Temperament and care ratings
The American Kennel Club rates every breed from 1 to 5 on the traits below. They describe how the breed tends to be, not a promise about one dog.
Coat: Corded coat, long.
A Bergamasco Sheepdog suits
- People who hate dog hair on the sofa (shedding 1 of 5)
- Anyone who wants a natural watchdog (protective nature 4 of 5)
What the ratings mean day to day
An energy score of 3 and mental stimulation needs of 3 mean a good daily walk and some play. With barking at 1 of 5 and a watchdog score of 4, expect a fairly quiet dog. Grooming at 1 of 5 means an occasional brush.
Popularity
In 2020 it ranked 173.
Breeds with a similar profile
Closest matches across all 14 trait ratings:
Compare: Bergamasco Sheepdog vs Basenji · Bergamasco Sheepdog vs Cirneco dell'Etna · Bergamasco Sheepdog vs Briard
Frequently asked questions
Are Bergamasco Sheepdogs good with kids?
The AKC rates the Bergamasco Sheepdog 3 out of 5 for being good with young children. Supervise early meetings and teach kids how to handle a dog.
Do Bergamasco Sheepdogs shed a lot?
Shedding is rated 1 out of 5 (very low), and coat grooming 1 out of 5.
Are Bergamasco Sheepdogs easy to train?
Trainability is rated 3 out of 5 and mental stimulation needs 3 out of 5.
How much energy does a Bergamasco Sheepdog have?
Energy is rated 3 out of 5 and playfulness 3 out of 5.
Ratings: American Kennel Club breed pages, compiled February 2022 (AKC Bergamasco Sheepdog page). 2025 ranking: AKC, published August 2026. How we check.