Maremma Sheepdog

Size
Large to Giant (27Kg +)
Exercise
40 min/day
Training
Weekly
Size of home
House with garden
Time at home
Often alone
Grooming
Low maintenance
Barking preference
Low
Personality
Independent + affectionate

Breeder List

Breeder - Mrs Jennifer Block (Scintilli)

jennyblock@bigpond.com
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Breeder - Mrs Lile Dimoski (DZINOVI)

lilek@live.com.au
See Details

History

The Maremma Sheepdog is traditionally a livestock guardian dog, originating in Italy, where it has been used for thousands of years to protect flocks from predators, particularly wolves. It is sometimes know as the Maremmano-Abruzzi after the regions of Italy where it was originally found. In Australia, the breed can be found on rural properties protecting all sorts of livestock, ranging from sheep and goats to alpaca and even poultry.

Characteristics

Despite the name Sheepdog, the breed is not used for rounding up sheep, but protecting them, or whatever stock they are bonded with, by living with them and keeping predators at bay. The Maremma Sheepdog does this by territorial marking, warning barks and, when required, by displaying protective behaviours. The breed’s first response is to put itself between the predator and the flock and bark and sometimes charge at the threat. While the Maremma Sheepdog is not an aggressive breed, if a predator persists, it will protect its flock by force.

Temperament

It is aloof and independent, so training, although not impossible, can be a challenge. More importantly, the breed is wary of strangers and suspicious of odd noises and anything unusual. This can be a problem in suburban areas where the breed has been known to become a nuisance barker. The Maremma Sheepdog also bonds very closely with its flock or family and the breed is not happy if left home alone.

Appearance

The Maremma Sheepdog is a large, strong breed, with males standing up to 73 cm at the shoulder and weighing between 35 and 45 kg. Females are slightly smaller, weighing between 30 and 40 kg and reaching up to 68cm in height. In order to easily differentiate the breed from predators, Maremma Sheepdogs only come in white. No other colours are permitted, although a biscuit colour around the ears and tail is acceptable. The nose and eyelids should always be black to protect them from the sun. Black paw pads are also preferable.

Maintenance

The Maremma Sheepdog has a thick, long, double coat which lies flat to the body with feathering on the tail and the back of the legs. The coat is usually straight but may have a slight wave.

Health

Being a working dog still closely linked to its Italian history, the Maremma Sheepdog is usually quite a sound breed with no real breed specific health problems. Should the breed’s nose be lacking in good pigmentation, the Maremma has been known to experience skin cancer. The breed’s life span is usually 12 to 14 years.

Suitability

The Maremma Sheepdog is loving and loyal and has a curious habit of ‘smiling’ at its owner. However, all of the things that make the breed a great stock guardian can make it problematic as a backyard pet. The breed is probably best suited to rural properties and hobby farms, or to people who can take their dogs everywhere. The breed has a natural instinct to protect, but any puppy needs guidance and training to learn what not to do. This is best done from the beginning by an experienced Maremma breeder.

Words: Rae Hennessy
Image: Shutterstock.com

In Conclusion

Now you know a little about the Maremma Sheepdog you may have think that this is the dog for you. Before you make a decision, please make contact with the breed club or your State controlling body for purebred dogs. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog shows where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the Maremma Sheepdog and its needs and whether this breed would suit your lifestyle.

Official breed standard as recognized by Dogs NSW (Last Updated: 07 Aug 2013)

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A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

General Appearance

GENERAL APPEARANCE : The Maremma and Abruzzes shepherd dog is a big dog, strongly built of a rustic appearance, at the same time majestic and really typical. On the whole his shape, of average proportions, is that of a heavy dog, whose body is longer than the height at the withers; is balanced as much in size (heterometry = normal proportions between the size and different parts of the body) as to the profiles (alloidism = concordance between the profiles of the head and the body).IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS : The length of the head reaches the 4/10 of the height at the withers; the length of the muzzle is 1/10th less than that of the skull; the body length is more by 1/18th than the height at the withers.Depth of thorax is slightly less than half the height at the withers. (For instance : for a dog of 68 cm the depth is about 32 cm).The Maremma and Abruzzes shepherd dog is a big dog, strongly built of a rustic appearance, at the same time majestic and really typical. On the whole his shape, of average proportions, is that of a heavy dog, whose body is longer than the height at the withers; is balanced as much in size (heterometry = normal proportions between the size and different parts of the body) as to the profiles (alloidisme = concordance between the profiles of the head and the body).IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS : The length of the head reaches the 4/10 of the height at the withers; the length of the muzzle is 1/10th less than that of the skull; the body length is more by 1/18th than the height at the withers. Depth of thorax is slightly less than half the height at the withers. (For instance: for a dog of 68 cm the depth is about 32 cm).

