I'm Jeanine D., the breeder behind Alp Angel Bergamascos located in Winslow, ME. We are celebrating 20 years of our breeding program this year! So much has changed for our breed in the last decade. With the work of dedicated breeders in the U.S., the Bergamasco has gone from a mostly unknown breed to officially becoming AKC recognized in 2015. More than ever, our goal is to secure the future of the Bergamasco by being very selective with our puppy homes and our breeding practices. Our Bergamascos are raised in our home and on our farm as true family members. We are not a commercial kennel. Our small breeding program is carefully planned and we have a litter every one to two years. We breed Bergamascos for show, work and companionship. Primarily, we take pride in providing well dispositioned and sound puppies as family companions.
Q. & A. with Jeanine
Why did you start breeding?
I have been involved with the Bergamasco Sheepdog since 2005. I fell in love with an image of a Bergamasco in a rare dog encyclopedia and lived on a farm in Nova Scotia, Canada at the time with herds of goats and sheep. I imported Lothario, our first male from the U.S.A and one year later imported a female, Mezza from England. Over the next several years I learned all I could about the breed and became heavily involved in efforts made by the Bergamasco Sheepdog Club of America (BSCA) to promote the breed. On July 13, 2007 the first Bergamasco litter was born in Nova Scotia out of our Mezza and Lothario.
I moved back to the U.S. shortly thereafter and worked with the BSCA to help gain breed recognition with the AKC. This would be a long process and in the meanwhile I attended shows and events and continued to create awareness. For the next several years I served as the BSCA Vice-President and was able, along with the help of my colleagues at BSCA, to gain full AKC recognition for the breed in 2015. I am the former President of the BSCA and have worked diligently to achieve parent club status with the AKC. Before I resigned my position as President, I helped to organize the club, draft the bylaws, partner with the CHIC registry and set health testing standards for the breed. I have been involved with the AKC Judge’s education program since breed recognition and continue to enjoy long and short term Judge mentoring as well as ring side mentoring. In addition, my husband and I were the founders of the Bergamasco Companion, a quarterly publication of the BSCA no longer in print.
What makes your program special?
Over the last 15 years we have bred 10 litters. We believe in quality over quantity and our current and future litters are carefully planned. We are active in AKC conformation events and herding. I am proud to be an AKC BRED with H.E.A.R.T. breeder.
Where do your breeding dogs live?
They live in my home.
Matched dogs
These dogs are already reserved or have gone home.
Girl 4
Went home
Female
Girl 1
Went home
Female
Girl 2
Went home
Female
Girl 3
Went home
Female
Boy 1
Went home
Male
Boy 2
Went home
Male
Boy 3
Went home
Male
Boy 4
Went home
Male
Getting a puppy from Jeanine
Jeanine has been certified by Good Dog’s screening team for responsible and trusted breeding practices. When you’re ready to reach out, feel free to ask any questions about the breed, their program, or specific puppies.
Together, you’ll choose the puppy that’s right for you, stay in touch with regular updates, and plan how to bring your new puppy home.
Price
Connect with Jeanine to learn more details about pricing.
“We ask for a $500 deposit once the puppies are born. I ask for a $500 deposit that is refundable if we can not provide the puppy for some reason. It is not refundable if the buyer backs out or does not pick up puppy.”
Contract & health guarantee
Jeanine may provide a written contract or
health guarantee when you purchase a puppy. This helps
protect both you and your breeder, ensuring that you
both have a clear understanding of the terms of your
puppy purchase. If Jeanine offers a contract
or guarantee, the details will be personalized by them.
If you have any questions or want to know more,
don’t hesitate to reach out to Jeanine directly.
Introduced to people of different ages and appearances
Socialized with other animals
Puppy health practices
Vet check
First round of shots and deworming
Vet records
Microchip
Extras
Puppy starter kit
Toys
AKC registration
Location & pick-up
You can drive or fly to pick up your puppy from Jeanine.
Breeder’s location
Meet in Winslow, ME
Other pick-up locations
Meet at Portland Jetport
Flexible meeting point
Jeanine can meet at a location that works for both of you
More about Jeanine
Club memberships
Jeanine is a member of National Bergamasco Sheepdog Alliance, Bergamasco Shepherd Association of Canada, Societa Amatori del Cane da Pastore Bergamasco (S.A.B.), and Greenwich Kennel Club .
Certifications & recognitions
AKC Judge, AKC Breeder of Merit, AKC Breeder with H.E.A.R.T., DNA for Dog Breeders (Institute of Canine Biology), American Kennel Club Canine College.
Jeanine has been a member of Good Dog for over 5 years
Jeanine was screened for responsible practices and has been a member since 2020.
Alp Angel Bergamascos meets or exceeds our community standards in these areas:
Responsible breeding practices
Health of breeding dogs and puppies
Puppy environment and enrichment
Buyer education and policies
Parent dogs
Martensa, mom
Bergamasco Sheepdog
About Martensa
Martensa is a female Bergamasco Sheepdog. Carefully selected as a great representative of her breed, Jeanine decided to make her part of their program. Jeanine has passed Good Dog’s screening process, which involved a review of their breeding practices, environment, and the mental and physical health of their dogs.
Nova, mom
Bergamasco Sheepdog
About Nova
Nova is a female Bergamasco Sheepdog. Carefully selected as a great representative of her breed, Jeanine decided to make her part of their program. Jeanine has passed Good Dog’s screening process, which involved a review of their breeding practices, environment, and the mental and physical health of their dogs.
Ussaro, dad
Bergamasco Sheepdog
About Ussaro
Ussaro is a male Bergamasco Sheepdog. Carefully selected as a great representative of his breed, Jeanine decided to make him part of their program. Jeanine has passed Good Dog’s screening process, which involved a review of their breeding practices, environment, and the mental and physical health of their dogs.
Faggia, mom
Bergamasco Sheepdog
About Faggia
Faggia is a female Bergamasco Sheepdog. Carefully selected as a great representative of her breed, Jeanine decided to make her part of their program. Jeanine has passed Good Dog’s screening process, which involved a review of their breeding practices, environment, and the mental and physical health of their dogs.
Parent health testing
Breeder-Reported Testing
Excellent level
Alp Angel Bergamascos reports to performing the health tests below on their breeding dogs. Ask your breeder about the tests performed on the parents of your litter. Learn more about health testing for Bergamasco Sheepdogs.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip testing reduces the chance of passing down hip dysplasia, which is primarily found in large breed dogs and can cause hip pain and the eventual loss of the function of the hip joint.
Elbow Dysplasia Finals (OFA, BVA, SV, FCI)
Elbow testing reduces the chance of passing down elbow dysplasia, which is primarily found in large breed dogs and can cause arthritis in the elbow joint and front leg lameness.
OFA/CHIC DNA Repository, Full Embark Panel
Genetic testing reduces the chance of passing down a wide variety of hereditary diseases of differing prevalence and severity such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (an eye disease) and Von Willebrand's Disease (a blood disease).