I'm the breeder behind Alp Angel Bergamascos located in Durham, CT. We are celebrating 16 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.
About Jeanine
In 2018 I founded the Bergamasco Shepherd Association of Canada and am currently working on breed recognition with the Canadian Kennel Club. I am the current President of this association. I am also a member in good standing of the Bergamasco National Sheepdog Alliance and Societa Amatori del Cane da Pastore Bergamasco (S.A.B.). I fully support these two organizations for their continued work to preserve this breed as it was intended.
What makes Jeanine’s 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.
Jeanine is a member of 4 clubs
National Bergamasco Sheepdog Alliance, Bergamasco Shepherd Association of Canada, Societa Amatori del Cane da Pastore Bergamasco (S.A.B.), Greenwich Kennel Club
Jeanine’s 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
Girl 4
Female • Went Home Jan. 15, 2022
Bergamasco Sheepdog
Girl 1
Female • Went Home Jan. 15, 2022
Bergamasco Sheepdog
Girl 2
Female • Went Home Jan. 15, 2022
Bergamasco Sheepdog
Girl 3
Female • Went Home Jan. 15, 2022
Bergamasco Sheepdog
Boy 1
Male • Went Home Jan. 15, 2022
Bergamasco Sheepdog
Boy 2
Male • Went Home Jan. 15, 2022
Bergamasco Sheepdog
Boy 3
Male • Went Home Jan. 15, 2022
Bergamasco Sheepdog
Boy 4
Male • Went Home Jan. 15, 2022
Bergamasco Sheepdog
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. You'll also have the chance to share a bit about yourself and what you're looking for in a new companion. 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.
Please contact the breeder to get more information 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.”
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.
Our puppies are raised in our home. We start potty training and invite visitors over to play with the pups. We use the puppy culture method for training our puppies. Our puppies have access to an enriching indoor and outdoor space and are used to household sounds and various objects. We practice tight bio-security with visitors but do allow them for the benefit of the puppies. I utilize the following enrichment methods: Early stages of crate training, Outdoors (when Weather permits), Toys, e.g. Ball, Puppy Culture , Various Surfaces , Grooming Desensitization, Early Neurological Stimulation, Touch Desensitization, Sound Stimulation, Socialized with Elderly, Socialized with Children, Socialized with Adult Dogs, Household Desensitization, and Potty Training.
Our puppies are vaccinated, dewormed, and examined by a veterinarian before leaving for their new homes.
We send our puppies home with AKC Registration, Bone, Certificate of Health, Microchip, Puppy Collar, Puppy Leash, Vaccinations, Toy with Littermates' Scent, and Toy with Mom's Scent.
Jeanine offers options to help you easily get your new puppy home.
If you’re nearby, you can visit in person to pick up your pup. If you’re far away, you can travel by car or plane.
“We ask that all puppies are picked up at our home so that families can meet us and our dogs in person and also learn about the coat and the breed in a hands on way. ”
Why Jeanine started 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.
Jeanine has been a member of Good Dog for almost 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:
All breeds
Bergamasco Sheepdog
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.
Uploaded health tests
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.
Uploaded health tests
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.
Uploaded health tests
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.
Uploaded health tests
Bergamasco Sheepdog
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).
Health testing is one key piece of responsible breeding and is performed on breeding dogs to prevent the presence of heritable conditions in their puppies.
Health testing is one key piece of responsible breeding and is performed on breeding dogs to prevent the presence of heritable conditions in their puppies.
Health testing is one key piece of responsible breeding and is performed on breeding dogs to prevent the presence of heritable conditions in their puppies.
Health testing is one key piece of responsible breeding and is performed on breeding dogs to prevent the presence of heritable conditions in their puppies.