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Welcome and thank you for joining the Bergamasco Sheepdog Club of America. We encourage you to explore your website for information about this amazing and unique breed, and to utilize the wealth of knowledge and experience of your fellow Bergamasco enthusiasts in this club. Whether you're just learning about the Bergamasco or have already welcomed them into your family; the Bergamasco Sheepdog Club of America represents a community dedicated to ensuring that this ancient and inspiring breed lives on for others to enjoy.  If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to the club and we will put you in contact with someone who will be happy to help. 

The Member’s Corner is our version of an Online Newsletter. Hopefully you will have fun exploring the different sections and find something of interest. Simply click on the index to move to topic of interest. Suggestions and comments are welcome. If you would like to submit an article or photo for use simply forward to the bscamerica@gmail.com.

Feature Section

If you are like me, you might be asking what are essential oils, and how can they be beneficial to myself and to my animals?
Essential oils are the most powerful part of the plant.  They are distilled from shrubs, flowers, trees, roots, bushes, fruit, rinds, resins, and herbs.  The oils consist of over 100 different natural, organic compounds.  I have had the opportunity to visit the Young Living Farm in Mona, UT on several occasions and have watched the distillation process each time I visit.  It is fascinating to see the amount of material that is involved in this process and to see the steps it takes to ensure the proper constituents are in the oils being distilled.

In humans, essential oils provide support for every system in the body:  your skeletal system, your muscular system, circulatory system, endocrine system and your hormones, respiratory system, and immune system.  They support brain health and a healthy weight.  They are used extensively for emotions and for spiritual support in your prayer life.  Essential oils in a diffuser can soothe a pet’s day at home when alone, and provide a calming effect for you when you’ve returned from a stressful day at work.  Oils can be used as an alternative to toxic cleaning chemicals in the home.  You can literally start swapping out every single chemical cleaning toxin in your home to live a purer lifestyle, and you can do it without breaking the bank! 

In animals, they provide the same support to their bodies as with humans.  I have witnessed so many miraculous changes from just one drop of an essential oil when simply patted down an animals back, or even just the calming effects they experience from oils used in a diffuser.   I use essential oils when we take our dogs on trips in the car, or for going to the vet.  In my world, a calm, confident dog is a wonderful experience to behold!  

There are about 300 oils on the earth, but you only need ten to twenty of them to build a good kit.

You do not need to be an aromatherapist to use essential oils.  In most cases, just rub them topically into the skin.  There are three main ways to get oils into your system:  the English apply them topically –rub oils on the skin:  the French ingest and cook with them; the Germans diffuse and inhale them, which can be the most effective method because it doesn’t have to pass through the digestive system.

How do they enter—and how long do they last?
Tests have shown oils reach the heart, liver, and thyroid in three seconds when inhaled; they were found in the bloodstream in 26 seconds when applied topically.  Expulsion of essential oils takes three to six hours in a normal, healthy body.

You might also be asking yourself, is there a difference in essential oils?  Can I just buy them from any source and get beneficial results? 
All essential oils are not created equal!  Knowing where they are sourced from is so very important.  You can’t just walk into Walmart and purchase oils and expect to put them on yourself or your animals.  You will need to find an essential oil company that produces Grade A quality oils, and my research has led me to trust that Young Living is the company that’s my go to for essential oils for my family, both two legged and four!

In the United States, there is not a rating system for essential oils.  The closest we get is an FDA requirement that in order to label a bottle of essential oil “pure” or “therapeutic grade,” the contents of that bottle must contain at least 5 percent essential oil.

 All oils in the world fall into one of 4 categories:  Grade A, Grade B, Grade C, and Grade D.

1. Grade A is therapeutic, made from organically grown plants and distilled at low temperatures.

2. Grade B oils are food grade, but may contain synthetics, pesticides, fertilizers, chemical extenders, or carrier oils.

3. Grade C oils are perfume oils that often contain adulterating chemicals.  They usually use solvents, for example, hexane, to gain a higher yield of oil per harvest.  Solvents can be cancerous, and are in many store bought oils.  They may also be diluted 80-95 percent with alcohol.

