Okay, so maybe your thinking, “What’s a Bergamasco dog?” as you’ve likely heard of a Ferrari.  Well, that is exactly what I was asking last night when I saw this dog while we watched the Ferrari’s come into our small town from Road America race track to celebrate their 50th year anniversary.  But I was asking, “What kind of dog is  that?”

To be more exact, she is a Bergamasco Sheep Dog or also referred to as Shepherd.  So what does this sheep dog and a Ferrari have in common you might wonder?  Well, they are both originally from Italy. It seems the theme of our mostly prominent German village turned Italian for the night.

When I saw this dog sashay past John and I, and believe me, with her long locks of what appear as dreadlocks, walk by, she sashayed. It was an awesome site. I had to know more about her breed.

Luckily the parade of Ferrari’s had just ended or I would have never seen them because I was more enthralled in learning about this unique looking dog.  Ben, the dog’s owner, was more than happy to indulge me and tell me about her.

Her name is Althea (pronounced al-THEE-ah). Her breeder is Silver Pastori out of Pennsylvania. Her coat is not soft to the touch, but it is totally intriguing to look at and try and figure out how it does what it does.  Because I want to get this right here is some information from Silver Pastori website about Bergamasco’s coats:

“The Bergamasco’s coat is made up of hair, not fur and is considered to be non-shedding. I would like to make it clear that the Bergamasco hair does not cord, (cording is the twisting of hairs together to create a spiral strand). The Bergamasco coat is very different, in that the strands of hair weave together creating flat layers of hair, (called flocks). The definition of a flock is a tuft or lock of wool or hair. Each flock of hair ranges in width anywhere from an inch and half to three inches wide.”

Their coat of which you see Althea’s in the photo does not fully develop until they are three years old according to Silver Pastori’s website information.

The best part I loved about Althea besides her stunning looks?  She is so sweet.   Normally shy, Ben told me, she cozied up next to me so I could pet her. He said she does not always do that so Ben said she must have sensed I’m a big dog lover.  Right on, Althea!  I am. What a joy it was to meet her and learn more about her.  And oh yes, of course, Ben too.  We chuckled as I realized a few moments into our conversation I had never asked his name. And so it goes, how dog’s open our world to meeting others, and I was happy to meet Ben as well.

So for those of you who still may be interested in seeing a photo of a Ferrari, ok, here is one I took last evening. But I must say it still will never compare to the beauty and love of a dog…. well, at least in my mind, that is.