About Maremma Sheepdogs
Maremma FAQ
Q1. What is a "Livestock Guardian Dog"?
A: Livestock Guardian Dog (LGD) breeds were probably among the first dogs to be domesticated. They originated in Europe and Asia, where they have been used for centuries to protect livestock from predators. Each breed was developed based on the needs of the Shepherd in regards to the geography of the land, climate, flock species, demographics (remote vs rural), guarding duties, etc; all of which attributed to the individual breeds temperament, conformation, coat, behavior and character.
Q2. What is the difference between LGD breeds?
A: Other than a breeds physical appearance (coat, color, etc), a range of temperaments can also be found within LGD breeds, and within individuals of a breed as well. Some are better suited as remote pasture guardians where a daily routine is very constant, while others are good in situations where there is a high degree of activity and variety.
Q3. Why are LGD's "different" from other breeds of dogs?
A: These dogs have a unique temperament - and it is not so much that they display behaviors that are different to other breeds of dogs - as it is that they DO NOT display behaviors that so many other breeds of dogs do.
They were developed to be a partner, not a servant or a pet, of man. To perform their duty of protecting the flock from a variety of predators, and at times alone and without human guidance or instruction, a LGD had to be able to make decisions on his own, to be a "self thinker". This required the dog to be extremely intelligent, but also very independent.
Most other breeds of dogs were bred and selected to perform tasks for their owners - from herding dogs which helped move herds where the owner wanted them moved, to hunting dogs that flushed, chased and retrieved at the owners command. All of these tasks, or jobs, required the dog to do what the owner wanted, to pay attention to the owner and look to the owner for directions and respond to commands.
Whereas a Labrador Retriever or a Doberman Pinscher will willingly and happily sit repeatedly at their owners command, a LGD does not see that repeated commands to sit are reasonable, and therefore, why should he do them over and over? That is not to say that you cannot teach your LGD to sit, or have your LGD sit on command - just do not expect the slavish devotion you may have witnessed from other, non LGD, breeds.
Q4. What makes a Maremma Sheepdog different from other LGD breeds?
A: When I started to research Livestock Guardian Dog breeds, I began to put together a list of traits for each breed, both positive and negative.
Certain breeds have a tendency to be roamers, wanting to constantly check and expand their boundaries (which for a dog, can be as far as they can see!). Some you have to have special fencing just to keep them in. A few breeds were definitely more suited to large ranges where few strangers would ever be encountered. Others barked ALOT more than I was comfortable with, and some have so much hair, a person might want to consider using it for spinning :), or so little I would worry about their ability to withstand our cold and snowy Idaho winters.
Slowly, my choices started to narrow themselves down until I was finally left with just one breed - the Maremma Sheepdog, which had all the qualities I was looking for, and was less prone to the ones I was not!
Maremma generally prefer to stay close to their flocks versus roaming their boundaries, they are considered "close-in" or nurturing guardians.
They do need a secure fence, as do all LGDs, but are not normally fence fighters or jumpers. They are, as a breed, usually not as aggressive as some other LGD breeds can be, and though they still are mistrustful and aloof with strangers, to the point of blocking their entry with their bodies or giving warning barks, once their masters have indicated that the new person is welcome, most will allow the person entry and some may even be friendly with them.
They also are not out-of-control barkers, barking at every little thing that is different in their environment... like a leaf falling from the tree or the wind blowing against a loose shutter. However, they still do bark more than many other breeds because it is their first warning to all things that are not allowed in their territory - telling predators they are on duty! And finally, they have more manageable coats than some of the other LGD breeds - they shed out nicely in the spring to carry a light summer coat protecting them from the sun, heat and insects, and build up a fluffy, thick, winter coat sufficient to keep them warm and dry during harsh, inclement weather.
All of which, to me, seemed perfect for a small farm or ranch where there is less range, more activity, and more two-legged visitors!