4. Grade D is called “floral water,” which is aromatic only and is usually a byproduct of Grade A distillation.  After all the oil is pulled out, the leftover trash water is sold to companies which will fill 5 percent of the bottle with this “leftover trash water,” fill the rest with carriers, and label it pure.”

Grade A is the only true pure oil.  Grade D would be like walking into your fridge, taking a glass of orange juice and diluting it 95 percent before you drank it!  It wouldn’t have the full benefits of orange juice.  That’s why you want Grade A oils.  Before you purchase, check to see if the company grows their own plants, owns their own fields, and controls the entire process from Seed to Seal!—from the farm to the sealed bottle.  Pesticides, pollution, previously farmed land—all of it can effect the quality of an oil.  Young Living’s oils are Grade A.  Why would you go the extra step of using an oil to get away from a chemical—and then use an oil laden with chemicals?  It makes no sense.

One of the things that stands out to me is Young Living’s Seed to Seal process.  It’s a promise of integrity.  Gary Young has said that he never makes an oil for profit; he makes it for a purpose.  Seed to Seal means each plant is hand-weeded, there are no pesticides used, no chemicals, and no weed killers.  The plants are harvested at their peak.  They’re then put through a vigorous testing process.  Then they go from the farm directly to your home.  Seed to seal is not a slogan, it’s a promise!  You can learn more by checking out the Young Living story, and fall in love with the company as I have, at www.seedtoseal.com.

Now, how do these Grade A therapeutic essential oils benefit our animals?
Here are just a few that I believe are important to have, and are included in the premium starter kit.  They are really quite simple to use.

 FRANKINCENSE - FOR OVERALL WELLNESS

• Frankincense Vitality™ has been the subject of much research and contains sesquiterpenes that stimulate the part of the brain that control emotions.

• Frankincense Vitality™ supports overall well being and a healthy immune system.

• Frankincense helps focus the mind and to overcome stress and despair.

• It helps maintain healthy skin and coat.

 As you can see, essential oils can play an important role in the health of your dog.  They have become routinely automatic in my home.  I would not want to be without them.  I could go on forever about the different essential oils and their benefits, but for now I hope the basics have enticed you to want to research them further.  If you have any questions, or need any help regarding essential oils, please don’t hesitate to contact me.  I’d love to have you be a part of my growing team.  We have a group where we can interact and help each other in using these essential oils to benefit and enhance the health and wellbeing of our dogs.

 Stay tuned for future essential oil articles!

Sharon Bovalina is a certified Naturopath, and has been involved in showing and breeding of PONs.  She has been a member of APONC for 15 plus years, and a new member of BSCA.  Additional information on Young Living Essential Oils can be found on her website: http://www.yldoorwaytochanges.com.  She can be contacted via email: Sharon@doorwaytochanges.com or text or call her @ 724-747-3225.

Reference material regarding the use of essential oils can be found at https://www.discoverlsp.com, https://www.amazon.com, and https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/ (type in essential oils in the search bar)

 *Disclaimer: The information contained herein is not intended to treat, diagnose, prevent any diseases, or cure your pet regardless of what that pet may be.You are responsible for how you use this information.Please consult a health care professional for medical evaluation and treatment of your animals.

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Seasonal Internet Articles of Interest

Dog Safe Plants and How to Make a Dog-Friendly Garden

If you love both dogs and gardening, you probably have already asked yourself: are there dog safe plants out there? Given some dog’s propensity to much on leaves and sniff around in the dirt, you might even want to take it a step further: creating a dog-friendly garden.

15 Safe Plants for Dogs You Can Add to Almost Any Garden

Looking to spice up your garden or your balcony, but unsure which are plants are safe for dogs?

4 SUMMER BBQ DANGERS FOR DOGS

Heading to a campground in the great outdoors with your dog this summer? Or maybe just to the back yard for a summer BBQ? There are surprisingly many dangers lurking around the grill.

How to Safely Hike, Camp, and Backpack With Your Dog

Dogs can be excellent company on outdoor adventures, but only if you plan properly. Here, you’ll find everything you need to know, bring, do, and avoid to optimize the fun for both you and your pet.