Characteristics

It is a shepherd dog used mainly for the protection of flocks and guarding property. (See also under General Appearance and Temperament.)

Temperament

His principal function as a guard and defence dog of flocks and property in general, shows itself in the manner in which he accomplishes these tasks, with perception, courage and decision. Although proud and not inclined to submission, he is also devoted to his master and all his entourage.

Physical Standards

Head and Skull	On the whole, the head is large and flat, of conical shape, reminiscent of that of a polar bear.Skull: Is of great width with the sides of the skull slightly rounded; in profile it is also convex. The upper longitudinal axes of the skull and muzzle are slightly divergent from each other, which makes the profile of the head slightly convex. The eyebrows are moderately arched. The medial furrow is slight. The occipital crest is not accentuated.Stop: Should not be pronounced. The depression is only slight and the angle is always very open.Nose: Rather large, in line with the muzzle, with large, well-opened, moist and cool nostrils, and coloured black. In profile must not protrude beyond the front margin of the lips.Muzzle: Its length is one tenth less than that of the skull. Its depth, measured at the level of the corners of the lips, must equal half its length. Its width decreases progressively with the convergence of the sides of the muzzle towards the front. It is slightly chiselled beneath the eyes.Lips: Seen from the front, the upper lips are shaped like a semi-circle of very small radius at the lower edge of their junction point. The lips, being only slightly developed, barely cover the teeth, and therefore the corner of the lips is only lightly accentuated. Consequently, the lower side profile is defined by the lips only at the front part; in its rear part it is defined by the lower jaw and the corner of the lips. The rims of the lips are black.Jaws: Look strong and are normally developed.Cheeks: Moderately visible.
Eyes	Not large in relation to the size of the dog; the iris is of an ochre colour, or chestnut brown. The eye, in lateral position, is neither deep set nor protruding. Lively and attentive expression. Eyelid opening is almond shaped, with black eyelid rims.
Ears	Set very high over the zygomatic arches, they hang down but are very mobile. Triangular shape (in a V), their extremities form a narrow point, never rounded; they are small in relation to the size of the dog. For a medium size dog their length must not go beyond 12 cm (4¾ins). The ear leather is of medium width. Cropped ears are tolerated only in dogs really used as herd dogs (Not legal in Australia).
Mouth	Teeth: White, strong. Scissor bite. Incisors set straight, well aligned, of good size and complete in number.
Neck	Upper profile moderately arched. Its length is not more than eight tenths of the length of the head, which means that the neck is always shorter than the head. It is thick, very strong, muscular and always without dewlap; covered with long and dense hair forming a collar, particularly obvious in males.
Forequarters	Straight limbs when viewed from the front and side; forequarters well balanced in relation to the body, and the various parts of the forequarters are well proportioned with each other.Shoulder: Long, sloping with powerful muscles. Must be really free in movement. In length measures about one quarter of the height at the withers. Its angulation below the horizontal is from 50 to 60 degrees.Upperarm: Set close to the body in its upper two thirds, with powerful muscles. Its angulation below the horizontal varies between 55 and 60 degrees; its length measures about 30% of the height at the withers. Its position is more or less parallel with the median plane of the body. The angle where the scapula and humerus meet varies between 105 and 120 degrees.Elbows: Normally close to the chest, they are covered with a soft, loose skin. Their position must be parallel to the median plane of the body; the point of the elbow must be on an imaginary vertical line from the shoulder blade. The angle formed by the junction of the humerus and the radius varies between 145 and 150 degrees.Forearm: Straight and vertical, heavily boned. Its length is slightly more than the length of the upperarm, whilst being a little less than a third of the height at the withers. The front leg from ground to elbow measures 53% of the height at the withers.Pastern joint or wrist (carpus): Extends the vertical line of the forearm. Strong, clean, smooth and of good thickness; the pisiform bone at its back edge is clearly visible.Pastern (metacarpus): Its length must never be less than one sixth of the foreleg measured from ground to elbow. It is lean with a minimum of sub-cutaneous tissue. Seen from the side, slopes slightly towards the front.
