Petzlover
Bergamasco is originated from Italy but Hamiltonstovare is originated from Sweden. Both Bergamasco and Hamiltonstovare are having almost same height. Bergamasco may weigh 11 kg / 25 pounds more than Hamiltonstovare. Both Bergamasco and Hamiltonstovare has almost same life span. Both Bergamasco and Hamiltonstovare has almost same litter size. Bergamasco requires Moderate Maintenance. But Hamiltonstovare requires Low Maintenance
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.
Bred as a hunting hound, the Hamiltonstovare hails from Sweden, being founded in the late 1800s. He was first exhibited in Sweden in 1886.
Known also as the Hamilton or the Swedish Foxhound, the dog was developed by Count Adolf Hamilton who was also the founder of the Swedish Kennel Club. The dog’s ancestry includes some German Hounds as well as Harriers and English Foxhounds, and this has ensured he has excellent hunting instincts.
This dog breed got the name Hamiltonstovare in 1921 as a tribute to the person who created the breed and also the founder of the Swedish Kennel Club, Count A.P. Hamilton. The Hamiltonstovare isn’t recognized by the AKC but is recognized by the FCI and is also a member of the Foundation Stock Service. He is recognized by the Kennel Club in the UK as a Hound.
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.
The Hamilton Hound is a good looking, well proportioned dog with an attractive, 2-layered, shortish, smooth, tri-colored coat of tan, black and white.
These dogs stand at about 49-61cm in height and they weigh 23 – 27kg. The eyes are brown and the ears are floppy. He is a deep chested dog with a long tail which he carries straight or which is somewhat curved. He has a longish head with a skull that is slightly arched and broad.
Friendly, social and amicable, the even-tempered Hamiltonstovare is a dog that loves to be with his human family. When you look at him you look at him as a friend as he has a calm, intelligent expression about him.
He is a stubborn, non-aggressive dog that is intelligent and this makes it easy to have him trained and socialized to make him obedient and to follow some easy instructions.
He is a very active dog and will love an owner who leads an active, outdoor life. Most Hamiltons love swimming too and he will be thrilled if you plunge in with him on a hot day.
He has always been a hunting dog, and while they love spending time with their human family, he loves the thrill of the hunt. He is a playful dog too, loving to entertain and be entertained, and he gets on well with children.
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.
Hamiltonstovares make wonderful companions simply because they’re friendly dogs with stable personalities.
He is actually an ‘all-rounder’ dog – well proportioned and good-looking and with a solid personality to match.
He is lithe and muscled and as a multi-purpose dog, he has been used to follow scents and hunt down prey. These skills as well as his loyal characteristics have made him a versatile, sought after pet.
Another bonus when you own a dog like this is that he is also a low maintenance dog, shedding very little. He is intelligent too and easy to train, and all these qualities make him a wonderful pet to own.
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
Every dog has different genetic make ups that affect them and they have different susceptibilities to illnesses. The average life expectancy of a Hamiltonstovare is between 10 and 13 years when he is looked after and well nourished with top quality food.
Some things to look out for are hip dysplasia, cancer, bloat and obesity.
Look out for obesity in your pet because just like with people, obesity leads to other diseases and complications in dogs such as diabetes, respiratory disorders, osteoarthritis and hypertension.
If your dog needs to lose weight, and you just don’t know how you’re going to deny him the treats he loves, speak to your vet who can even work out a weight management program for him.
Cancer is a formidable threat to all dog breeds. The most obvious sign that your dog could have cancer is abnormal swelling that gets larger under the skin. The idea is get get the lump removed and biopsied as soon as possible. Loss of appetite, weight loss, sores that don’t heal and bleeding or discharge are all signs of cancer.
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.
The Hamiltonstovare has a double coat but even so, he is a low maintenance breed that will simply require a brush twice a week to remove dead and loose hair.
Because he has floppy ears, it is important to check his ears because too much wax and debris can lead to a painful infection.
This is a high energy dog who will need the right amount of exercise as well as mental stimulation to be at his best. A nice walk every day will be excellent for him as well as the usual ball games in the garden.
If you get your Hamilton puppy from a breeder, it would be wise to stick to the same food they were feeding your puppy with. Suddenly changing his good could cause digestive upsets.
Every Hamilton requires top quality food that meets all his nutritional requirements. If you give him commercially manufactured food, make sure to follow the instructions with regards to the amount of food you give him as he can put on too much weight.
These dogs are known to suffer with bloat, so rather give him smaller meals than one large meal a day. Your Hamilton should never be exercised immediately after eating a meal. Remember to always ensure a bowl of fresh, cool water is always available.