Bergamasco Shepherd Dog

Bergamský ovčák

Bergamasco Shepherd Dog – in motion — Photo: Towncommon, CC BY-SA 3.0, source

Bergamasco Shepherd Dog – head — Photo: adam w, CC BY 2.0, source

Bergamasco Shepherd Dog – front view — Photo: Luigi Guidobono Cavalchini ( Josephine06 ), CC BY 3.0, source

Key facts

FCI group	1. Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs (except Swiss Cattle Dogs)
Country of origin	Italy
Category	Large
Height at withers	54–62 cm
Weight	26–38 kg

Recognition features

Medium-sized, square-built dog with an exceptionally abundant coat
Coat forms broad felted strands ("flocks") over the body
Rustic appearance, hair falling over face and ears

Purpose

An Italian Alpine herding dog that helped shepherds drive and guard flocks.

History

The Bergamasco is an ancient herding breed spread across the Italian Alps and pre-Alps, especially in the valleys around Bergamo. It helped shepherds with seasonal movements of flocks between Alpine pastures and the Po plain. The first dogs were entered in the Italian stud book in 1891.

Coat

Very abundant coat of three hair types (goat-like, woolly and undercoat) matting into broad felted "flocks"; grey through black.

Similar breeds

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The information is indicative. Texts are based on available sources and may contain inaccuracies; for binding details (e.g. for breeding or shows) use the official breed standard. Report a photo or rights.