Miss Squish Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 After researching quite a few different breeds for my next dog, I discovered the Bergamasco Shepherd dog and after reading all I could on the breed and totally falling for them,I deceided to go to NSW to meet my first Bergamasco OMG this breed are absolutely stunning...they have the most amazing coat and such great temperaments, totally lapped up all the attention they could get and were so friendly and loving The breeder was excellent and Im so glad she imported this beautiful breed and put in the hard work to have them recognised in Australia! ... fingers crossed there will be a puppy for me some time next year Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brennan's Mum Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 Fingers crossed for you. I was just looking at pictures of them last night, part of my trying to get familiar with dog breeds that you do not hear of as much. Interesting looking dogs. I hope all works out for you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeiLuvR Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 THE BERGAMASCO ! They are Italian yes? When were they first brought to Oz? GR8 pics They look very ummm hairy and matted lol Tell us a bit about them - Their temperament and personality? U finally met a real Bergamasco! So if U hav A Chinese Shar Pei named ASIA - What name will ur ITALIAN BERGAMASCO hav? Rosa? HOW EXCITING ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Her Majesty Dogmad Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 As lovely as they look, I always worry about the practical side of things. I've got two hairy dogs (not as hairy as a Bearded Collie though) and when they get upset stomachs which is luckily not very often, the rear end is a real nightmare. Then there's the grooming aspect, it's a lot of work requiring a great deal of commitment. It's great that you are researching in detail, I've learned that hairy dogs are not right for me no matter how gorgeous they look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpikesPuppy Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 LOVE these guys. They seem to have fantastic personalities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PRADA68 Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 They look great but they also look like they need a good brush. If I were to see one on the street I would think it's coat has be neglected and it needed a good clip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wuffles Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 I love love love Bergamascos I would have seriously considered one of their first litter if we had been ready for another puppy back then! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 Will you show your puppy Miss Squish? Always nice to see a rare breed exhibited. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogbesotted Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 actually they are meant ot be wild and woolly.. they are grogeous dogs with typical italian workingdog temperaments LOLs.. ie sometimes ima listen to you and sometimes ima listen to myself H Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 (edited) Nothing against the breed and this is just a personal thing, but I need a dog I can stroke and actually feel the dog. But I do like the look of the dog - I'd like the brushed out version though, lol. Question (dumb one) .... what is the difference between the matting of this long coat and the matting of the coats of other dog breeds who are not 'supposed' to be matted? No offence to anyone who admire/raise/own/show/breed these dogs intended. Edited November 22, 2010 by Erny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 Nothing against the breed and this is just a personal thing, but I need a dog I can stroke and actually feel the dog. But I do like the look of the dog - I'd like the brushed out version though, lol. Question (dumb one) .... what is the difference between the matting of this long coat and the matting of the coats of other dog breeds who are not 'supposed' to be matted? No offence to anyone who admire/raise/own/show/breed these dogs intended. The principle is the same - a non shedding coat that "felts" or matts into the coat. You've got the option of brushing and clipping it, keeping it brushed out (impractical in an outdoor working breed) or allowing it to cord. You can cord a good poodle coat. A corded coat is highly weather resistant and offers good protection from wolves. However without careful grooming it becomes pretty stinky and your dog ends up looking like a lamington with grass etc in it. Its not low maintenance for the show ring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 Thanks PF. I can well imagine a corded/matted coat would be a nightmare to keep 'nice', unless the dog's environment was seed and grass free. Not meaning to sound antagonistic and my apologies to the OP as this is OT to your thread but it just doesn't seem worth creating another thread just to satisfy my query/thoughts, but what makes it ok for the Bergamasco Shepherd Dog to have a matted (corded) coat and yet for people to cry "foul" when other breeds end up having matted coats? Many of the mats I see in coats end up pulling on the skin as the mat gets more and more dense. How would one stop that from happening to a dog such as the Bergamasco whose corded coat is accepted as part of its standard? I am honestly puzzled and maybe it has a lot to do with the mountain load of coat maintenance of these dogs that perhaps I am not aware of and that goes well beyond my imagining . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted November 23, 2010 Share Posted November 23, 2010 (edited) Thanks PF.I can well imagine a corded/matted coat would be a nightmare to keep 'nice', unless the dog's environment was seed and grass free. Not meaning to sound antagonistic and my apologies to the OP as this is OT to your thread but it just doesn't seem worth creating another thread just to satisfy my query/thoughts, but what makes it ok for the Bergamasco Shepherd Dog to have a matted (corded) coat and yet for people to cry "foul" when other breeds end up having matted coats? Many of the mats I see in coats end up pulling on the skin as the mat gets more and more dense. How would one stop that from happening to a dog such as the Bergamasco whose corded coat is accepted as part of its standard? I am honestly puzzled and maybe it has a lot to do with the mountain load of coat maintenance of these dogs that perhaps I am not aware of and that goes well beyond my imagining . A corded coat is carefully maintained to keep cords separated and not to pull on the skin. There is no detriment to the dog in terms of comfort and movement. When coat change happens, the beginnings of "mats' are carefully separated into cords and then each cord is carefully and regularly separated down to the skin to maintan it. It's not just a great lump of hair that clumped together however it formed. Not low maintenance, that's for sure. There are several herding/stock breeds that are corded - notably Pulik, Komandors and the Bergamasco. Its a practical solution to the issue of a non-shedding coat in an outdoor working breed. Pic of Komandor: Edited November 23, 2010 by poodlefan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted November 23, 2010 Share Posted November 23, 2010 A corded coat is carefully maintained to keep cords separated and not to pull on the skin. There is no detriment to the dog in terms of comfort and movement. When coat change happens, the beginnings of "mats' are carefully separated into cords and then each cord is carefully and regularly separated down to the skin to maintan it. It's not just a great lump of hair that clumped together however it formed. Not low maintenance, that's for sure. Again, thank you PF. Ewwwwwww, one would certainly need to be dedicated and know they would have the additional time necessary for this sort of care !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted November 23, 2010 Share Posted November 23, 2010 A corded coat is carefully maintained to keep cords separated and not to pull on the skin. There is no detriment to the dog in terms of comfort and movement. When coat change happens, the beginnings of "mats' are carefully separated into cords and then each cord is carefully and regularly separated down to the skin to maintan it. It's not just a great lump of hair that clumped together however it formed. Not low maintenance, that's for sure. Again, thank you PF. Ewwwwwww, one would certainly need to be dedicated and know they would have the additional time necessary for this sort of care !! A lot of these dogs are clipped if they are pets. Its a hell of a lot of work to maintain a decent corded coat. Takes hours to dry one, that's for sure. Not a coat for a high temperature environment full of grass seeds!! White Puli cos I can: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Squish Posted November 23, 2010 Author Share Posted November 23, 2010 Erny- this page should answer all your questions - http://bergamascousa.com/the-coat/ After having dreadlocks myself for many years Im well aware of the work it takes to seperate the matts while are forming, once they are formed it is very low maintainence to care for. Poodlefan- Yes I do intend on showing my pup There is only one dog out of the first litter being shown in NSW, the only one ever shown in Australia, and he has done well. That Poodle is stunning Peiluvr- The breeder imported her first Bergamasco about 7 years now! I havent even thought of names yet :p I dont want to get my hopes up just yet incase there are no pups, the Bitch has recently been in season and missed this time ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted November 23, 2010 Share Posted November 23, 2010 Poodlefan- Yes I do intend on showing my pup There is only one dog out of the first litter being shown in NSW, the only one ever shown in Australia, and he has done well. Saw him at Wagga in June. :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted November 23, 2010 Share Posted November 23, 2010 Would you know how much the cords are likely to weigh on the dog? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Squish Posted November 23, 2010 Author Share Posted November 23, 2010 ie sometimes ima listen to you and sometimes ima listen to myself :p H yes they are like this, very much like the Shar Pei Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted November 23, 2010 Share Posted November 23, 2010 Erny- this page should answer all your questions - http://bergamascousa.com/the-coat/ Thank you. What cute puppies!! I really like the puppy and teenage coats :p . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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