The Brentegana is an Italian breedofsheep from the provincesofTrento and Verona in northern Italy.[3] The name derives from that of the comuneofBrentonico, the area where the breed is thought to have originated. Two distinct types are known: the Brentegana SceltaorBrentegana Trentina, a large heavy meat/wool type; and the Brentegana Comune, a medium-sized type more suitable for milk production.[4]: 192 It 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.[5]
The traditional management of the Brentegana was transhumant; flocks were moved the high pastures of the Monte Baldo in May, remaining there until October, when they were brought down and stabled for the winter, feeding on hay; in spring they were moved to lowland pastures in the area of Verona until the return to the mountains for the summer.[4]: 192
In 2013 total numbers for the breed were not recorded.[7] A population of 14 was reported in 2005.[3] The conservation status of the breed was listed as "critical" by the FAO in 2007;[1]: 68 in 2020 it was reported to DAD-IS as "at risk".[2]
The Brentegana is of lop-eared Alpine type, a polled upland sheep with convex profile and lop ears. It is entirely white.[6]: 770 It is well adapted to survival in the marginal mountain environment of its area of origin.[6]: 770
Two distinct types are known: the Brentegana Scelta or Brentegana Trentina, a large heavy meat/wool type; and the Brentegana Comune, a medium-sized type more suitable for milk production.[4]: 192 Rams of the Scelta type may weigh 100 kg, and stand almost a metre at the withers.[4]: 193
^ abBreed data sheet: Brentegana/Italy. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed September 2013.
^ abcdefDaniele Bigi, Alessio Zanon (2008). Atlante delle razze autoctone: Bovini, equini, ovicaprini, suini allevati in Italia (in Italian). Milan: Edagricole. ISBN9788850652594.
^ abLe razze ovine e caprine in Italia (in Italian). Associazione Nazionale della Pastorizia: Ufficio centrale libri genealogici e registri anagrafici razze ovine e caprine. p. 45 (this page mis-titled "Bagnolese"). Accessed September 2013.
