Bergamasco History and Standard
What is a Bergamasco Sheepdog?
The Bergamasco has ancient origins. In fact the Bergamasco comes from a group of shepherds and cow herders that spread from the Orient to the Western world after migrations of the nomad populations and their herds. The exchange of the dogs took place when the sheep were sold. The progenitor of the Bergamo Shepherd found its most suitable cradle through northern Italy in the territory of the Alpine Arc, where sheep herding was much developed, and in the Po Basin of Piedmont and Lombardy, where they went for wintering. This handler dog was selected exclusively for its work aptitudes and, for a long time, its blood lines were kept a secret by the shepherds.
Bergamascos are a very rare and cherished breed originating from the alpine regions of Northern Italy. Also called the Alpine Sheepdog, the Bergamasco is a herding breed with very intuitive problem solving skills. The Bergamasco is a dog with a lively intelligence, always alert but at the same time quiet when their intervention is not required. When needs be, they are determined, courageous and excellent herding dogs. They establish a close bond with their owner and family and are most content when by their side. They have a sweet face with an almost languid expression, which always seems to want to communicate something to you. They learn easily, but do not like to carry out useless tasks. They know how to use up their strength sparingly and control their behavior depending on the situation. Their well-balanced temperament and natural intelligence make them excellent working dogs but above all ideal companions. They can be trained for a great variety of tasks: environmental services, man-work, obedience, agility, and of course herding livestock.
This is a rustic breed, strong and rugged, resistant to all types of weather and particularly suitable for life in a rural environment, an excellent companion for active people with an outdoor lifestyle. Its most typical attraction is its long and abundant coat, with wavy tufts everywhere; coarse on the front half of its trunk, while from the thorax side down the entire length of the hind part it forms locks that start from the tip of the dorsal line and fall to the sides. Tufts and locks completely cover its limbs as well.
Bergamascos are often confused with the Komondor. Komondors are much larger and generally white in color, have a "corded" coat, are a herd guardian (not a herder) and many live outside with the livestock. Komondors come from Hungary. In general Bergamascos have a grey to black color and matted coat (flocks). They are an inside dog that needs the companionship of it's family but thoroughly enjoy the outside activities.
FCI-Standard N° 194 / 01. 06. 1992 /GBBERGAMASCO SHEPHERD(Cane
da pastore Bergamasco) TRANSLATION :
Mrs. Peggy Davis and Mrs. Ruth Binder-Gresly. ORIGIN
: Italy. DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE ORIGINAL VALID STANDARD : 27.11.1989. UTILIZATION : Shepherd dog used in driving and
guarding herds. CLASSIFICATION F.C.I. :
Group 1
Sheepdogs and Cattledogs – except Swiss cattledogs.
Section
1
Sheepdogs.
Without working trial. BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY : This ancient breed of guard dogs of herds has spread all over the
region of the Italian Alps; the total number of these dogs was
especially great in the Bergamasca valleys, where the breeding of sheep
was highly developed. GENERAL APPEARANCE
: The Bergamasco shepherd is a dog of medium size of rustic appearance
with an abundant coat covering all parts of the body, of a powerful
construction but very well proportioned.
Its general shape is that of a medium proportions dog, whose body
fits into a square. He is
balanced as much in relation to its size (heterometry = normal
proportions between size and different parts of the body) as with the
profiles (alloidisme = concordance between the profiles of the head and
the body). IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS
: The length of the body, measured from the foremost point of the
shoulder (humeral-scapular joint) to the rearmost point of the thigh
(pelvic tuber of the ischium) is equal to the height at the withers (the
body thus fitting into a square). Permitted,
but not desirable is a slight margin of tolerance which in no case must
be more than one or two cms. The
length of the head is 4/10 of the height at the withers.
The depth of chest must be 50% of the height at the withers. BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT : The function of the Bergamasco Shepherd is to guide and guard the
herd, task for which he shows exemplary disposition thanks to his
vigilance, his concentration and psychological balance- His learning
faculty and determination combined with his moderation and patience make
of him an excellent guard and companion dog, suited to the most divers
uses. He establishes a close
relationship with man. HEAD : The length of muzzle is the same as that of the skull.
In its parallelepiped ensemble, the head seems large.
The skin must not be thick, but close fitting to the underlying
tissues without forming wrinkles. CRANIAL
REGION : Skull : The skull is broad and slightly convex between the ears; is also wide
and rounded in the region of the forehead.
The upper longitudinal head planes of the skull and the muzzle
are parallel. The
length of the skull is the same as that of the muzzle.
