Ahyoubetchya Bergmascos is first and foremost a family. Andrew introduced the Bergamasco Sheepdog into the Harrison family when he brought home our four-legged patriarch Hagrid (GCH CH Blue Ridge Del Albera) in the summer of 2020. Hagrid is watchful and agile. He sees everything and is always checking that his humans are safe and ready to play. After immediately falling in love with the noble breed, Andrew and his parents, Brenda and Craig Harrison, brought home Madame Maxime (CH Herdabout Quatre Livre Dell Albera). Maxime is a snuggler who will always tell you when she needs attention.

Brenda, Craig, and their son Andrew have gone on one adventure after another since the Bergamascos came to the Land of 10,000 Lakes. It was also a wild ride that brought these rare Italian shepherds who were born on the East Coast of the United States to the great Midwestern state of Minnesota. 

Believe it or not, our Bergamasco journey began with a basset hound/corgi mix named Basil (BAZ-uhl) after Basil Rathbone who played famed detective Sherlock Holmes. Basil the hound was loyal, attentive, smart as a whistle, funny, and most importantly loving. Basil was easy to train and played well with the other dogs (a Westie named Esko and an Australian Cattle Dog/Chihuahua mix named Watson). Basil would use his length and his butt to fend off a friendly attack, if that wasn’t successful, he would immediately roll over and surrender. 

When Basil was just five years old, he and then 26 year-old Andrew both got unexpectedly sick. On what Andrew would call the worst day of his life, he left the hospital after his first cancer surgery and went directly to the vet to say goodbye to Basil. Thankfully the family had Esko and Watson to help ease the pain as they mourned the loss of Basil. 

It took years before Andrew was ready to even consider getting a new best friend. When he finally did decide he was ready to start thinking about another dog, Andrew decided that he would research purebred dogs. Andrew knew that adopting a purebred dog from a reputable breeder increased the likelihood that the puppy will grow into a healthy adult dog. Adopting a purebred dog has the added benefit of understanding what the dog should look and act like while also knowing what health risks to monitor. 

Andrew was looking for a rare, unique family dog. One Thanksgiving day while watching the Purina National Dog Show on NBC Andrew saw a dog that would change his life. Standing in the ring was a mop of a dog with flowing flocks and the happiest smile: the Bergamasco Sheepdog. 

As Andrew did his research and showed off pictures to family and friends, the responses were often the same. “Cool! I bet he sheds a lot.” “Neat dog, that coat must take a lot of work!” “Is it a Komondor or a Puli?” Naturally, Andrew researched and researched to solve these questions. The answers were: no, no, and neither. Bergamasco Sheepdogs have hair, not fur, and are considered non-shedding. The coat forms naturally. Bergamasco owners need only pull apart flocks that are pulling on this skin or getting too large. Much of that work is done between 9 and 18 months. After that, little maintenance is needed. As for being Komondors or Pulis, AKC.org details how the cords that those breeds form are different from the Bergamasco’s flocks. 

With those pivotal questions answered, Andrew was pretty sure he found the right breed. So when Covid-19 hit, the isolation and loneliness convinced Andrew and his family that the time was right to finally bring home a new best friend. In August 2020, Andrew brought home Hagrid thanks to Blue Ridge Bergamascos in Virginia. Hagrid proved to be loyal, watchful, independent, and playful. His personality and temperament proved that the years of research and waiting were worth it. The Bergamasco Sheepdog was the perfect dog for our family. 

In 2022 a decision was made: more Bergamasco Sheepdogs! Madame Maxime joined our family thanks to Herdabout Bergamascos. She is our playful snuggle monster. She and Hagrid made our home the Land of 10,000 Flocks!

While Hagrid and Maxime are our founding Bergamasco Sheepdogs (Hagrid’s very Minnesotan registered name became our kennel name), we wouldn’t be here without loving dogs like Basil, Esko, Watson and so many others that have touched our lives. They are the reason we breed, to connect more families with their best friends.