Bergamasco Picture Gallery

Bergamasco Breeders

Bergamasco Clubs/Associations

The Full Bergamasco Description

Indicative Breed Standard

General Appearance

Medium-sized sheepdog of ancient origin. Powerfully constructed, square in profile, heavily coated.

Characteristics

Vigilant guard with strong protective instinct. Tight skin. Unusual and distinctive coat.

Temperament

Intelligent, cautious, patient. Good companion/guard.

Head and Skull

Skull and muzzle of equal length. Tight skin with no wrinkle. Broad skull, slightly convex between high set ears, but rounded forehead. Width of skull no more than half length of head from occiput to nostril. Top of skull and top of muzzle parallel in profile. Prominent occiput. Definite stop with marked median furrow. Fairly deep truncated muzzle tapers slightly towards nose, but never pointed with rather flat foreface and strong under jaw. Well pigmented, tight lips just cover front of jaw.

Eyes

Oval, large, dark chestnut colour preferred, but depends on colour of coat. Soft, serene but attentive expression. Tight fitting black eye rims. Long lashes hold head hair back from eyes.

Ears

Set high, top two-thirds semi-drooping. Ear lifts from base when attracted. Triangular shape, wide base tapers into neckline. Slightly rounded tips. Covered with soft, slightly wavy hair forming fringes at tips.

Mouth

Well split lips, with inner corner directly below vertical line from outer corner of eye. Scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Neck

Medium length, strong, well arched, no dewlap. Densely coated. Joins back in gentle slope to high set withers.

Forequarters

Straight when seen from front and side. Well angulated shoulder with good lay back, and length and angulation of upper arm. Elbows set under body. Straight forelegs, with strong bone and muscle. Short pasterns.

Body

Depth is half height at withers, which are well defined. Length from point of shoulder to point of buttocks equal to height at withers. Brisket reaches to elbow. Broad back. Well sprung ribs. Straight topline. Sloping croup.

Hindquarters

Long, wide, well muscled upper thigh, good turn of stifle, fairly high set hocks. Straight when viewed from rear.

Feet

Oval with well closed and arched toes. Strong well pigmented nails. Hard pads of dark colour. Dewclaws may be removed.

Tail

Strong at root, tapering towards tip. Reaches hock easily, but preferably no longer. Slightly curved towards tip at rest, carried flag-like when animated.

Gait/Movement

Free, long steps. Extended trot is desirable. Capable of maintaining free gallop.

Coat

Abundant and long. Harsh texture on front of body, softer on head and limbs. Short, dense undercoat obscures skin. Tends to form into strands or loose mats from topline of body (not cords). Greasy to the touch.

Colour

Solid grey, or with patches of all shades of grey through to black. White patches allowed providing no more than one fifth of coat. Black, Isabella and light fawn allowed.

Size

Height: dogs: 58-62 cms (23-24½ ins); bitches: 54-58 cms (21-23 ins). Weight: dogs: 32-38 kgs (70-84 lbs); bitches: 26-32 kgs (56-70 lbs).