Its width must not be more than half the length of the head.
The protuberances of the forehead are well developed both in
longitudinal and transversal sense, the zygomatic process of the frontal
bone are well defined. The
median frontal furrow (or flute) is marked; the occipital protuberance
is obvious and prominent. Stop : The frontal-nasal depression (stop) is well adjusted, but accentuated
due to the marked apophyses of the bones of the nose and
forehead, the frontal protuberances and superciliary arches. FACIAL
REGION : Muzzle : Tapers progressively towards its extremity and its lateral sides
converge slightly, so that
the muzzle itself is not pointed but truncated, with a foreface rather
flat. Its length is the same
of that of the skull. Its
width, measured at half length, reaches about 50% of its length.
The height of the muzzle must not be less than half its length.
The upper profile of the muzzle, traced by the profile of the
face, is straight. The lower
profile is not determined by the lip, but by the jaw.
Because of this conformation, the corner of the lips is not
obvious; the mouth is well split so that the corner of the lips is at
the level of an imaginary vertical from the outer angle of the eye.
The lower profile of the jaw is almost straight. Lips : Fine and of little importance, they separate under the nose making a
well opened arc which forms a third of a circle; hence the teeth in the
jaw are only just covered. The
rims of the lips are well pigmented. Jaws/Teeth : Upper and lower jaw well developed; the lower jaw (mandible) really
strong and large. Teeth
white, complete and well developed dentition; incisors in regular
alignment. Scissor bite. Cheeks : Not very prominent. Eyes : Large; iris of a more or less dark chestnut colour depending on the
colour of the coat. They are
set on an almost identical frontal plan.
Their expression is soft, serene and attentive.
The opening of the eyelid is slightly oval and the eyelid axis
has an obliqueness of about 15° on the horizontal.
The eyelids fit tightly over the eye, with black pigmented rims;
eyelashes are particularly long so that they can lift the hair falling
from the forehead over the eyes. Ears : Set high, semi-drooping, i.e. the last two thirds of the lobe are
drooping. When the dog is
attentive, the ear lifts slightly at its base.
Triangular shape. Length
is between 11 and 13 cm, width 6.5 to 8 cm.
It shows a wide base which, towards the back, extends to where
the head sets on the neck, whereas towards the front, it reaches the
middle of the skull. The tip
is slightly rounded. On the
ears the hair is slightly wavy and soft; ends up forming fringes on the
tip. NECK : Upper profile is
slightly convex. The neck is
a little bit shorter than the head; in effect, when extended, is not
more than 80% of the length of the head.
The perimeter of the neck, taken halfway of its length, must be
at least double its length. The
skin is never flabby, so always without dewlap.
Hair must be dense. BODY : Topline : Withers well defined from the straight topline.
The lumbar region shows a certain convexity and the rump is
somewhat sloping. Withers : High and long. The neck
harmoniously joined to the body. Back : Straight, well muscled and of good width, its length about 30% of the
height at the withers. Lumbar
region merging well with the topline and the rump.
The length of the lumbar part is about 20% of the height at the
withers; it is thus definitely shorter than the dorsal part.
The width of the lumbar region is about the same as its length;
muscles of the whole region are well developed. Croup : Wide, strong, well muscled and slanting, with an inclination of 30°
below the horizontal; transversal width between the hips must be 1/7th
of the height at the withers. Chest
: Must be ample, brisket let down to the level of the
elbows and well curved – Its perimeter (measured behind the elbows) is
more by 25% than the height at the withers -
Its transversal diameter must reach 30% of the height at the
withers. Depth and height of
the chest must be 50% of the height at the withers. Underline
and Belly : From the sternum, the lower profile rises
very slightly towards the belly which is a little tucked up.
The length of the flanks must correspond with that of the lumbar
region, which is short. The
hollowness in the flanks is minimal. TAIL : Set on third part
of rump, thick and strong at its root, tapering towards its extremity.
Covered with goat-like hair slightly wavy.
Its length is 60 to 65% of the height at the withers and reaches
the hock easily when the dog is standing normally; though it is
preferable it should be shorter. At
rest the tail is carried “sabre” fashion i.e. drooping in its first
third parts, then slightly curved in its last third part.
In action the dog wags his tail like a flag. LIMBS
FOREQUARTERS : On the whole seen from the front and in profile the forequarters are
straight. Height from ground
to elbow is 50% of the height at the withers; they are well proportioned
in relation to the size of the dog. Shoulders : Well constructed and massive. The
length of the shoulder blade is a little more than the quarter of the
height at the withers and measures between 15 and 17 cm.
