Have you ever seen a Bergamasco Shepherd? It’s quite a rare dog breed! This Italian breed has some fanfare for its shaggy coat, lovable personality and herding abilities. Want to know more about this eccentric breed?

History of the Bergamasco Shepherd Dog

The origins of the Bergamasco Shepherd breed are unknown, but records first mention it in 1881, when it was exhibited at a dog show in Milan! This dog is as much an institution to the city as Duomo di Milano, AC Milan, and Quadrilatero della Moda.

The Bergamasco Shepherd is considered a herding dog, working much like a sheepdog to assist farmers with sheep and cattle movement. Many dog breed historians believe the dog to have been commonplace in Alpi e Prealpi Bergamasche, the southern section of the Alps.

Later studies in 2018 suggested that the breed spawned from the breeding of other European dogs, including the Berger Picard, the Bernese Mountain Dog, and the Briard.

Size and shape of Bergamasco Shepherd

The Bergamasco is a sturdy, medium-sized dog with a muscular, well-balanced build—think of it as the Michelangelo of dog breeds! Its body is almost square, with the length matching its height at the shoulders. Males typically stand 58–62 cm tall and weigh 32–38 kg, while females are about 4 cm shorter and 6 kg lighter.

This breed’s standout feature is its thick, weatherproof coat, perfect for life in the rugged Italian Alps. It forms unique matted locks on the back and coarse, wavy ringlets on the front—practical and elegant, like a well-tailored Italian suit. The coat comes in shades of grey, from soft silver to deep black, with occasional warm hues reminiscent of the cobblestone streets of Bergamo or the timeless style of Milan. Indeed, it is a work of art!

Temperament of the breed

The Bergamasco Shepherd is a breed that wants to protect its fortress. Whether incoming threats take the form of a burglar, postman, or a squirrel in the garden, this dog breed will be alert and probably make you well aware of them, too.

However, the Bergamasco Shepherd seldom uses its bark except when alert. It is a peaceful dog and is usually very compatible with other dogs and young children, making it an ideal family dog.

Having evolved from the sheepdog working dog lineage, the Bergamasco Shepherd has moderate energy levels and will want to go out for walks frequently – but doesn’t want to go on extended trail expeditions every day.

Once bonded to a family, Bergamascos are very loyal and can be known to suffer from separation anxiety. This is a factor of them being relatively intelligent and require emotional stimulation.

What dog food does the Bergamasco Shepherd eat?

What is the best dog food for a Bergamasco Shepherd? Like any breed, the Bergamasco Shepherd dog will get on best with a high-quality animal-based protein diet. Other attributes to look out for when you compare dog food options:

• Grain free dog food. Grain isn’t a natural component of a dog’s diet.
• Single protein dog food. This means it is easier to trace what your dog is eating, which is especially useful if your dog has allergies or stomach issues.

Fortunately, at the Innocent Hound, our air-dried food fulfils both of these qualities. Head to our online store to get our fabulous pet food delivered to your door!

Want more information on our products? Each product page has a plethora of dog food reviews from our prior customers, who are typically very pleased with the product! You can also read our other blog posts to learn about dog food design, composition, and related stories.

Grooming the Bergamasco Shepherd dog

Will you need many pet supplies for a Bergamasco Shepherd's grooming needs? The dog doesn’t require frequent cleaning sessions or trips to dog barbers. Neither does the breed shed too much, making for a relatively easy schedule. However, given how dense their hair is, their coat can take up to eight hours to dry thoroughly when the day comes for a dog bath.

"Header Photo" by Luigi Guidobono Cavalchini is licensed under CC BY 3.0