SHOULD YOUR DOG GO CAMPING WITH YOU? 5 PROS AND 5 CONS

Your dog is part of your family, but is taking him on your next camping trip worth the risk? Here are a few things to consider before loading Fido up for the weekend.

Poison Ivy and Pets

Itch-Inducing Plant Can Inflict Havoc on Families
Now that we know our dogs and cats aren’t likely to become contaminated themselves, how can we prevent them from inadvertently transmitting poison ivy to us?

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Bergamasco Color Art

If you like to have a color page featured please submit photo bscamerica@gmail.com. Please make sure you let us know you would like a color page created in the subject line.

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Food For Thought!

Whew that summer breath —

No pet parent likes bad doggie breath but sometimes, bad breath can be an indication that something is wrong in the digestive tract or even with the heart. For healthy dogs, freshen your dog’s breath with these homemade dog treats. It’s easy, healthy and cheap. It’s a win-win!

Coconut Parsley Yummies

Coconut oil and parsley are the two main ingredients and both are fantastic aids in fighting bad breath and cleaning teeth. Both of them have antimicrobial properties. As an extra plus, the coconut oil is great for skin and coat support. These in the refrigerator for two weeks.

PUMPKIN APPLE DOGGIE MINT TREATS

Now these treats have a pumpkin-apple base. Pumpkin is a nutrition powerhouse, loaded with fiber, and it’s good for both constipation and diarrhea. Apples are loaded with fiber, vitamins A and C, omega-3 and -6, antioxidants, flavonoids and polyphenols.

Coconut Parsley Yummies

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time:  5 minutes
Passive Time: 1 hour

INGREDIENTS:

• 1.5 cup coconut oil organic

• 1/2 cup chopped parsley organic

Optional

• 1/4 cup chopped mint organic

• sprinkle turmeric organic

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Soften your coconut oil or if you have a mold, melt it down

2. Add parsley to coconut oil and mix well. If using mint as well, add in the mint

3. If you have a mold, pour in the mixture. If you don't, roll the soften mixture into small balls and place on a plate or parchment paper.

4. Sprinkle turmeric on top for added anti-inflammatory goodness (optional)

5. Put in the refrigerator for an hour

6. Take out and give one to your dog daily! Keep in the refrigerator for extra freshness.

PUMPKIN APPLE DOGGIE MINT TREATS

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time:  25 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

•  1 cup pumpkin puree

• 2 large eggs

• 3 cups whole wheat flour, or more, as needed

• 1 apple, grated

• 1/2 cup mint leaves, chopped

• 1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves, chopped

INSTRUCTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat; set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat pumpkin puree and eggs on medium-high until well combined, about 1-2 minutes. Gradually add 2 1/2 cups flour at low speed, beating just until incorporated. Add an additional 1/4 cup flour at a time just until the dough is no longer sticky. Add apple, mint and parsley, beating just until incorporated.

 Working on a lightly floured surface, knead the dough 3-4 times until it comes together. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Using cookie cutters, cut out desired shapes and place onto the prepared baking sheet.

Place into oven and bake until the edges are golden brown, about 20-25 minutes.*

Let cool completely.

*Baking time will vary depending on the size and thickness of the treats. Serving size will also vary depending on the desired shapes and cookie cutters used.

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Genetics, Hip Dysplaisa, OFA, Embark
There Has Certainly Been a lot of Chatter

by Jane Gonzalez

Let’s take a look at genetics, a very complicated subject.  The rarity of the Bergamasco is a critical concept to acknowledge, because the existence and continuance of the Bergamascos is treading a very fine line.  After the World Wars the Bergamasco population depleted greatly due to the decline of sheep farms, and the importation of cheaper wool as well as sheep and goat meat .  Thankfully, a handful of people, referred to as the “First Hour” breeders, worked diligently to save the Bergamasco.  Their choices were limited resulting in an extremely small gene pool.  Unfortunately, with the greater interest for show competition titles, benefits etc., the need for official “Standards” further reduced the already small gene pool with the elimination of the Isabella color from the FCI standard. A Bergamasco found in old folklore, wheat in color with strong black pigment gene. LOST (I am finding quite the controversy of old.  Article for the Future)