Its obliqueness below the horizontal is of 45 of 55 degrees.
Muscles must always be well developed. Upper
arm : Must be well muscled with strong bone construction.
Its length is 30% of the height at the withers.
Its inclination below the horizontal is between 60 and 70
degrees. The opening of the
scapula-humerus angle varies between 105 and 125 degrees. Elbows : Must be placed in parallel plans
to the median plane of the body. The
point of the elbow must be on an imaginary vertical letdown from the
caudal angle of the shoulder blade.
The opening of the
radial-humerus angle varies between about 150 and 155 degrees.
From the level of the elbow going downwards, the hair must be
abundant, long and dense, with a tendance to look like flocks of hair. Forearm : Vertical; its length is at least equal to that of the upper arm.
Muscle and bone well developed. Carpus
(Carpal joint) : Mobile and lean with the pisiform bone
clearly protruding, it extends the vertical line of the forearm. Metacarpus
(Pastern) : Must be lean and mobile. Seen
from the front, must be placed in the same vertical plan as the forearm.
Seen in profile , is slightly oblique to the front. Feet : Oval shaped (hare foot) with well closed and arched toes.
Strong nails, curved and well pigmented.
Tough pads of a dark colour. HINDQUARTERS : On the whole, the hindquarters relate well to the size of the dog.
Limbs straight, as much in profile as seen from behind. Upper
thigh : Long, wide, well muscled with a rear profile
slightly convex. Its length
exceeds about 30% of the height at the withers, and its width 75% of its
length. The aperture of the
coxal-femoral joint angle varies between 100 and 105 degrees. Leg
(second thigh) : Robust bone structure and lean muscle, the
groove in the muscle is well marked.
Length of leg is about 1/3 of the height at the withers.
Inclination below the horizontal is about 55 degrees. Knee
(stifle joint) : Is on perfectly straight line with the limb,
is not turned either in or out. The
tibial-femoral angle is open and measures about 130 – 135 degrees. Hock
: Lateral sides of the hock joint must be really wide.
The distance from the point of the hock to the ground must not be
less than 25% of the height at the withers.
Aperture of the angle of the tarsal-tibial articulation varies
between 140 and 145 degrees. Metatarsus
(Rear pastern) : Its length is about 15% of the height at the
withers if gauged independently; if measured from the point of the heel
bone, its length is the same as that of the hock.
Its direction must be vertical.
Eventual dewclaws must be eliminated. Feet : As the front with all the same characteristics. GAIT / MOVEMENT :
Step free and long; the trot, rather extended and well maintained, is
the preferred gait. Because
of its conformation, the dog can easily go into an ordinary gallop, gait
which he is able to maintain for a relatively long time. SKIN : Tight to the body,
must be fine all over, but especially on the ears and forequarters.
Neck without dewlap and head without wrinkles.
Colour of the mucous membranes and third eyelids must be black. COAT HAIR : Very abundant, very long and different depending on the regions.
The texture is harsh, (goat hair) particularly on the front of
the body. From halfway of
the chest towards the rear, and on all the limbs, the coat tends to form
strands or is already in strands, depending on the subject’s age;
these strands must start from the topline of the back and fall on the
sides of the body. On the
head the hair is less harsh and covers the eyes.
On the limbs, the coat must be evenly distributed everywhere in
the shape of soft flocks falling towards the ground; forms a kind of
pilaster on the front and strands on the hindquarters, this without
fringes. The undercoat is so
short and dense, it is not easy to see the skin.
Must be greasy to the touch. COLOUR : Solid grey or with grey patches of all possible shades from a most
delicate grey to a brighter shade of grey on to black; Isabel and light
fawn shades are permitted. An
all black coat is allowed providing the black is really opaque (zain).
An all white coat is proscribed – White patches are tolerated
as long as their surface is not more than a fifth of the total surface
of the coat. SIZE AND WEIGHT : Height at withers : The ideal height at the withers for males is 60 cm with a tolerance of 2
cm, either above or below. For
the females : 56 cm also with a tolerance of 2 cm more or less. Weight : Males :
32 – 38 kg.
Females : 26 – 32 kg. FAULTS : Any departure from the
foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with
which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its
degree. The
same conditions apply to dogs with too small a head and those who amble
permanently. ELIMINATING FAULTS
:
DISQUALIFYING FAULTS :
Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural
abnormalities shall be disqualified. N.B. : Male animals should
have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
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