Now I know which breed must have been the inspiration for Dougal in The Magic Roundabout. Apparently highly intelligent and gentle and with a truly unusual coat. http://www.bergamascousa.org/breedinfo.html
From what I understand, once the coats are corded, the only upkeep that needs to be done is separating the cords from each other every once in a while so they don't matt to each other.
I wonder what they are like when they get wet - and how long they take to dry