Maremma sheepdog temperament

The Maremma Sheepdog is a massive, noble, distinctive-looking dog with a bear-like head. The jaws are strong with a scissors bite.

And when you find your new pup, tell us a bit more about them to get a discount off one of our puppy ranges and regular personalised puppy advice. Thanks for joining Growing Pup. You'll receive your first expert tips on getting a puppy within the next day, so keep a look out in your inbox! View our Privacy Policy. Sturdy and muscular, the Maremma is a large and heavy dog, with a coarse protective white coat, and dense warm undercoat. The broad head and small high set ears give the Maremma a kindly yet dignified expression.

Maremma sheepdog temperament

Beauty , intelligence , even-temperedness , dignity and natural guarding instinct — these are only a few of the positive character traits of the Maremma sheepdogs. However, there is more to these white guardians that is hard to find in other dog breeds — a hint of wilderness, and the habit of treating the humans as equals and friends, not as master and Lord. Lo scatto trasmette le caratteristiche tipiche del maremmano abruzzese, la sua serafica calma e la sicura presenza. The tough and lonely life that these dogs had got used to for many years has subsequently formed their character to what we know and appreciate: affectionate towards the owner, but without submission or dependence, suspicious towards foreigners, acting on its own initiative. Therefore, you see — a Maremma is not a dog that will passively accept commands from you or will follow you by the snap of your fingers. These dogs are very proud and dignified, combined with an innate sense of responsibility for their duty: guarding and protection of the property, being it the livestock, a territory, a house, whatever that needs to be protected. Un pastore abruzzese al lavoro a protezione del gregge di ovini, il tradizionale cane da guardiani italiano. Maremmanos are of easy maintenance: frugal with food, they love to be outside independent of the weather, being it rain or snow. Their long and dense coat is an adaption to the environmental conditions they have been living under for hundreds of years — it protects them from the rain and the icy wind. They would rather curl up on the floor and protect their nose and feet with the tail, than being inside. Even when they seem black and muddy after having spent the night in the rain, just a few hours of dry weather are enough to make them white and shiny again, thanks to a special dirt-repellent capacity of the coat.

Their function is mostly one of dissuasion, actual physical combat with the predator being relatively rare. Traits like intelligence, alertness, courage, and attentiveness are maremma sheepdog temperament the top reasons Maremma Sheepdogs make excellent guardians.

Although its exact date of origin is unknown, the Maremma can be traced back to Italy over 2, years ago. The early shepherds of Abruzzi culled their dogs very severely, and only the most promising pups were kept for replacement stock. Because of this harsh selection, the Maremma has retained its natural guarding instinct. The Maremma is majestic in appearance, with a broad head and gentle expression. They maintain a luxurious coat of long white fur which typically sheds out once a year.

Large, sturdy and strong, the Maremma Sheepdog has a majestic and rustic appearance and functions as a guard of livestock and property. He has a large, flat head, triangular ears, deep chest and low-set tail. Ready to see what dogs fit you best? Take our short quiz to find out! Playfulness level 1 in 5.

Maremma sheepdog temperament

This post may contain affiliate links. If you click and buy we may make a commission, at no additional charge to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more details. The Maremma Sheepdog was brought to the United States in the s as a part of a large environmental experiment. Maremmas had the perfect mix of intelligence, shepherding prowess, and a mellow temperament. They were natural protectors and fierce defenders of their flock. The experiment was an exploration of the possibilities of ranching while maintaining the existence of wolves and other predators. The numbers of these natural predators were quickly dwindling, as the ranchers exterminated them.

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Despite robust general health, they recommend several health screenings for breeds due to potential predispositions to certain conditions. Berger d'Auvergne. Wikimedia Commons Wikiquote. This active approach ensures that you bring home a healthy and happy pup while discouraging unethical breeding practices. Consider whether you have the time and patience for a dog who needs a lot of grooming. It is very difficult, if not impossible to establish a strong attachment to livestock after being raised in a family setting. Shorter periods of free running or play are best while young, and shorter walks on leash to prevent them from running off are also good. Maremma Sheepdogs only need baths if they get into something messy. Conversely, certain dogs may pose greater difficulties, particularly for first-time owners. Foto di testa di un orso marsicano italiano.

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Un pastore abruzzese al lavoro a protezione del gregge di ovini, il tradizionale cane da guardiani italiano. Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog. Careful and clever motivation are required to encourage the Maremma to work with their person, as they are intelligent and independent, bred to make their own decisions. Sure, some dogs breeds first bred for working independently may not immediately gravitate towards other dogs, but early socialization plays a lot more into how dogs will interact than their origin. Australian Koolie. Carbyn, S. Lacy Dog. Please try again or come back a little later. Breeders report a high proportion of animals are sold for flock protection. Sweetpea — the tiniest dog to ever grace Puppy Bowl — passed away at just four months old. The Maremma does not welcome visitors and those with the experience to live with this breed will understand the importance of safely managing their dog so that accidents cannot occur. You can find a great jacket for your dog here! Another peculiarity of this breed is the difficulty in mating due to extreme hierarchical thinking. This is a dog who enjoys long periods of quiet exercise.