Body	Solidly constructed, its length (measured from point of shoulder to buttock)is one eighteenth greater than the height at the withers.Topline: Straight from behind the withers to the rump where it becomes somewhat sloping.Withers: Slightly above the topline; wide because of the distance separating the shoulder blades.Back: Straight in profile, length is about 32% of the height at the withers. The loin which merges perfectly with the topline has a slightly curved profile with well developed muscles. The length of the loin is one fifth of the height at the withers, and its width is nearly equal to its length.Rump/Croup: Wide, strong and well muscled. Its slope from the hip to the tail set is 20 degrees, increasing to 30 degrees and more if we refer to the ileum-ischium line; that is why the rump of the Maremma and Abruzzes shepherd dog must be qualified as sloping.Chest: Ample, descending to the level of the elbows, deep and well rounded at mid-height. Its circumference must be one quarter greater than the height at the withers; its maximum width at mid-height must be at least 32% of the height at the withers, then decreases progressively downwards, whilst retaining a good width in the sternal region.Underline: Its lower line, from the sternum forward, rises very slightly toward the flanks, in such a way that the belly is slightly drawn up.
Hindquarters	Seen as a whole: Limbs are straight when seen from behind and the side. The general aspect is in proportion with the body, and the various parts of the hindquarters are in harmony with each other.Upper Thigh: Long, wide with prominent muscles and the rear edge slightly convex. Its width, measured from edge to edge, is three quarters of its length. It is slightly angulated from top to bottom and rear to front; the angle of the femur with the hip-bone is about 100 degrees.Lower Thigh: Its length which is a little shorter than the upper thigh, is 32.5% of the height at the withers. Its angulation below the horizontal is about 60 degrees. Strong bone, muscles lean and the groove in the leg well marked.Stifle: Set perfectly in the vertical line of the hind leg, turns neither in nor out. The angle of the femur and tibia is rather open and varies between 135 and 140 degrees.Hock Joint: Quite thick, with broad lateral faces. The angle varies between 140 and 150 degrees.Rear Pastern (metatarsal): Strong, lean and broad. Its length is 31% of the height at the withers. Dewclaws must be removed.
Feet	Front: Large of roundish shape, well closed toes, covered with short, thick hair; nails preferably black; chestnut colour is tolerated.Hind: Like the front feet but more oval.
Tail	Low set due to the sloping rump, in normal stance reaching below the level of the hock. Hanging down when the dog is stationary; carried level with back line with a rather strongly hooked tip when the dog is moving. Well furnished with dense hair without fringes.
Gait/Movement	Walk and extended trot.
Coat	Skin: Tight on all parts of the body; rather thick. Black pigmentation of the mucous membranes, eyelids and the central and toe pads.Nature of Coat: Very well furnished. Hair long, rather harsh to the touch, closer to straight horse hair; flat to the body; slight wave is tolerated. The coat forms a rich collar around the neck and feathering of limited length on the edge of the hindquarters. It is short on the muzzle, skull, ears and front edge of the limbs. On the body it reaches 8 cm (3 ins). The undercoat is only abundant in winter.
Colour	Solid white. Shades of ivory, pale orange or lemon are tolerated but only if not excessive.
Size	Height at withers: Dogs 65-73 cm (25 & 1/2; - 28 & 3/4; ins)Bitches 60-68 cm (23 & 1/2; - 26 & 3/4;ins)Weight: Dogs 35-45 kg (77-99 lbs)Bitches 30-40 kg (66-88 lbs)

Faults

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog. The same conditions apply to dogs which pace very often and dogs whose dewclaws have not been removed.Eliminating Faults:Head: The axes of the skull and foreface are convergentMouth: Serious and disfiguring prognathism (undershot if it harms the general appearance of the muzzle; overshot if the result of bad direction of the teeth).Tail: Rolled over the back.Gait: Continual pacing.Size: Above or below the limits fixed by the Standard.Disqualifying Faults:Nose: Completely depigmented.Muzzle: Definitely convex or concave.Eyes: Moderate or bilateral depigmentation of the eyelids. Wall-eyed. Cross-eyed.Mouth: Overshot (when caused by lack of length of the underjaw).Tail: Tailless or short tail, whether congenital or docked.Coat: Curly.Colour: Isabella coat; well defined patches of Isabella or ivory colour. Black shadings.

Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

History

This ancient breed of dogs who guard flocks comes from shepherd dogs actually still used in the Abruzzes where the breeding of sheep is still thriving even in these days, and sheepdogs which existed yesteryear in the region of the Tuscan Maremma and in that of Latium. Most especially since 1860, the seasonal moving of livestock from one region to another has favoured the developing of a natural crossing of those two primitive breeds.