Italian Sheepdog (Maremma): the size, character, photo, reviews

Italian Sheepdog Maremma – one of the oldest breeds on Earth. Only enthusiastic dog owners know how significant the pure blood of the animal, what impact certain changes in the gene pool, how much effort and resources is required sometimes from breeders to maintain all the necessary qualities. It is interesting that this trouble practically bypassed the white shepherd from Italy.

The History

More than 2000 years, if not longer, lives on almost unchanged, large, proud and incredibly beautiful breed of dog, the Maremma. A number of researchers have reason to believe that animals are descended from the heights of Tibet with the ancient Aryans and migrated to the Italian territories with nomadic peoples, vyasemski cattle. Flocks of sheep and other livestock requiring protection from the encroachments of man and wild beast got these dogs as the best defenders.

The same archetypal with such breeds as the great Pyrenees, Moscow watchdog (Tatra), the Hungarian kuvasz, the Slovakian chuvach, Greek (Hellenic) shepherd, Italian shepherd still significantly stands out as an independent character and special intelligence. Called herding breed, no doubt, had progenitors, which are considered prehistoric bronze dog (canis matris optimae familiarie), who became the first wolfhounds.

Since the XVII century, the Maremma were portrayed in the paintings, describing the hunt. Studying Italian and French paintings, you can see that they took a wild boar, a bear, a lynx.

About the breed

Inhabitants of two Italian regions of Maremma (sea facing) and Abruzzo (mountain district) has been a long controversy as to the ownership of this breed. Emotional altercation it was agreed to pacify, taking the breed a double name – maremmano of abrutzky shepherd. Herds were regularly driven along the ground, and the dogs gradually formed under the influence of climatic and landscape conditions of the two territories. In 1958, the was adopted a full breed standard with its thorough description.

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According to the classification of the International canine Federation (FCI), an Italian Sheepdog (name in full sounds like maremmano-the Abruzzi) belongs to the group of “Herding and cattle dogs, except Swiss cattle dogs" in the section “Shepherd”.

Italian Sheepdog Maremma sizes is considerable. So, males are larger than females and reach a growth of 73 cm and 45 kg in weight. Females less – to 68 cm, and easier – up to 40 lbs. Easily and the riser helps the dogs to perform all ordained functions. Life expectancy – about 13 years.

The Muzzle should not be long, rather wide and short, reminiscent of the snout of a polar bear. Dark nose, lips and paw pads. Ears are not cropped and have a triangular shape with a length of 12 cm.

A Thorough inspection and maintenance shall be the eyes, ears, claws and paw pads. They need to be regularly cleaned and kept in order.

For the dogs white, allowed parts of ivory, light lemon or orange hue.

Translucent hard hair on the body and tail reaches a length of 8 cm, on the head – short. The neck fur is growing abundantly, forming a tight collar. Is a kind of barrier against bites at the weak spot. For centuries the shepherds wore Maremma collars with spikes as additional protection.

The Coat of white shepherd dogs can be slightly wavy, but in any case not curly. This is not a fad and not a principle but a necessity. Thus, air, strongly curly hair will not be able to protect the inner is thick (especially in winter) the undercoat from getting wet in rain and snowfall. Shivering, the dog will be forced to leave the herd and to dry off. As well as in the heat – a loose coat will miss the hot air to the skin and bring the dog down. She will have to find a shade for cooling. And in the absence of the Maremma "on duty" may be irreparable. The good this breed that combines a number of amazing, very reasonable natural qualities bred for thousands of years.

An Interesting fact is that dirt does not stay on the white fur of dogs. Once dry, she showered, without requiring additional care. Probably this effect is due to the thin coating of hair sebum. Of course, the owner needs to comb out the thick fur of a pet at least 1-2 times a month. For show dogs, these procedures are performed more often.

Shedding dogs of this breed 1-2 times a year. Before a molt, you can bathe the dog, then the process will be faster. Again, demonstration individuals bathe more often. It is important to note that the coat of these dogs are virtually odorless and hypoallergenic.

Italian Sheepdog Maremma: nature

According to the temperament of the dog rather sanguine: active, easily excited. In this case, the brake functions arise slower than excitatory, which is normal for its functions.

Italian shepherd – the breed is extremely cautious. The dog may not be suitable to the owner, if near a stranger. She would not eat unfamiliar food from the earth and won't take treats from strangers hands. Moreover, even from the owners to take with caution, and even at all will refuse from food at the wrong time.

In everyday life, dogs are very calm, almost never the instigators of fights neither among themselves nor with other animals.

Interestingly, in the USA the breed was recognized as the best in terms of intelligence and physical strength.

Relationship with family members and other Pets

Italian shepherd chooses one of the owner partner, but docile and with other family members, including children, which it loves.

A man these dogs are kept on a par, don't consider him higher than myself and not cringe before the master. Submission and obedience is not in their blood. You must earn the respect and acceptance of Maremm. In communication the owner should give the pet more freedom and allowed to do what he wants.

This, of course, much in the nature of Maremma depends on education. If you need the shepherd or watchman, the approach will be the one if you want a dog for show and breeding, – quite different.

This shepherd dog tolerant of other dogs and even gets along with cats.

