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Judging the Bergamasco Sheepdog: Key traits, movement, and coat insights for appreciating this unique heritage breed.
Bergamasco Sheepdog Club of America
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As the judge is waiting for the next breed to come into the show ring, you may see piles of wool stacked ringside. The Steward calls the numbers and, suddenly, the piles start moving and magnificent dogs flood the ring. Here enters the Bergamasco Sheepdog, a true heritage breed which developed unique characteristics without man-made aesthetics. They are from the Alpine regions of northern Italy and southern Switzerland. In this region, over the centuries, the Bergamasco acquired its own characteristics: a dignified, intelligent sheepdog with a calm, self-assured expression and sometimes whimsical demeanor.
While the Breed Standard has guidelines about the breed traits, it is important to note that the individuals of a heritage breed are not cut from one single mold.
When the dogs enter the ring, the main points to watch for are:
There is nothing exaggerated about the Bergamasco trot style. The Bergamasco’s energy-conserving gait allows them to travel for miles. The gait is a free, extended, elastic, slow trot, with both front and rear feet remaining close to the ground through all phases of the trot. The pasterns are supple and flex freely. Due to their work in mountainous terrain, and quick directional changes, it is acceptable for only the toes to turn out slightly; never cow-hocked. When moving, the head is carried forward, with the neck forming a slight angle at the withers. The topline is level, and the tail flags back and forth at a level higher than the topline, but not curling forward over the back.
The coat of the Bergamasco should be rustic and not overly groomed. The coat serves multiple purposes such as protection from the elements. The coat takes years to reach maturity, and can vary considerably. A young dog’s coat goes through a number of stages in the early years. Female coats are subject to change due to hormones and raising pups. These are natural differences and, therefore, are not to be penalized. Furthermore, this breed is characterized by its enormous diversity of color shades which exist within the permitted gray and black. Disqualification—White coat color on more than one-fifth of the total area of the body.
Trimming is acceptable for hygienic reasons and the ease of movement around the feet and pads. Also, the coat may be thinned or trimmed when it becomes too thick and long, hampering normal movement, and compromises the dog’s welfare. However, it must maintain the traditional rustic appearance of the dog.
For a judge, an in-depth manual examination of the dog is imperative in order to discover what hides underneath this magnificent coat.
In the show ring, the Bergamasco is calm, alert, and eager to work with the handler. They are not shy nor aggressive. They can be very energetic and also very laid-back. Due to their independent nature, they can be stubborn and would prefer to work for praise rather than food. This sometimes makes them a challenge in the show ring. Bergamascos often seek out the eyes and facial expression to size up what is approaching. Please keep this in mind when approaching the Bergamasco as a direct, studious eye stare from a judge may be taken as a provocation. It is best to approach from the side, with relaxed, calm movement. Bergamascos are very sensitive to the human voice; a kind word of encouragement goes a long way with younger dogs and our owner-handlers.
In general, Bergamasco’s are self-confident dogs and show a balanced character, but they also have a decent dose of quirkiness.
The Bergamasco is a dignified, intelligent sheepdog with a calm, self-assured expression. Look for Form to Fit the Function with an Exceptionally Easy Gait; and don’t forget, an in-depth manual examination is imperative in order to discover the magnificent dog hiding underneath this unique coat.
Anyone interested in learning more about the Bergamasco’s history, form, function, appearance, and temperament can access the Bergamasco Breed Course at AKC’s Canine College. This eLearning course visualizes the written Standard, featuring expert interviews, images, and videos of the ideal characteristics of the beloved Bergamasco. The Bergamasco Sheepdog Club of America provides in-depth hands-on and mentor support for AKC Judges Education. Please contact the Bergamasco Sheepdog Club of America: https://bergamascousa.com/.
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