Have you ever dreamed of winning Crufts? You have to start somewhere!
- Bergamasco UK
- May 20
- 4 min read
Have you ever considered showing your Bergamasco? Bergamasco's are rare, especially in the UK where there are around 80 RKC registered dogs in total. Even rarer are Bergamasco's in the show ring - in fact there's just a handful of us that show throughout the year. At Crufts 2025 there were only 4 Bergamasco's competing in the Pastoral AV Import classes and when stacked up against the 24,000 other dogs representing their own breeds, having a successful Crufts is a tough ask.
Showing your Bergamasco can be an incredibly rewarding thing to do with your best friend. It's an odd and sometimes intimidating environment for you and your dog and considering your Bergamasco is "at home" when sat on top of a mountain, in the peace and quiet, looking after it's flock, running around a ring and being handled by a complete stranger in an often noisy, busy arena it can feel a million miles away from the comfort of the Alps. It requires trust, patience and above all FUN FUN FUN.
Recently Jo and her Bergamasco Doug www.instagram.com/rugless_douglas/ dabbed their feet into the world of showing and had their very first go at an Open Show - Wickford, Basildon & District Canine Society. This is Jo's account of the experience.
Our first Open Dog Show: Doug takes the ring
Doug, officially known as Boscoantico Ciliegio Nero, has been a beloved part of our family since 2022. Since then, he’s subtly changed how we live our lives. Our annual calendar now includes the occasional fun dog show, and we’ve all grown used to answering curious questions about him whenever we step outside.
The comment we hear most often? “He’s so handsome—you must show him!” While we’ve always agreed (we’re biased, of course), showing wasn’t something we’d seriously considered—until a visit to Crufts earlier this year changed our minds.
We volunteered Doug for Discover Dogs, where he spent two busy days charming visitors. He took the constant attention in stride and handled the bustling show environment incredibly well. Watching the Bergamascos in the ring inspired us. Could Doug do that too?
Dipping our toes into the show world
Our Crufts experience led us to explore more formal dog shows. Conveniently, the Wickford, Basildon & District Canine Society (WBDCS) show was just a few miles from home. We'd heard from others that it was a friendly, welcoming event, absolutely perfect for beginners, so we decided to give it a try.
The WBDCS has an active Facebook group, which shared links to register. With no prior experience, we created a profile and entered Doug into Class 262: AV Imported Breed Register Pastoral. With that, we were officially committed. We were going to enjoy the day, no matter the outcome.
Although WBDCS runs weekly ringcraft training sessions, we didn’t manage to attend any in the lead-up to the show. Still, everyone has to start somewhere, and having observed the ring at Crufts, we had a basic understanding of what to expect. We made do with our standard slip lead and didn’t invest in a show lead—this was very much a learning experience.
Show day: The big debut
The day before the show, Doug had a light tidy-up, nothing too major. Bergamascos are meant to look rustic, and he was clean, neat, and ready to go.
As the venue wasn’t far, we packed the car that morning with everything we thought we’d need: two chairs, a picnic blanket, sun tent, Doug’s travel water bowl, slip lead, treat pouch, treats, a slicker brush, water, and snacks. We arrived just before 9:30 a.m. and set ourselves up near Ring 3. After collecting our show guide, the waiting began.
As usual, Doug attracted plenty of attention. People stopped to ask questions as most have never seen a dog quite like him before. He even had a few photos taken!
Finally, just after 4 p.m., it was time for Class 262. Doug was in the ring with a White Swiss Shepherd and a Picardy Sheepdog. As complete novices, we made sure to speak with the judge (Marion Hodgson), and ring steward as we entered, and picked up our number (tip for first-timers: bring a clip or armband to hold your number—we had to improvise).
Doug, after a long day of sitting around, was a little confused. Normally calm and well-mannered, he had the jitters and kept trying to sit. As the second dog to be judged, the moment was always going to be a challenge. When we were asked to move around the ring, Doug got excited—bouncing and bunny-hopping instead of showing his lovely movement. The judge kindly gave us a couple of extra tries before getting a proper look at him. He did manage to stand still briefly, but not quite as confidently as he usually does at home.
Third place—and a first-class learning experience
Unsurprisingly, Doug placed third in his group. Our lack of ringcraft practice was evident, but both the judge and fellow competitors were incredibly encouraging. They saw potential in Doug and reassured us that with a little more ringcraft training, he could do well—perhaps even take home a rosette or two.
What’s next?
This certainly won’t be Doug’s last show. But before we step into the ring again, we’re planning to attend some ringcraft training sessions and invest in a proper show lead and number holder.
We’re now keeping an eye out for other open shows within easy reach (ideally not too far from home). For us, this is about having fun, learning as we go, and giving Doug something new to enjoy.
After all, every champion starts somewhere. We’re proud of Doug for making such a strong debut.
I'm so glad it was an enjoyable experience for you all.
If you are interested in showing your Bergamasco (or any other dog) yet don't know where to start, please send me a message and I'll do my best to help.
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