Una Vita per i Bergamaschi - a Life for the Bergamascos
Maria Andreoli, the grande signora of Bergamasco-breeding, passed away on October 26 2005 in Vercelli, Italie, where she breeded sinds 40 years her Bergamascos.
1966 she brought her first Bergamasco-puppy home – without knowing, that this fluffy little creature would chance her whole life strongly. This puppy was the begin of a very special success story, he should be followed by more than 500, who were born in the following 40 years in her kennel „Dell’Albera“ in the middle of the rice-fields of Vercelli among them countless Champions, quite a few World-Winner and Best of Show...
As doctorated biochemist Maria Andreoli explored the genetic basics of dog-breeding and the genetic specifics of the Pastore Bergamasco. She wanted to practice dog-breeding systematically - according to mainly scientific principals – and not destined by coincidence and the quality of her dogs proved her right! She published her knowledge in two books, regretably only in italian or (the bergamasco book) also in an english private translation, as far as I know until today this is the only literature, which deals with the genetic basics of bergamasco breeding - by the way, this is one reason for me to learn italien....
With her continued outstanding engagement for breeding and spreading of the Pastore Bergamasco, Maria Andreoli made an essential contribution to the salvation of our breed. She also thougth out of the national box and established the Pastore Bergamasco with new kennels around the world, such as. in the US, Canada, Grat Britain and the Netherlands.
Certainly some people
bear in remembrance, how this little person, by her friends tenderly called
„Pupa“ – Püppchen genannt - directed her wooly pack also on german
dog shows easily with aplomb as their absolute mistress without leashes
or knitted in peace of mind besides the show-ring.
I regret deeply, not to have had the possibility to get to know Maria
Andreoli personally. Therefore I asked among others Heike Langeloh, by
the way Canadas one and only Bergamasco-breeder, what she associates with
Maria Andreoli. Here is her little story:
“There is a
memory in my mind`s eye that is today as clear as when the event happened.
When the World Dog Show was held in Milan,Italy, Maria was a gracious
hostess and I, the grateful guest. I was there to see the wonderful dogs
I had searched for so determinedly...the Bergamasco. As I wandered around
the compound, the dogs surveyed me with interest, some with a bemused
smile and others simply ignored me and went about their business. For
me,it felt a little like being on a Star Wars set. The distinctive 'mantel'
of the mature dogs gave them a surreal and almost other worldly appearance
which I loved. Since Maria had dogs entered in the World Dog Show, I was
prepared for quite a production of its own to get all the dogs and six
adults into the van but watched in absolute amazement as all the animals
quietly and deftly hopped into the van and settled down, a wall to wall
Bergamasco rug. The drive to Milan was pleasant as it was a lovely day
in June with clear skies and sunshine. Never having been to Milan before,
I gawked like the tourist I was at sights in the city pointed out to me
by my hostess and other members of the caravan.Coming up to the area where
the show was being held, it was suddenly apparent that the dogs would
have to be walked from a parking area. It was early morning with busy
rush hour traffic.Everybody out and get the dogs sorted. The next moments
were amazing...Maria took one dog with a small, almost invisible lead
and asked us to walk on the traffic side and behind our little hairy convoy.
Every dog quietly sorted out its position and they all followed Maria,
without leads. As I watched this ,I heard no noise, no sound of traffic,
transfixed at the picture made by the shepherdess and her flock as they
walked silently and calmly to the entrance of the building. It is an image
that I cherish to this day and that reminds me of the work achieved by
this pioneer. The Bergamasco are here as a result of the dedication of
people like Maria. It was a priviledge to have known her. Thank you Pupa!"
There is nothing to add ...besides to refer to Maria Andreoli's substantial
website, which foreshadows a little bit of her big passion for her beloved
Bergamascos: h