The Education of a white shepherd

With the Maremma needs a lot to do. At the same time in a pair of pedigree qualities reveal brighter, and manage two specimens much easier. Often dogs can teach each other useful skills, competing in quality of performance.

With the training they need to be highly motivated. The Maremma will not be infinitely long to execute the same command, if you do not see the point. Learned skills she won't forget, and the new job will take willingly.

She would not bring the ball or stick an adult. Another thing a child. The dog will be happy to entertain him doing that. Even children of the Maremma takes great love and patience, allowing you to play with yourself and all sorts of squeeze.

If the kids start bickering and fighting, dogs are trying to calm them down and separate. Not recorded cases of bites are children, i.e. shepherds can be safely considered an excellent nurse.

Maremma will not accept aggression and violence in his address as a disciplinary action. On the contrary, so it is possible to push away a dog, then it will be very difficult to regain credibility and her trust. It is also impossible to plant Italian shepherd dog on a chain or in a cage – it will cause rejection and isolation of the animal.

Maremma – a brilliant guard

When performing security functions, the priority of a trained dog will give host defense, and secondarily to protect the territory entrusted to it.

Shepherd knows how many people is under her immediate care, so if, for example, while walking, someone from children will fall behind the rest of the group or lost sight of, the Maremma will not budge until the stragglers will not appear on the horizon.

In recent years, the Italian Sheepdog Maremma feedback is quite positive and as a bodyguard. The kidnappers are extremely difficult to approach the person, if close to the Maremma. Italian shepherd dog (photo to prove it) looks elegant, while it inspires fear and respect.

The breed – innate qualities of responsibility and integrity, as well as a good adaptability to the new environment.

Care and Maintenance

Maremmano-Abruzzi Sheepdog has no place in the labyrinths of the city streets. It requires the open fields and hillsides, in the absence of which will fit in the whole countryside.

Contain the Maremma in the apartment is possible only on condition that prolonged daily, at least 3-5 hours of walking in the fresh air. From 3-4 months, puppies should begin to run slow trot up to 2 km per day. 5-6 months it is already possible to walk the dog, riding beside her on a 5-6 mile bike ride daily. This is extremely important for strengthening of musculoskeletal system, joints and muscles of the animal.

Food to dogs

Feeding puppies up to 11 months should not occur less than 6 times a day. With age, the number of meals you need to reduce to 2-3 times.

It is Important to share the feeding with dry food (preferably premium) and a natural diet. The latter include low-fat raw or scalded meat, cereals (buckwheat, rice), vegetables, containing no starch, unsweetened fruit, protein and dairy products. Mandatory vitamin supplements.

Banned for all animals – smoked, sweet, salty and spicy food.

The Health of the Maremma

White shepherd, Italian pedigree that has virtually no flaws, not prone to any diseases. As prophylaxis, however, should be cleaned from parasites. And to vaccinate healthy puppies from six weeks of age.

Selecting a puppy

When choosing a puppy be sure to learn as much as possible about his parents, especially his mother. It is known that more than 70% of the gene pool is transferred to the kid from her. Be sure that eyes were dark color, with a minimal yellow tinge, and even at all without it. Head, like everything else, must conform to the standard.

Unlike many other breeds, puppies acquire the adult coloration with time, kids Maremma dogs are born white.

Before you purchase a baby you can visit dog shows to meet all the breeders, to find contacts of veterinarians and dog trainers, people familiar with the peculiarities of this breed. Specialists should help in the selection and further careanimals.

The Price of a puppy can vary from 30 to 70 thousand rubles. the price affects the exterior of the dog, its breed, correct lines, the titles of the parents.

Working with herds

Future working dogs need to give up not later than 32 days old. If up to this point they won't see a herd, we need a merge will not happen. It is noticed that the sheep are not afraid of the white dogs, probably mistaking them for kin.

When working with a herd of dogs work as partners, co-ordinating security and regulatory activities. Someone who heads the flock, someone structures and generates the structure of the herd, lying on its perimeter. Incredibly smart dog keenly watching everything going on, nothing losing sight of. In the event of an extraordinary situation, the immediate reaction often does not require the presence and intervention of man. Maremma are responsible for making decisions and quickly implement them.

Having light bone structure, long body and strong muscles, being extremely hardy, an Italian Sheepdog will constantly reflect the attacks of a herd of even larger predators. When the dogs chase the wolf from the flock, one always remains to the sheep, and another is hiding among them. The case when brought to the United States dog stoically drove a grizzly bear trying to steal the sheep. White dog blended in with a soft woolen coats charges and re-appeared exactly in the place where he was stalking a thief. Having multiple back, the bear retreated, and the shepherd kept the flock intact.

It is said that to strengthen the relationship of the dog with the sheep, a newborn puppy is applied to the sheep's udder to unite these animals and make a family. Moreover, the endurance and patience of the Maremma is confirmed by another surprising observation. After the birth of a lamb, the dog will only then allow yourself to approach and eat placenta, when the mother will take the baby to the side. Any intervention in the first hours of the privacy of the parent to the child, the dog does not allow it.

Maremma does not bite the sheep, but blocks their way, causing the herd to change the trajectory as needed.

Not tired, enduring cold and heat, wind and rain, the crossings for considerable distances, overcoming changes in landscape elevation, an Italian Sheepdog miraculously finds new strength to fulfill a debt.