How to Identify a Bergamasco Sheepdog

Bergamasco Sheepdogs originated in Italy and are members of the herding group. [1] They share a few characteristics with other dog breeds but have many distinguishing ones as well, particularly with regards to their coat. This wikiHow will help you figure out whether or not a dog is a Bergamasco Sheepdog.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Body Structure

  1. Male Bergamasco Sheepdogs are typically 23.5 inches (60 cm) tall, and they usually weigh between 70–84 pounds (32–38 kg). Females are typically a little smaller, being 22 inches (56 cm) tall and weighing between 57–71 pounds (26–32 kg). [2]
  2. The Bergamasco Sheepdog should have a head that is of a long length and roughly in proportion with the dog's size. The dog's muzzle and skull should be parallel and the same length, with a noticeable stop where the muzzle and skull are joined together. You should also notice tight skin on the dog's head, and there should not be any wrinkles. [3]
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  3. Bergamasco Sheepdogs should have high-set, thin ears that feel soft and are hanging downwards on the sides of the dog's face. The tips should be a little rounded, with the upper two-thirds of the ear being triangular in shape. At the base, the dog's ears should be pricked upwards when they are alert, and the upper two-thirds should be half-drooping. When they are looked at from the side, the ears should seem to extend from the back of the neck's curve that the dog has. You should also notice soft hair that is a little wavy, along with fringes found at the ear tips. [4]
  4. Bergamasco Sheepdogs should have brown, oval-shaped eyes that are of a large size, and they should be slightly slanted. Exactly how dark their eyes are depends on the color of the dog's coat. [5]
  5. The Bergamasco Sheepdog should have a tail with a base that is thick, and it should also taper going towards their tip. When the dog is relaxed, their tail should reach to the point of their hock, and the lower third of the tip should appear to be in a hook shape. When the dog is moving, their tail should be curved and upwards, and the crook should be above the dog's back level. [6]
  6. Overall, Bergamasco Sheepdogs should be heavy-boned and muscular, with a balanced, calm gait. When the dog is trotting, their gait should be extended, elastic, and free. [7]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Coat

There are 3 kinds of hair in a Bergamaschi's coat: the undercoat, "goat hair", and the outer coat. [8]

  1. A Bergamasco Sheepdog should have an undercoat that feels fine, is dense, and of a short length. The undercoat should also feel oily. [9]
  2. Bergamaschi should have straight "goat hair" that feels rough and is of a long length. [10]
  3. A Bergamasco Sheepdog's outer coat should appear wool-like and feel relatively more fine in texture than the "goat hair". [11]
  4. There is not an even "goat hair" or outer coat distribution on the dog, so this is why the "flocks" that they are known for should be seen, which are hair strands that are intertwined. This should result in layers of hair that appear felted and flat. These flocks may be anywhere from 1.5–3 inches (3.8–7.6 cm) in width. [12]
  5. Overall, Bergamasco Sheepdogs should have a saddle that goes from the dog's withers to their body's midpoint (this area is mostly "goat hair"). This saddle should feel smooth to the touch, and you should also notice a lot of the outer coat on the dog's legs and the back of their body, which creates flocks in those areas with "goat hair". These flocks should not be as large at their ends as their base is, and they should have a shape that is irregular, and they may also possibly open in the shape of a fan. You should notice more flocks on the dog's legs and majority "goat hair" on their head that is a not as rough-feeling, and this hair should also be hanging over their eyes. [13]
    • The coat may be grey or variations of grey, including black (though their coat should not be a shiny black). You may notice fawn or Isabella-colored shades on the bottom area of their flocks due to discoloration and possibly white-colored markings that do not cover more than 1/5 of the dog's body. [14]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Temperament

  1. Bergamasco Sheepdogs are determined, and as a result, they can also be stubborn. They will need rules, along with positive reinforcement, to help keep this behavior in check. [15]
  2. While they will need some form of exercise every day, Bergamasco Sheepdogs on the most part do not need a lot of exercise. [16]
  3. Bergamaschi are intelligent dogs, who are usually able to understand the happenings of the environment they're in pretty well. [17]
  4. Bergamasco Sheepdogs have a lot of patience and generally do not get too excited. This patience makes them typically good with children. [18]
  5. While usually not aggressive unless something threatens their family, the Bergamasco Sheepdog is a good watchdog who will let their family know of anyone unfamiliar being near the home. [19]
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      Tips

      • If you're wondering whether or not your dog is a Bergamasco Sheepdog, consider dog DNA testing. This can help confirm what breed your dog is.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/bergamasco-sheepdog/
      2. ↑ https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/bergamasco-sheepdog/
      3. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/Bergamasco.pdf
      4. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/Bergamasco.pdf
      5. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/Bergamasco.pdf
      6. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/Bergamasco.pdf
      7. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/Bergamasco.pdf
      8. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/Bergamasco.pdf
      9. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/Bergamasco.pdf
      1. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/Bergamasco.pdf
      2. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/Bergamasco.pdf
      3. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/Bergamasco.pdf
      4. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/Bergamasco.pdf
      5. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/Bergamasco.pdf
      6. ↑ https://www.dogtemperament.com/bergamasco-sheepdog-temperament/
      7. ↑ https://www.dogtemperament.com/bergamasco-sheepdog-temperament/
      8. ↑ https://www.dogtemperament.com/bergamasco-sheepdog-temperament/
      9. ↑ https://www.dogtemperament.com/bergamasco-sheepdog-temperament/
      10. ↑ https://www.dogtemperament.com/bergamasco-sheepdog-temperament/

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