COUNTRY: Italy
WEIGHT: 65-100 pounds
HEIGHT: 23'/2-29 inches
COAT: Profuse, long, never curly
COLOR: White, some yellow or pale orange tolerated on ears only
OTHER NAMES: Pastore Abruzzese, Cane da Pastore Maremmano-Abruzzese
GROUP: Flock Guard
The Maremma is directly descended from the first flock guarders that migrated from the Middle East, probably across the Adriatic from Greece. A first-century writer, Lucius Colu-mella, refers to the Maremma in his book on Roman rural affairs, and Marcus Terentius Varro, "most learned of the Romans," describes such a dog in 100 BC.
The breed was used all along the Apennine mountain range, the spine that runs the length of Italy. The pattern of the Tuscan farmers persisted for centuries. During the winter months, pasture was adequate in the dry, low areas (like Maremma) along the sea coast to support the flocks. White dogs protecting these animals were naturally called Maremmani. The summer heat dried up nearly every blade of grass in the lowlands so the shepherd, sheep and grand white dogs climbed the mountains to stay for many months in greener pastures.
Although many guarded flocks in the Abruzzi Mountains (and thus were called Abruzzese), they were also known further north and south along the Adriatic coast. When the shepherd went home at night, the sheep were left in a net enclosure to prevent wandering. The dogs never followed the master home, but stayed to protect the sheep. These dogs were also a traditional feature of the fine country houses of Tuscany. A story about British troops capturing some Italian soldiers with a Maremma tells of the dog placed in a pen with six trained Royal Air Force Alsatians (German Shepherds). In the morning, the white dog was calmly lying in the pen next to six dead Alsatians!
The Maremma is similar in type to the Great Pyrenees and Kuvasz, though without as great a bulk. The dogs are often fed only curds and whey or a mealy pap, and yet they seem well nourished.
Fear of ruination by "improvement" kept the Maremma away from the public eye for many years. In the 1950s, a meeting finally took place in Florence, where a discussion of the types ensued. Although the Abruzzese was often considered a separate breed, sturdier with a more profuse coat, a decision was made that these were only normal variations based on climate. A standard was approved for a single breed, allowing for some variation of coat length. The official breed name in Italy includes both geographical labels to keep everyone happy.
These dogs have the typical flock-guard independence and must be handled with respect. While it is necessary to establish dominance, a Maremma that is beaten or ill-used will not hesitate to bite his master. They have a strong natural concept of their owners' belongings and feel the need to protect them. In a modern world, this encompasses home, grounds, cars and be-longings, as well as family members. The Maremma will not allow anyone, even his master, to interfere with his guarding duties. He feels, often rightly so, that he knows best! As explained in the Maremma Sheepdog Club of Great Britain booklet, "It may be inconvenient if they [the children] deserve a spanking which he will not permit, or when he will not allow strangers to pick up their toys."
He has had an active following in Great Britain for more than 50 years, where the breed may compete for championships and is used to guard country estates. The Maremma has found favor in Sweden as well. Introduced into the United States in the 1970s, it serves only in the flock-guarding programs and is occasionally seen at rare breed shows. In just a short time, however, the breed has won the enthusiastic praise of stock owners. Some dogs, in fact, take their work too seriously. The Hampshire College program placed a six-month-old Maremma with a flock in Arkansas that had suffered losses from predators. The pup immediately took charge, ending the kills. "Lady" became so attached to "her" sheep and their territory that when the sheep were sold and soybeans filled the pasture, she transferred her protection to the soybeans!
As with many of the flock-guarding breeds, the Maremma seems plagued with infertility and disinterest in breeding. Irregular heat cycles are reported, along with female aggression toward suitors. Researchers at Hampshire College have two bitches that have never had a litter, even though precautions were not taken to prevent matings. This modern breeder dilemma may actually have been a desirable trait in working dogs to prevent distractions from their duties. Once they conceive, they are likely to have good-sized litters. In their native land, working dams give birth under a tree or in some protective cavity.
They have a great instinct concerning "their" sheep. One working dog picked up an ill lambin his mouth, and brought it to his master. An Italian breeder states, "In Italy sheep raising on the mountains would be practically impossible without these dogs."
The Maremma is not as large as some of the other flock guards and has the ability to appear larger or smaller than it is in reality. When unhappy, the dog will curl up and appear much smaller than normal. But when he is threatened or alerted, he draws himself to full size, flares his ruff, and holds his tail high over his back, seemingly increasing his bulk. The spiked collar, also used in Italy, increases the dog's aura even more.
Although the adult Maremma does not fawn on its master and is hesitant to show devotion, it will lay down its life to protect its family. It will remember its master "though many years may pass in his absence." It will also remember an unkindness.
