Maremma or Italian Sheepdog

Maremma Italian Sheepdog Information

The Italian Sheepdog is also known under the names of: Maremmano-Abruzzese, Pastore Abruzzese, Cane da Pastore Maremmano-Abruzzese, Italian Maremma, Pastore Maremmano and Maremma Sheepdog.

Maremma or Italian Sheepdog in the field, image courtesy of (cc) Mgerety.

• Exercise Needs: Middle.
• Typical Health Problems: Hip dysplasia and bloat.
• Average Life Expectancy: 10-12 years.
• Grooming Requirements: Middle to high.
• Training Difficulty: Easy (but see below).
• Diet: Eats a lot
• Price and Cost: Puppy prices average $600, maintenance costs can be high.

Introduction
The Maremma Sheepdog (official name ‘Cane da Pastore Maremmano-Abruzzese’ which translates to ‘Shepherd Dog from the Maremma and Abruzzo area (central Italy)’ is a large breed of livestock guardian dog (LGD). They are used to being left alone with the flock during the summer grassing season and guard them against predators like wolves or feral dogs. They are not herding dogs like, for example, the Australian Koolie that direct the movement of the livestock; instead they are guardian dogs that defend their charges against anything and anybody that they perceive as a threat to them while letting them roaming freely.

History
Sheepdogs have been used in Italy for thousands of years to help in guarding the livestock against wolves, bears and other predators. The Maremma Sheepdog, one of the Italian Sheepdog breeds, was developed in the central part of the country, namely the Appenine mountains area of the Abruzzo, and the Maremma area. Originally there were two different breeds in each of the two regions, but since the mid 19^th century both breeds have been interbred and crossed with each other to such an extent, that they merged into one single breed. First used in the seasonal transhumance, they also adapted well as this method of livestock keeping was replaced in the middle of the 19^th century by a more stationary approach to livestock keeping. From Italy they got imported to other countries such as Australia, New Zealand and North America and are highly valued there also as LGDs. The UKC (United Kennel Club) recognized the breed in 2006.

Appearance
The Maremma is a massive dog of majestic appearance with a coat that can have all shades of white (other colors are not allowed). Its overall shape is rectangular, longer than tall, with strong, heavy muscles and a large head that leads some people to compare it to a polar bear. The coat is middle long, but without being excessive in length, harsh and straight. Curly coats are an undesired trait, and such dogs are normally excluded from breeding. The thick undercoat gets shed one (male dogs) or two times (female dogs) a year, but it has to be said that they also lose hair pretty regularly every single day of the year! Their height ranges from 23.5 to 28.75in (58 to 72cm), their weight between 66 to 100 lbs (30 to 45kg) and the bitches are normally smaller than the males.

Temperament
The Maremma is a quiet breed, for a watch and guard dog. Nevertheless they can be outright suspicious with strangers and require careful, early socializing. They can get ‘barky’ if not trained properly and haven’t learned what acceptable reasons to bark are and when barking is not desired. They readily accept children as part of their ‘work load’, again, if socialized from an early age on, and will protect them with their lives. They do have an independent way of thinking, essential to do the kind of work they were bred for, and see themselves more as team members than as blindly obedient servants.

Training
When kept as a livestock guardian dog, the most important thing is to ‘imprint’ on the puppy the kind of animals they are meant to protect. In the ideal case this will have already taken place at the breeders place, but if that is not possible, as soon as they arrive in their new home – and workplace. The imprinting is done by letting the puppy get to know the other animals on the farm or ranch and giving them time to observe, and smell, them. Every over excited behavior, such as chasing chickens, must be firmly discouraged from a young age on. If there is an older dog present, that the puppies can observe when it is working, and later on work alongside it, that would be perfect. An Italian sheepdog reacts best to praise and positive reenforcement and can be outright offended when unjust or harsh punishment is applied. They require astonishingly little training when it comes to protecting and guarding their charges, as this is what they have been bred for over a span of 2,000 years and this instinct is deeply engrained in their bloodlines.

Exercise Needs
When working, i.e. being out and about with the flock all day, they get their exercise naturally. Care has to be taken with puppies in order to not over-exercise them, which could negatively affect their joint and bones during the growth period. If they are kept as companion dogs, they do need daily, long walks of at least two hours…this can be reduced as the dog grows older and quieter.

Grooming Requirements
The thick undercoat tends to matte easily and needs to be brushed regularly, meaning daily. Especially during the main shedding season(s), it needs to be carefully raked out, to make sure that all of the dead hair is removed. If that is not done, the dogs’ coat will matte and the skin be prone to infections and flea infestations.

Common Health Problems
Like most large dog breeds, the Cane da Pastore Maremmano-Abruzzese can suffer from hip dysplasia and bloat. Apart from those two ailments, no other health problems are over proportionally present in this hardy breed.

Price and Costs
Puppy prices can start as low as $250 and can rise to around $1,000 depending on breeder and parentage of the puppy. Puppies and young dogs require considerabe amounts of high quality food, while older dogs tend to eat less. If the grooming is done in house, by the dog owner, grooming costs are low, but grooming still remains time intensive. If the dogs are brought to a professional groomer, costs for this are naturally higher.

Other Important Points to Consider

• Due to their thick coat, these dog do best in moderate to cold climates, but adjust badly to hot and/or humid ones. A dog breed that will do well in Alaska, but will suffer greatly in Florida, so to speak.

• When kept as LGDs, they work best in small groups of 2 to 5, depending on the size of the flock and the area to cover.

Summary
Despite what some kennel clubs and breeders claim, the Italian Sheepdog or Maremma is not a typical companion dog, nor is it a dog that is happy in a urban, or even suburban, environment. They are a working dog breed, that does best on a ranch or farm with a flock to care for. They are great with children they know and will take them automatically ‘under their wings’ and protect them at all costs. They are an independent minded breed, that knows instinctively what is involved in ‘doing the job’ and want to be recognized as work mates rather than as servants. They can make good guard dogs for a country side home, but only if exercised extensively and with a lot of fenced space to roam. Restrained to an apartment and only taken for an occasional walk in the park, they will be extremely unhappy, until outright depressed, and can ultimately become dangerous and unmanageable.

Other synonyms, nicknames and common misspellings include: Italian Sheep Dog, Abruzzenhund, Abruzzese Hound, Italian Shepherd Dog, Marama Dog, Maremma, Maremma Dog, Maremma Sheep Dog, Maremma Sheepdogs, Maremmano Abruzzese and Maremmas.