Why the IBSA (International Bergamasco Sheepdog Association)?

The Bergamasco sheepdog is a very ancient Italian breed. For many centuries it was commonly found in the Alpine valleys, thanks to its exceptional skills as a flock guide, when sheepraising was the main economic resource in this area.

However, after the II world war, industrial expansion and the development of tourism brought about profound economic changes in the lifestyle of these valleys. The flocks with their dogs were inevitably affected by this process of modernization, which led to their partial extinction.

No longer jealously protected by their shepherd masters, the dogs have gradually disappeared or mongrelized, since greater communication facilities favored the infiltration of new breeds in the previously isolated regions where the only dogs with the right of existence were the ones useful for the shepherd’s work.

It is only thanks to the efforts of a few enthusiastic breeders that it has been possible, after a long period of decline, to restore consistency and homogeneity to this Italian breed. Although, in view of its exceptional qualities, it can compete on equal footing with the best-known foreign breeds. For many years the Bergamasco was confined within the Italian borders and it was only recently that, thanks to keen breeders, they have participate to the most important European shows with enormous success, thus becoming highly popular.

Widespread interest for the Bergamasco has finally emerged and small groups have sprung up all over Europe and recently even in the USA. However widespread and numerous, these groups are unevenly scattered and this fact has led to the need for a common point of reference, where information is given and received. This is why the IBSA has been founded.

Internet represents the best solution to the problem of isolation caused by distances; the Bergamasco breed will surely benefit from the cohesion of all the breeder’s efforts. A second aim of the IBSA is to provide useful information to anybody interested in the breed so as to promote further diffusion.