t 'FNBMFTNBZIBWFMFTTDPBUUIBONBMF and often loose their coat after lactation, this should not be considered a fault. t %VF UP UIF MPOH HSPXUI QSPDFTT PG UIF coat, young dogs coat should be appreci- ated for the stage of their age. t ɨF #FSHBNBTDPT DPBU TIPVME OFWFS CF shinny nor curly. An Ever-Changing Color Bergamascos are born genetically black or blue merle (black with part of the body diluted into lighter grey). But the color often changes to di ff erent shades as the dogs mature. Th e majority of dogs born black as well as the black patches of the merle dogs will lighten into shades of gray from light to charcoal; a few will remain black. Solid white is not allowed but white markings are acceptable if they cover no more than one-fifth of the body. Th e color also includes shadings of Isa- bella and fawn at the lower part of flocks, as a result of discoloration of old hair under the influence of sun, water and atmospheric fac- tors in general as well as ageing of the hair. Th e loose hairs gradually change color: the grey hairs turn yellowish while the black ones take on a tawny hue. Th is is what causes the Isabella and fawn shades visible in the coats of adult dogs. If the flocks are lifted up and the hair examined at its roots, close to the skin, the coat must be either gray or black. A Unique Gait Bergamascos are seen as mountain sheep- dogs; they are built for strength and resistance with well-developed chest and ample thorax, relative short necks with strong muscles. Th eir type of herding is nomadic in dif- ficult mountainous terrain. Several unique conditions a ff ecting the gait are to be considered. Sheep are timid in nature and tend to bolt when scared, the dog’s job is to keep the upper hand with- out provoking panic in rough terrain. When the sheep flock moves, it is slowly with a tendency to disperse. Th e dogs have to walk along side the flock, moving back and forth with no specific need for great speed. On the contrary, the gait has to be slow and even, requiring great resistance. When the grazing areas are reach, the dogs have to keep an eye
on the flock, so the sheep do not wander too far or run into danger by getting too close to ravines and cli ff s. When intervention is indispensable, the dogs need to avoid brusque movements to avoid the sheep to panic with a full stomach or to fall in steep terrain. At work, the Bergamasco does not walk beside the shepherd, but behind him in order to capture any gesture intended to spur it into actions. In the Alps, the Bergamascos had to adapt to various ways of moving the sheep flocks, sometimes covering long distances every day to get to the grazing grounds, while at other times they would only cover short distances within specific areas. Since grass is less abun- dant than in planes, the sheep have to stay on the move in order to find enough food. As the flocks are to be driven all day long, the Bergamascos cover a considerable distance pacing, and need to be highly resistant. Since the sheep move slowly in mountainous ter- rain, the dogs have no need for speed; on the contrary, the gait is slower and even. Every action is to be carried out with studied calm. Exuberant or highly strung dogs which bolt too fast or in an uncontrolled manner would have been totally useless for their job and made the shepherd’s work more di ffi cult. Th e shepherds favor a calmer, better-bal- anced dog for which speed is only important in rare occasions of sprint, no unpredictable action, but a homogeneous, resistant and regular gait. Another important typical trait of the Bergamasco’s gait is its leaping, helped by strong neck movement. Bergamascos move at a trot, but when the path becomes too steep, they either slow down or advance in leaps. Th is type of action has been erroneous- ly defined as galloping or cantering. While the gallop consists of a regular succession of paw supports, leaps succeed each other with no specific rhythm; furthermore, fore and hind legs are often together on the ground which is never the case in the gallop. Note that due to its compact built, the Begamasco’s center of gravity is low and the feet move close to the ground to be most e ffi - cient in uphill terrain, while preserving resis- tance and e ffi ciency. Because of its unique angulations of the fore and hind quarters, the Bergamasco’s movement is very di ff er- ent than other herding breeds that focus
more on speed on flat terrain, with a lon- ger extension of the limbs and higher foot- ing o ff the ground. Th e Bergamascos gate is more focused on resistance, strength and low gravity with foot closer to the ground. Th e movement can be slower than other herding dogs and they can break into leaps if speed or inclination changes. Movement in the Show Ring Th e Bergamasco’s characteristic gait is not always correctly evaluated in the show ring. As a result, handlers with little expe- rience with this breed have developed the bad habit of showing their dogs “strung up in the lead”, forcing them to raise their heads too high and produce a high stepping “flowery” and absolutely a-typical gait. Th is action much adored by some show competi- tors, while more “dramatic” and attractive to spectators, is completely unnatural and anti-productive from the point of view of energy waste and uphill e ffi ciency for the built of the Bergamasco Sheepdog. It is important that the Bergamasco’s neck not be too long and that the head not be carried high during movement. Th e motto “ Th e longer the step, the better the gait” should not be applied while handling a Bergamas- co Sheepdog, and any artificial modifica- tion of the movement would prevent judges from appreciating the true qualities which the Bergamascos should possess. Additionally, the Bergamasco sheepdog always works behind the shepherd to watch any hand gesture; therefore, it should be moved beside the handler without too much speed. Th e correct presentation of a Bergamasco in movement should be with loose lead, a reg- ular and calm speed, feet close to the ground, with the dog side by side or slightly behind the handler, both at the breed or group level. In conclusion, when judging a Berga- masco Sheepdog, step out of the cookie cutter “show gait” idea of movement, think of the breed characteristics and functions, and judge the dog as a whole. You’ll dis- cover the Bergamasco, a regal, intelligent sheepdog with a calm, self-assured expres- sion. And don’t forget, an in-depth manual examination is imperative in order to dis- cover the magnificent dog hiding under- neath this unique coat.
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