I attempted to do an in-depth research analysis to help clarify the concepts of genetics and small gene pools. I considered how these articles and concepts relate to the perseverance of our rare Begamasco’s. Below are my two favorites.  I urge you to read through these to provide some clarity.  In my opinion, the key to the Bergamasco continuance is in the balance between the known issues and keeping a keen eye on the “genetic inbreeding coefficient.”  WHAT? you may ask.  Read through the following articles.  I will be happy to field any questions you may have and present to our genetic specialist. Please post comments or questions on our BSCA facebook page:

How can the Bergamasco community use genetics to help with the perseverance of the Breed rather than the destruction? 

As a community, we need to work with scientific institutions that acknowledge the rarity of our breed; and, are willing to help with plans of action rather than to profit.  We must listen and respect the life experience of our worldwide long time breeders (way beyond the 10 years: 5 litters experience).  I assure you, they all know the sibling and health ratios.  They do not need science to tell them.  Science can only help “shine a light” on the hidden shared genetics which may be affecting this generation and future generations of Bergamascos.

What are some of the Health Issues showing up in the Bergamascos?

Thankfully in the Bergamasco lines, we have had genetically tested, the Bergamascos is showing itself to be CLEAR of the known testable genetic issues.  Remember genetics is very complicated, it is not a one to one comparison, so many factors, and so many unknowns.  Everything has a genetic component.

What do we know?

We do have carriers of the Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) mutated gene. We do not have any appearance, thus far, for the mutated MDR1 gene; however, our dogs are sensitive to certain medications and vaccines. These lines are clear of 170 other conditions that can be genetically tested. Sadly, there is evidence of Hip Dysplasia for which there is not a testable genetic component.

Carrier of the Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) Mutated Gene:  According to our genetic specialist, “the carrier is NOT at RISK for developing DM.” Through careful breeding and knowledge, this gene can be bred out of the Bergamasco. With responsible breeding, the disease will never show itself in future Bergamascos.

Hip Dysplasia (HD):  This has been a factor in all lines of the Bergamasco. Thankfully it appears sparingly; medical care and nutrition and exercise intervention have helped.  There is no known gene or sequence for HD.  But obviously, there is something.  The Bergamasco may have been selected for breeding over the ages for its ability to perform its function.  This may have required a more shallow hip with strong ligaments and muscle.  Much like the human ballerina, perfect hips would mean they could not perform the steps of ballet without injury.  We simply do not know. There are so many articles, but no real progress. To exclude any animal whose occasional offspring may or may not develop HD, even with perfect hips, from breeding programs is a risk for losing desirable traits and other healthy genes. — (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, “1 in 4 pups may still develop HD, with perfect hip parents”). This blatant exclusion may very well lead to the extinction of the Bergamasco.  We do not have the answers but we will certainly keep working on the issue. I think this article explains HD:

HD does exist, and some of our dogs do not have the best OFA ratings.  Now What?

To quote the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA)

“No one can predict when or even if a dysplastic dog will start showing clinical signs of lameness due to pain. The severity of the disease can be affected by environmental factors, such as caloric intake or level of exercise. There are a number of dysplastic dogs with severe arthritis that run, jump, and play as if nothing is wrong and some dogs with barely any arthritic x-ray evidence that are severely lame.”

The OFA and most veterinarians tell clients that the one big thing to look for (particularly large breed dogs) is the breeder getting both parents OFA certified for good hips. (Many bad breeders do this too, nowadays). Is this a guarantee? If the parents have good hips and are OFA certified, then your puppy won’t have hip trouble later in life? The answer is NOPE!

One study showed that if two parents have good hips by OFA standards, 1 in 4 of the puppies may still develop hip dysplasia. Pretty sucky odds. Turns out this disease involves many many factors. Genetics certainly plays a big role, but nutrition, body weight, environment, muscle mass, and even hormones all may play a role as well.

