Breeds / Large
Bergamasco Sheepdog puppies
A large Italian herding breed under a corded coat, calm, patient and independent minded. They bond closely to their family and prefer shared activity to being left outside on their own.
The facts
- Size class Large
- Country of origin Italy
- Adult weight 25.9 to 38.1 kg
- Adult weight in pounds 57 to 84 lb
- Adult height 56 to 60 cm
- Energy level Moderate
- Grooming Low
- Coat type Long corded
- Shedding Low
- Typical lifespan 13 to 15 years
- Good with children Fine with supervision
- Good with other dogs Fine with supervision
About the Bergamasco Sheepdog
The Bergamasco Sheepdog worked the Italian Alps around Bergamo, guarding and moving flocks in a climate that produced their extraordinary coat. Three hair types, called dog, goat and wool, grow together into flat felted mats that shield them from cold and from predators. Underneath all that is a solid animal of 56 to 60cm and 25.9 to 38.1kg. Their manner is calm, watchful and independent, the character of a dog used to making decisions on a hillside rather than waiting for instructions.
Exercise needs are moderate and social: shared walks, games and hikes rather than time alone in a garden. The coat is less work than it looks. The mats have to be torn apart by hand once, usually after the first year, and from then on it is close to maintenance free, with baths only two or three times a year and no brushing at all. They must never be shaved, since the coat regulates temperature. Ratings with children and other pets are mid scale, so supervise and socialise early.
What to expect at eight weeks
At eight weeks a Bergamasco Sheepdog puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A large breed puppy at eight weeks looks deceptively normal sized and will roughly double every few weeks for a while. Keep exercise short and low impact, the growth plates are wide open. Expect moderate energy, in short bursts separated by long naps. Grooming is straightforward, but start handling the coat, feet and ears in week one anyway so it is never a fight later. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.
Health worth knowing about
Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.
- Hip dysplasia, screened by hip evaluation and x-ray of breeding stock
- Inherited eye disease, screened by an ophthalmologist evaluation
- Skin infection under the cords if the coat is left damp, found by parting the mats and checking the skin
Your Bergamasco Sheepdog puppy's first six months
- Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
- Worming and parasite schedule.
- Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Large for a Bergamasco Sheepdog.
- Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 25.9 to 38.1 kg adult range.
- Puppy names and the first week checklist.
Kit sizes: crate 42 inch (42 x 28 x 30 in, 107 x 71 x 76 cm) for an adult of up to 38.1 kg; chew toys made for large breeds. Worked out the same way as the crate size calculator. PetMD bases a crate on the dog's own measurements, not weight or breed alone, so measure once the puppy is home.
Buying guides for this
Other large breeds
More on the Bergamasco Sheepdog
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Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- Health notes from Bergamasco Sheepdog breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/bergamasco-sheepdog/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.
Photo: Luigi Guidobono Cavalchini ( Josephine06 ), CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.