I am proud to have produced puppies who have gone on to earn herding titles, because that means a lot to me. It tells me the instincts and ability are still there.
I have also been exhibiting dogs for more than two decades and I am an AKC Open judge. I have judged national specialty events for other breeds and remain active in several all breed clubs as well as Bergamasco organizations. Being involved in the larger dog world has given me perspective, but the Bergamasco remains the breed that shaped the way I think about dogs.
Education has always been a big part of what I do. I have presented Bergamasco judge seminars in both the United States and Canada, and I continue to mentor people who are learning the breed. That matters because the Bergamasco is not a breed that should be judged or bred by surface impression alone. Coat is part of the breed, but it is not the whole dog. Correct type, sound structure, stable temperament, and real breed character all matter.
I am also the founder of the Bergamasco Shepherd Association of Canada and have been involved in the work toward Canadian Kennel Club recognition. The breed is currently in the Miscellaneous Class in Canada and is still under consideration for full recognition. I care deeply about seeing that process move forward in a thoughtful and responsible way.
Living with Bergamascos has shaped my life in ways I never expected. They are intelligent, perceptive, funny, serious, and deeply connected to their people. They are not a breed for everyone, and they are not just a shaggy dog with an interesting coat. They require respect, understanding, and a willingness to see the whole dog.
Alp Angel Bergamascos grew out of that relationship. It was never meant to be a commercial kennel. It has always been a small, personal commitment to a rare breed I love, and to the responsibility of preserving it with honesty, purpose, and respect for its future.
About Us
I have been involved with the Bergamasco Sheepdog since 2005. My first introduction to the breed was a photo in a rare dog encyclopedia. At the time, I was living on a farm in Nova Scotia with goats and sheep, and there was something about the Bergamasco that stayed with me. The history, the purpose, the presence of the dog, all of it made sense to me. I knew I wanted to learn more.
Our first Bergamasco was Lothario, who came to us from the United States. A year later, we imported our foundation female, Mezza, from England. From the beginning, I was never interested in the breed only as something unusual to own. I wanted to understand it. I wanted to know where it came from, how it was supposed to move, how it thought, what kind of structure supported the work, and what made the Bergamasco different from other breeds.
In 2007, Mezza and Lothario produced the first Bergamasco litter born in Nova Scotia. Not long after that, I returned to the United States and continued working with others to help build awareness and education for the breed. I became involved with the Bergamasco Sheepdog Club of America and served as president for ten years. During that time, I worked with other breeders and club members through an important period for the breed, including the long process that eventually led to AKC recognition in 2015.
My interest in the Bergamasco has always gone beyond the show ring. I have enjoyed working with my dogs in agility and herding, and I believe those things matter. The Bergamasco is a working breed. Structure, temperament, conditioning, and type should all support the dog’s original purpose. A beautiful dog that cannot use its body well is missing something important.