Bergamasco at a glance
- Size
- Large
- Height
- 54–62 cm
- Weight
- 26–38 kg
- Life expectancy
- from 12 years
Typical for the breed, not a promise about any one dog.
Is the Bergamasco right for you?
Like every breed, the Bergamasco is not the right fit for every home. Based on the breed’s typical traits:
May suit you if…
- You can give around an hour of exercise a day.
- You would prefer a dog that tends to shed little.
Consider another breed if…
- The dog would regularly be left alone for long working days.
- You live in a flat or a small home.
- You have young children at home.
- This would be your first dog.
How would the Bergamasco fit your lifestyle?
Choose a few details for a general, non-guaranteed view.
About the Bergamasco
The Bergamasco is a powerfully built herding dog with a square outline and a remarkable coat. The long, harsh hair forms loose, flat mats rather than cords, which gives the breed its unmistakable look. It is an intelligent dog that usually gets on well with the people it knows, and it remains a working dog at heart.
Key characteristics
General breed tendencies, not a prediction for an individual dog.
- Size
Large
A large dog.
- Exercise
Moderate
Typically around an hour of exercise a day.
- Energy level
Lively
A lively dog that enjoys being busy.
- Grooming
Moderate
The coat usually needs brushing several times a week.
- Shedding
Low
Tends to shed little, though every dog sheds some hair.
- Trainability
Independent
Can be independent-minded; patient training helps.
- Good with children
Older children
Usually better with older, calmer children.
- Good with other dogs
Can be selective
Can be selective about other dogs.
- Good with cats
Varies
Varies with the individual dog.
- Suits first-time owners
Experienced owners
Best with an experienced owner.
- Barking / vocality
Can be vocal
Often quick to bark at visitors or unusual sounds.
- Time alone
Prefers company
Usually copes only with short periods alone.
The breed comes from the Alpine region of northern Italy and takes its name from the town of Bergamo. It was used both to herd flocks and to guard them, and the matted coat helped protect it from the extremes of weather high in the mountain pastures, as well as from predators.
Its deeper history is debated. One theory is that its ancestors were Asian sheepdogs brought from the Middle East by the Phoenicians, and it may have contributed to other heavy-coated European herding breeds. The Bergamasco became increasingly rare in its home mountains after the Second World War, but it has since found followers in the UK and several other countries. It remains a rare breed and is on the Royal Kennel Club's imported register.
Bergamasco temperament
Bergamascos are typically intelligent, independent and friendly with those they know. They have a natural instinct to guard and herd, so they need early socialisation and ongoing training to live happily as pet dogs.
Although they have a real desire to please, many pet Bergamascos are only a few generations away from working stock. Some may nip when herding or be protective of their home, and they can be suspicious of visitors. They are usually chatty and vocal and will often bark to alert you to arrivals.
Size and appearance
The Royal Kennel Club classes the Bergamasco as a large breed. Males typically stand 58–62 cm at the shoulder and weigh 32–38 kg; females are a little smaller at 54–58 cm and 26–32 kg.
The coat is abundant, long and greasy to the touch, and it takes more than three years to develop fully. Breed standard colours are black, fawn, grey and Isabella. Young dogs tend to be darker and more solid in colour, and the coat often fades in strong sunlight.
How much exercise does a Bergamasco need?
The Royal Kennel Club suggests up to an hour of exercise a day. Treat that as a minimum: this is a mountain working breed with plenty of stamina, and it will usually take as much exercise as you can offer.
Mental exercise matters too. Training, puzzle solving and games on top of walks help keep a Bergamasco content. Access to a variety of walks and to secure spaces for off-lead running is important.
Training a Bergamasco
The Bergamasco is intelligent and independent, and it responds well to positive, reward-based training. It is also quick to notice differences in how family members handle it, so it may behave well for one person and ignore another.
- Start socialisation early and keep training going throughout the dog's life.
- Use positive reinforcement and keep handling consistent across the household.
- Work on a solid, reliable recall, because the urge to herd and gather livestock is strong.
- Give the herding instinct an outlet through activities and sports that use those skills.
Bergamasco grooming
The coat needs different care at different ages. A puppy's soft coat needs a weekly brush. From about 10 months to three years, as the adult coat comes in, it needs daily attention to help the mats form. Once the mats are formed, the coat needs very little work: a brush twice a month and a bath once or twice a year.
Check the coat, paws and beard daily after meals and exercise. Once wet, the coat can take hours or even days to dry, and many owners like a separate room where a wet or muddy dog can rest. The breed can also have a noticeable doggy smell.