Q5. How do you pronounce the name?
A: 'Mare' as it is pronounced for a female horse, and 'Emma' as it is pronounced for a girl's name.
Q6. What is the most important thing about a Maremma Sheepdog that must be completely understood by anyone considering getting one as a pet?
A: The Maremma will guard and defend his family (pack) and his property (territory), even if his owner does not want him to. Maremmas have an inborn sense of responsibility for what they have to do: which is the guarding and defense of their property, be this a herd, people, territory or home, virtually anything that needs protection.
Understanding the behavior of the Maremma Sheepdog is the key to success in raising a puppy to be an effective livestock guardian, or to integrating a Maremma into your family, and dealing with issues that can arise as a puppy matures.
The most serious draw-back is behavioral. Maremma Sheepdogs have been selected for millennia to act independently. They protect their property and charges without commands from people. Therefore, if they don't respect the people they live with, or if they have reason to believe the children/animals in their family might be in danger, Maremmas may bite people or animals.
Any dog that weighs almost a 100 pounds at maturity is likely to present behavioral problems to those who don't know how to raise and train a dog, maintaining fair and firm discipline. This is true of all breeds, but is amplified in guardian breeds. The bottom line is, you've got to know what you are doing if you decide to get a livestock guardian breed.
Q7. Do Maremma Sheepdogs bark alot?
A: Yes. One of the integral parts of guarding behavior is barking. If you are worried about how neighbors will react to your livestock guardian dog's barking, you may want to help them understand how LGDs work and the job the dog is doing. The Maremma will bark at anything new, unusual or out of the ordinary or at anything that could be dangerous or threatening. To let predators know that the dog is on duty protecting its property and livestock, some livestock guardian dogs will frequently bark at intervals, notably during nighttime hours. Our Maremma patrol bark at dusk and dawn, with occasional barking periodically through the night.
Q8. How long does a Maremma Sheepdog live?
A: A Maremma can live up to 10 - 14 years. New owners should be prepared, willing and able to provide a home for the lifetime of the dog.
Q9. How big do Maremmas get?
A: A male weighs between 75-100 pounds and can reach 29 inches at the shoulder. A female weighs between 65-90 pounds and can be up to 27 inches at the shoulder. Many get much larger.
Maremmas are big, strong dogs. You need to consider if you will be able to handle such a big dog, especially a large, rambunctious, playful puppy that can easily knock down a smaller person or a child just by accidentally bumping into them.
Q10. Do Maremmas shed alot?
A: Yes, Maremmas have a dense under coat that sheds out twice a year in the spring and the fall. Shedding can be quite profuse! A good brushing during shedding times helps release loose hair and prevent mats from forming.
Q11. Do they dig?
A: Yes, they love to dig holes in the cool earth on warm summer days, and can compete with excavators at moving dirt!
Q12. Do Maremma Sheepdogs have any health problems?
A: Yes. Because Maremma's are large dogs, they can have a predisposition to Canine
Hip and Elbow Dysplasia. All dogs intended for breeding should have their hips tested after they reach 2 years of age, and only those that do not have hip dysplasia should be used for breeding. All dogs, regardless of breed, can be subject to hereditary eye disease. Like many of the deep-chested breeds, Maremmas can get bloat, so it is recommended to control this by feeding 2 or more smaller meals per day instead of one large one. They can be sensitive to anesthesia, which should be administered only to affect, not by body weight. Care needs to be taken with flea and tick sprays because so much can remain in the dog's heavy coat, which can cause toxic overdose.
Q13. Is socialization important for Maremmas?
A: Yes! Because of the Maremma Sheepdogs instinctual guarding nature, proper socialization is even more important than more complaisant breeds. We start the socialization process by introducing the puppy to new and varied stimulus here at the Ranch - different surfaces, toys, sounds, animals, people, and activities, etc. We believe that providing a varied and stimulating environment builds confidence in a dog, which leads to good judgement; and remember, we want our LGD to be able to judge between "normal and safe" and threatening. We let people come visit the puppies with a proper introduction and supervised controlled interaction (only encouraging and allowing acceptable behaviors).
