Maremma and the Abruzzes Sheepdog
Other names: Pastore Abruzzese, Pastore Maremmano, Abruzzo Sheepdog, Abruzzese Sheepdog

The Maremma Sheepdog is used to protect livestock. It is indigenous to central Italy and continues to be used by Italian farmers for this purpose. Ancient Roman chroniclers extolled the virtue of the use of a white sheepdog because it could hide among its flock without being spotted by a predator. The Maremma Sheepdog is a recent (1950s) conjoining of two separate but related breeds called the Pastore Maremmano and Pastore Abruzzese.
Key facts about the Maremma and the Abruzzes Sheepdog
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Origins and history
White ‘defence’ dogs were recorded in ancient Roman literature. The noble Maremma remains a steadfast cattle dog put to use by Roman farmers even today. The Maremma was introduced to the UK only recently and remains rare.
FCI breed nomenclature
FCI Group
Group 1 - Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs)
Section
Section 1 : Sheepdogs
Physical characteristics of the Maremma and the Abruzzes Sheepdog
Adult size
Female : Between 24 and 27 in
Male : Between 26 and 29 in
Weight
Female : Between 66 and 88 lb
Male : Between 77 and 99 lb
Coat colour
Usually this dog’s coat is solid white but occasionally ivory and lemon colours are seen.
Type of coat
Long, harsh and straight topcoat lying flat against the body; there is usually seen a thicker collar of fur around the neck of the Maremma. The soft undercoat grows only in the winter.
Eye colour
Ochre/chestnut.
Description
A strongly built dog is the Maremma. Not elegant but pleasingly rustic and ‘shaggy’. Its body is longer than it is high and overall this is a well-proportioned and solid dog. The dog’s tail grows a little further down the croup than usual due to its sloping rump. The tail is carried more or less level with the top line when the dog is active.
Good to know
This dog is not often chosen for its companionability. Its raison d'être is to guard and to herd livestock; it is still bred for this function in its native Italy and elsewhere. Its sensibilities as a sheepdog (serious, protective, territorial, independent) do not lend themselves well to that of a cuddly pet.
Temperament
Behaviour of the Maremma and the Abruzzes Sheepdog
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Compatibility
Price
The price for a purebred puppy will be anything upwards of £500. It will cost £100 to £150 per month to keep this dog.
Grooming
Twice-weekly brushing will prevent this dog’s coat from becoming matted and tangled.
Nutrition of the Maremma and the Abruzzes Sheepdog
It is always worthwhile to feed the Maremma a high-quality and specially formulated dog food rather than human food. The Maremma’s diet should consist of good amounts of protein and fat.
Health of the Maremma and the Abruzzes Sheepdog
Life expectancy
The Maremma Sheepdog is generally healthy and robust. Its average life expectancy is 11 to 13 years.
Strong / robust
The Maremma Sheepdog has been bred to work outdoors. This is a big, strong and robust dog.
Withstand heat
This dog tolerates hot weather reasonably well.
Withstand cold
The double coat of the Maremma Sheepdog keeps the dog warm.
Tendency to put on weight
If the Maremma is not exercised as regularly as it should be and is fed too much human or substandard food it will become obese, but the dog does not have a tendency to obesity.
Common illnesses
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Progressive retinal atrophy