The following entry is about the herding farm dogs native to the area of Bergamo, Italy. This is a landrace type of dog which means they were bred for function and not for a uniform look or size. Some of these dogs mainly work sheep, others are used for cattle herding. They are not necessarily bred as separate types of dogs, more likely there are different types in one litter and they are then separated by size and/or temperament to match them with a suitable working environment.
All the pictures were taken in 2004 by Nino at a meeting, which happens 3 times a year, of the local farmers/ranchers and their dogs, there is a cattle herding competition during the event, which allows the dogs to show their skills. This is not a beauty contest, but more the old fashioned type of dog show where breeders/owners meet to talk about their dogs, see what others have and maybe arrange breedings or buying future working dogs. That's what dog shows used to be about. That's how dogs used to be bred, based on how well they worked and of course nobody wants a dog that only works a couple years and then gets sick and dies, so health and longevity is another criteria in working dogs. It takes time to raise a good working dog, so once the dog is mature and a valuable worker, one wishes to get many years of work out of that dog.
Shepherds who have sheep may have quite a lot of dogs, a flock of a 1000 sheep moves like this:
the lead Shepherd will lead with the two top dogs who are strong enough to stop the herd behind them in a case this is needed. Then there are goats, donkeys, sheep and finally the lambs and old sheep. Behind them all are a couple of men and 3 to 4 dogs that run back and forth to keep the herd together. These are usually young dogs, that aren't trained yet to do difficult things, but they run all day. The top dogs can do more difficult things like bringing in a certain cow to the shepherd.
The shepherds don't maintain written pedigrees and matings are planned or unplanned. Most pups are culled and usually only 2 left with their mother. Their life is quite hard and they are being culled at any age if they do not proof useful on the job.
Nino also says that tails are long or naturally short, he says the short is dominant. And to his knowledge there is no particular reason to dock a long tail, so it's a matter of personal taste. The dogs working with cattle are preferrably docked because the long tails can catch in the electric fencing and scare a young dog so it won't go under the fences anymore.
Rocco, who belonged to my friend Nino, sadly Rocco has passed away, the pictures were all taken in 2004.
Lorella and Rocco, one can see the steep terrain in the background.
farmers gathering and talk about their dogs
interesting colors in this dog, one can see that the dogs come in different varieties of coats. There is a breed known as the Bergamasco Sheepdog. which has its origins in the dogs pictured here, however the selection in the Bergamasco was for a particular coat type that forms mats.
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