The history of the breed, the appearance of the Maremma-Abruzzi shepherd dog, behavior and health, care, the nuances of training, interesting facts. Purchasing a puppy. Not only are they very beautiful, but also serious in nature. At home, these animals are considered stubborn. They are quite specific in their behavior. Many people think they are lazy. Dogs simply do not want to waste precious energy for nothing. Better they will use it up on the merits.
Pets should be workers, not show fluffy toys. After all, this is a very ancient shepherd and guard breed. They are docile and well adapted to humans.
Historical data on the Maremma-Abruzzo Shepherd
The homeland of these dogs is the Abruzzio region. The word "maremmo", in the name of the breed, indicates a geographical area, or rather a climatic zone. It is a strip of low-lying, swampy areas on the western coast of the Apennine Peninsula. These shepherd dogs should only be white. This color helps to camouflage well among the sheep. And, as a rule, cattle are not afraid of white dogs, they probably consider them brothers.
Finding a common language with real working dogs is hard. They are distrustful and wary of strangers. Even if their owner is standing with a stranger, they still won't fit. There is something wild in the Abruzzo Shepherd Dogs, and the predator must beware of everything. In Abruzzia, the population density is not high. Pets rarely see strangers, so alert behavior is understandable.
In their work, they resemble a military unit with their own hierarchy, regulations and orders. It is understandable, the detachment is in constant combat readiness. All personnel are loyal to the commander - the person. After the shepherd, the leader is considered the main one.
Don Tomaso Karsini, a well-known breeder of Maremma-Abruzzo Shepherd Dogs, noted: “They consider man to be an equal and friend, not a god or a master. If you desire unquestioning obedience and humility, this breed is not for you. But for connoisseurs of friendship, intelligence and wit, the maremmo is the best thing you can wish for."
He, as a person who deeply knows this species of canines, had his own version of their origin. In his opinion, these shepherds were exploring new territories, together with merino sheep. The wool of this cattle was prized for its quality and was originally supplied from Spain. And later, they began to buy it in all European countries, including Italy. When moving, the herds of cattle were accompanied by large white four-legged shepherds.
Their popularity has stepped far beyond the borders of their homeland. In the United States, dogs are used not only to guard livestock from wolves and coyotes, but also from bears. Not so long ago, a number of guard breeds were tested in America. The Maremma-Abruzzo Shepherd Dog received the best recognition in terms of intelligence and labor. They are in demand now in Russia, although so far as companion dogs.
These shepherd dogs have the roots of the Asiatic wolfhounds, which came to western Europe, along with the ancient nomadic peoples, before the first European powers were founded. Some of the experts claim that the ancient Etruscans had similar dogs.
It has been established for certain that they were used not only as shepherds and guards, but also as hunters. In the 17th century, these dogs were painted on his canvas "Hunting for a Boar" by the Flemish artist Jan Fit. A century later, the maremmo appears in the painting "Attacking the Bear" by Candilerro Capiletti di Castilio. Later, the French artist Jean Baptiste Hudry, painted a scene of lynx fishing in Zhivodane, snow-white dogs brought from Italy, the arquebusier of King Louis XVI, Chevalier. The first literary references after antiquity date back to the 17th century.
The breed standard was formed after a long debate about its name in 1992. During the summer, the dogs lived on the plains, when it got colder, they moved to the mountains. Due to the fact that this was a long period of time, the maremmos were knitted randomly in different areas. Therefore, after long discussions, we came to the conclusion that they will be called Maremma-Abruzzo Sheepdogs.
Description of the external data of the Maremma-Abruzzo Shepherd
This is a large dog, but not heavy in weight up to 45 kg. The volume is created by her coat, and therefore she looks impressive. Lightweight skeleton allows for maneuverability. The growth of males is 63–65 cm, and the bitches are 2 cm smaller.
- Head their distinctive feature. It should be as similar as possible to the head of a polar bear. The forehead is wide and rounded, the occipital protuberance, and the superciliary arches are not pronounced.
- Muzzle smaller skull, well filled. It is very important that the stop does not stand out. The flews slightly overlap the lower jaw. The lips are black-pigmented, dry. Scissor bite. The canines are strong and white.
- Nose harmonious to the muzzle, well developed, nostrils open. Only in black. In profile, does not protrude beyond the edge of the lips.
- Eyes maremmo are very smart and lively. Placed wide, not large, oval, brown pigmentation, the darker the better. The eyelids are tight-fitting, black.
