Pastoral group · Italy
Bergamasco Sheepdog
Also called Bergamasco Shepherd, Cane da Pastore Bergamasco.
Large dog, moderate energy, trains well with consistency.
- Patient
- Intelligent
- Vigilant
- Determined
- Sociable
- Size
- Large
- Weight
- 26 to 38 kg57 to 84 lb
- Lives
- 13 to 15 years
- Energy
- Moderate
- Trains
- Moderate
- Barks
- Moderate
Training
Training a Bergamasco Sheepdog
Pastoral breeds. Give the brain a job or it will find one. Chasing, nipping and fixating are the breed doing its work.
Coat Formation
Start here
Mats form into "flocks" naturally at 1 year, learn proper technique or coat becomes unmanageable.
Independent Problem Solver
Bred to make decisions independently, requires patient training that respects their intelligence.
Slow Maturity
Takes 3-5 years to fully mature mentally, patience in training is essential.
The app turns this into five to fifteen minutes a day.
Add your Bergamasco Sheepdog and it builds the plan around their age, where they came from and what they already know, on video with Atlas and Shango.
Free to start. iPhone. No card needed.
At home
Living with one
Bred to herd and guard livestock. Watchful, responsive, and wired to control movement.
Gets on with
- ChildrenHigh
- Other dogsModerate
- StrangersModerate
- CatsModerate
Breed averages. Early socialisation and the individual dog matter more.
- Exercise
- 1-1.5 hours daily. Moderate exercise, enjoys outdoor activities.
- Grooming
- Low once flocks form. Initial coat separation at 1 year requires knowledge.
- Drool
- Low
- Coat
- Flocked/Matted, Three hair types that form natural matsGrey, Silver Grey, Light Fawn, Charcoal
- In a flat
- Needs more space than a flat gives.
Health
Things to ask a breeder or vet about
Hip Dysplasia
Moderate
Joint condition in larger breeds
Bloat
Severe
Deep-chested breed risk
Where they come from
History
Ancient breed from the Italian Alps near Bergamo. The unique matted coat protected from weather and predator bites. Nearly extinct after WWII but revived by Dr. Maria Andreoli.
