The Coat

The Bergamasco's coat is its most striking physical feature: three kinds of hair combine to form dense, flat, felt-like mats that continue to grow over the course of the dog's life, reaching the ground at approximately 5 years.

The coat is striking and unusual in appearance, but is actually a very efficient protection system for the dog: The mats protect from cold and wet -- the Bergamasco can tolerate extended periods outdoors in freezing cold, or even wet weather, without becoming uncomfortable. In addition, the coat protected them from the attacking bites from wolves, and in modern times can protect them from bites from other dogs, and also protects from insect bites. The matting does not extend all the way down to the skin, and so the mats do not pull at the dog's skin. Also, air is able to circulate down to the skin in between the mats, allowing the skin to breathe.

Contrary to what many first-time observers think, the coat is not at all difficult to maintain. In fact, it requires less care than coats that need brushing. There is a puppy coat for the first year, which is soft and not unlike an English Sheepdog. As the dog nears its first birthday, coarser "goat" hair and fuzzy "wool" begin to appear. At approximately age one, the coat must be "ripped" by the owner into the mats. This process can take a few hours, or at most a few evenings, but once it is done, it's done for life. For the next six months, a weekly check to make sure the mats have not grown back together is all that is required. After that, the mats stay separate, and become dense enough that very few things get caught in them. Even after rolling in leaves and pine needles, a mature Bergamasco can simply give a good shake and there is nothing left stuck in its coat.

Bathing is not required more than 1-3 times a year. As the coat gets longer, it takes longer to dry, but a crate surrounded by box fans does an excellent job of drying, and fortunately, Bergamascos love wind!

The matted coat is an integral part of the Bergamasco, and although the development of the mats is a process that takes several years, most people find the coats are amazingly easy to care for once the mats have set. There is no brushing required. The Bergamasco does not shed, in that it does not "throw a coat." While, as with any dog, there will be some hairs found here and there on the floor or furniture, this is far less than with many other breeds. Many people who are allergic to other dogs find that they are not bothered by the Bergamasco's coat.

There is much more information on the development and care of the coat at www.pastore-bergamasco.org. Also, the Club has prepared a video to help first-time owners when it comes time to rip the coat into mats. Please see the BSCA Bergamasco Sheepdog website or contact us at contact@bergamascousa.com to order the bergamasco Coat care DVD.