Bergamasco
Breed Group: Herding Group
Size Group: Large Dog Breeds
Origin: Persia
Height: 22″-23.5”
Weight: 57-84 lbs
Color: Black or Gray with or without Black patches
Lifespan: 13-15 years
Temperament: Problem solver, independent, devoted, protective
Set Your Pup Up For Success
Overview
Bergamasco is truly a one-of-a-kind pet. Walking down the street people may think you have been a neglectful pet owner when they see the dreadlock like matts the coat has formed. You can school them in how the coat acts as an exceptional all-weather coat, keeping pup cool in the summer and safe from freezing cold in the winter. And as a bonus, your pup requires ridiculously low grooming requirements.
Originally breed as sheepherding dogs, they were not only outstanding at taking commands but also becoming active problem solvers that made life easier for farmers. Bergamasco will prove to be an equal participant in family life. He is a loving pup that will guard your family like he would his flock.
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Celebrity Owners
N/A
Fun Facts
The layer of hair that covers Bergamasco’s face is to protect from snow blindness.
Health
Bergamasco is an incredibly healthy breed. The health issues to be aware of are:
- Elbow dysplasia: This condition is an abnormal development in the elbow joint.
- Hip dysplasia: This condition is when the socket joint in the hip isn’t large enough, or more often too shallow, for the femoral head.
- Bloat: Gastric dilation and volvulus (GDV is a condition when a dog’s stomach becomes distended with gas.
- Degenerative myelopathy: This disease effects the spinal cord. Over time, the hind limbs lose strength and feeling. This condition can eventually lead to paralysis.
While you always hope your pet will live a long and healthy life, it is always a good idea to invest in pet health insurance.
Keeping your dog’s mouth clean and problem free goes a long way to your pup’s overall health. Dental hygiene can be the cause or can be the byproduct of other serious health issues.
Visual inspections can be performed to keep track of the signs of potentially waning oral health. These signs can be anything from bad breath to abnormal chewing to loss of appetite.
Keeping ahead of these warning signs can pay dividends. A preventative approach can delay and stop many of the common dental problems from arising.
Oral health can be tackled in five basic steps:
- Brushing your dog’s teeth to prevent an undesirable buildup of plaque
- Feed your dog a diet where the high quality dog food has dental benefits
- Regularly give your dog dental toys and treats
- Use mouthwash, to help where brushing misses
- At the sign of any abnormalities, consult a vet. You can even do it virtually, from the convenience of your home.
Dogs are just like humans in that they can experience anxiety. The degree to which they are susceptible to anxiety and how they deal with anxiety is breed specific. Left unchecked, initial signs of anxiety could give way to an anxiety disorder. The symptoms of anxiety disorders can lead to a myriad of behavior issues.
Knowing the signs and symptoms will best equip you to keep ahead of it and to nip it in the bud at the earliest signs. There are options available to help with anxiety.
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Grooming
Surely you have realized the thick felt like matts that form Bergamasco’s coat is its most defining feature. As a puppy, the coat will feel more like an English Sheepdog. Towards the one-year mark, “goat” and “wool” hair will grow in. Around the pup’s first birthday you will need to perform a one time “ripping” of the coat.
This will take several hours to form the all over coat into separate matts. For the next six months, make sure they matts have not grown back together. Once this is time frame is up, the coat will self-regulate.
Bergamasco only needs to be bathed a couple of times per year. The dense coat will require more time to dry than to wash. Surrounding your pup’s crate will help the process, with the added bonus that Bergamasco loves to feel the wind in his hair. Coats can be trimmed but should not be shaved. Shaving will negate the natural heating and cooling properties of the coat. As with all dogs, may sure your pup’s eyes and ears are clean and clear of debris. Keep your pup’s nails clipped and brush your pup’s teeth several times per week.
Cost
$2,000 – $3,500
Exercise
Bergamasco needs between 30-60 minutes of activity per day. These pups love to be with their family and will greatly prefer to group activities than left to their own devices in a yard.
Brisk walks, leisurely runs, hiking or playing games will all make your pup happy. Avoid swimming as water weighs down their coat and take an exceptional amount of time to dry.
Nutrition
On average Bergamasco consume about 3 cups of food per day in two separate meals. As with all dogs, the amount of food your dog requires will vary based on age and activity level. This breed is prone to bloat so two smaller meals is essential to reduce risk to this potentially fatal condition.
We’ve taken a look at some premium dog foods, high in nutrition here.
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Training
As with all dogs, early socialization with humans and other dogs is essential for your dog to thrive. These pups are independent thinkers, well known for their ability to problem solve. They often look at their owners as equals.
This can make training tricky.
Keep your sessions full of positive reinforcement. The goal of the training activity should be set in stone, but not the method as your pup will likely find his own way.
Proper training is essential to ensuring the safety of your dog and those around you. Having your dog come when they should, and in general having them listen is something you want to address early in your pup’s life, as it will pay dividends down the line. There are many tried and true training programs to accomplish this training – faster and better than you might think!
Unless you’re living on a farm, or have the space, a yipping dog, or one that barks all day when you are gone could be an issue with the neighbors and/or landlord. Historically, dogs would bark to communicate with the rest of the pack when hunting and bark as a warning shot to predators eyeing up their flock. Barking is deep rooted in dogs and manifests itself in many ways and for a variety of reasons.
Just like any habit or instinct, there are effective ways you can train this issue away.
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Supplements
A solid Glucosamine Supplement for hips and joints will go a long way to helping your furry friend.
Other helpful supplements include full-spectrum hemp oil or CBD oil. Fish oil skin and coat supplement.
Ensuring a comprehensive preventative vitamin and mineral plan is essential to keeping your dog healthy. Truth is, there are vitamins and minerals that your dog needs, but doesn’t produce naturally. While many of these vitamins and minerals can be found in your dog’s current diet and dog food, the question becomes, are there enough vitamins to ensure they aren’t deficient.
Poor nutrition can lead to some of the most common health issues, such as weak joints, compromised immunity, increased allergies, and low energy.
Vitamins play a vital role in your pet’s health and overall life expectancy. Here are some multivitamin and joint relief options.
As regulations around marijuana have eased, the emergence of CBD oils for humans and dogs have sprung up.
Just to begin to dispel the negative stigma, CBD extract comes from Hemp, marijuana’s cousin. Unlike its cousin, there are no psychoactive qualities in CBD oil. An emerging number of clinical and institutional studies have shown the wide variety of healing qualities in CBD, including pain management, and the containment of seizures and epileptic episodes.
Explore this remedy further to see all the health benefits that have transformed the lives of so many dogs to date.
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