Q14. Do Maremma Sheepdogs make a good family pet?
A: The Maremma Sheepdog Club of America does NOT recommend the Maremma as a pet. The Maremma actually never considers itself a 'pet'. It is a working dog, with 2000 years of genetic background of livestock guardianship behind it, and it needs a job to keep it occupied.
If it is to be in the house with a family, it must be temperament-tested and heavily socialized from the time it is a small puppy. A puppy should be outgoing and friendly with everyone, but its rowdy behavior needs controlling; after all, a 10 month old puppy may weigh 100 pounds! It must also get used to meeting strangers. By the time it is two years old, it will be less outgoing with strangers, and may even decide it doesn't want ANY stranger to touch it, its master, or its property.
To limit this future possessiveness, you must get your dog used to being handled by many friendly strangers when it is very young, and KEEP AT IT. But even then, you must personally introduce your dog to all new strangers who enter its territory (your home and property), and you may have to be present each time that they return.
Q15. How are Maremmas with children?
A: Maremmas love babies and small children. With older children or adolescents, they will react very negatively to anything they construe as teasing, and they object to strange children being physical with THEIR children. As with all dogs, young children must be supervised at all times with your dogs. You cannot intervene or prevent if you are not there. We recommend that if you have other children visiting and playing with your children, you put your Maremma in a secure place like their crate or in a closed room so that the playful squeals and movements are not mistaken as your children being harmed.
Q16. What kinds of animals can Maremmas guard?
A: I do not think there is anything that you can't bond your Maremma to! Maremma Sheepdogs have been used for sheep, goats, camelids (alpacas, llamas), poultry, horses, ratites (ostriches, emus, rheas), swine, cattle - they are even being used to guard a colony of Little Penguins in Australia and Reindeer in Alaska! Here at Black Alder we start the social process with a variety of livestock - goats, chickens, turkeys, pigs, cows, cats and other dogs - so that our Maremma puppies will be able to bond with a variety of livestock in both a small farm or ranch setting, as well as a larger operation.
Q17. What kind of fencing do you need?
A: Fencing is critical, and a few electric wires may contain your stock, but many LGDs will just take the shock and run through the fence to make sure a predator leaves the a area. Secure fencing is a must to safely contain your livestock guardian dog. Are you on or near a busy highway or road? Guardian dogs often view strange vehicles as intruders, and thus are prone to getting run over if fences are inadequate and they get out. Some LGDs escort strange vehicles off, or past, the property they guard. We recommend 4 foot tall field fencing.
Q18. Are you prepared to devote up to two years of time to properly introduce and supervise your new livestock guardian dog puppy?
A: Introducing and supervising a puppy can be very time consuming. Some cannot be unsupervised with stock until they are nearing 2 years of age or even older, though most are solid guardians much younger than that. However, we intensively supervise and correct them until they are mature and trustworthy.
Livestock guardian dogs must have supervision and training. You cannot just throw them out with the stock and expect to have the puppy become a perfect guardian without guidance from either you or another mature, trustworthy LGD. This means supervised interaction with the stock every day, several times a day if possible, where you can correct any unwanted behavior and praise appropriate behavior.
Puppies are puppies and many LGDs fail because people think they need no guidance or that they can adequately guard livestock at 2 or 3 months of age. Puppies will play with stock (much as they would their litter-mates) which could involve the puppy chasing the stock, chewing ears, tails or legs, etc. If you are unprepared to supervise the puppy yourself or if you do not have a mature LGD to provide guidance and training, this could lead to disaster. There are often several stages for misbehaviors (usually ten weeks, 4-6 months, 11-13 months and sometimes at 18 months) where closer supervision is especially important.
