Maremma Sheepdog: The Ultimate Guide

maremma sheepdog walking on a path

Key Points

  • Maremma sheepdogs trace their lineage back to ancient civilizations and are becoming increasingly popular.

  • Known for their loyalty and loving temperaments, Maremma sheepdogs are ideal watchdogs.

  • Here is your ultimate guide to living with and loving a Maremma sheepdog.

Dogs have been living side by side with humans for centuries. For some breeds, such as the Maremma sheepdog, their lineage is traced back to ancient civilizations. They have a long history of serving various purposes and being companions. Maremma sheepdogs are considered an Old World European breed that shares ancestry with other Eastern European dogs that guard livestock.

The Pyrenean Mountain Dog and Kuvasz breeds are considered to be close cousins of theirs. The Maremma sheepdog breed is traced back to ancient Roman civilization and even further. While these dogs originated in Italy where they are still very popular, they are used all over the world to fulfill their original purpose of guarding livestock.

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Maremma Sheepdog History

Maremma sheepdogs are popular in two different regions of Italy. Rather than performing herding duties, they are used to guard sheep against predators such as wolves, earning them the nickname of wolf-slayers. During World War II, the Maremma sheepdog breed had a decline and is now becoming increasingly popular.

Standing between 25.5 to 28.5 inches tall, and weighing between 66 to 100 lbs, this breed is the perfect guard dog for all types of other animals.

Maremma Sheepdog Temperament

Maremma sheepdogs are known for their loyalty. They love their human and animal family members and are always looking to protect them, making them ideal watchdogs for both livestock and family homes. They are happy to alert their owners of any intruders and make sure that they are safe.

Given their long working history, Maremma sheepdogs are independent thinkers. They are not aggressive, but given their watchdog mentality, they aren’t very fond of strangers. With proper socialization from a young age, your Maremma sheepdog warms up to having new people in their homes.

Maremma sheepdogs like to have a purpose and a job to do. They are busybodies and need a task to complete, or they create one, which possibly leads to destructive behavior. As the American Kennel Club published in August 2023, fun cognitive training games are a must, and keeping a puzzle toy or two around the house is a good idea.

If you live on a farm or ranch, the Maremma sheepdog is the perfect breed for you. They love watching over your livestock and following you around your property. Maremma sheepdogs don’t do well in apartments and need ample room to run around and stay busy.

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Maremma Sheepdog Intelligence

Maremma sheepdogs are very smart dogs. They are used to thinking for themselves and problem-solving when out on their own guarding livestock. This breed is very aware of its surroundings and is always on the lookout for a potential threat. They love to have a job to do and stay busy and are good at figuring things out for themselves.

Because of their independent thinking, Maremma sheepdogs are interesting to train. They are used to living their life with little to no direction from humans. Because of this, they have quite a streak of independence. When training a Maremma sheepdog, be sure to focus on positive reinforcement.

Maremma sheepdogs are much more motivated when they know that they are rewarded for listening to commands. Never use harsh language or actions when training a Maremma sheepdog. This only reduces their confidence in you and possibly makes them not respond to training at all.

Focusing on praise, play, and rewards when your dog shows progress is the best training technique to use with this breed. With time and consistency, your Maremma sheepdog is sure to be very obedient and know a variety of different commands.

maremma sheepdog puppy laying on the ground

Maremma Sheepdog Shedding

Maremma sheepdogs have very long, coarse hair that keeps them warm in the winter. They handle colder temperatures very well but don’t do so well with warmer months. Their coat consists of a dense undercoat that sheds twice per year. Because of their long fur, they are prone to tangles and mats. Proper grooming is needed to keep your Maremma sheepdog’s coat looking and feeling nice.

Maremma sheepdogs shed twice per year- once in the fall and once in the spring. While they do shed year-round, these seasons increase their shedding. This allows them to transition into winter and summer coats, which are ideal for very different temperatures.

During these heavy shedding seasons, increase grooming frequency. Doing so minimizes the fur that you need to sweep up and eases the coat transition. Because Maremma sheepdogs shed quite a bit, they are not hypoallergenic dogs.

Living with a Maremma sheepdog in your home if you have dog allergies may lead to excessive symptoms that are not very enjoyable. Proper maintenance and care keep Maremma's shedding to a minimum, but it’s best to have a broom handy during the fall and spring.

Maremma Sheepdog Health

While everyone wants their dogs to be as healthy as possible, every dog breed is prone to various health conditions. Knowing what these conditions are and what they look like helps get your dog the medical help that they need if symptoms do arise.

Feeding your Maremma sheepdog a well-rounded, nutritious diet provides them with a healthy life. Proper nutrition prevents various health conditions and gives your dog the fuel that they need every day. In doing so, you give them their best chance of reaching their full life expectancy, which is typically between 11 to 13 years.

