Large
13 Years
45 Kg
Pastoral Dogs
Alert, Friendly, Intelligent, Loyal, Responsive
The general appearance of the Maremma Sheepdog is that of a majestic, strongly built breed with an expression of aloof awareness. It has a conical-shaped head which appears large in proportion to its body size. The skull is rather wide between ears, medium stop, slightly chiselled eyes, with muzzle that is slightly less than skull in length. Powerful jaws with scissor bite teeth are complimented by black lips and nose. The almond-shaped eyes are dark. Its V-shaped ears are set high on the head, hanging flat to the side of the head when at rest but moves forward when alert or excited. The powerful neck is medium in length with no sign of dewlap. The straight, muscular and well-boned front legs have very slightly forward sloping pasterns. The hindquarters are equally muscled with well-bent hocks and moderately-bent stifles. All four legs are cushioned by thick, black pads allowing the dog to run unimpeded. A low-setting tail is carried level with the back when the dog is alert.
The double coat has dense undercoat with long and harsh top coat that is all white. It is slightly wavy but not curly and is thick along the collars but short on the muzzle, skull, ears, feet and front legs. There is slight feathering at the back of the legs.
Typical height for males is between 65 to 73 cm while females stand between 60 to 68 cm from withers. The ideal weight is between 35 to 45 kg for dogs and 30 to 40 kg for bitches.
IntelligenceAll dog breeds have different levels of intellect. Some dog breeds; working dogs in particular, are very independent thinkers and have been evolved to be very intelligent. Typically, a highly intelligent dog does well in obedience training and other activities. A highly intelligent dog can be very demanding and do require lots of physical and mental stimulation. If you’re looking for a relatively laid-back dog, that doesn’t require lots of mental and physical stimulation, then you must fully understand the level of intelligence of your dog breed of choice.
Before committing to a certain dog breed, you must fully understand their intellect levels and their specific levels of energy. To keep your dog well-balanced and happy, their needs must be met and maintained.
Exercise NeedsAll dog breeds have different needs when it comes to the level of exercise they require. For the high energy dogs; which are your typical working dogs, they have a lot of energy and require lots of daily exercise along with plenty of mental stimulation. A highly energetic dog breed would suit an individual or family that is equally as active and loves the outdoors. There are also breeds that have relatively low exercise needs, such as toy dog breeds. Although they require daily exercise and mental stimulation, they’re just as happy chilling at home with their loved ones. This type of dog breed would suit an individual or family that prefers the peace and quiet and relaxation.
Before deciding on your chosen dog breed, Mypetzilla recommends that you research the exercise needs and whether you’re well equipped before committing to buying or adopting a particular dog breed.
Dogs HealthThere are several dog breeds that are known and potentially predisposed to developing health related conditions. Sensible breeding can help prevent the onset of health related conditions and this should always be taken into condition when researching your dog breed of choice. Before committing to a dog, you should speak to the breeder about any health related conditions that may affect the dog you’re looking to buy or adopt. You can also request to see any test results from genetic testing.
Child FriendlyThere are many dog breeds that tolerate children really well and are not affected by the constant noise and need for play-time. However, there are some dog breeds that don’t do very well with children and can become frustrated and snappy. That being said, all children should be shown how to handle and care for a dog in their home and should always be supervised when playing. As much as a dog can become annoyed and snappy with a younger child, the child can also become less tolerant and misbehaved towards the dog.
Mypetzilla recommends that you always supervise play-time between your children and dog. Children need to respect the boundaries and feeding time for the dog and likewise for the child. We also strongly advise that play-time doesn’t get out of control and too rough which can cause injury to both child and dog.
ApartmentThere are lots of dog breeds that are well suited to living in an apartment. It’s worthwhile noting that you need to check that you’re allowed dogs in your building before committing to bringing one home. If you do decide to own a dog and are living in an apartment, then you must make sure that they have plenty of room to roam around and frequent walks outside to prevent them from becoming bored and depressed.
Mypetzilla recommends that you check as to whether you’re allowed dogs in your apartment building and to fully ensure your apartment is dog proof before committing fully to bringing a dog home.
SheddingAll dog breeds shed to some extent, some more than others. With this, all potential dog owners should be aware of this, as it will be a matter of putting up with some hair or lots of hair being left around the house. Depending on the dog breed, there are certain times during the year where some dog breeds shed the most and this is typically around spring and autumn. However, there are some dog breeds that shed all year round.
If you’re very house-proud, they you may want to choose a dog breed that sheds very little. Mypetzilla strongly recommends that you fully research your dog breed of choice and their shedding levels before committing.
Grooming NeedsAll dog breeds require different levels of grooming. Some dog breeds are easier to maintain than others and only require a weekly brush to help keep their coat in good condition. There are some dog breeds that require regular trips to the grooming parlour and this can come at a huge cost. Either way, all dog breeds require their coat and nails to be maintained and cared for.
Mypetzilla strongly advices that potential owners research the grooming needs and associated costs with their desired dog breed before fully committing.
BarkingBarking is a necessity for your dog to communicate. However, it can also be a nuisance to yourself and fellow neighbours if it’s not kept under control. If you live in an apartment, then you’re better off choosing a dog breed that doesn’t bark as much. If you live further out and far from civilisation, then it’s worthwhile looking into a dog breed that does bark and will bark to alert you of any other company on your property.
Mypetzilla advices that you research the behaviours of your dog breed of choice and whether this would work for you and your family. It’s worth noting that dogs can be trained to bark less and this will take a lot of effort and training from the owner.