Q19. What are 12 reasons NOT to get a Maremma Sheepdog?
A:
1. If you require instant, unquestioned obedience to commands by your dog, don't get a Maremma.
2. If you do not have generous amounts of time to spend supervising your puppy with your livestock for at least 2 years, don't get a Maremma.
3. If you live in cramped quarters, don't get a Maremma.
4. If you do not have securely fenced yard and/or pasture, don't get a Maremma.
5. If you do not think a LGD puppy needs supervision and guidance, don't get a Maremma.
6. If you cannot commit to the lifetime of the dog (up to 14+ years), don't get a Maremma.
7. If you have had trouble owning and managing any other breed of dog, don't get a Maremma.
8. If you are a person who doesn't like barking dogs or has neighbors who would object to a barking dog, don't get a Maremma.
9. If you cannot/will not supervise young children around your dog at all times, don't get a Maremma.
10. If you cannot live with lots of white dog hair on your clothes, don't get a Maremma.
11. If you are not prepared to properly introduce every person who comes to your home to your dog, every time, don't get a Maremma.
12. If you are a person who would find any of the Maremma characteristics to be a problem, DON'T GET A MAREMMA!
Q20. Why get a Maremma Sheepdog?
A: Maremma Sheepdogs have proved to be excellent working dogs under many conditions.* They excel in farm situations but can also be left with unattended flocks.
Maremmas have been proven affective against a variety of predators, including feral dogs. They have the ability to bond with a large assortment of livestock and can bond with several species simultaneously. If you are looking for the perfect Livestock Guardian Dog for your farm or ranch, a Maremma Sheepdog will provide safety and security of your flock or herd working with you in a partnership they have developed with man for more than 2000 years.
A: Livestock Guardian Dog (LGD) breeds were probably among the first dogs to be domesticated. They originated in Europe and Asia, where they have been used for centuries to protect livestock from predators. Each breed was developed based on the needs of the Shepherd in regards to the geography of the land, climate, flock species, demographics (remote vs rural), guarding duties, etc; all of which attributed to the individual breeds temperament, conformation, coat, behavior and character.
Q2. What is the difference between LGD breeds?
A: Other than a breeds physical appearance (coat, color, etc), a range of temperaments can also be found within LGD breeds, and within individuals of a breed as well. Some are better suited as remote pasture guardians where a daily routine is very constant, while others are good in situations where there is a high degree of activity and variety.
Q3. Why are LGD's "different" from other breeds of dogs?
A: These dogs have a unique temperament - and it is not so much that they display behaviors that are different to other breeds of dogs - as it is that they DO NOT display behaviors that so many other breeds of dogs do.
They were developed to be a partner, not a servant or a pet, of man. To perform their duty of protecting the flock from a variety of predators, and at times alone and without human guidance or instruction, a LGD had to be able to make decisions on his own, to be a "self thinker". This required the dog to be extremely intelligent, but also very independent.
Most other breeds of dogs were bred and selected to perform tasks for their owners - from herding dogs which helped move herds where the owner wanted them moved, to hunting dogs that flushed, chased and retrieved at the owners command. All of these tasks, or jobs, required the dog to do what the owner wanted, to pay attention to the owner and look to the owner for directions and respond to commands.
Whereas a Labrador Retriever or a Doberman Pinscher will willingly and happily sit repeatedly at their owners command, a LGD does not see that repeated commands to sit are reasonable, and therefore, why should he do them over and over? That is not to say that you cannot teach your LGD to sit, or have your LGD sit on command - just do not expect the slavish devotion you may have witnessed from other, non LGD, breeds.
Q4. What makes a Maremma Sheepdog different from other LGD breeds?
A: When I started to research Livestock Guardian Dog breeds, I began to put together a list of traits for each breed, both positive and negative.
