Bergamasco Sheepdog

The Bergamasco Sheepdog does well on a high-quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared under your veterinarian's supervision and approval. Match the diet to the dog's life stage (puppy, adult, or senior), and consider a food formulated for active breeds. Keep clean, fresh water available at all times.

Some Bergamascos gain weight easily, so watch calorie intake and body weight. Portion meals with a standard measuring cup, and check with your vet about any weight or diet concerns.

Treats are useful for training, but too many can lead to weight gain. Keep treats to no more than 10% of daily calories. It also helps to learn which human foods are safe for dogs and which are not.

The adult Bergamasco's coat is basically maintenance-free, but getting there takes some work. The coat is made of three hair types, called dog, goat, and wool. The goat and wool hairs do not come in until the dog is about a year old.

Once they arrive, the coat must be ripped into mats, a process that can take a few hours or a few evenings spread out. After that, it is done. A Bergamasco does not shed, does not need brushing, and rarely needs more than two or three baths a year. The thick coat helps regulate body temperature, so the dog should never be shaved down.

Trim the nails regularly to prevent cracking, splitting, and painful overgrowth, and clean the ears as part of the routine. Regular dental care, including at-home teeth brushing and professional cleanings, rounds out grooming.

The Bergamasco Sheepdog needs only moderate daily exercise. Because they bond closely with their owners, that activity should be shared rather than the dog left alone in the backyard.

They are generally calm but carry a good deal of energy, and they will happily join almost any activity, whether retrieving a ball, taking a brisk walk or hike, or romping in a fenced yard or open field.

Many Bergamascos also enjoy dog sports such as agility, herding, flyball, and competitive obedience. Games and puzzle toys provide the mental stimulation this intelligent breed needs to stay engaged.

As with all breeds, early socialization and puppy training classes are recommended. Gently exposing the puppy to many people, places, and situations helps them grow into a well-adjusted, well-mannered adult.

The Bergamasco is sociable, highly intelligent, and deeply eager to please. The breed thinks independently, though, and often sees itself as an equal partner rather than a subordinate. A Bergamasco who understands what is wanted, and why, will happily comply in their own way.

That blend of intelligence and eagerness makes them straightforward to train with a consistent program built on positive reinforcement and rewards. Ongoing socialization also helps them feel comfortable with strangers and tempers their natural protective instincts.