Maremma Sheepdog: Dog Breeds

Interested in learning about a rare breed with a bucolic past? The Maremma Sheepdog has come all the way from Italy to work on Australian farms, and they’ve captured our hearts in the process! Learn all about this special breed, and find out how a working dog can benefit from a tailored meal plan!

 Quick Facts ✔ 

Height – 65 – 75cm

Weight – 35 – 45kg

Lifespan – 11 – 13 years

Country of origin – Italy

Breed type – Pastoral, Herding

Full name – Maremmano-Abruzzese Sheepdog

• Farmers
• Experienced Owners
• Owners with lots of outdoor space

Maremma Sheepdog Breed History ♜

Can you imagine a more picturesque place for dog breed to begin their history than the Italian countryside? We can almost see the green rolling hills and wildflower fields, the white-peaked mountains in the distance, and in the centre of it all: a fluffy white dog with a winning smile.

These puppers are renowned for their history of protecting sheep and other livestock in the regions of Maremma and Abruzzo. Maremma sits in the southern region of Tuscany, and Abruzzo is located on the country’s eastern coast. However, while they’ve called Italy home for thousands of years, this dog’s history may span even further back in time. 

Before they arrived in Italy, we have only theories about the true origin of the Maremma Sheepdog—and there are a lot of them! Some historians guess that the Maremma came to Italy by way of the Mediterranean on Greek or Phoenician ships. Others believe they travelled via land from the North, alongside the Tatars. And finally, there is the theory that the Romans themselves brought the pooch back from Asia after their many expeditions.

The fact is, you can find similar big white dogs, such as the Great Pyrenees, the Polish Tatra, and Hungarian Kuvasz, scattered across Europe, all with similarly vague pasts. As such, we may never be able to piece together their complete histories. 

There’s one more puzzle here to solve, though: how did these floofy pups end up in Australia? Unsurprisingly, these dogs came to work. In the 1980s, Maremma Sheepdog puppies were brought over from England, and they quickly caught the eye of Australian farmers. With an independent working style and the large size necessary to ward off predators, Maremma Sheepdogs became popular as livestock dogs across Australia. Today, they may not be as common as your Kelpies or your Koolies. Even so, when it comes to livestock protection, these pups are indispensable.

Maremma Sheepdog Personality Traits ★

While the Maremma Sheepdog looks similar to Labradors or Golden Retrievers, their personalities couldn’t be more different. Unlike their lookalikes, Maremmas are definitely not a cuddly house pet. Instead, they’re an independent, stoic, sometimes stubborn pup who is more accustomed to the working life than most other breeds.

But don’t take that the wrong way. The Maremma Sheepdog is a great, big, gentle giant. They’ll be loving and affectionate with their family and their flock, and their calm demeanour will astound you. Whether its children pulling on their ears or rambunctious house pets trying to rile them, the Maremma is steady and peaceful. 

Moreover, the way that Maremma Sheepdogs show their affection is particularly heart-melting. Instead of climbing onto your lap or running circles around you, this dog will quietly approach and lean against you. Or, they may nudge you and place a big fluffy paw on your knee to ask for a head pat. And if you think this is cute, just keep an eye on them in a field of sheep or goats—they’re likely to do the same to the rest of their fleecey family.

It’s only when dealing with outsiders that the Maremma shows off their protection skills. Your house guests should be prepared to get the cold shoulder, and even your neighbours will have to grow accustomed to that impressive bark. 

Another thing to remember is that while these pups are great with kids, they can sometimes misinterpret play between children. What may just be a harmless game between an Owner’s child and a friend can trigger a Maremma Sheepdog to step in and protect their family member. For this reason, it’s important to supervise all playdates and separate the dog if necessary.

Owners should also socialise their Maremmas from a young age so that their protective behaviours don’t curdle into possessiveness. Outright aggression is rare with these dogs, but it’s important to expose them to strangers and other animals early on.

Trainability and Training Tips

The amazing thing about herd protectors like the Maremma Sheepdog is that their skills are inherent. Put simply, they were bred to be placed in a field and left alone to watch over their flock. In fact, the more independent they could be, the better. After all, farmers certainly didn’t want a dog that would seek direction when the herd was in danger.

While those skills are remarkable, they also mean that training a Maremma Sheepdog is a difficult task. Experienced Maremma Owners will be the first to tell you that they don’t allow their pups off leash in an area where they might wander off. Nor will you see these doggos signing up for agility competitions.

That said, this dog will require training, at least for basic commands that will keep them and others safe. To this end, they should be able to sit, stay, and come when you call them.

Here are a few training tips for the Maremma Sheepdog:

• Find out what they respond to. Maremmas are not typically crazy about toys, and they don’t respond well to reprimands. However, you may be able to entice them with a special treat. 
• Give them plenty of praise. Remember that Maremmas bond strongly with their humans, so be sure to give them plenty of verbal encouragement.. 
• Keep sessions short, and be consistent. Maremmas have always got an eye on the horizon, so you may have trouble keeping their attention for long. That’s alright! If you keep your sessions short and frequent, everybody wins!