Certain breeds have a tendency to be roamers, wanting to constantly check and expand their boundaries (which for a dog, can be as far as they can see!). Some you have to have special fencing just to keep them in. A few breeds were definitely more suited to large ranges where few strangers would ever be encountered. Others barked ALOT more than I was comfortable with, and some have so much hair, a person might want to consider using it for spinning :), or so little I would worry about their ability to withstand our cold and snowy Idaho winters.
Slowly, my choices started to narrow themselves down until I was finally left with just one breed - the Maremma Sheepdog, which had all the qualities I was looking for, and was less prone to the ones I was not!
Maremma generally prefer to stay close to their flocks versus roaming their boundaries, they are considered "close-in" or nurturing guardians.
They do need a secure fence, as do all LGDs, but are not normally fence fighters or jumpers. They are, as a breed, usually not as aggressive as some other LGD breeds can be, and though they still are mistrustful and aloof with strangers, to the point of blocking their entry with their bodies or giving warning barks, once their masters have indicated that the new person is welcome, most will allow the person entry and some may even be friendly with them.
They also are not out-of-control barkers, barking at every little thing that is different in their environment... like a leaf falling from the tree or the wind blowing against a loose shutter. However, they still do bark more than many other breeds because it is their first warning to all things that are not allowed in their territory - telling predators they are on duty! And finally, they have more manageable coats than some of the other LGD breeds - they shed out nicely in the spring to carry a light summer coat protecting them from the sun, heat and insects, and build up a fluffy, thick, winter coat sufficient to keep them warm and dry during harsh, inclement weather.
All of which, to me, seemed perfect for a small farm or ranch where there is less range, more activity, and more two-legged visitors!
Q5. How do you pronounce the name?
A: 'Mare' as it is pronounced for a female horse, and 'Emma' as it is pronounced for a girl's name.
Q6. What is the most important thing about a Maremma Sheepdog that must be completely understood by anyone considering getting one as a pet?
A: The Maremma will guard and defend his family (pack) and his property (territory), even if his owner does not want him to. Maremmas have an inborn sense of responsibility for what they have to do: which is the guarding and defense of their property, be this a herd, people, territory or home, virtually anything that needs protection.
Understanding the behavior of the Maremma Sheepdog is the key to success in raising a puppy to be an effective livestock guardian, or to integrating a Maremma into your family, and dealing with issues that can arise as a puppy matures.
The most serious draw-back is behavioral. Maremma Sheepdogs have been selected for millennia to act independently. They protect their property and charges without commands from people. Therefore, if they don't respect the people they live with, or if they have reason to believe the children/animals in their family might be in danger, Maremmas may bite people or animals.
Any dog that weighs almost a 100 pounds at maturity is likely to present behavioral problems to those who don't know how to raise and train a dog, maintaining fair and firm discipline. This is true of all breeds, but is amplified in guardian breeds. The bottom line is, you've got to know what you are doing if you decide to get a livestock guardian breed.
Q7. Do Maremma Sheepdogs bark alot?
A: Yes. One of the integral parts of guarding behavior is barking. If you are worried about how neighbors will react to your livestock guardian dog's barking, you may want to help them understand how LGDs work and the job the dog is doing. The Maremma will bark at anything new, unusual or out of the ordinary or at anything that could be dangerous or threatening. To let predators know that the dog is on duty protecting its property and livestock, some livestock guardian dogs will frequently bark at intervals, notably during nighttime hours. Our Maremma patrol bark at dusk and dawn, with occasional barking periodically through the night.
Q8. How long does a Maremma Sheepdog live?
A: A Maremma can live up to 10 - 14 years. New owners should be prepared, willing and able to provide a home for the lifetime of the dog.
Q9. How big do Maremmas get?
A: A male weighs between 75-100 pounds and can reach 29 inches at the shoulder. A female weighs between 65-90 pounds and can be up to 27 inches at the shoulder. Many get much larger.
