At a glance the quick version
FCI and UKC figures.
Coat and looks how to spot one
flocked coat
A unique coat made of three kinds of hair: an oily undercoat, harsh goat-like hair and a woolly layer. Together they form flat felted strands called flocks, which start to develop at about 12-15 months and protect the dog from weather.132
Personality what they are like
A calm, thoughtful herding dog that is attentive and determined at work and patient at home. It forms a strong bond with its family, is generally good with children and other animals, and is naturally watchful.143
Daily activity how busy a day looks
A working sheepdog that enjoys regular outdoor activity and having a job to do.13
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
The flocks are not brushed out like a normal coat. Once formed, the coat is often described as fairly low maintenance.41
Company who they like around
People-oriented and closely bonded to its family; usually easygoing with children and other pets.41
The story where it all began
The Bergamasco is an old Alpine herding dog that moved flocks between summer mountain pastures and winter grazing in the Po Valley. A dog of this type was shown at the first Italian dog show in Milan in 1881, and the breed entered the Italian stud book in 1891.123
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
Its felted 'flocks' take years to reach full length and act like a protective, weatherproof blanket.3
- 2
The coat mixes three hair types: oily undercoat, harsh 'goat hair' and soft wool.3
- 3
The breed traditionally followed flocks on seasonal moves between the Alps and the Po Valley.1
- 4
A 2018 genetic study found it shares ancestry with breeds such as the Berger Picard and Bernese Mountain Dog.2
Recognised by the official bits
- FCI
- Standard no. 194, Group 1 (Sheepdogs and Cattledogs), Section 1 Sheepdogs; standard dated 15.09.2020, country of origin Italy. Accepted by the FCI in 1956 (Wikipedia).1
- ENCI
- Recognised by the Italian kennel club in 1956.2
- UKC
- Herding Dog Group; recognised 1 January 1995.3
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Bergamasco Shepherd. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- BrushingDaily during heavy sheddingevery 3 days
- Double coats insulate against cold and heat, so shaving is not recommended
- Bathevery 10 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
- Ear checkevery 2 weeks
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 7every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- FCI standard no. 194 Bergamasco Shepherd Dog fci.beused for recognition, size, weight, coat, colours, temperament, history
- Wikipedia: Bergamasco Shepherd en.wikipedia.orgused for names, recognition dates, height, history, facts
- UKC: Bergamasco ukcdogs.comused for recognition, coat, colours, temperament, facts
- AKC: Bergamasco Sheepdog akc.orgused for temperament, care
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.