Our Puppy Placement Process

Bringing a Bergamasco Sheepdog into your home is a long-term commitment. Our process is designed to match each puppy with a family where both can thrive.

View the Step-by-Step Process
Bergamasco Puppy playing with an elderly bald man

How We Place Our Puppies

At Ahyoubetchya! Bergamascos, we approach puppy placement as a partnership between our family and yours. We do not place puppies on a simple first-come, first-served list. Instead, we take time to learn about each home and each puppy so we can make thoughtful matches based on temperament, goals, and lifestyle.

The steps below outline what to expect from the moment you reach out to us through bringing your puppy home and beyond.

Puppy Process Steps

1. Initial Inquiry

Your first step is to contact us. You can share a bit about your household, previous dog experience, and what draws you to the Bergamasco Sheepdog. This helps us start the conversation and determine whether our approach aligns with what you are looking for.

2. Questionnaire or Application

We may send a brief questionnaire or application form to gather more detailed information about your home, work schedule, activity level, and goals with a dog. There are no “perfect” answers — the goal is simply to understand how a Bergamasco could fit into your life.

3. Conversation and Questions

After reviewing your information, we usually follow up with an email, phone call, or video chat. This is a two-way conversation: you can ask questions about the breed and our program, and we can learn more about what you are hoping for in a future companion.

4. Matching You to a Litter

If we agree that a future Bergamasco from our program might be a good fit, we will talk about which upcoming litter, or time frame, might be most appropriate. Depending on timing, this may mean waiting for a future breeding. We will be honest about what we expect and how long the wait may be.

5. Reservation and Updates

Once a breeding is confirmed and a litter is expected, we will reach out to interested families. Some litters may have a limited number of reservation spots available. As the pregnancy progresses and puppies arrive, we provide periodic updates and photos so you can follow along as the litter grows.

6. Evaluating Puppies and Making Matches

We spend significant time observing each puppy’s temperament, confidence level, and reactions to new experiences. We also watch how they interact with people and their littermates. Using this information, along with what we know about each interested family, we make placement recommendations designed to support long-term success.

7. Go-Home Preparation

Before puppies leave, they receive age-appropriate veterinary care, deworming, and careful handling and socialization. They will be AKC registered and all registration paperwork will be available. We also help families prepare by discussing grooming, crate training, feeding, and what to expect in the first days at home. Each puppy goes home with written information and resources, including an invitation to the Bergamasco Sheepdog Club of America. The Bergamasco Sheepdog Club holds regular Zoom meetings with fellow Bergamasco owners where owners and breeders share stories, grooming and training tips, and general love for the breed.

8. Lifetime Support

Our relationship doesn’t end on pickup day. We are happy to be a resource for grooming questions, training challenges, and general “Is this normal?” moments as your puppy grows up. We love receiving updates and are grateful when families stay in touch throughout the dog’s life.

Our Expectations of Puppy Homes

In return for our commitment to you and your puppy, we ask that families:

  • Provide a safe, stable, and loving home environment.
  • Follow through with appropriate training and socialization.
  • Maintain regular veterinary care and grooming.
  • Contact us if any serious behavioral or health concerns arise.
  • Reach out if life changes mean you can no longer keep the dog.

We believe that responsible breeding includes a lifelong responsibility to the dogs we produce, and we appreciate families who share that commitment.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If our process and philosophy resonate with you, we invite you to:

We are honored that you are considering a Bergamasco Sheepdog from Ahyoubetchya! Bergamascos and look forward to learning more about you.