Maremmas are big, strong dogs. You need to consider if you will be able to handle such a big dog, especially a large, rambunctious, playful puppy that can easily knock down a smaller person or a child just by accidentally bumping into them.
Q10. Do Maremmas shed alot?
A: Yes, Maremmas have a dense under coat that sheds out twice a year in the spring and the fall. Shedding can be quite profuse! A good brushing during shedding times helps release loose hair and prevent mats from forming.
Q11. Do they dig?
A: Yes, they love to dig holes in the cool earth on warm summer days, and can compete with excavators at moving dirt!
Q12. Do Maremma Sheepdogs have any health problems?
A: Yes. Because Maremma's are large dogs, they can have a predisposition to Canine
Hip and Elbow Dysplasia. All dogs intended for breeding should have their hips tested after they reach 2 years of age, and only those that do not have hip dysplasia should be used for breeding. All dogs, regardless of breed, can be subject to hereditary eye disease. Like many of the deep-chested breeds, Maremmas can get bloat, so it is recommended to control this by feeding 2 or more smaller meals per day instead of one large one. They can be sensitive to anesthesia, which should be administered only to affect, not by body weight. Care needs to be taken with flea and tick sprays because so much can remain in the dog's heavy coat, which can cause toxic overdose.
Q13. Is socialization important for Maremmas?
A: Yes! Because of the Maremma Sheepdogs instinctual guarding nature, proper socialization is even more important than more complaisant breeds. We start the socialization process by introducing the puppy to new and varied stimulus here at the Ranch - different surfaces, toys, sounds, animals, people, and activities, etc. We believe that providing a varied and stimulating environment builds confidence in a dog, which leads to good judgement; and remember, we want our LGD to be able to judge between "normal and safe" and threatening. We let people come visit the puppies with a proper introduction and supervised controlled interaction (only encouraging and allowing acceptable behaviors).
Q14. Do Maremma Sheepdogs make a good family pet?
A: The Maremma Sheepdog Club of America does NOT recommend the Maremma as a pet. The Maremma actually never considers itself a 'pet'. It is a working dog, with 2000 years of genetic background of livestock guardianship behind it, and it needs a job to keep it occupied.
If it is to be in the house with a family, it must be temperament-tested and heavily socialized from the time it is a small puppy. A puppy should be outgoing and friendly with everyone, but its rowdy behavior needs controlling; after all, a 10 month old puppy may weigh 100 pounds! It must also get used to meeting strangers. By the time it is two years old, it will be less outgoing with strangers, and may even decide it doesn't want ANY stranger to touch it, its master, or its property.
To limit this future possessiveness, you must get your dog used to being handled by many friendly strangers when it is very young, and KEEP AT IT. But even then, you must personally introduce your dog to all new strangers who enter its territory (your home and property), and you may have to be present each time that they return.
Q15. How are Maremmas with children?
A: Maremmas love babies and small children. With older children or adolescents, they will react very negatively to anything they construe as teasing, and they object to strange children being physical with THEIR children. As with all dogs, young children must be supervised at all times with your dogs. You cannot intervene or prevent if you are not there. We recommend that if you have other children visiting and playing with your children, you put your Maremma in a secure place like their crate or in a closed room so that the playful squeals and movements are not mistaken as your children being harmed.
Q16. What kinds of animals can Maremmas guard?
A: I do not think there is anything that you can't bond your Maremma to! Maremma Sheepdogs have been used for sheep, goats, camelids (alpacas, llamas), poultry, horses, ratites (ostriches, emus, rheas), swine, cattle - they are even being used to guard a colony of Little Penguins in Australia and Reindeer in Alaska! Here at Black Alder we start the social process with a variety of livestock - goats, chickens, turkeys, pigs, cows, cats and other dogs - so that our Maremma puppies will be able to bond with a variety of livestock in both a small farm or ranch setting, as well as a larger operation.
Q17. What kind of fencing do you need?
