The Maremma Sheep Dog

The Maremma sheep dog originates from the country of Italy. Italians mainly used it to guard their sheep from the wolves. It is a massive, majestic white dog which is quite large in size and has a rustic appearance. The shape of its head resembles to that of a bear. They have a very strong set of jaws. Initially, at a young age they have a black nose which as they grow turns into a slight pinkish brown. They have v-shaped, rather small and pointed ears. Their ears are set at the back of their heads and hang till their eye level. They have small eyes with an intelligent and a lively expression. They have a straight nasal canal. They grow to weigh about 65-110 pounds and to height of about 23-29 inches. They normally have a thick coat made of white, but the color may have a yellow tint accompanied with brown or cream spots. They may have ivory, pale orange or light yellow markings on their ears. They have a thickly feathered, low set tail. Their well rounded, deep ribcage extends to their elbows. Their harsh, long and abundant strands of hair have a slight wave. The Maremma sheep dog is a well balanced and a friendly flock guardian. It is also successful in being a companion dog. It is known to be dignified and sober.

Its loyalty, bravery and determination make it a very effective guard dog without having to constantly keep barking. It is rightly said to be affectionate and independent. It is because of this independence that the dogs that are put out to work do not listen to orders and instructions well. In order for them to listen, one should be firm, calm and confidant and should show consistent leadership qualities towards the dog. When it comes to their training, as they are intelligent dogs, they require consistency and mutual respect, in both voice and handling. They are known to get along well with other pets and dogs. When it comes to strangers, they tend to be reserved but not to a high extent. If there is someone who is not welcome in your property, these dogs will make sure that they are stopped on their tracks.

These dogs maybe smaller compared to other guard dogs but they posses quite equal strength and endurance. As these dogs have impressive dominance and a lifelong dedication, they tend to take control over their flock. As guard dogs, they are very independent and alert. These dogs communicate their displeasure regarding anything with a growl or even a bite. As a house pet, these dogs are not overly outgoing or get over attached to their owners, however they are very attentive when it comes to children. These dogs are not meant for an apartment life as they need a lot of space to grow. It has a weather resistant coat and therefore it sleeps outside, but is not well suited for hot weather. When well taken care of and given proper exercise, they live up to 11-13 years.