Maremma Sheepdog
- Large
- FCI Group 1 (Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs)
The Maremma Sheepdog is a large Italian livestock guardian, strong and protective, with deep loyalty to its family. Bred to watch flocks against wolves and bears, it pairs an alert, courageous nature with real affection at home.
- Height
- 23 to 29
- inches at the shoulder
- Weight
- 66 to 100
- pounds, adult
- Life expectancy
- 10 to 14
- years, median 12
- Senior from
- 9
- years, about
Senior starts in the last quarter of a breed's expected lifespan, following the 2019 AAHA canine life stage guidelines. Individual dogs vary.
About the breed
- Origin
- Italy
- Recognized
- 1956
The Maremma Sheepdog is a large livestock guardian with strong protective instincts and deep loyalty to its family. It stands about 23 to 29 inches tall and weighs roughly 66 to 100 pounds, strong and muscular with a rustic look and a lively, attentive expression.
Intelligence, alertness, courage, and attentiveness support livestock-guardian work. Maremmas are devoted and affectionate, and they do best in homes where they can both work and join in family life. Maremma Sheepdogs use size and barking to deter threats and may be wary of strangers. They are poorly suited to apartments.
The Maremma is an ancient working breed that traces its origins to the Tibetan Mastiff. The Cane da pastore Maremmano-Abruzzese, the dogs of the shepherds of Maremmano and Abruzzese, appeared in Roman literature more than 2,000 years ago, protecting sheep and goats from predators like wolves and bears in their native Abruzzi and Maremma, Italy.
Originally two separate breeds, the Pastore Abruzzese and the Pastore Maremmano crossbred while moving flocks seasonally, and the Italian National Dog Association later unified them into a single breed, recognized in 1956. The first Maremmas reached the United States in the 1970s as part of a ten-year research project on livestock guardians, which placed more than 1,000 dogs across 37 states and helped revive the traditional practice of using guardian dogs for flock protection.
Care
The routines that matter most for this breed. Open one at a time.
Nutrition
Age, size and calorie needs all belong in an individual feeding plan for a Maremma Sheepdog. An ideal body weight is the target when deciding how much to serve. Fresh water should be provided each day.
Extra care is required during the first year: total calories and mineral intake should not be excessive, and calcium must remain appropriately balanced with phosphorus. Dividing the day's food into two or more smaller meals is recommended.
Grooming
Maremmas carry thick hair, but the breed does not need extensive grooming. Brush the coat at least once a week to prevent matting. During the spring and fall shedding seasons, daily brushing helps clear the dead hair.
Bathe a Maremma only when it gets into something messy. Clean the ears regularly and trim the nails to prevent cracking, splitting, and painful overgrowth.
Provide regular dental care with at-home teeth brushing and professional cleanings.
Exercise
More than two hours of exercise per day is the general breed guideline for a Maremma Sheepdog. Daily care should combine physical activity with enrichment and regular human contact.
The breed also needs ample outdoor space in which to express its natural behavior. Its routine should include a protective function each day, centered on a territory or animals.
Training
Maremmas need consistent training from a young age to grow into well-mannered dogs. The smart, eager-to-please Maremma responds to positive reinforcement and rewards rather than harsh techniques as it masters basic commands and learns new tricks. Pack your patience, since guardian breeds think for themselves.
Early socialization is essential. It helps these dogs temper their guarding instincts and feel more comfortable around strangers and unfamiliar situations.
Health conditions
4 conditions are documented for the Maremma Sheepdog.
A predisposition is not a diagnosis. Ask your vet which screenings make sense for your dog's age.
- Congenital MacrothrombocytopeniaBlood
- Heat-related illness (including heatstroke)Metabolic
- Retinal DysplasiaEye
- Urate Kidney & Bladder StonesUrinary & Reproductive
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