Maremma Sheepdog Exercise Needs & Living Conditions ⌂ ​

​By now, it must be clear that this is not your average doggo. And, their lifestyle needs are just one more way that they stand apart from the rest.

First, let’s talk exercise needs. As with any dog, the Maremma Sheepdog does need daily exercise. However, it will look different to what you might expect. For one thing, these dogs don’t fetch and they probably won’t want to be your running partner, either. Sure, they’ll walk on a leash, but you might wonder if that’s enough exercise for such a big dog.

Here are two secret weapons that many Maremma Sheepdog Owners use to exercise their dogs: other dogs and water. 

Often, you’ll see more than one Maremma on a farm; that’s because they do an excellent job of keeping each other company. A few laps around the yard and plenty of wrestling matches are just what these dogs need to stay active. 

If you can’t provide them with a furry friend, you might try taking them to your nearest body of water. Maremma Sheepdogs love a nice dip, and swimming is great exercise. 

Just as important for a Maremma Sheepdog is mental stimulation, which traditionally would come from their living conditions. These pups love to have a job, and without an appropriate outlet, you will notice boredom and stress. If they won’t be living on a farm, then you may need some creative solutions to mentally stimulate them.

As we’ve mentioned before, these are large, independent dogs with big barks. As such, they won’t do well in small apartments; houses without a fence; or areas where you neighbours are likely to complain about the noise.

Maremma Sheepdog Grooming ✄

​The good news first: Maremma Sheepdogs don’t need regular baths, and are generally pretty clean dogs. That’s thanks to that full outer coat, which largely repels water and dirt. Of course, they may need a wipe down every once in a while, especially if they’ve splashed in any puddles. However, professional grooming isn’t usually necessary. 

Because of their ear structure, which lay flat on their head, you won’t need to worry much about ear infections. Simply check them once a week just to be sure.

We don’t, however, want to give you the impression that this is a low-maintenance dog—at least, not if they spend any time in the house with you. 

We say that because these dogs can shed heavily. You can expect brushing to become an everyday chore in a home with a Maremma Sheepdog; with such a thick coat, that’s no easy task. Luckily, these pups love the attention, so you’re in for a furry bonding session.

Maremma Sheepdog Health +

For a dog of this size, the average lifespan of a Maremma Sheepdog is slightly longer than you might expect. To ensure those 12 years are as comfortable as possible, keep an eye out for these common health concerns:

• Elbow and Hip dysplasia. This ailment is more common in large dogs like the Maremma Sheepdog. However, proper screening can greatly reduce the risk of it being passed down to puppies.
• Canine Bloat. This is another common health concern in large dogs like the Maremma Sheepdog. It’s a good idea to monitor these dogs after they’ve eaten, as early detection is key to treating this condition. If you notice a distended belly, difficulty walking, dry heaving, or excessive drooling, make sure to get them to a vet right away.
• Weight gain. As with any overly fluffy doggo, it can be tricky to notice weight gain in this breed. There’s also the issue of their sedentary lifestyle, which can make managing a healthy weight more difficult. To reduce the risk for related health issues with their joints, bones, and heart, it’s a good idea to have them on a healthy diet. 

In general, the Maremma is a healthy, strong breed without too many medical concerns to worry about. Make sure that they get their daily exercise and healthy food and they’ll be puppy-like for years!  

Fun Fact ♥

Just as the Maremma Sheepdog prefers to live in pairs, we have two fun facts to share about this breed!

The first takes us to Middle Island, where a colony of penguins have adopted two Maremma Sheepdogs as their bodyguards. That’s right – on an island off the mainland, two majestic Maremmas pal around all day with hundreds of adorable penguins. To make matters more heart-warming, the species is called the Little Penguin, and they’re the smallest of the penguin species.

How did this come to pass? It’s all part of the Middle Island Maremma Project, a conservation effort to protect the native penguins from invasive foxes. Since the start of the project in 2006, the penguin population has made significant progress. And the Maremmas are quite happy to spend their days padding around on the beach and protecting their little friends.

For our second fun fact, we’re going to have to admit to an error we made. Remember when we said that you’d never see a Maremma Sheepdog in an agility competition? Well, there is one exception to the rule. In fact, there is a handler in France by the name of Anita Edwards who, through patience and perseverance, has proved that this breed can compete alongside Australian Shepherds. Starting in the 80s, Anita’s dogs have competed in dog shows and wowed the judges wherever they went. Instead of competing for money or prestige, Anita’s goal was always to increase awareness of these lovely doggos and prove that they respond to the right type of training.

Final Thoughts on the Maremma Sheepdog

This breed is truly one-of-a-kind. They’re amazing working dogs, very intelligent, proudly stubborn, and absolutely beautiful. We wouldn’t say that the Maremma could never be a house pet, but there’s no denying that they’re happiest outside with a herd or a flock to call their own!

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