COAT

The Bergamasco Sheepdog’s coat is the breed’s defining feature—and it is not the same as cords or dreadlocks. According to the Bergamasco Sheepdog Club of America, three types of hair combine to form dense, flat, felt-like mats called flocks that continue to grow and mature over time. Full-length coat can reach the ground by around five years of age. The coat is meant to look rustic and functional, not sculpted or “salon finished.”

The AKC standard describes a key coat change in adolescence: the adult coat begins developing around 9–10 months, and human help is usually needed to separate the coat into the beginnings of flocks as the goat hair and woolly undercoat grow in. This is the make-or-break period for proper flock formation.

CHARACTER

Bergamascos are steady, intelligent, and deeply bonded to their people. They were developed to work independently with livestock and tend to be thoughtful rather than frantic—observant, calm under pressure, and naturally protective without being sharp. Because they’re sensitive and very tuned-in to handling, coat work goes best when it’s routine, slow, and matter-of-fact.

RECOMMENDED CINDRA GROOMING PRODUCTS

• Texturizing Shampoo
• Reconstructor (Dog Coat Repair Treatment)
• Maxi Care Leave-In Conditioner

COMMON BERGAMASCO COAT PROBLEMS & SOLUTIONS

Problem	Cause	Solution
“Mats” starting in puppy coat	Puppy coat tangles + not enough comb-through	In the 0–8 month puppy stage, keep the coat fully brushed and combed to skin (especially face/ears/chin). Breeders emphasize not allowing matting at this age. Use a light mist of Maxi Care leave-in conditioner to reduce friction and breakage while brushing.
Flocks forming into one big sheet	Adolescent coat change (goat hair + woolly undercoat) bonding together	Around 9–12 months, begin separating by hand into sections so flocks form correctly (this is typically required for the breed). Work from the outside toward the skin and re-separate as the coat tries to rejoin. If the dog is dry or static-y, lightly mist Maxi Care on your hands (not soaking the coat) to make the work easier and calmer.
Musty odor / mildew after baths	Coat not fully dried through the flocks	Bathe only when needed and dry completely. The flocked coat can hold moisture deep inside, so thorough drying is non-negotiable to prevent odor and skin issues. After washing, squeeze water out with towels, then use airflow and time until the coat is dry to the skin.
Dirty flocks that feel sticky or heavy	Buildup from environment, products, or insufficient rinsing	When you do bathe, use a gentle, well-diluted cleanser and rinse longer than you think you need. For heavy dirt days, use Texturizing Shampoo diluted and focused where it’s actually dirty, then rinse until water runs clear.
Dry skin or brittle ends	Climate, too-frequent washing, or coat dehydration	Condition strategically—target skin and stressed areas, not the entire coat. Use Reconstructor diluted and worked to the skin only, then rinse thoroughly to support skin comfort without softening flock structure.
Debris trapped inside flocks	Outdoor life + flock structure	Do weekly “hands-on” checks. Open flocks with your fingers, remove burrs/twigs, and re-separate where needed. This is normal maintenance for the breed and keeps small problems from becoming big ones.

HOW TO GROOM THE BERGAMASCO SHEEPDOG

Bergamasco grooming is different because the goal is to create and maintain healthy, functional flocks—not to brush the dog out fluffy. The routine changes by age, and the adolescent coat transition is where most owners get overwhelmed.

Stage 1: Puppy coat (birth to ~8 months)

In the puppy stage, reputable breeders advise keeping the coat brushed and combed through to the skin so tangles don’t set the dog up for coat disaster later. This is also when you teach table manners and handling. A light mist of Maxi Care coat conditioner spray can help reduce friction and coat snapping during brushing—especially around the face, ears, and friction zones.

Key areas: behind ears, collar line, armpits, groin, and the “pants.”

Breeder guidance is consistent here: do not allow matting in the puppy coat. It is soft and easy to maintain, and this stage sets your foundation.

Stage 2: Adolescent coat change (~9–12 months)

This is when the coat begins transforming. The AKC standard notes that around 9–10 months, the goat hair and woolly undercoat begin to grow in, and human intervention is usually required to separate the coat into the beginnings of flocks.

What that means in real life: the coat tries to mat into large sheets, and you must separate it into sections with your hands so it becomes flocks instead of one solid blanket. Start at the ends and work toward the skin, gently pulling sections apart. Expect to revisit the same areas repeatedly as the coat tries to rejoin—breeders describe this as the phase that takes the most time, then becomes much easier once flocks stabilize.

If the coat is dry or static-prone while you’re working, lightly mist Maxi Care leave-in onto your hands (not drenching the dog) so you can separate without breaking coat.

Stage 3: Adult flock maintenance (once flocks are established)

Once the flocks are formed, the maintenance becomes more about inspection than brushing. Do weekly checks, re-separate flocks where they are trying to fuse together, and remove debris. Many owners handle this as a calm couch routine: open flocks, check skin, and keep separations clean and comfortable.

Bathing the flocked coat (less often, more thorough)

There’s debate in the Bergamasco world about washing frequency and products, but reputable sources agree on the big risk: moisture trapped inside the flocks. If you bathe, rinse extremely well and dry completely to the skin.

For a dirty dog, use Texturizing Shampoo diluted and targeted where needed, then rinse until the water runs clear.

For stressed skin (not softness), use Reconstructor diluted and applied to the skin only, then rinse thoroughly.

What not to do

• Do not try to brush an adult Bergamasco out like a typical coated breed—this disrupts flock structure.
• Do not shave the coat for convenience. You’ll lose the breed’s protective coat function and create a difficult regrowth phase.
• Do not bathe without a real drying plan. Damp flocks are where problems start.
• Do not “soften” flocks with cosmetic conditioners. The goal is clean, separated, functional flocking.

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