Psychological Health

While physical health is a very important component of your dog’s life, psychological health is just as important. Psychological health allows your dog to enjoy doing the things that they love, remember household rules, and interact with their family members.

Unfortunately, just like humans, Maremma sheepdogs are prone to different psychological health issues. Stress, anxiety, and other psychological issues affect all dogs, including Maremma sheepdogs. Most dogs are likely to experience one of these conditions at least once in their life, if not more. What triggers anxiety or stress and how often this occurs depends on the dog.

smiling maremma sheepdog laying in a flower field

Stress

Maremma sheepdogs are prone to experiencing stress. This occurs for a variety of reasons, but the most common one for this breed is unknown people, especially in their homes. Maremma sheepdogs are watchdogs by nature who are wary of strangers. They also have strong instincts to watch out for danger. Because of this, they may mistake strangers for a threat.

When they are inside their homes, Maremma sheepdogs are on edge about unknown people. They are likely worried about them being a threat and don't relax. In addition, Maremma sheepdogs have a hard time differentiating play from danger. They may mistake a group of strangers laughing and joking with their owners as threats, and try to intervene. Because of this, Maremma sheepdogs should be well socialized as puppies, with continued socialization throughout their adult life.

Stress in Maremma sheepdogs looks different in each dog. Some Maremma sheepdogs begin to pace and become restless when stressed. Others whine, bark, or howl. A stressed Maremma sheepdog refuses to eat or has an accident inside. If you notice any of these signs of stress in your dog, find a way to address this and put their mind at ease.

No dog owner wants their dog to be stressed. Thankfully, calming dog products are abundant on the market that help combat stress in your pup. Edible treats contain natural ingredients that soothe your dog and relieve their stress. In addition, comforting dog beds are available for your dog to rest in and relax when they are feeling stressed. No matter what is causing your dog stress, there are many ways to help combat this condition.

Epilepsy

Different breeds are prone to different health conditions. For Maremma sheepdogs, a common condition to face is epilepsy. Seizures are a very troubling experience for any dog and its owner, and when recurring, they are considered to be a condition called epilepsy. Epilepsy occurs for several reasons, including genetics, various diseases, cancer, and toxins. Epilepsy must be treated by a vet, but manage this condition at home in a variety of ways.

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Diet is one of the best ways to manage canine epilepsy, specifically a ketogenic diet. For example, coconut oil is known to be a source of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). These MCTs act as anti-inflammatory agents and are known to reduce seizure activity. Including ketogenic foods in your dog’s diet combats epilepsy.

In addition to diet, supplementation is a great way to battle epilepsy in your Maremma sheepdog. CBD is a naturally occurring compound that is known to manage seizures in both humans and dogs. It is known to reduce the severity and frequency of seizures and is fed to your dog through CBD treats or oil. Be sure to consult with your vet before beginning any supplementation.

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Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is a very common joint health issue, that Maremma sheepdogs are prone to have. Hip dysplasia occurs due to abnormal growth of the ball and socket within the hip joint. This causes the hip joint to become loose and unstable, which leads to the development of scar tissue.

Hip dysplasia is very painful and makes tasks like running, jumping, and playing hard to enjoy. If your Maremma is suffering from hip dysplasia, be sure to keep them at a healthy weight. Overweight dogs and obese dogs suffer from more severe hip dysplasia due to the excess pressure that is put on their hip joints.

Hip dysplasia needs to be diagnosed by a vet and, unfortunately, is not reversible. This condition is genetic and disproportionately affects certain breeds, such as Maremma sheepdogs. There are some ways to manage hip dysplasia at home as an owner.

One of the best ways to minimize the pain that hip dysplasia causes is through anti-inflammatory agents, such as kelp and turmeric. These anti-inflammatory agents reduce swelling within the hip joint and minimize the pain caused by this condition.

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Guardian of Your Dreams

In your pursuit of the perfect canine companion, consider the remarkable Maremma sheepdog. This majestic breed embodies unwavering loyalty and boundless devotion. As veterinarian researchers Dr. Aikaterini Merkouri et al. published in Frontiers in Psychology, "Dogs were described as devoted, loyal, and non-judgemental. Their companionship and presence made owners feel safe and valued." Maremmas' protective nature is a shield of safety in your home.

The Maremma is not just a dog, they're an embodiment of love, loyalty, and guardianship. They symbolize the unbreakable bond between humans and canines and are a testament to the enduring magic of the dogs who grace humans' lives. Choose the Maremma, and you choose a life enriched with unwavering devotion and endless protection, a life brimming with the benefits of having this truly wonderful dog by your side.

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