About Maremmas
Il Maremmano Abruzzese
Is a Maremma for you? Do Maremmas make suitable pets?
Yes they do. Providing they are given exercise AND are socialized. In our experience,
they can either be loving companions and pets, guardians of your stock, or, as in
our case, both. If you choose a Maremma for the right reasons, celebrating rather
than trying to change its natural character and qualities, you will have a loyal
friend and will never want to be without one.
Where do Maremmas come from?
|
The Maremma sheepdog is a rare working breed originally bred in Italy as a livestock
guarding dog, and for centuries guarded large flocks of sheep on the plains and
in the mountains of Italy. It lived day and night with its flock, to take responsibility
for keeping the flock safe from 4-legged predators, primarily the wolf, and from
2-legged thieves. When the shepherd left the sheep the dogs were never encouraged
to follow their master but rather to be loyal to the sheep. Maremmas continue to
have a very strong instinct to guard whatever left in their charge, which today
in New Zealand is his human family and on some occasions alpacas, sheep, goats and
cattle. The Somersetdawn Maremmas have some of this experience as we breed alpacas
and have some sheep.
|
What do Maremmas look like?
Maremmas are beautiful, medium to large dogs, strongly built, with a majestic bearing.
They are gentle but courageous and have an intelligent expression. The breed has
an abundant double coat – a thick undercoat that is shed once or twice a year (or
more often when living indoors) – and a longer top coat. This provides exceptional
protection against the weather and is almost self-cleaning – mud will drop out of
the coat when dry, rarely needing bathing. However the breed does need regular grooming
to keep the coat free of matts and tangles. It is always white: a little shading
of lemon or ivory is acceptable .In size, the males range from 65 cm to 72.5 cm
and can weigh between 35 to 45 kilos. Maremma bitches range from 59cm to 67 cm and
weigh between 30 to 40 kilos. The average life span is between 10-12 years, though
some dogs reach 15 and beyond.
What sort of character is a Maremma likely to have?
|
Maremmas are loyal, loving and intelligent animals with tremendous character and
a sense of humour. But they can also be stubborn and need to be trained with firmness
and respect. As a companion, the breed retains the same instincts and qualities
that make it such a successful flock guard: intelligence, courage, independence,
loyalty to its own, and suspicion of strangers. But although the breed is aloof
and protective, it is also sensible and tolerant, never aggressive or nervous. Because
of this independent character it is extremely important to train a puppy to your
requirements before it is six months of age, such as walking on the lead, travelling
in the car, and basic obedience.
|
|
How should I train and socialize my Maremma?
|
As with all dogs, the key to training your Maremma puppy is to have firm expectations
and kind handling. I recommend that you take your puppy to your local domestic obedience
training class. All dogs, not just Maremmas, benefit from basic training, which
will make your Maremma a nicer and more biddable companion for having had socialization
with other people and dogs and training of basic commands. Training includes house
training, learning to be left alone for short times without being destructive, traveling
in the car, being brushed, playing games and being socially acceptable with people
and situations and all of this can be achieved with basic obedience training commands.
|
Training really starts as soon as you arrive home with a puppy. Do not allow your
puppy to do things you don’t want him to do when he is older and bigger. If you
don’t want your adult dog to jump up, sit on the sofa, chew your fingers, or bark
for no reason don’t let your puppy do those things either. Help him learn the correct
behaviours by using a firm ‘no’ to discourage unwanted behaviour, and plenty of
praise when he gets it right. He will not do undying obedience as Borders and German
Shepherds but his slow responses should be excused as it’s not likely to be bad
behaviour. Maremmas bark to alert to callers etc, but barking should not be encouraged
for any reason.
How are Maremmas with children?
In general Maremmas are very good with children especially those within their own
family. With socialization they should respond well to other children especially
the family’s children’s playmates. Formal introduction is best and more importantly
with puppies as they do not understand what strangers are. Maremmas will not knowingly
hurt a child. Children should be discouraged from disturbing a puppy when sleeping
or resting, and your puppy should have a kennel, basket, mat or special place where
he knows he will be left in peace. Children should never be left alone with large
dogs especially when young.
How are Maremmas with visitors?
We find that our Maremmas are delighted to welcome visitors, but it is good practice
to introduce Maremmas to visitors and strangers in the home .Formal introduction
to your Maremma with the visitor seated is by far the best way and allow the Maremma
to investigate rather than people being pushy.
How are Maremmas with other animals?
|
Being natural guardians, Maremmas live peaceably with stock or pets and accept other
domestic animals as part of the household. They like company, especially human company,
but will happily accept the company of a cat, other dog, or, in our case, an alpaca
or two. Maremmas do not have the hunt instinct but will chase birds or other animals
off the premises.
|
|
General Care
Exercise. Maremmas need regular exercise, including free running, and can
do well both indoors and outdoors, as long as they have shelter, company (human
or animal) and proper care. If exercised well, they will tend to be quiet in the
house, though they will be alert to the arrival of visitors. Maremma puppies should
not be over exercised or encouraged to jump as they grow very fast and strenuous
exercise can harm their developing bones and muscles. As youngsters it is better
that they get their exercise around your garden or property. If there are other
dogs in the household playing with them also forms part of daily exercise. As adolescents
and adults Maremmas are capable of long walks.
Grooming. All dogs benefit from regular grooming and the Maremma is no exception.
The crucial time for grooming is when they are moulting. For males this happens
on average once a year. Bitches will moult either two or so months before coming
into season or two months thereafter
|
Feeding. As puppies, Maremmas can eat up to 1.4 kg of food a day, split into
three meals. Once adult or mature this can drop to about 1 kg at around the age
of two years ,depending on the development and size of the Maremma. Diets vary,
and breeders have their own preferences and will advice accordingly. We feed our
dogs a good quality dry food supplemented with dog meat and occasional eggs or suitable
family left over meat or vegetables.
|
Health. Maremmas are generally healthy animals with no breed specific illness
recorded. There has been known within the breed, some epilepsy, heart problems in
late life, cancer and very few have had true hip dysplasia. Your Maremma should
have routine vaccinations from your vet and regular treatment for fleas, ticks and
worms. You will also need to consult your vet about speying or neutering your pet
from 6 months old.
Useful Links
These websites contain a wealth of information about Maremmas which will supplement
the information above.
|