A Berga What?

Both the name of my farm and the name of my business are in honor of my Bergamasco -- Iluska, and my former Bergamascos - Spiros, Geronimo, & Teodoro.
 

Iluska

I spent this past weekend in Dayton, Ohio, at the Gem City Dog Obedience Club attending a United Kennel Club Mason-Dixon Multi-Breed Dog Association conformation show.  It was a wonderful weekend spent with several of my friends who raise and breed Bergamasco Sheepdogs.  It's not too often that you'll find a large group of Bergamascos together but I was lucky enough to spend time with Susan from Windy Hill Bergamascos and Hunter, Dana from Blizzard Peak Bergamascos, Yvonne & George, and Kellie & Taylor, and we even had a couple of folks who had purchased puppies stop by to visit with us.  On Sunday, we had 12 Bergamascos to love on.

Bergamascos are an ancient shepherding breed.  The origins of the breed can be found to have come from Persia (the area is now Iran).  The Bergamasco tended and worked sheep with their nomadic masters and eventually settled in the Bergamasche valley in northern Italy.  The Bergamascos are very intelligent, independent, have the ability to problem-solve, are courageous when confronting wild animals that may prey on flocks, and have a deep desire to please.  A Bergamo shepherd used a small number of dogs to tend and drive hundreds of sheep, hundreds of miles, across mountains and through valleys while moving to new grazing areas.

Their coat is what sets them apart from other breeds.  It is a combination of puppy coat, "goat" hair and fuzzy "wool".  These three combine to form dense, flat mats that are felt-like.  Their coat protects them from heat and cold as well as bites of predators.

The Bergamasco can compete with the best-known herding breeds.  Today, owners compete with their Bergamascos in conformation, obedience, agility, rally, and herding.  This summer, I hope to work with a herding instructor so Iluska can learn I can learn how to herd my sheep.