A: Fencing is critical, and a few electric wires may contain your stock, but many LGDs will just take the shock and run through the fence to make sure a predator leaves the a area. Secure fencing is a must to safely contain your livestock guardian dog. Are you on or near a busy highway or road? Guardian dogs often view strange vehicles as intruders, and thus are prone to getting run over if fences are inadequate and they get out. Some LGDs escort strange vehicles off, or past, the property they guard. We recommend 4 foot tall field fencing.
Q18. Are you prepared to devote up to two years of time to properly introduce and supervise your new livestock guardian dog puppy?
A: Introducing and supervising a puppy can be very time consuming. Some cannot be unsupervised with stock until they are nearing 2 years of age or even older, though most are solid guardians much younger than that. However, we intensively supervise and correct them until they are mature and trustworthy.
Livestock guardian dogs must have supervision and training. You cannot just throw them out with the stock and expect to have the puppy become a perfect guardian without guidance from either you or another mature, trustworthy LGD. This means supervised interaction with the stock every day, several times a day if possible, where you can correct any unwanted behavior and praise appropriate behavior.
Puppies are puppies and many LGDs fail because people think they need no guidance or that they can adequately guard livestock at 2 or 3 months of age. Puppies will play with stock (much as they would their litter-mates) which could involve the puppy chasing the stock, chewing ears, tails or legs, etc. If you are unprepared to supervise the puppy yourself or if you do not have a mature LGD to provide guidance and training, this could lead to disaster. There are often several stages for misbehaviors (usually ten weeks, 4-6 months, 11-13 months and sometimes at 18 months) where closer supervision is especially important.
Q19. What are 12 reasons NOT to get a Maremma Sheepdog?
A:
1. If you require instant, unquestioned obedience to commands by your dog, don't get a Maremma.
2. If you do not have generous amounts of time to spend supervising your puppy with your livestock for at least 2 years, don't get a Maremma.
3. If you live in cramped quarters, don't get a Maremma.
4. If you do not have securely fenced yard and/or pasture, don't get a Maremma.
5. If you do not think a LGD puppy needs supervision and guidance, don't get a Maremma.
6. If you cannot commit to the lifetime of the dog (up to 14+ years), don't get a Maremma.
7. If you have had trouble owning and managing any other breed of dog, don't get a Maremma.
8. If you are a person who doesn't like barking dogs or has neighbors who would object to a barking dog, don't get a Maremma.
9. If you cannot/will not supervise young children around your dog at all times, don't get a Maremma.
10. If you cannot live with lots of white dog hair on your clothes, don't get a Maremma.
11. If you are not prepared to properly introduce every person who comes to your home to your dog, every time, don't get a Maremma.
12. If you are a person who would find any of the Maremma characteristics to be a problem, DON'T GET A MAREMMA!
Q20. Why get a Maremma Sheepdog?
A: Maremma Sheepdogs have proved to be excellent working dogs under many conditions.* They excel in farm situations but can also be left with unattended flocks.
Maremmas have been proven affective against a variety of predators, including feral dogs. They have the ability to bond with a large assortment of livestock and can bond with several species simultaneously. If you are looking for the perfect Livestock Guardian Dog for your farm or ranch, a Maremma Sheepdog will provide safety and security of your flock or herd working with you in a partnership they have developed with man for more than 2000 years.
Information for my FAQ comes from my personal experience or opinion, as well as many sources, most notably from the Maremma Sheepdog Club of America and www.maremmano.com/
as well as Louise Liebenberg at Grazerie and
*Dawydiak, Orysia, and David Sims. Livestock Protection Dogs: Selection, Care and Training. 2nd ed.
Loveland, CO: Alpine Publications, 2004.
as well as Louise Liebenberg at Grazerie and
*Dawydiak, Orysia, and David Sims. Livestock Protection Dogs: Selection, Care and Training. 2nd ed.
Loveland, CO: Alpine Publications, 2004.
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