Maremma Sheepdog

 

Summary

• Maremma is a herding dog with a strong guarding instinct.
• It is reserved towards strangers and protective of home and family.
• Maremma is an independent dog that thrives best in rural surroundings with plenty of outdoor space.
• Socialization and a consistent and fair owner are important.
• The breed is large and robust, with long and rough white fur, a broad head and drooping ears.

Breed description for Maremma

The breed is a distinct herding dog with a strong guarding instinct and an impressive ability to protect. It is reserved towards strangers, but protective of home and family.As an independent dog, the breed thrives best in rural surroundings with plenty of outdoor space where it can unfold itself. In order to achieve a harmonious behaviour, the Maremma requires good socialization and a consistent and fair owner.

Characteristics/Mentality

The breed is a great herd guard and guard dog with great working capacity. Despite its size, it is fast and efficient in its work. As a guard, it scares away predators rather than attacking.Maremma is a safe and confident dog with a strong character, proud attitude and great dignity. It attaches strongly to a person or family and is totally devoted. It demands to be respected and has a good memory, so you have to “trick” it into doing what you want.Towards strangers, it is often reserved and will defend its property, but it is rarely aggressive without necessity. The breed is relatively unknown in Norway, but is a popular family dog ​​in the USA and Australia among people with plenty of space and on small farms and farms.

Size and Appearance

The breed is an impressively large and robust dog with strength, speed and courage. It has a rich white coat that is quite long and rough to the touch, with slight waves permitted. Shades of ivory, cream and pale orange shades are allowed in the coat.The head is broad with a relatively flat skull and conical shape. The ears are hanging and V-shaped. Male dogs have a height of approximately 65-73 cm, and bitches have a height of approximately 60-68 cm. The weight varies from approximately 30-45 kg. The breed has a lifespan of around 11-13 years, depending on the individual.

Fur grooming

The breed has an abundant coat with a thick undercoat. It sheds a lot and should be brushed regularly to maintain a healthy coat.

Health

Maremma is generally a healthy breed without breed-typical diseases. Hip dysplasia (HD) can occur, so it is recommended to be aware of this.

History

The Maremma, also known as the Maremma Abruzzese, is an ancient Italian guard and shepherd dog with roots dating back to the beginning of our era. The breed has been bred for thousands of years to protect livestock and property, and it continues to perform this task today.