Overview
The Bergamasco comes from the Italian Alps, where it worked flocks of sheep on steep pasture alongside shepherds for centuries. Its coat is unique: three types of hair weave into flat, felted flocks that hang from the body and protect against cold, wet and predators. Underneath is a solid, medium-large dog with a thoughtful, steady temperament.
Bergamascos are not showy. They watch, think and act when needed, bond closely with their people and are patient with children and other animals. They are rare in Britain and a novelty on most walks.
Exercise and walking needs
An hour or so a day is enough for most adults. The breed was built for endurance at a walking pace, not for speed, and it is content with steady exercise and company.
They enjoy variety and mild mental challenges, but they are not a dog that demands a job every hour. A good walk is a calm one.
On the walk
- Recall: Usually good. Bergamascos like to keep track of their people and are not strong chasers.
- Other dogs: Calm and tolerant, with little interest in rough play. They often act as the steady presence in a group.
- Coat: The felted flocks pick up mud, burrs and water and take a very long time to dry. Avoid deep mud and brambles.
- Heat: The coat insulates against heat as well as cold, but a dog this heavily clothed still needs shade and water in summer.
- Strangers: Reserved but polite. They watch new people before deciding, and seldom bark unnecessarily.
Tips for professional walkers
- Stick to paths rather than ploughed fields or boggy ground; a Bergamasco full of mud is a day's work to clean.
- Carry water and plan shaded routes from late spring.
- Let the dog set a steady pace rather than hurrying it; it is not a sprinter.
- Check the flocks for seeds and twigs before dropping the dog home.
What to ask the owner
- How does the owner want the coat handled after a wet or muddy walk?
- Any joint concerns, given the size, and anything the dog should not do?
- Has the dog worked livestock, and how does it behave around sheep on footpaths?