The Bergamasco Shepherd (Italian pastore bergamasco) is a breed of dog with its origins in the Italian Alps near Bergamo, where it was originally used as a herding dog. This breed can compete in dog agility trials, obedience, showmanship, flyball, and tracking events. Herding instincts and trainability mean the dog can be trained to compete in herding trials. The cattlemen let their dogs go and they bring the herd back without human supervision. 5 Activities. The breed's most distinctive feature is the unusual felted coat, a normal and healthy characteristic of the breed. 5 Activities. The breed's most distinctive feature is the unusual felted coat, a normal and healthy characteristic of the breed.