Bergamasco or Komondor, which is best for you?

Two dog breeds that really stand out from the crowd are the Bergamasco and the Komondor with their gorgeous corded coats and owning one of them will certainly get an owner noticed when out on a walk. If you are hoping to share your home with one of these extraordinary looking dogs, but are unsure which would better suite your lifestyle, this article compares both breeds which could help make up your mind on whether it's a Bergamasco or Komondor.

Bergamasco country of origin

The Bergamasco is native to Italy where they have always been highly prized as working dogs thanks to their guarding and herding skills. They are also popular family pets in Italy too. The breed is an ancient one that dates back several centuries.

Komondor country of origin

The Komondor is native to Hungary and again, the breed has been highly prized in their native land for being excellent and dependable working dogs. They are an ancient breed much like their Bergamasco counterparts and they are still commonly seen working alongside shepherds in their native Hungary.

Care and maintenance

Bergamascos are slightly lower maintenance on the grooming front and their coats are made up of dog hair, goat hair and wool too. Once the cords have formed, owners have very little to do to keep their dog's coat looking good apart from removing any dirt and debris that gets caught in it. With a Komondor's coat, it's important to tease apart any cords that get too thick and to remove dirt and debris that gets caught in their coats too.

Shedding

Both breeds shed a minimum amount of hair, but they do shed dander which is dead skin. As such, they are considered a good choice for people who are prone to suffer from allergies although it's always a good idea to test this out by visiting someone who already shares their home with either a Bergamasco or Komondor before deciding to get a dog.

Training

Both the Bergamasco and the Komondor are intelligent dogs, but the Bergamasco is known to have a bit of a stubborn streak in them which makes them slightly harder to train. However, neither of the breeds are the best choice for first time owners because they are better suited to people who are familiar with their needs. It can prove challenging when it comes to training a Komondor and it can take time and patience.

Exercise

Both breeds are high energy dogs and as such they need to be given a ton of daily exercise and because they are so intelligent, the Bergamasco and the Komondor also need a lot of mental stimulation for them to be truly well balanced dogs. They should be allowed to run off their leads whenever possible, but only in a safe place.

Children and pets

The Bergamasco is a better choice for families with younger children although any interaction should always be supervised. Komondors are a great choice for families where the children are older because they will know how to behave around dogs.

The Komondor can be a little aggressive towards dogs they don't know and unless they have grown up with a cat in the home, any contact is best avoided and the same can be said of smaller animals too. The Bergamasco generally gets on well with other animals especially if they have grown up together.

Bergamasco life expectancy

The average life span of a Bergamasco is between 13 and 15 years.

Komondor life expectancy

The average life span of a Komondor is between 10 and 12 years.

Bergamasco health

Bergamasco are among the healthiest of breeds around, but it's still really important to contact well established reputable breeders if you are thinking about sharing your home with one of these charming dogs.

Komondor health

The Komondor is known to suffer from a few hereditary health issues which includes hip dysplasia. Other issues that seem to affect the breed the most are as follows:

• Entropion
• Skin problems
• Bloat

Bergamasco tendency for weight gain

The Bergamasco is not known to be a greedy dog, but it's still important to keep a close eye on a dog's weight to make sure they are not carrying too many kilos.

Komondor tendency for weight gain

Komondors are not known to be greedy by nature either, but the same applies to keeping an eye on their weight to make sure they are fit and healthy.