Bergamasco Sheepdog Bloodhound Mix

The Bergamasco Sheepdog Bloodhound Mix, is a mixed breed dog resulting from breeding the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Bloodhound. Both of these dogs can be friendly but personalities differ, so you never know. The Bergamasco is known for being determined, intelligent, and patient. All dogs need proper socialization and that will be a big factor in how they interact with others. What does this mixed breed look and act like? Is it more like the Bergamasco Sheepdog or the Bloodhound? Those are the questions we will try and answer below. Continue reading below to see pictures, videos, and learn more about the beautiful Bergamasco Sheepdog Bloodhound Mix.

While we really recommend that you acquire all animals through a rescue, we understand that some people might go through a breeder to get their Bergamasco Sheepdog Bloodhound Mix puppy. That is, if they have any Bergamasco Sheepdog Bloodhound Mix puppies for sale.

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Bergamasco Sheepdog Bloodhound Mix History

All hybrid or designer dogs are tough to get a good read on as there isn’t much history to them. Breeding specific dogs like this has become common in the last twenty years or so even though I am sure that this mixed breed found it’s share of dogs to the shelter due to accidental breeding. We will take a closer look at the history of both parent breeds below. If you are looking at breeders for new, designer dogs please beware of Puppy Mills. These are places that mass produce puppies, specifically for profit and don’t care at all about the dogs. If you have a few minutes, please sign our petition to stop puppy mills.

Bergamasco Sheepdog History

He looks like a Muppet with dreadlocks, but in reality he’s a sweet, loyal sheepdog with a patient nature and an intelligent, independent spirit. And you can see that in his eyes, if you look for them! You might look at this dog and think, “grooming nightmare.” Not so! The Bergamasco’s coat needs some prep work when he’s still a puppy, but after that, it’s smooth sailing. He wears his mats (or “dreads”) proudly, and once established they require almost no maintenance. Among adult dogs, little to no brushing is required, and bathing usually isn’t necessary more than one to three times a year. Experts advise that the dog never be shaved. As sheep-herders, Bergamascos were bred to work independently and to problem-solve without a handler’s supervision or commands. This makes him somewhat different from other shepherd breeds. A strong, muscular dog with a considerable ability to endure long working hours and harsh elements, Bergamascos are believed to be descendants of ancient dogs that tended and herded flocks of sheep in mountainous Iran (then Persia) for their nomadic masters. Over time, some of these nomads settled and remained in the Italian Alps. It is there that the dog came to be known as the Bergamasco (for Bergamo, one of the first Italian towns where he worked tending sheep).

More recently (in the period immediately following World War II), Bergamascos nearly became extinct because of the drop in wool production and the corresponding drop in need for sheep and sheepdogs. A highly trained Italian scientist, Dr. Maria Andreoli, is credited with saving the breed by studying and observing its genetic traits. Over 40 years of careful breeding, Dr. Andreoli developed many lines of champion dogs at her Dell' Albera kennel. She is also credited with sharing knowledge that enabled the Bergamasco to be successfully introduced in the U.S.

Bloodhound History

The Bloodhound is the oldest of all the scent hounds and the one with the sharpest sense of smell. That means she’s also a favorite with law enforcement, as she can tirelessly track suspects or support search and rescue operations with a high degree of success — even though she will not hold or attack the object of her pursuit, preferring to wait for her handler. Their success as hunters in catching human quarry is so great that they are are one of handful of breeds whose findings can be used and upheld as testimony in a court of law. Bloodhounds are one of the many “gentle giant” breeds who transition easily from a day of work to an evening with the family. They have enjoyed a steady presence in popular culture; for example, the family dog Ladybird in the animated series King of the Hill is a bloodhound, as are the “Bumpuses’ hounds,” a pack that lives next door to Ralphie Parker’s family and ultimately runs off with their Thanksgiving turkey in A Christmas Story. A Bloodhound is also one of the show champion hopefuls in the classic Christopher Guest mockumentary Best in Show. Bloodhound history is thought to reach as far back as the third century A.D., when they are thought to have been selectively bred for centuries with other dogs in the Mediterranean region. Today’s Bloodhound is believed to descend from two known dogs of this period: the St. Hubert’s Hound and the Southern Hound. The British began breeding today’s Bloodhound in the 11th and 12th centuries; eventually, the breed was so highly regarded in Great Britain that the royals and high-ranking church officials kept packs of them.