Living with a Bergamasco
Bergamascos are usually best with older families with teenage children. They love to herd and gather, and without a lot of training and supervision they may treat very small children like livestock. Whatever the breed, dogs and young children should never be left alone together, and an adult should supervise every interaction.
Children
Usually better with older, calmer children.
Other dogs
Can be selective about other dogs.
Cats and small pets
Varies with the individual dog.
Flats and smaller homes
Usually needs a roomy home.
Garden
A secure garden is strongly advised.
Being left alone
Usually copes only with short periods alone.
First-time owners
Best with an experienced owner.
Bergamasco health
Not yet reviewed by a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice: speak to your vet about your own dog’s health.
Purina describes the Bergamasco as a generally healthy breed. The Royal Kennel Club's main health priority for breeders is maintaining genetic diversity. Knowing about the conditions below helps you ask the right questions; it does not mean every Bergamasco will be affected.
Hip dysplasia
Purina lists hip dysplasia, a problem with the hip joint, among the conditions the breed can be prone to. It is one of the conditions to ask a breeder about.
Gastric dilatation volvulus (bloat)
Like some other large breeds, the Bergamasco is considered prone to bloating and stomach problems. Purina notes that smaller, more frequent meals can help reduce the risk.
What health checks should you ask about?
Responsible breeders and rescues are happy to talk about health, and any pressure to decide quickly is a reason to walk away. Before taking a Bergamasco home, it is reasonable to ask about:
- Health testing of the parents. Ask which health tests the parents have had for conditions known in the breed, and to see the results.
- Veterinary and vaccination records. Puppies should have had a first vaccination and a vet check, with records you can take home.
- Microchip information. In England, Scotland and Wales puppies must be microchipped and registered by eight weeks old. Ask who the chip is registered to and how the transfer works.
- Registration paperwork. Registration papers, where they apply, record pedigree. They do not by themselves prove health or how a puppy was raised.
How much does a Bergamasco cost to own?
There are two costs: bringing a Bergamasco home, and looking after one well. Puppy prices depend on the breeder, health testing and demand; the adverts below show what sellers are asking today.
Ongoing costs are the ones new owners most often underestimate: food, insurance (which usually rises with age), routine vet care, vaccinations and parasite treatment, dental care, grooming, training, bedding and equipment, and boarding or a sitter for holidays. Budget for the whole of the dog’s life, typically from 12 years, not just the first year.
Buying a Bergamasco
If you have decided the Bergamasco suits your life, take the same care choosing where your dog comes from. Meet the puppy in person, see it with its mother, and look at how the litter is raised.
- Check who you are dealing with: every Mypetzilla advert shows the seller type and what we have checked.
- Ask about health testing, vaccinations and the microchip before you commit.
- Take your time. Do not be rushed by deposits or "last one left" stories.
- Meet in person before paying anything, and keep conversations on Mypetzilla.
Adopting a Bergamasco
Bergamascos do come up for adoption, through rescue organisations, breed rescues and private rehoming, often because an owner’s circumstances have changed rather than any fault of the dog. An adult dog arrives as a known quantity: its size, coat and character are already on show.
Rescues will usually talk you through the dog’s history, any medical care, and the home it needs, including children, other animals and time alone. Be honest about your circumstances: a good rescue would rather place a dog once, well.
Bergamascos looking for homes
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Bergamasco FAQs
Is the Bergamasco good with children?
Usually better with older, calmer children. Individual dogs vary with breeding, upbringing and health, so ask about the dog you are considering.
Can the Bergamasco live in a flat?
Usually needs a roomy home. Exercise and company matter more than floor space.
How much exercise does the Bergamasco need?
Moderate: typically around an hour a day. Puppies and older dogs need less structured exercise.
Does the Bergamasco shed?
Tends to shed little.
How much grooming does the Bergamasco need?
Typically: several times a week.
Is the Bergamasco easy to train?
Can be independent-minded; patient training helps. Kind, reward-based training works best.
Can the Bergamasco be left alone?
Usually copes only with short periods alone. Build up time alone gradually.
Does the Bergamasco bark a lot?
Can be vocal. Individual dogs vary with breeding, upbringing and health, so ask about the dog you are considering.
Is the Bergamasco good with cats?
Varies with the individual dog. Individual dogs vary with breeding, upbringing and health, so ask about the dog you are considering.
How long does the Bergamasco live?
Typically from 12 years. Lifespan varies with genetics, weight, care and luck.
How big does the Bergamasco get?
Adults typically stand 54–62 cm at the shoulder and weigh 26–38 kg.