To get the OFA certification, a dog must be at least 2 years of age and have x-rays performed under sedation or, ideally, general anesthesia. These x-rays are submitted to the OFA, where three veterinarians who are specialists in radiology read the x-rays independently. Normal hips are rated Fair, Good, or Excellent. Hips with signs of dysplasia are rates Mild, Moderate, or Severe. Evaluating the hip joint is rather subjective, and often the three specialists may not agree.  Once again, the OFA recommends eliminating dogs from breeding programs with perfect hips that produce pups with less than stellar hips and also those who may have X-rays with less than stellar hips. Well, this would equal BERGAMASCO EXTINCTION!

I posed my dilemma with the Bergamasco rare breed to the OFA.  Below is the OFA response: 

From Dr. Greg Keller, DACVR - the OFA's Chief of Veterinary Services:

 The OFA understands your dilemma due to the extremely small size of the gene pool.

First, there is no correlation between clinical signs/lameness and the radiograph hip dysplasia diagnosis.  Many moderate to severely dysplastic dogs can be or appear to be pain-free.  Second, the selective breeding of phenotypically normal dogs is the only proven method of reducing HD in future generations and this has been documented in scientific literature manu times from different countries and hip schemes world-wide.  Lastly, OFA as very small numbers of Brgamasco in our database, so any breed specific analysis is impossible except to follow the basic guideline to breed normal to normal.

Thank you.

Click here to view my email: I attempted to respond and ask about the Bergamascos database, however, according to my mail system, THE OFA BLOCKED MY EMAIL ADDRESS FROM THEIR SYSTEM.  Responsible? A rushed text response. Is this a company I want to invest and interact with for saving our precious breed? Not likely. 

There is another means of assessing dogs’ hips, called Penn-HIP. The x-rays are taken in a more natural position, and instead of human opinion, which can vary widely and be subjective, Penn-HIP offers a mathematical way to measure any looseness in the joint. This looseness is assigned a number, known as the distraction index. Perfect hips have an index of 0, meaning no deviation from ideal. Any hip with a distraction index of 0.3 or greater indicates instability in the joint. These hips are statistically likely to develop arthritis (the pain from hip dysplasia) later in life. Penn-HIP does not offer certifications like OFA, just an evaluation.

So, given all the factors in addition to genetics that play a role in the development of hip dysplasia, how sure are you that a puppy from OFA certified parents or excellent Penn-Hip index will have good hips? We can do our best, but there are still many things beyond our control. Your best bet – keep your dog at an ideal weight, using portion control and appropriate exercise, and feed a large breed puppy food to your large breed puppy. Also never give certain medications to growing developing pups.

Many Bergamasco breeders are working very closely with Embark for their input on the healthy continuance of our precious Bergamascos.

Lastly,

Before everyone goes into accusations of ...this line is worse than that… or plays into the passive-aggressive innuendos suggesting … This person is a more responsible breeder than this one, or this does not exist in my line …  try to understand the delicate dilemma all of our breeders are facing.  Every breeder I know is responsible for the life of the Bergamasco no matter where their forever families take them. Our BSCA members have formed driving chains to deliver re-homes or rescue a Bergamasco left in a shelter. Bergamasco Breeders need to support each other. If they cannot, they should not breed Bergamascos! They offer no benefit for the breed only dissection and destruction, and of course arrogance.

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Yester-Year to Future Bergamascos

Can you find your Bergamasco’s features?

Play the video, and share your look-a-like photos on the BSCA Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/BSCA.USA/

We Have Puppies!
Congratulations to Silver Pastori and Herdabout Bergamascos!

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The First Bergamasco Standard for Show

Les Races de Chiens

A book of dog breed standards. The First documented book was entitled “Raspunten Boek van de meest bekende Hondenrassen,” (1894) breed points book of the most famous dog breeds.  Published by the Dutch Society of Enthusiasts and Breeders of Purebred Dogs Cynophilia.  Compiled by Count Henri van Bylandt, President of the Dutch Kennel Club. This book mainly covered hunting breeds. Turk, the Bergamasco is found in Henri Bylant's second edition, (French) “Les Races de Chiens” (1897, possibly in the 1894 edition as well?) The book is an incredibly comprehensive work. The third edition was published in 1905 with the text covering over 300 breeds and varieties, written in French, English, German and Dutch. In the 1897 version the breed is “Cane da pastore Italiano.”  He remarks that this race is often "chien de berger the BER game." The illustrated dog Turk has some resemblance. Turk is found in several old engravings, each with some other embellishments or visions. In the later work of Bylandt’s the image is indisputably recognize as a Bergamasco. 