- Ears triangular, drooping, slightly smaller than average. Set wide on the head and flush with the cheekbones.
- Neck strong, smoothly curved, without dewlap, with a well-developed withers. On it, the fur forms an elegant, thick collar.
- Frame mesomorphic constitution, well balanced. The chest is well developed and voluminous. The line of the back slopes slightly towards the firm, slightly sloping croup. The belly is smoothly tucked up.
- Tail located low. When moving, raised to the back, at rest, reaches the hocks. A thick, long coat grows on it, which creates an elegant look.
- Limbs erect, in good balance with the body. The thigh is elongated, the muscles are prominent.
- Paws voluminous, in the form of a cat. The pads are dense, black. Developed claws.
- Coat completes the general appearance of the dog. Has a long, rich, rather coarse guard hair. Light wavy hair is allowed, but not curly. The neck is covered with a dense, elegant collar. On the muzzle, skull, ears, the front surface of the limbs is short, on the back it forms feathering. The maremmo has a thick undercoat, especially in winter. They have a very beautiful fluffy tail. Such a coating allows you to feel comfortable with temperature drops from plus thirty to minus thirty.
- The color is white. It can be with light yellowish or pinkish-creamy shades.
Characteristic features of the behavior of the Maremma-Abruzzo Shepherd
The nature of the dog depends on his upbringing. From an early age, a puppy is prepared for an exhibition career or given to shepherds to be raised to do their direct duties. They are calm pets. They almost never get involved in quarrels and squabbles, both with other representatives of the canine world, and with creatures of their own kind.
They are jealous of their duties as a home and family guard. They will never leave the territory entrusted to them and always rely on their own decisions. Day and night, they are on the alert. You don’t even have to try to penetrate where the maremmo “serves”, the reaction will be lightning fast.
Great companions. They are very fond of all family members, especially children. They have excellent contact with everyone, without distinguishing anyone. Dogs may seem unhurried and even lazy, but this is a deceiving impression. It's just that the dogs turn on the economy mode. Behind the mask of a fluffy fool, a serious beast lurks. They need strength to fight the wolf. They cannot walk for a long time and run fast. They are turned on only when there is a real danger that threatens.
The Abruzzian Shepherd Dogs are different from their relatives. On the one hand, they have not lost their working qualities, while they do not avoid contact with strangers. Most of all, these dogs are suitable for people who love nature. Indeed, according to their characteristics, they are adapted to life in the wild. Naturally, both the Maremmo guards are good too. In communicating with a pet, the owner should give him as much freedom as possible.
It is better to keep them in a large, spacious open-air cage, and in pairs. The two maremmas are easier to manage. They often learn from each other and work according to the principle: "Do with us, do better than us." They brilliantly proved themselves in such non-traditional roles for them as a postman and a lifeguard.
In the ranking, dog breeds of bodyguards have significantly pushed aside. These dogs get used to the new environment well, are incorruptible and "attached" to the owner. Increasingly, they can be seen surrounded by people whose activities are associated with the threat of kidnapping. Dogs combine elegance, beauty and impressiveness.
Maremma Abruzzo Shepherd Health
Maremmo, for a large dog, lives quite a long time, up to twelve years. These dogs are native, so they have a strong immune system. Very rarely, they are affected by hip dysplasia. It is rather acquired than hereditary. After all, any animal needs to be properly raised to be healthy.
It is necessary to give the necessary loads and feed them correctly. It is necessary to regularly treat from internal and external parasites that can cause irreparable harm to the body. Vaccination is also required, with the help of it, you can protect your pet from unwanted infectious diseases. The procedure is carried out up to a year three times, and after one time, at intervals of a year.
Tips for caring for your Maremma-Abruzzo Shepherd
- Wool. Despite the fact that the maremmas are white, they never look dirty. And this is not because their owners bathe them all the time, they just have a self-cleaning coat. That is, the guard hair has a hard and nasty structure, and nothing lingers on it. Even if the pet gets dirty in the mud, it is enough for him to dry, and then shake off and that's it. Dogs molt once a year. The process can be accelerated by buying a shepherd dog. Between the periods of dying off of wool, they almost do not lose it. Therefore, in the "season" the pet needs to be combed out almost every other day. Manipulation is carried out near the house, using a slicker or trimmer. So the pet will get rid of the old coat faster and he will have a new, elegant coat. They also need "bath" procedures, but not frequent ones. Shampoo must be of high quality with a pH balance. Since they have thick coats, wash them thoroughly with the concentrate.