WEIGHT: 65-100 pounds
HEIGHT: 23'/2-29 inches
COAT: Profuse, long, never curly
COLOR: White, some yellow or pale orange tolerated on ears only
OTHER NAMES: Pastore Abruzzese, Cane da Pastore Maremmano-Abruzzese
GROUP: Flock Guard
The Maremma is directly descended from the first flock guarders that migrated from the Middle East, probably across the Adriatic from Greece. A first-century writer, Lucius Colu-mella, refers to the Maremma in his book on Roman rural affairs, and Marcus Terentius Varro, "most learned of the Romans," describes such a dog in 100 BC.
The breed was used all along the Apennine mountain range, the spine that runs the length of Italy. The pattern of the Tuscan farmers persisted for centuries. During the winter months, pasture was adequate in the dry, low areas (like Maremma) along the sea coast to support the flocks. White dogs protecting these animals were naturally called Maremmani. The summer heat dried up nearly every blade of grass in the lowlands so the shepherd, sheep and grand white dogs climbed the mountains to stay for many months in greener pastures.
Although many guarded flocks in the Abruzzi Mountains (and thus were called Abruzzese), they were also known further north and south along the Adriatic coast. When the shepherd went home at night, the sheep were left in a net enclosure to prevent wandering. The dogs never followed the master home, but stayed to protect the sheep. These dogs were also a traditional feature of the fine country houses of Tuscany. A story about British troops capturing some Italian soldiers with a Maremma tells of the dog placed in a pen with six trained Royal Air Force Alsatians (German Shepherds). In the morning, the white dog was calmly lying in the pen next to six dead Alsatians!
The Maremma is similar in type to the Great Pyrenees and Kuvasz, though without as great a bulk. The dogs are often fed only curds and whey or a mealy pap, and yet they seem well nourished.
Fear of ruination by "improvement" kept the Maremma away from the public eye for many years. In the 1950s, a meeting finally took place in Florence, where a discussion of the types ensued. Although the Abruzzese was often considered a separate breed, sturdier with a more profuse coat, a decision was made that these were only normal variations based on climate. A standard was approved for a single breed, allowing for some variation of coat length. The official breed name in Italy includes both geographical labels to keep everyone happy.
These dogs have the typical flock-guard independence and must be handled with respect. While it is necessary to establish dominance, a Maremma that is beaten or ill-used will not hesitate to bite his master. They have a strong natural concept of their owners' belongings and feel the need to protect them. In a modern world, this encompasses home, grounds, cars and be-longings, as well as family members. The Maremma will not allow anyone, even his master, to interfere with his guarding duties. He feels, often rightly so, that he knows best! As explained in the Maremma Sheepdog Club of Great Britain booklet, "It may be inconvenient if they [the children] deserve a spanking which he will not permit, or when he will not allow strangers to pick up their toys."
He has had an active following in Great Britain for more than 50 years, where the breed may compete for championships and is used to guard country estates. The Maremma has found favor in Sweden as well. Introduced into the United States in the 1970s, it serves only in the flock-guarding programs and is occasionally seen at rare breed shows. In just a short time, however, the breed has won the enthusiastic praise of stock owners. Some dogs, in fact, take their work too seriously. The Hampshire College program placed a six-month-old Maremma with a flock in Arkansas that had suffered losses from predators. The pup immediately took charge, ending the kills. "Lady" became so attached to "her" sheep and their territory that when the sheep were sold and soybeans filled the pasture, she transferred her protection to the soybeans!
As with many of the flock-guarding breeds, the Maremma seems plagued with infertility and disinterest in breeding. Irregular heat cycles are reported, along with female aggression toward suitors. Researchers at Hampshire College have two bitches that have never had a litter, even though precautions were not taken to prevent matings. This modern breeder dilemma may actually have been a desirable trait in working dogs to prevent distractions from their duties. Once they conceive, they are likely to have good-sized litters. In their native land, working dams give birth under a tree or in some protective cavity.
They have a great instinct concerning "their" sheep. One working dog picked up an ill lambin his mouth, and brought it to his master. An Italian breeder states, "In Italy sheep raising on the mountains would be practically impossible without these dogs."
The Maremma is not as large as some of the other flock guards and has the ability to appear larger or smaller than it is in reality. When unhappy, the dog will curl up and appear much smaller than normal. But when he is threatened or alerted, he draws himself to full size, flares his ruff, and holds his tail high over his back, seemingly increasing his bulk. The spiked collar, also used in Italy, increases the dog's aura even more.
Although the adult Maremma does not fawn on its master and is hesitant to show devotion, it will lay down its life to protect its family. It will remember its master "though many years may pass in his absence." It will also remember an unkindness.