Over time, England’s deer population waned and hunters turned to foxes as their new quarry. Fox-hunting required a dog with a speedier gait than the Bloodhound, and the Foxhound soon supplanted the Bloodhound as hunting companion of choice. The British Bloodhound, as she became known, nearly disappeared in England the post-World War II years, but by that time she had gradually become a favorite in “the Colonies” among soldiers in battle and police tracking criminals. Bloodhounds were accepted into the American Kennel Club’s Hound Group in 1885.

A bloodhound is at her happiest when tracking. The problem-solving aspect of tracking satisfies her high intelligence and need to solve problems. A Bloodhound was part of the team that collared prison escapee James Earl Ray, murderer of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. However, if you’re not a hunter or employed in law enforcement, you and your Bloodhound can still enjoy hiking, bicycling and walking together.

Bergamasco Sheepdog Bloodhound Mix Size and Weight

Bergamasco Sheepdog
Height: 22 - 24 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 57 - 84 lb.
Lifespan: 13 - 15 years

Bloodhound
Height: 23 - 27 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 80 - 100 lb.
Lifespan: 10 - 12 years

Bergamasco Sheepdog Bloodhound Mix Personality

The Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Bloodhound are both loyal and affectionate. They are also very charming, so watch out! This dog will require a good training regimen as they can get excited. They are very loyal to their family. One of the best things you can do for any breed is to socialize it as much as possible. Please use positive reinforcement, it goes a long way! She should be rather affectionate and love being with you, she can also be stubborn so keep that in mind.

Bergamasco Sheepdog Bloodhound Mix Health

All dogs have the potential to develop genetic health problems as all breeds are susceptible to some things more than others. However, the one positive thing about getting a puppy is that you can avoid this as much as possible. A breeder should absolutely offer a health guarantee on puppies. If they won’t do this, then look no more and don’t consider that breeder at all. A reputable breeder will be honest and open about health problems in the breed and the incidence with which they occur. We obviously recommend that you look for a reputable animal rescue in your area to find your new mixed breed. Health clearances prove that a dog has been tested for and cleared of a particular condition.

The Bergamasco Sheepdog mixed with the Bloodhound might be prone to joint dysplasia, eye problems, gastric torsion, bloat, among others.

Note that these are just common problems in both breeds.

Bergamasco Sheepdog Bloodhound Mix Care

What are the grooming requirements?

Even if you know the breed, sometimes it is hard to tell if it will be a heavy shedder or a light shedder. Either way, Get ready to invest in a good vacuum if you want to keep your floors clean! Give them baths as needed, but not so much that you dry out their skin.

What are the exercise requirements?

Plan on taking them for extremely long walks and hikes to keep their energy level down. This mix will more than likely have a high energy level. This exercise will keep them from being destructive. A tired dog is a good dog. A tired dog is a good dog though. Never tie your dog up outside - that is inhumane and not fair to him.

What are the training requirements?

This is an intelligent dog that will be a little bit challenging to train. They are going to want to take the alpha position and need someone with a firm, strong, hand that can let them know their place. The best thing you can do is break the sessions into shorter daily sessions to keep their attention span higher. It might have a prey drive and be disposed to running for and chasing small prey, but if handled properly this can be managed. All dogs respond best to positive reinforcement. So make sure to praise her when she does well. She is an intelligent dog who loves to please, and loves a physical challenge. The more exercise she gets the easier she will be to train. Proper socialization is imperative to all dogs and puppies. Make sure to take her to the park and doggy day care to get her around as many people and dogs as possible.

Bergamasco Sheepdog Bloodhound Mix Feeding

"A lot of times diet is done on a per-dog basis. Each one is unique and has different dietary requirements. Most dogs in the U.S. are overweight. A mix like this one that is prone to hip and elbow dysplasia should really be on fish oil and glucosamine and chondroitin supplements as soon as possible. A good diet to look into is Raw Food Diet. A raw food diet will be especially good for the Wolf background.

Overfeeding any dog is not a good idea as that can really exacerbate health problems such as elbow and hip dysplasia.

I good diet to look into is Raw Food Diet. A raw food diet will be especially good for the Wolf background."

Bergamasco Sheepdog Links

Links to other breeds you might be interested in