Tiroler Bergschaf
The Tiroler Bergschaf or Pecora Alpina Tirolese is a breed of domestic sheep from the mountainous Tyrol area of Austria and Italy. The name means "Tyrolean mountain sheep". It is raised throughout Austria and in the autonomous province of Bolzano in Italy. It results from cross-breeding between the Tiroler Steinschaf of the Tyrol with the Italian Bergamasca breed from the area of Bergamo. This is variously reported as having taken place in the first half of the 19th century and after the Second World War. The Tiroler Bergschaf is one of the forty-two autochthonous local sheep breeds of limited distribution for which a herdbook is kept by the Associazione Nazionale della Pastorizia, the Italian national association of sheep-breeders. In 2013 no total number for the breed was recorded in the herdbook. In 2008 an Italian population of 12888 was reported to DAD-IS. The Austrian herdbook was opened in 1938; the population reported for Austria in 2012 was 12901 to 19000.
| Life Span | 10-12 years |
| Weight | 45-160 kg |
What to Know Before Buying a Tiroler Bergschaf
Finding a responsible Tiroler Bergschaf breeder requires more than browsing classified ads or responding to social media posts. The USDA requires any breeder who sells sheeps commercially — especially those selling online or through third-party dealers — to hold a federal license and submit to regular inspections. A legitimate breeder should be willing to provide their USDA license number, invite you to visit their facility, and show you where the animals are housed and socialized.
Before committing to a purchase, ask the breeder for veterinary health records, vaccination documentation, and any genetic testing results relevant to the Tiroler Bergschaf. Reputable breeders will also ask you questions in return — about your living situation, experience with animals, and ability to provide long-term care. A breeder who asks no questions and is eager to ship an animal immediately is a significant red flag.
Use the search tool below to check whether any USDA-licensed facilities breeding Tiroler Bergschafs appear in our database. If they do, review their inspection history carefully. Look for patterns of violations, pay attention to severity levels, and compare their compliance grade with other breeders in the same state. This due diligence takes minutes and can save you from supporting a facility with documented animal welfare problems.
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Search our database of USDA-licensed facilities to find inspected breeders and check their compliance history.
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