For fun, the PDF includes the first few pages, including the author’s preface and critiques, The book is written in French, so just for fun interest, a very rough translation of the preface and Bergamasco standard has been attempted. Look through the critique pages you may find one in your language(s).

So what is happening in the Show Rings?

Well we have some new champions and grand champions! Congratulations to them all! Please submit photos/videos and they will be posted. We are so thankful people are showing their Bergamascos, as it does help educate and promote the breed.

We also want to congratulate all of our Therapy and Good Citizen titles achievers.

Even more Fun we have some Bergamascos spreading their skills to the Cat Lure and Herding. Let’s take a look!

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BSCA Club Business

The BSCA Has Been Working Hard to Better Serve the Bergamasco Community!

BSCA – A Year in Review 2018-2019

Behind the scenes, we have created “Rescue and Rehome” Contracts and Applications, AKC Judges Education Contracts, and created special Facebook pages for all our fellow Bergamasco enthusiasts to chat, support and encourage each other.  [BSCA Facebook Page & International Bergamasco Sheepdog Association Facebook Page] To further support our mission, we raised extra funds with calendar sales, raffle baskets and the new Barking Basic Tees for dogs.  In the show ring, our dogs have earned world titles, AKC group placements, AKC owner-handler series group placements, and enjoyed success in Cat Lure and Agility trials. Take a Bow! Wow! Several of our member’s Bergamascos have earned Therapy Dog titles (THD) and continue to grow and service their community.

BSCA GOALS FOR 2019-2020

• Continue to make progress on projects we started this year. 

• Plan more local Bergamasco events.  We welcome any suggestions for your area!

• Offer support to other pet awareness social media campaigns.  We can help by sharing adoptable animals, helping rescues and shelters, and encouraging members’ friends, family, and followers to get involved - all through social media.

• Encourage and support Therapy Dog Titles and services.  Therapy animals provide their human friends with multiple benefits at all kinds of facilities — schools, nursing homes, hospitals, etc. After tragedies such as natural disasters and school shootings, a therapy animal is there to comfort children as well as adults.  For many people, a therapy dog can provide invaluable assistance and comfort through their struggles.

• Post weekly blogs on the BSCA website sharing all sorts of information, and eventually the club will host monthly or seasonal Q&A utilizing Twitter Chats.

• Broaden our AKC Judges Education and general knowledge about the Bergamasco.

BSCA ANNUAL MEETING

The meeting will be held Saturday, June 8, 2019, following our National Specialty at the Greenwich Kennel Club show to be held at Taylor Farm Park Calf Pasture Beach Blvd. & Camfield Ave. East Norwalk, CT 06855.

Meet the BSCA President

Rob Laffin,
President

In 1998,  looking for a dog who was gentle and intelligent, I found a Bergamasco in a dog encyclopedia and loved the unusual coat. The temperament sounded perfect and I loved the unique coat. I found Donna, who had just brought them to the US from Italy and was breeding them. After an hour's conversation with her, I knew this was the breed for me. I got Denali, who ended up being the sweetest, nicest dog I'd ever had. Before long, I had another female from Donna, a male from Sweden, and then the puppies started coming. I never knew I could love dogs this much and found raising puppies was noisy and a mess, but enjoyable and fun. Over the next ten years the number of Bergamascos in our house grew - at one point to eleven - and we had a litter of puppies once or twice a year. I've met so many wonderful people who are drawn to this gentle old-soul breed, and many have become lifelong friends.  I feel so lucky to have found the Bergamasco and my goal is, with the help of all the members of the BSCA, to help preserve this wonderful, unique breed for future generations. They have been one of the richest parts of my life, and I hope many others get to discover this amazing breed.