MyDogBreeds
Polish Hunting Dog is originated from Poland but Bergamasco is originated from Italy. Both Polish Hunting Dog and Bergamasco are having almost same height. Polish Hunting Dog may weigh 6 kg / 13 pounds lesser than Bergamasco. Both Polish Hunting Dog and Bergamasco has almost same life span. Both Polish Hunting Dog and Bergamasco has almost same litter size. Polish Hunting Dog requires Low maintenance. But Bergamasco requires Moderate maintenance
The Polish Hunting Dog originates from Poland and is a purebred scenthound. Hunting with scent hounds goes right back to the 13th century, being highly esteemed by Polish nobility.
The famous Polish cynologist, Jozef Pawuslewicz hunted with Polish scent hounds and was part of the development of breeding this dog.
He wrote the first breed standard and the dog was officially registered by the Polish Cynological Association.
The Bergamasco comes from northern Italy. This medium sized sheepdog is of ancient origin. Known as an Italian sheep herding breed, his name actually comes from the town where he comes from - Bergamo.
It was after World War II that there was danger that this breed would disappear as the need for herding and shepherding was diminishing. An Italian breeder, however, Dr. Maria Andreoli, stepped in to save the breed.
It was in 2015 that the American Kennel Club also changed the breed’s status from Miscellaneous to the Herding Group.
The Polish Hunting Dog is a large, strong dog standing between 50 – 66cm in height and weighing between 20 to 32kg. He is very similar to a Doberman Pinscher or a Rottweiler in looks.
The dog’s coat is short and the color is usually black and tan. He is a deep chested dog with a well-proportioned head, with longish muzzle and floppy ears. The tail is long.
Well balanced and gentle, the Polish Hound is a courageous, intelligent dog, easy to train and socialize. It isn’t an aggressive dog but is wary of strangers.
He loves playing with children and is loving and kind to them. He never tires of their games. He is alert and protective and makes a great watchdog.
This medium sized sheepdog stands 54 – 62cm in height and weighs up to 38 kg as an adult. It is his coat which draws the most attention. It is of a coarse texture and actually greasy to the touch. It actually forms into strands or almost like dreadlocks from the top of the body, so that people agree he is one of shaggiest dog breeds there are.
From age 1 on the coat starts to become woolly, and then the flocks start to form. As these clumps of hair appear, it will become necessary to separate them into smaller cords by hand to ensure attractive formation Brushing isn’t necessary but a big toothed comb can keep their hair ‘groomed’.
The colour of the coat is solid grey with patches of shades of grey and sometimes black. His dense, heavy coat makes it that he is suited to cooler climates. Because he is a herding dog, he wouldn’t do well in an apartment but would suit a home with a large garden.
He is intelligent and social but will need firm handling as he is a boisterous dog. He has a muscular yet compact body with a large head, long tail, high-set semi-drooping ears and large, gentle looking brown eyes. Although not instinctively aggressive, he makes an excellent watch dog with strong protective instincts to protect his human family.
He views new people into his circle with suspicion and wariness. He is good with kids and pets in the home and is playful and energetic.
Your Polish Hunting Dog is a great choice of dog as a family pet. Used as a hunting dog he will be thrilled if he lands up with a family who are active and outdoorsy types.
You can always count him in when it comes to going for walks, hiking, cycling or running next to you when you go horse-riding.
The Polish Hunting dog is a stable, gentle dog and he has a whole lot of other wonderful attributes to his name. He is loving, loyal, courageous, friendly, social and companionable. And he's good looking. What a great pet this low maintenance dog makes.
This is a working dog so they are naturally alert. He is also intelligent and independent and this independence is seen with training as he doesn’t take easily to following instructions, becoming stubborn. You’ll certainly want to have your Bergamasco socialized and trained as he can be a boisterous dog, bounding with energy.
This is a dog that will need to be kept busy and provided with plenty of activities so that he remains happy, playful and relaxed.
Lively and intelligent, these dogs also form strong bonds with their owners and get on well with the children in the home. He will take well to country life as opposed to living in the city.
They are generally a robust breed and can easily reach up to 14 years of age with good care. There are always some common dog illnesses that you can benefit from knowing about because then you can get your pet to the vet if he appears to be under the weather.
Active dogs are always going to be exposed to parasites, whether they be ticks, fleas or worms. Right from word go, puppies are treated for worms, but it is important to treat your dog regularly for parasites. Speak to your vet about the best products.
Heatstroke is always a risk for dogs even in areas where the weather isn’t particularly hot. People think on overcast days they can leave their dog in the car while they go in to the shops. A temperature that seems mild to a human can be like an oven to a dog. Excess heat is deadly to a dog. Signs of heatstroke include drooling, panting, anxiety, collapsing and then death.
Your Bergamasco can live to be 13 to 15 years of age and he is considered to be a healthy breed. Nonetheless you want to be aware of health issues that are common to this breed
he is vulnerable to heat. He can die of heat exhaustion quicker than other breeds
keep an eye on him for hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy and skin allergies
The Polish Hunting Dog has always had an acute sense of smell, and with his long legs he has always been able to track his prey for many miles. This hunting has made him a dog that wants lots exercise and activities.
As a pet, this dog will require a lot of exercise, being better suited to active, outdoor type of owners. He is therefore better suited to life in the country and large open spaces as opposed to living in the city.
Apart from brushing your pets coat twice a week, check him over for ticks if you want to avoid the spread of tick-borne diseases.
Check his ears, inside and out. Check inside his mouth for bad teeth. This is because your dog can’t tell you if he has pain, and toothache can be terrible for your pet and bad teeth can affect other body organs such as the heart and the kidneys.
Make sure your pets nails are trimmed.
Make sure your pet receives excellent food. If you’re going to be feeding your dog commercially manufactured dog food, make sure it is the best quality ones. Some of the other foods have ingredients in them which can cause your dog to get sick.
Try and give your dog some wholesome, home-made food. Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta, carrots, sweet potato and spinach chopped up and added to the kibble will have your pet wagging his tail with delight. It will also be to his benefit to get some raw meat in from time to time.
Never leave your pet without a constant supply of fresh, cool water.
The Bergamasco isn’t a shedder but his coat will need to be combed once a week just to keep it in order. You don’t want to bath him too often, especially during the Winter as his coat takes a long time to dry. It isn’t recommended to shave a Bergamasco as the coat regulates the dogs temperature – keeping him warm and cold as the weather demands.
They thrive on a blend of kibble (dry) mixed with raw and-or moist food once or twice a day. Remember to include quality chicken, turkey, etc. mixed with some vegetables and rice into your dog’s diet. Ensure a constant supply of fresh water in an easily-cleanable bowl.
Balls and ropes are important for building muscle strength and burning energy. Remember your Bergamasco is a working breed and will need plenty of games and exercise.