AloneMajority dog breeds form very close relationships with their owners and as a result can become very stressed when left alone for a period of time. If a dog is suffering with separation anxiety then they’re very likely to become destructive around the home as a way of dealing with their anxieties. Dog breeds that do form strong bonds with their owners are better accustomed to a household where one member of the family remains home, whilst the others are out, this is to help avoid further anxieties and destructive behaviours.
Mypetzilla recommends that all potential owners research their dog breed of choice on their bonding abilities and how well-adjusted they are to being left alone at home. It’s also worth noting that you should never leave your dog for longer than 4 hours alone at home.
TrainabilityThere are certain dogs breeds that have very high intellect and therefore easier to train than other dog breeds. There is also a downside to this; as fast as they learn the new trick or command, they can easily pick up bad habits just as quick. Other dog breeds that don’t rank as high on the intellect scale require patience and plenty of reward treats from their owners during training.
Before committing to a certain dog breed, Mypetzilla advices you to fully research your dog breed of choice and their level of training needs.
Energy LevelsAll dog breeds have different energy levels. The working dog breed has one of the highest energy levels in comparison to the low-energy dog’s breeds such as the Toy dog breed group. To keep a dog truly happy, healthy and well-balanced, their energy levels must be met.
High-energy dog breeds need lots of exercise and mental stimulation. High energy dog breeds would suit an active family or person. Dog breeds that are considered as low-energy, love to spend the majority of their time relaxing and sleeping in their favourite, comfy spot. A low-energy dog breed would suit an individual that equally loves the quiet life and relaxing lifestyle. Of course, low-energy dogs still need their daily walks and mental stimulation, just not as much as a high-energy dog breed.
Mypetzilla recommends that potential owner research fully on the type of dog breed that would suit their existing lifestyle and to also take into consideration the dog breeds energy levels and exercise requirements.
Dog friendlyBefore you decide on what dog breed would be suitable for you and your family, you must consider whether they’re a friendly dog breed and if you already have other pets within the household. For homes that already have dogs and other domestic pets, then it’s wise to choose a dog breed that has a friendly personality and temperament.
There are some dog breeds that mix well with other dog breeds and there are others that don’t suit one another and this could potentially cause issues later on down the line.
Another important point to consider is whether the dog breed of choice is friendly towards people and children.
Mypetzilla recommends to research fully on the right dog breed for your family and to also consider their temperament and characteristics.
The Maremma Sheepdog (Cane da pastore Maremmano-Abruzzese) is a rare working dog breed primarily used in herding livestock that originated in the Maremma and Abruzzo region of central Italy. For two centuries, the Maremmano as it is called in its native abode, has been used for guarding flocks and property. Years of breeding has allowed this dog to develop a very strong guarding instinct and an amazing ability to work independently without supervision from its owner. There are theories that say this breed may have come from ancient European herding dogs that may have descended from the Turkish Karabash, Slovakian Kuvac, Hungarian Komondor and the French Pyrenean Mountain Dog. Its early ancestors have evolved into a smaller profile but with the same demeanour.
The Maremma Sheepdog is a lively breed and does not display any expression of nervousness or aggression. It is an intelligent, sturdy and protective breed which makes it a very suitable guard dog. It barks more than any other breed of sheepdogs but proper training at an early age will curtail this behaviour if it is to be kept as a house pet especially in a suburban neighbourhood. It can take any weather condition you can throw at it because this breed is weather resistant. It is a hardy and rugged dog that enjoys being outside.
The Maremma Sheepdog needs early socialization and obedience training, just like any other dog for it to be a good companion inside the house. This dog has an active mind and it’s intelligence slightly better than most breeds. Without proper training and social exposure, preferably during the puppy stage, the Maremma may display destructive behaviour because it will channel its boredom into other activities like chewing and digging holes. It is very receptive to basic obedience training, albeit not as receptive like other sheepdogs like the Border Collie. The Maremma sheepdog tends to “think first, then act” where it will analyze the command and check if it’s reasonable to obey. This behaviour makes the Maremma not very suitable for obedience trials. Training and socialization should start between four and six months from a gentle but firm handler.
It is a breed with no dog odour except when its coat is wet as is normal with other breeds. It is particularly an exceptionally clean dog by nature and puppies are easily house trained. The harsh and dense white outer coat is water-resistant and thus, needs minimum grooming. Dirt will normally fall way if the coat catches any so this breed always looks clean. However, regular brushing will keep the hair and the skin in perfect condition. The Maremma Sheepdog sheds its coat lightly once a year typically before winter but female Maremmas also shed in early summer,
If you decided to own a Maremma sheepdog you’re in for a treat. The Maremma is a very hardy and robust breed which is not prone to illness or disease. Vaccines recommended for a 10-week old puppy include anti-Hardpad, Distemper and Leptospirosis. Booster is required every 12 months.
This is a rugged and hardy breed that enjoys a lot of time outdoors. It can withstand any weather conditions thanks mainly to its harsh double coat which is water repellent and weather resistant. Long walks along the sidewalk or an hour of running and playing in a large yard are suitable exercises for the Maremma sheepdog. It will typically lay down and sleep when it had enough of exercise for the day.
A Maremma Sheepdog is an intelligent working dog that can live peacefully with other animals, big or small. It is very tolerant of other animals and is very slow to anger. However, there are some instances where two female Maremmas can be difficult together, but early socialization is the key for two female Maremma sheepdogs to live together in harmony. It loves the company of other pets in the house regardless of size and will typically guard them against intruders or strange dogs. It is a natural when it comes to children. It will treat small kids in the family as his own and will typically responds well to other children. Care must be taken though, when it is around toddlers or smaller children because this breed loves to play and may easily knock a small child around during “innocent play” but they will never hurt anyone intentionally.
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