Maremma Sheepdog
Working

Group:

Working

Size:

large

Lifespan:

9-12 years

Exercise:

high

Grooming:

medium

Trainability:

medium

Watchdog ability:

very high

Protection ability:

very high

Area of Origin:

Italy

Date of Origin:

ancient times

Other Names:

Maremma, Pastore, Abruzzese, Cane Da Pastore, Maremmano-Abruzzese

Original Function:

guardian

History

The Maremma Sheepdog, also known as the Pastore Maremmano-Abruzzese, is an ancient breed from Italy, pre-dating the Romans. Originally classified as two breeds, the Mountain Dog, the Abruzzese, and the Maremmano with a somewhat shorter coat, they are now considered one breed and were officially designated as such in 1950. They belong to the same family as the Kuvasz, the Akbash, the Komondor, and the Pyrenean Mountain Dog. This wonderful sheepdog is a great defender of its flock against wolves, and is valued by shepherds. In more recent years, mostly in England, it has become a companion dog, where it will defend its family and particularly the children. There are several Maremmas in New Zealand being used to protect stock such as Alpacas, pigs, sheep, goats, chickens and donkeys (mostly from two-legged predators).

Temperament

The Maremma Sheepdog is intelligent and loyal, and enjoys its outdoor work, and thus will need space; hence not a good apartment dog! It also may be somewhat independent and so is not the easiest dog to train.

Upkeep

The Maremma Sheepdog needs daily exercise and enjoys a long walk or good run in a safe area. It especially enjoys cold weather and can live outdoors in temperate to cool climates. It does best when allowed access to both house and yard. Its coat needs brushing one or two times weekly, more often during heavy shedding periods.

Official Breed Standard

CHARACTERISTICS:
Majestic, lively, sturdy, distinguished and intelligent. Courageous without being aggressive.

GENERAL APPEARANCE:
Lithe and strongly built. The expression should be one of aloof awareness. This reserve should not be mistaken for nervousness, any tendency to which should be penalised.

Head and Skull:
When viewed from the front the head is of triangular shape and in proportion to the size of the body. The skull wider between the ears, narrowing towards the facial area. The head somewhat rounded, with the occipital ridge slightly emphasised. The area under the eyes gently chiselled. Medium stop. The length of the muzzle fractionally less than that of the cranium and the muzzle slightly tapering without showing snipiness. The lips close fitting and not pendulous. Pigmentation of the lips and nose black.

Eyes:
The eyes bold, neither large nor small; neither sunk nor protruding. The aperture almond-shaped. A dark eye preferred. Eyerims black.

Ears:
Small in relation to the size of the head, V-shaped, set high and covered with short hair. Hanging flat to the side of the head in repose; mobile when alert. The extremities of the ear forming a narrow point, never a rounded end.

Mouth:
The teeth should be white, strong, regularly spaced and set in a level jaw. The inner faces of the upper incisors should close on the outer faces of the lower incisors.

Neck:
The neck should be strong, of medium length. Devoid of dewlap.

Forequarters:
The shoulders should be long, sloping, well muscled and free moving; the forelegs well boned and muscled without heaviness, straight when viewed from the front, the elbows held close to the ribcage, neither in nor out. The pasterns should show a very slight angle in profile.

Body:
The body strong, the muscles well developed, the shoulders slightly above the level of the back, which should be broad and straight, rising to a slight arch on the loins and falling to a broad, strong rump. The length of the body, measured from the point of the shoulder to the point of the buttocks, slightly longer than the height at the shoulder. The ribcage full, descending to the level of the elbows, with well sprung ribs; not barrel-chested. The sternum long, gradually curving up to the abdomen which shows a waist without excessive tuck up.

Hindquarters:
The hindquarters broad and powerful, with strongly muscled thighs, legs straight when viewed from behind; hocks well let down and strong with a moderate bend of stifle.

Feet:
Large and almost round. Hind feet slightly more oval. Toes close together and well arched. Pads black.

Gait:
Movement should be free and active, giving the impression of a nimble dog, able to turn quickly.

Tail:
Set on low, reaching below the joint of the hock; hangs down when the dog is quiet but carried level with the back when the dog is alerted; with the tip gently curved. Well covered with thick hair, but without forming fringes.

Coat:
The coat should fit the outline of the dog and be long, plentiful and rather harsh. A slight waviness, but not curliness, is permissible. It should form a thick collar on the neck. The hair should be short on the muzzle, cranium, ears, feet and front of limbs but should form a slight feathering on the rear edges of the limbs. There should be a thick, close undercoat especially in winter.

Colour:
White. A little shading of ivory, pale orange or lemon is permissible.

Weight and Size:
Ideal Height: Dogs: 65 - 73 cm (25.5 - 28.5 in). Bitches: 60 - 68 cm (23.5 - 26.7 in).
Ideal Weight: Dogs: 35 - 45 kg (77 - 99 lb). Bitches: 30 - 40 kg (66 - 88 lb).

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.

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