There has been a spate of posts on the internet recently trying to sow confusion about the proper standard for the Bergamasco. Here is what you need to know:
1) The body length should be very slightly (5-6%) longer than it is tall. The purpose of this is to allow for smooth movement of the Bergamasco in its original mountain working conditions. This body length allows for good “angulation” so that the dogs’ rear paws do not interfere with the front paws during the dogs natural working gait (the trot), and allow for agility and changes of direction without tiring the dog.
2) The Bergamasco coat should be a full coat, with flocks covering the entire body except the head, which should be mostly hair. The woolly flocks on the front of the dog protect against harsh winter conditions, and further, protect the dog’s throat from harsh predator bites: a wolf or other attacker going for a Bergamasco’s throat will get a mouth full of wool instead, saving the Bergamasco’s life.
Here are some examples of recent champions from around the world illustrating these proper traits:
American Bred, USA
World Champion World Winner, American & Canadian, CFC Elite Champion (Canadian Elite Champion), Swedish Champion FCI.
World Show Winner Sweden under Italian Judge Paolo Dondina
European Dog Show Brussels (Belgium) under Judge Christian Stefanescu
European Bred, Denmark
Champion Class (male) CAC, CACIB, BOS, World Winner 2018, Belgium Winner, Europe Winner 2016
American Bred, USA
Benelux Winner,
World Dog Show Amsterdam
12th of August 2018, FCI
Benelux Winner, World Dog Show Amsterdam under French Judge Dupas Jean-Jaques
SKG Swiss Beauty Champion · New FCI International Beauty Champion
American Bred, Switzerland
SKG Swiss Beauty Champion
New FCI International Beauty Champion
European Bred, Sweden
World Winner Leipzig Germany Nov 2017
Conquered the title: WW 2017 and became BOS against the make.
The judge was Mr Gerard Jipping (Netherlands).
World Winner Leipzig Germany under the Netherlands judge Mr Gerard Jipping.
American Bred and Swiss Bred
Swiss Bred and American Bred
American Bred
American Bred, Switzerland
2014 Swiss Youth Champion (SKG)
2015 Swiss Champion (SKG)
2017 International FCI-Champion (FCI)
2018 Alpen Champion (ÖKV, VDH, SKG)
2018 Austrian Champion (ÖKV)
European Bred, Switzerland
Austrian Veteran Champion (ÖKV) 2017
Alpen Verteran Champion (ÖKV, VDH) 2017
Swiss Veteran Champion (SKG) 2018
Swiss Bred
The AKC standard reflects the work of scientist Dr. Maria Andreoli, who helped preserve the breed after WWII, and dedicated the rest of her life to living with, studying and showing this wonderful breed. Her dogs won championships in many countries, and her years of scientific study culminated in two books: Il Bergamasco – Pastore delle Alpi (The Bergamasco, Shepherd of the Alps) and La Genetica et it Cane; Un Approccio Moderno et Scientifico ai Problemi dell’ Allevamento Canino (Genetics and Dogs; a Modern and Scientific Approach to the Problems of Dog Breeding).
Dr. Andreoli bred over 500 dogs. They won 186 championships, and 11 became World Champions. She helped establish the Bergamasco in kennels in the US, Canada, Australia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy and The Netherlands.