The snow-white beauty of the Maremma-Abruzzi Shepherd (also called “Italian”) is the decoration of any exhibition. A breed was formed in Italy, where this dog grazed sheep, defended the herd from predators. Several quick-witted dogs could very well replace the shepherd. Today, the Italian Shepherd can act as both a pet and an incorruptible guardian of property, a friend for children and adolescents, a tireless companion for its owners.
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Breed description
The very appearance of the Maremma-Abruzzo Shepherd speaks of strength and power. This dog is able to stand up for itself and for its owner. Like most breeds, males are larger and more massive than bitches. They can reach 73 cm at the withers, but their weight is relatively small - about 45 kg. This allows an adult to restrain a dog, to control it in the process of training, which is very convenient. Bitches can reach 68 cm at the withers and weigh up to 40 kg. In the vast majority of cases, maremma's coat is white, but beige and yellowish colors are not considered a defect.
If the question arises: who to choose, male or female, you should know that males are more impressive, they embodied the advantages of the breed. A dog is ready to work throughout the year, while a bitch during pregnancy, childbirth and raising puppies will not be able to perform the usual duties. However, the psyche of a bitch is more plastic, she adapts better to a person. In some cases experienced dog handlers advise men to get males, and girls - bitches, as more flexible and manageable.
Origin history
Maremma Shepherd Dog - Shepherds Dog. It is necessary to emphasize the difference with wolfhounds. Shepherd dogs primarily help to graze the herd, manage it: collect sheep or other cattle, drive them to a new place. The purpose of the wolfhounds is to protect the herd from predators.
Maremma dates back to time immemorial. Such dogs accompanied the nomad tribes.
Later, tireless shepherds guarded flocks belonging to the Romans. Descriptions of powerful dogs with snow-white hair are found in documents that historians date back to the 1st century A.D.
Even then, the Romans learned to protect their faithful helpers from wolves. The most vulnerable place in dogs is the throat, which is used by predators. Wide collars with metal spikes guarded the dogs protecting the flocks from wolf teeth.
Even in antiquity, great importance was given to the weight of a shepherd dog. It had to be heavy and powerful enough to engage in a fight with the wolf, but at the same time - light enough to tirelessly accompany farm animals all day long.
The white shepherd, a smart assistant of the person became the pride of Italy. The first cynological club in the country appeared at the beginning of the 20th century, and the breed standard was soon described. It was finally specified after about 4 decades.
Representatives of other countries began to buy puppies of the Maremma-Abruzzi shepherd dogs. And the great Konrad Loren, an unsurpassed expert on animals, announced that there were no better guards than maremma, spawn.
The nature and behavior of the Maremma-Abruck Shepherd Dog
It is extremely interesting to observe the manifestations of the character of a dog of this breed. It is recommended that you take the maremma to the person who has already raised animals, since it can be difficult for a newcomer to understand the dominant dog, who is the undisputed leader in the "human pack". After all, one wants to caress the white fluffy puppy and fulfill all his wishes.
It should be remembered that the maremma is a shepherd dog; for centuries, representatives of the breed often had to make decisions themselves.
In the family, the dog is strong, and the bitch, by cunning, will also try to seize the palm.
Shepherd will perceive children and other domestic animals as wards, which she needs to guard. Accordingly, she will try to control their behavior. Shepherd dogs lightly bite livestock by their legs, prompting them to go astray. Maremma really does not like family walks if “her people” wander around the park or the forest. In an accessible way to her, she will try to bring everyone together.
But with such a dog as a maremma, you can be calm about your cats, hamsters, rabbits and birds: everything related to the owner’s property is untouchable for the dog.
There are cases when the Maremma-Abruzzo shepherd had to protect the herd from the bear, the dog attacked and retreated, without waiting for the shepherd's command. So, if it seems to your maremma that you gave her a “stupid” order, she will try to do her own thing. This dog needs a steady hand!
Breed standard and puppy selection
According to the standard, the Maremma-Abruzzo Shepherd Dog should look like this:
- she has a large massive head, with a smooth transition from forehead to muzzle - this is similar to a bear;
- eyes have an amygdala, eyelids are black;
- the nose is also black;
- lips are dry;
- scissor bite;
- ears are hanging. Working dogs are often stopped. Along with the throat, ears are a vulnerable spot for predators;
- the back of the maremma is wide and strong;
- the tail, overgrown with hair, never rises high;
- dense coat with undercoat allows the dog to tolerate any temperature - protects the skin from heat and warms maremma in cold weather. Undemanding to the conditions of detention - a mandatory quality for a shepherd dog.
Maremma is hardy, can travel tens of kilometers a day, accompanying a herd.
Since in Russia this breed belongs to the category of rare, it is worthwhile to carefully consider the choice of a puppy. With proper care, the pet will be with you for many years, so you should not be disappointed.
It is undesirable to take a puppy from hand, according to an ad in a newspaper, especially on the market. Even if you are shown to your mother and convinced that her offspring will grow the same - this is not a guarantee. It is best to contact nurseries, professional breeders. There you can see both parents - a dog and a bitch, get tips on raising a puppy, and consult on all issues that remain unclear to you.
Together with the puppy you should get a veterinary passport (vaccination data has been entered in it), metric (“puppy”), and, possibly, a certificate of chipping.
Regarding the choice itself. It is possible that some of the puppies are already reserved, and you have to choose from the rest. It is desirable that the breeder at the breeder puppy no more than once a year, and litters were small.
