The Biellese Shepherd , also known as the Oropa Shepherd Dog, is at risk of extinction . To try to ensure that it does not disappear from the face of the earth, we will tell you about its appearance, character and use, hoping that telling about its existence can raise awareness and prevent its disappearance.
Contents hide
1 Biellese Shepherd: origins
2 Biellese Shepherd: characteristics
3 Weight and height of the Biellese Shepherd
4 Biellese Shepherd: character and breeding
5 Feeding the Biella Shepherd
6 Biella Shepherd Puppies
7 How long does the Biella Shepherd live?
8 Grooming of the Biella Shepherd
9 Price of the Biellese Shepherd
As the name suggests, the Biella Shepherd is a breed that comes from the Biella area , in Piedmont. The second name of this dog also has geographical origins, which is “ Cane da Pastore di Oropa ” because Oropa is always nearby and is a very famous place because of its sanctuary, often visited at the end of long and fascinating walks.
The Oropa Shepherd dog is a breed recognized by ENCI since 2016 among the shepherd breeds.
Biellese Shepherd: origins
This breed was born from a series of crosses with local dogs and always developed on the territory accompanying the human being in his evolution. This shepherd is therefore a reliable and faithful shepherd whose existence began to be threatened around the fifties of the last century when the mountains were somewhat abandoned and most people moved to more urban areas.
This also leads to a change of pace in the management of breeding and, fortunately, since 2004, also to a project for the protection of the Oropa Shepherd Dog promoted by a local association (“Amici cane d’Oropa”) also formed by representatives of the breeders’ trade associations and veterinary doctors of the local ASL, with the patronage of the Province of Biella. The operational protocol of the project was drawn up by Luigi Guidobono Cavalchini and Stefano Marelli of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Milan.
The plan is to carry out a new selection to obtain a dog that is once again in good health and at the same time also willing and useful for the breeders still active in the area and who need a companion to look after two breeds of sheep and cattle that have been created in the meantime in those areas, the Biella sheep and the red spotted cow of Oropa.
Biellese Shepherd: characteristics
The Oropa Shepherd Dog that we have always known, the one that risks disappearing, can be described as a medium-sized dog, with an elegant look and a decidedly powerful body. It has a lean and strong muscular structure and shows a good nature but not too much. In fact, if it is necessary, for example to defend its sheep or its owner, it knows how to react courageously. It does its job conscientiously and impeccably.
Since 2016, the Biellese Shepherd has been recognized by the Italian National Kennel Club, adding to the over 400 officially recognized dog breeds in the world.
It is a medium-sized dog with a robust physique , with a beautiful coat that can be short or semi-long, that can be smooth or rough. In terms of colour, the most common are grey with spots and black but there are also tricolour, grey with spots, fawn and black. Many dogs are born shorthairs , with their tails docked at birth and are often associated with the Bergamasco Shepherds due to their appearance.
Biellese Shepherd Weight and Height
The Biella Shepherd has a height that varies between 45 and 60 cm and a weight generally between 20 and 35 kg , depending on age, sex and physical constitution.
Biellese Shepherd: character and breeding
The Oropa Shepherd Dog has a good and courageous character. It has always been close to man and is used to helping him and “tolerating” him, to being a point of reference. It is a dog that also knows its stuff and knows it must defend its owner and the flock if necessary, so it is able to make itself heard and react with courage without ever becoming dangerous for man because it is not impulsive and knows how to stop when necessary. It has proven itself over time to be a very intelligent animal and if we want to train it we will find it very good.
He doesn’t throw tantrums and is smart and obedient, he manages the sheep by giving them little pushes without ever exaggerating and it is a characteristic that he shares with the Bergamasco shepherd which he resembles. He is a very reactive animal, and it is good that it is so since he has the responsibility of a group of animals that he must manage in place of the man.
It has always been a sheepdog but today that there are not many shepherds around, it can be used as a guard dog, for example, or for company, always if you have the outdoor space to host it because it would not like to stay in an apartment, accustomed to being a shepherd since always.
Biella Shepherd’s Nutrition
The ideal diet of the Biellese Shepherd Dog includes white and red meat, so as to ensure a correct dose of proteins. Packaged foods and biscuits are now used by most breeders for their quality but it is obviously always important to limit yourself to using brands that offer adequate quality standards.
As for the frequency, two meals a day can be planned.
Biella Shepherd Puppies
Biellese Shepherd puppies are very shy and sensitive. They are generally intimidated by the human figure and for this reason it is important to ensure that their mother can spend with them all the time they need to feel protected and cared for.
The closeness of the mother in the first months of life is also essential to develop the herding instinct of this breed, as well as to develop the qualities of loyalty and independence that distinguish it.
How long does the Biella Shepherd live?
The average age that the Biellese Shepherd can reach varies between 12 and 15 years.
Grooming of the Biella Shepherd
The type of outdoor life that the Biella Shepherd usually leads requires us to brush it regularly, to keep its fur in excellent condition and to check for any parasites.
Price of the Biellese Shepherd
The Biellese Shepherd is a breed that is still not very widespread and is bred only by a few breeders in the Biella area and in central Italy. The price is therefore very variable and we do not believe it is correct to include an indication in this article because it could be misleading and disputable.