- Ears checked and cleaned regularly as they are dangling and poorly ventilated.
- Eyes occasionally wipe it towards the inner corner with wet wipes.
- Teeth teach to clean from an early age. This will save your four-legged friend from periodontal disease and tartar.
- Claws cut systematically. When growing back, they interfere with the animal's walking.
- Feeding must first of all be well-chosen and systematic. If you want to feed your pet with ready-made concentrates, try to keep them premium. Their composition is most suitable for a well-coordinated and healthy work of the body. It is well enriched with vitamins and minerals, you do not have to pick them up additionally. For natural feeding, it is best to consult a veterinarian or maremmo breeder. Experts will advise on the right foods for your dog's health and energy.
- Walking. These dogs are "children of nature", but you can keep them in the apartment, provided that you walk with them for at least three hours a day. There should be a spacious balcony and free access to this space. Since a pet has shepherd qualities at the genetic level, it must receive appropriate loads. For this, a bicycle can be used in urban settings. It is necessary to "run out" them for a good development of the musculoskeletal system. Of course, it is best for dogs to have private grounds, where a spacious aviary will be equipped.
Dog training
The Maremma Abruzzo Sheepdog is unique in that it is a very flexible breed. It is up to breeders to maintain this flexibility so that it can be used in different situations. She is completely human-centered, which makes her easy to train. "Girls" work great when they are one year old, and "boys" at one and a half. Almost all individuals begin to learn commands already at the first lesson. They have excellent guarding qualities. Without much effort, they will be happy to protect you and your property.
Interesting facts about the breed
In Italy, even a small herd of twenty heads is guarded by more than a dozen dogs. The fact is that in this country wolves are actually a very serious problem. Moreover, it is strictly forbidden to shoot them. The punishment for the destruction of the "grays" may even be imprisonment. Conservationists believe that it is impossible to kill the orderlies of the forest. It is easier for the government to pay compensation to the farmer for the lost sheep than to fight in the "green".
True, a village worker can wait for money for several years, and only after the fact of an attack by toothy predators has been proven. Add legal fees and red tape to this. It turns out that wolves are easier to defeat than bureaucrats. So people have to rely on the Maremma-Abruzzo Shepherd Dogs. This is the only opportunity for shepherds to protect their livestock from such predators.
Driving the flock, the leader of the four-legged shepherds goes ahead, other dogs follow the perimeter so that all the sheep stick together. If you need to change direction, then one of the dogs blocks the road, the herd, leaning against it, turns and calmly goes in the "right" direction. When the others drive the wolf away from the cattle, one dog always stays close to the herd, and the second hides among the sheep.
Sheep are not at all afraid of the Maremma-Abruzzo Sheepdogs. Shepherds say that when puppies are born, they are applied to the udder of a sheep. And the pet, in turn, perceives the cattle as its flock. Each nation has its own tricks for teaching animals to each other. Italy is considered the most "doggy" country. Here, on average, there is one dog for each family. And in the town of Cevito Castelano, the highest density of the four-legged population in the whole country. There are almost 4,000 pets per 15,000 population. It all began with the fact that the mayor of the city Gianluca Angivelli, invited fellow citizens to take home from the local shelter, one guest at a time. They were paid 1.5 euros per day for this. The townspeople supported the appeal, and some refused to pay.
Purchase and price of a puppy
Real working Maremma-Abruzzo Sheepdogs, new owners are given a maximum of 32 days. Until that time, they should definitely see the sheep. Later, it will be completely different, but ordinary dogs can be taken only at two months. It is also interesting that their puppies are born immediately white, like adults. In most canines, the color of newborns differs from that of sexually mature individuals.
What should you look for when choosing a puppy? He should have: an even back, good bones, and of course a beautiful head, with a short muzzle, which, even at a young age, resembles the head of a bear. Eyes, nose and paw pads are always black.
Dogs should have a beautiful exterior for a show class, and working individuals should have a dominant character. But both of those, and others, must be taken from professional nurseries. The best of course are in their homeland, in Italy, but there are good breeders in Russia as well.
The price of puppies for Maremma-Abruzzo Shepherd Dogs will depend on what you intend to raise the animal for: exhibitions, breeding, grazing or guarding. Their approximate cost can vary from $ 1000 to $ 2000.
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