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hair on the legs also hangs in flocks rather than feathering. The hair on the top of head and ears may either be flocked or not. In either case, the typical disheveled appearance is natural and rustic and hangs over the eyes. The eyelashes are exceptionally long and serve to hold the hair/flocks somewhat away from the eyes. The coat is never shaven or the wool brushed out. Trimming is acceptable for hygienic reasons and the ease of movement around the feet and pads. Also, the coat may be thinned or trimmed when it becomes too thick and long hampering normal movement and compromises the dog’s welfare. However it must maintain the traditional rustic appearance of the dog. Puppies: From birth to 10 to 12 months of age, the coat is soft and short. At approximately 9 to 10 months of age, the goat hair and woolly undercoat begin to grow in. Human intervention is usually required to separate the coat into the beginnings of flocks at this point. This leads to the formation of informal bundles, then eventually to stubby formations that can give an unkempt and messy appearance at this period of the dog’s life. This is natural and unavoidable. It is only at approximately 3 years of age that the flocks will have grown long enough for the unique look for which the dog is known to begin to be achieved. The flocks continue to grow throughout the dog’s life. They may reach the ground at 5 to 6 years of age; hence young dogs must not be penalized for a coat which has not yet lengthened. Color: Only eumelanin, i.e., black melanin is present in Bergamascos. Bergamascos are born solid gray or gradations of gray (including merle) up to and including solid black. The color often changes to different shades as the dog matures. The majority of dogs born black as well as the black patches of the merle dogs will lighten into shades of grey from light to charcoal due to a “fading black” gene; a few will remain black. A superficial coloring includes shadings of tawny-brown and fawn at the lower part of flocks as a result of discoloration of old hair under the influence of sun, water and atmospheric factors in general as well as aging of the hair. The loose hairs gradually change color: the gray hairs turn yellowish while the black ones take on a tawny hue. The overall look of these may be more reddish brown from a distance. The flocks must be examined at the roots, close to the skin, here the coat must be either black or gray. Solid white is not allowed but white markings are acceptable if they cover no more than one-fifth of the body. Disqualification – White coat color on more than one-fifth of the total area of the body. Gait: Bergamascos had to adapt to various ways of moving the sheep, 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. The gait must have steady and elastic movement with resistance for efficiency and power. Due to its unique angulations of the fore and hind quarters and compact build, the Bergamasco’s gait is focused on resistance, strength and low center of gravity, with both fore and hind feet closer to the ground. The forward and backward reach, while extended are less than flatland herding breeds. The proportions and angles of the fore and hind quarters provide the needed for strength and resilience in hilly terrain. Their natural gait is slower paced than other herding dogs. The natural and preferred gait for the Bergamasco to achieve a calm and balance movement while preserving energy in a mountainous terrain is a free, extended, elastic, slow trot with both front and rear feet remaining close to the ground. The pasterns are supple and flex freely at a 90- degree angle. The head is carried forward with the neck forming a slight angle at the withers.
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