‘m going to find in his flocks. I once pulled out a whole bagel." -Bergamasco owner in Chicago, Illinois
"Watching a Bergamasco run is pure joy. They look like Muppets galloping in slow motion." -Bergamasco breeder in Oregon
"If you want a dog that will make people stop in their tracks and say, ‘WHAT is THAT?!,‘ get a Bergamasco." -Bergamasco owner in London, England
"Bergamascos are like potato chips. You can‘t have just one." -Bergamasco breeder in Bergamo, Italy
Flocking To a Home Near You?
If you long for a dog that‘s both beautiful and bizarre, brilliant and comical, chill and charismatic, the Bergamasco may be your perfect match. These dazzling dreadlocked dogs can fill your life with laughter, love, and nonstop conversations with intrigued strangers. Just be prepared to pick up your share of dustballs along with the joys of Bergamasco ownership!
Sources
[1] https://www.akc.org/most-popular-breeds/[2] http://www.bergamasca.com/faq_e.html
[3] http://www.bergamascousa.com/Bergamasco_Breed_Standard.html
[4] https://thehappypuppysite.com/bergamasco/
[5] http://www.bergamasca.com/carattere_e.html
[6] https://bergamascousa.com/coat
[7] https://www.ofa.org/diseases/breed-statistics#detail
[8] https://www.petbudget.com/cost-to-own-a-bergamasco-sheepdog/
