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Bergamasco Dog
Bergamasco Dog
The Bergamasco dog is a strong, sound and brave. The
Bergamasco dog is above all very intelligent and
balanced. The intelligence of this dog has been refined
from natural selection. Being alone with hundreds of
sheep to look after and having to sort out different and
unexpected problems, caused the Bergamasco dogs
intelligence to develop steadily. A careful selection
was applied to eliminate excessive aggressiveness. The
Bergamasco dog is a peaceful dog. Puppies play together,
without impulse towards rivalry. The Bergamasco dog grow
up in harmony with each other and develop strong
personal links which are never broken. The Bergamasco
dogs show great respect for each other, they avoid
irritating or provoking one another. The Bergamasco dogs
eyes will be following you, because it always wants to
know where you are and what you are up to. Although not
instinctively aggressive, the Bergamasco is an excellent
watch dog because it doesn't likes strangers invading
its world. The Bergamasco dogs relationship with
children is something special. The Bergamasco dogs
presence awakens its most profound and primitive
instincts, first as a wolf and then as a sheepdog.
Patient, tolerant, attentive and protective, it seeks
their company encouraging their games establishing true
friendship with them. Anyone who owns a Bergamasco is
also lucky enough to have an excellent Nanny on hand.
Part from feeling protected, loved and safe at all
times. The Bergamasco is both a watch dog and guard and
will alert when people come to the home, however, the
Bergamasco is not aggressive as long as there is no
serious threat to the family. The Bergamasco is great
with all children and have been used as Therapy dogs for
handicapped children. Bergamasco dogs are usually okay with
other dogs as long as they don't challenge them or
appear as a threat. It is not recommended to place a
Bergamasco dog with a very protective breed such as a
Fila Brasileiro. They will usually do okay with cats,
but it is best if they were brought up together while
the dog is still a puppy. The Bergamasco sees each
individual that comes to the house as a separate person.
As to whether to Bergamasco is friendly with strangers;
all depends on the feel of that person and what the dog
senses. The Bergamasco is not a dog for everyone, but
with the right owner , are a true pleasure to own.
The Bergamasco is a solid, square-bodied, medium-sized
dog with a thick distinctive coat that is one of its
trademarks, designed to protect it from all kinds of
weather and attacks from other animals. Its coat has
three different types of hair that forms flocks, easily
marking the breed. The coat also drapes over its eyes,
which is protected from the sun's rays. In spite of its
heavy coat appearance, the Bergamasco is a highly
energetic and agile dog.
Tracing its
origins some 7000 years to the ancient Phoenicians, the
Bergamasco comes from ancient shepherds and cattle dogs
that spread from the Orient to the Western world after
migrations of nomad human populations and their herds.
Ancestors of the Bergamasco dog found their place the
Italian Alps, and they were selected for work aptitude
and intelligence. For a long time, it is said,
Bergamasco dog bloodlines were kept secret by their
shepherds. 2000 years ago the Romans recorded this dog
as the ideal sheepdog. Bergamasco dogs are most likely
related to Briards, the favorite among France, as well
as the Polish Owtcharka Nizinny and the Bouvier des
Flandres. The Bergamasco dogs were brought to Italy by
the Phoenicians, and have remained there to this day.
Bergamasco dogs nearly went extinct following World War
II, but afterward Bergamasco fanciers revived the breed
and have continued to prevent it from extinction. They
were used previously in Italy as herding and guarding
dogs, and there is even an old story that tells of a
shepherd who encouraged his Bergamasco to smell the
scent of a sheep who had lost her two young lambs in a
storm. The Bergamasco dog breed went in search of the
smell and came back to the shepherd and successfully
guided him back to the two lost lambs who were safe. To
this day there are clubs that honor this dog and the
Bergamasco dogs can be seen in Continental and
International shows to honor skills and valor.
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