Breed library

Bergamasco

Bergamasco photograph.
Ortensia di Valle Scrivia (cropped).jpg - Luigi Guidobono Cavalchini ( Josephine06 ). CC BY 3.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ortensia_di_Valle_Scrivia_(cropped).jpg. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0. License: CC BY 3.0.

Breed overview

The Bergamasco Shepherd, also known as the Bergamasco Sheepdog and in Cane da Pastore Bergamasco, is an Italian breed of sheepdog. It is associated with the Alpine and pre-Alpine regions of northern Italy, where it was traditionally used to move and manage sheep and cattle.

  • Breed classification: herding dogBreed reference breed group.
  • Breed type: dog breedBreed reference breed kind.
  • Country of origin: ItalyBreed reference country of origin.

Breed facts

  • In 1809, Johann Jakob Römer and Heinrich Rudolf Schinz similarly described large, long-haired dogs as faithful helpers of Bergamasco shepherds, with individual dogs sometimes entrusted with groups of sheep.
  • A genetic study in 2018 found evidence of haplotypes shared with other European breeds including the Berger Picard, the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Briard.
  • A dog of this type was exhibited at the first Italian dog show in Milan in 1881.
  • The first registration of the breed in the Libro Origini Italiano - the Italian national stud-book for dogs - was either in 1891 or in 1898.
  • During the first half of the twentieth century, war, changing agricultural economics and the decline of transhumant sheep husbandry reduced the working environment that had sustained the dogs.

Size and appearance

The coat is long and thick, and covers every part of the dog. Particularly on the hind part of the body, it forms long matted locks which provide good protection from bad weather; on the fore part of the body the hair is coarse and forms wavy ringlets like those of a goat, while the hair on the head is rather finer. The coat may be of any shade of grey, from very pale to matt black; some tinges of isabella or fulvous colour are allowable.

  • Body mass reference: 26 - 32 kgAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 26 - 32 kg. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Body mass reference: 26 kg or moreBreed reference body mass. female, minimum.
  • Body mass reference: Up to 32 kgBreed reference body mass. female, maximum.
  • Body mass reference: 32 - 38 kgAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 32 - 38 kg. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Body mass reference: 32 kg or moreBreed reference body mass. male, minimum.
  • Body mass reference: Up to 38 kgBreed reference body mass. male, maximum.
  • Height reference: 54 - 58 cmAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 54 - 58 cm. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Height reference: 56 cmBreed reference height. female.
  • Height reference: 58 - 62 cmAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 58 - 62 cm. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Height reference: 60 cmBreed reference height. male.
  • Coat length: long
  • Coat texture: wavy
  • Height category: medium
  • Height category: tall
  • Weight category: large

Personality and behavior

Care planning: record what your dog enjoys, how they greet visitors, and how they respond to new places. Add notes after walks and training so you can see their habits over time. Where this profile includes behavior research, use the same named measures when comparing your shortlist.

Exercise and activities

Care planning: build a weekly routine with walks, play and time to explore. Enter the minutes and sessions that work for your dog, then compare the weekly total with your available time. Keep notes about the activities your dog enjoys and adjust the routine together.

Training and enrichment

Care planning: choose one everyday skill to practice and keep a record of each session. Note the cue, the reward your dog enjoys and what went well. Rotate familiar games and new activities, and use your notes to choose the next small step.

Coat and grooming

Care planning: use the coat details above to discuss a grooming routine with your groomer. Record brushing sessions, baths and appointments in the app. Add the tools you use and your preferred schedule so the whole household can follow the same routine.

  • Coat length: long
  • Coat texture: wavy

Health and lifespan

Care planning: keep your dog's veterinary records, health-check dates and agreed care plan together. Add reminders for appointments and record changes you want to discuss at the next visit. Use the linked breed organizations and original references to explore their current health resources.

Living with this breed

Care planning: compare this profile's adult dimensions, coat care and available activity information with your household's routine. Make a shortlist, plan who will handle daily care and save the questions you want to ask a breed club, rescue or breeder.

Compare breeds

Compare supported adult height and weight ranges, matching research measures and sourced coat and care categories.

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Breed history

The origins of the Pastore Bergamasco are unknown. In 1781, G. von Albertini described Bergamasco shepherds on the Splügenberg using large dogs with long, wool-like hair to guard and drive their flocks; during migration, individual dogs could be entrusted with groups of sheep. In 1809, Johann Jakob Römer and Heinrich Rudolf Schinz similarly described large, long-haired dogs as faithful helpers of Bergamasco shepherds, with individual dogs sometimes entrusted with groups of sheep. A genetic study in 2018 found evidence of haplotypes shared with other European breeds including the Berger Picard, the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Briard.

Clubs and further reading

Sources

  1. Bergamasco Shepherd Dog - WikipediaWikipedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted excerpts from Wikipedia contributors, Bergamasco Shepherd Dog, revision 1378815966. CC BY-SA 4.0. Formatting, citations and selection changed. Source history: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bergamasco_Shepherd_Dog&action=history
  2. Wikidata structured breed dataWikimedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC0 1.0. Wikidata contributors (CC0).
  3. National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.PLOS ONE / Figshare Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY 4.0. Bohland, Kyle R.; Lilly, Meghan Leanne; Herron, Meghan E.; Arruda, Andréia G.; O’Quin, Jeanette M. (2023). National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.. PLOS ONE. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0289356.s003 CC BY 4.0. Selected rows and field names adapted; values unchanged.
  4. File:Ortensia di Valle Scrivia (cropped).jpgWikimedia Commons Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY 3.0. Ortensia di Valle Scrivia (cropped).jpg - Luigi Guidobono Cavalchini ( Josephine06 ). CC BY 3.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ortensia_di_Valle_Scrivia_(cropped).jpg. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0.
  5. Palipaws everyday care planningPalipaws Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Palipaws original factual summaries. Palipaws. Original care-planning text, separate from breed measurements and licensed article summaries.
  6. AKC national parent club directoryAmerican Kennel Club Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Factual reference only. Names and verified external links only. No source descriptions, logos or endorsement reused.