A healthy puppy has clear eyes, the coat is in good condition, and the stomach is not swollen. The kid is interested in others. There is a trick to assess the temperament of the future dog. You can drop something on the floor - a book, a bunch of keys, more cowardly puppies will rush to the side, and those who are bolder will come to see what has fallen.
And finally, don’t even take a healthy puppy if you just didn’t like it. Continue to watch other litters, look for “your” dog.
Features of keeping a dog
Maremma can become a true friend of the family, but never fit the role of a pampered pet. It is best to keep it for those who have their own house with a garden. But in this case, the four-pet can not be kept on the chain. He must have the ability to run.
The back of a “sitting up” dog will inevitably sag, the character will deteriorate. It will be difficult to even communicate with such a pet, not to mention participating in exhibitions.
It should be remembered that a long-haired dog will molt. You will have to get special combs. It is impossible to be lazy to the owner: the beautiful snow-white wool will get knitted in the trunks that will have to be cut - the dog will look far less beautiful.
If the maremma is kept in a city apartment, you need to walk with it, and devote enough time to this so that the dog receives the necessary physical activity. Evening walks should last at least one and a half hours. It is unacceptable to take the shepherd out onto the street only so that she “goes to the toilet”. The dog will spend unspent energy against your home: it will chew on furniture, things, tear wallpaper. This is especially true for puppies and young animals.
Care, health, feeding
Caring for the Maremma-Abruzzo Shepherd Dog requires some effort:
The dog is combed twice a week. Those dogs that are kept on the street have a distinctly molted period. It occurs twice a year. If the maremma lives in the apartment, it can molt constantly.
The owner will need not only combs, but also a pooder. But socks and medical belts can be knitted from dog hair - they help with radiculitis, arthritis, arthrosis.
Bathing Maremma is recommended twice a year. But, of course, you will wash your dirty paws more often. Since representatives of this breed are very physically strong - it is better to accustom them to hygienic procedures from childhood.
The eyes and ears of the dog are regularly wiped with cotton swabs, cleansing from secretions. If inflammation occurs, consult a veterinarian.
The puppy is vaccinated according to age. Be sure to protect your pet from plague, parvovirus enteritis, rabies. Dogs are also treated for parasites - fleas and ticks, give them anthelmintic drugs.
The shepherd dog breed is unpretentious in food. Shepherd dogs do not need to give junk food. However, the food should be fresh, prepared specifically for the animal.It is unacceptable to feed the maremma with leftover food from the master table.
If you decide to stay on dry feed, let them be premium. This is a guarantee that your pet will receive all the substances he needs. Cheap food - if the dog eats it for a long time - can cause the development of a number of diseases.
An alternative is to feed the dog with natural food. This will require more effort from the owner. The diet should include cereals, vegetables, meat, fish, cottage cheese, etc. Naturally, you do not need to buy expensive beef or pork tenderloin, scars and other offal are quite suitable. The main thing is that they are fresh.
Tubular bones are a great danger to the dog - under no circumstances should they fall into a bowl.
The puppy is fed 6 times a day, the adult shepherd - 2 times. It is advisable to use a stand for a bowl: this helps to form a good posture in the dog.
You can not leave food next to the dog for the whole day. As soon as the pet has eaten and left, the bowl is removed. The next time you feed, you can slightly reduce the serving. However, the dog should have access to water around the clock.
Parenting and training
Although stubbornness is an integral quality of this breed - it is necessary to train a Maremma-Abruzzi dog. Otherwise, with such a strong pet, you will not escape trouble.
First of all, the puppy should get to know your family's daily routine. Animals are scary conservatives. And having understood for himself what’s what, the shepherd dog will adhere to this routine. Of course, babies sleep more than adult dogs. It must be ensured that the pet is not disturbed by rest, especially for children.
But the rest should be strict so that the animal does not form bad habits. Climbing onto a bed or an armchair, begging food from the table, jumping onto the owner, biting his hands - all this should be prohibited. Once you give relief, and the dog will certainly take advantage of this again.
It’s good if you have the opportunity to train your Maremma OKD (general course of training) and ZKS (protective and guard service). Do it better under the guidance of an instructor. In any case, the dog needs to know the “basic” commands: “To Me”, “Sit”, “Lie”, “Place”, “Nearby”, “Voice”, etc.
The shepherd must undergo socialization, especially if he lives in the city: to walk intently along the noisy streets next to you, put up with a leash and a muzzle, and calmly react to other animals.
It is important not to allow your pet to dominate.
If your maremma is trying to protect its food, growls at the owner, attacks him for “wrong behavior” - the reaction should be immediate and harsh. Experienced dog breeders call it a soft starter - the first hit. Even if you are a very kind person, in the case of a dog’s claim to leadership, gentleness should not be shown. You do not want to feed your pet “off the shovel” in the future, that is, to be afraid to approach him. A dog that has burrowed should be sharply put in place.
Pros and cons of the maremma breed
This breed has both its pros and cons. It is worth starting from the first.
The advantages of the Maremma-Abruzzo Shepherd Dog are:
- Security qualities.
- Mind and intellect.
- Spectacular appearance.
- Unpretentiousness.
- Loyal attitude to children and pets.
By cons include:
- Incredulity to those whom the shepherd has not known since childhood.
- Dominant qualities.
- Stubbornness.
- Strong molt.
The life expectancy of a dog of this breed with good care is 12 years or more. All this time, a faithful friend and helper should be next to you, and not a capricious and uncontrollable creature. Take your time and educate your dog correctly. Then all the wonderful qualities inherent in this breed will be revealed to you.
