COUNTRY: Italy
These shaggy dogs were brought into Italy by ancient Phoenician merchants—from where, no one knows. We can speculate that the seamen traded for shaggy, corded sheep dogs from the Caucasus or farther east.
Concentrated in the Bergamo area, an old city situated in the north near Milan, the Bergamasco dog is an intermediate type: a large robust herding dog with flock-guarding ability. Developed by the shepherds of the Italian Alps, he has served his masters well over the centuries.
In his migrations northward, he may have been one progenitor of the shaggy European stock dogs (Briard, Nizinny, Bouvier, etc.). The breed is affectionate and loyal, with a long memory. Owners warn, however, of a natural stubbornness that must be overcome by training.
A thick, corded coat protects him from the elements and prevents injuries from kicks or from bites of wolves or other dogs. The back portion of the coat has a woolly consistency, with the front wiry and rough like goat hair. This hair cascades over his eyes. Like those of his ancestor, the Owtcharka, his cords are never combed out. The Bergamasco dog presents a unique picture in motion, similar to that of the Puli or Ko-mondor.
The breed is adaptable to any habitat from the open Alpine pastures to a small yard and is devoted to its family but distrustful of strangers. He still demonstrates strong instincts to protect as well as to herd. During a storm, a shepherd encouraged his Bergamasco to sniff a lamb and then the mother of two lost lambs. The dog searched on its own for many hours, finally returning to lead his owner to the lambs, alive and well in a ravine.
Noted as easy keepers, they stay vigorous even on their usual pastoral diet of curds and whey. The Bergamasco dog possesses a heavier muzzle than other members of the herding group.
Until quite recently, the Bergamasco dog was rare almost to the point of extinction. Dog lovers in Italy, as in so many countries, have worked to save this piece of canine history. He is now promoted as a working dog and can be seen exhibited at Italian and Continental shows. A few specimens have reached other countries, but most of his numbers are still at home. A specialty club is based in Sondrio, on the Swiss border, and where there are dedicated fanciers, there is always hope.