Maremma-abruzza shepherd - description of the breed and the nature of the dog

Today we will talk about snow-white representatives of shepherd dogs - Maremo-Abruzzi dogs. Representatives of the breed were bred in France, they did not find special distribution and recognition in our country. Nevertheless, they have a lot of European followers who are happy to use dogs for various purposes.

Historical background and purpose

The name of the individuals of the breed presented has an interesting historical background. Since ancient times, scientists from two regions of Italy have been arguing about where the breed came from - Abruzzo or Maremmo? Due to the fact that there is little information on this subject, the answer was never found. Partly for this reason, the breed was named double-registered.

Individuals came to European territory from Tibet. Their ancestors were the mastiffs, wolfhounds and dogs there. The first amateur club was created in the late 19th – early 20th centuries. The generally accepted standard has been known to people since 1925. For more than 40 years, dog handlers have been researching the breed, constantly changing standards.

Initially, the breed was bred for domestic help, dogs were used as shepherds and for sheep protection. But over time, this has faded into the background, people have pets as companions. At first, the individuals of the breed were distributed exclusively in Italy, later they spread throughout Europe.

Dogs did a great job of guarding when wolves or bears attacked a flock of sheep. From some historical reports it can be concluded that the pets were called Italian shepherds only. At first, the dogs specialized exclusively in protecting sheep, but later proved themselves, they were bred to protect the territory.

Generally accepted standards

1. Gender superiority exists, but is poorly expressed. Naturally, males are larger than bitches. In the former, growth at the withers can reach 74 cm. With a weight of 45 kg. The second - growth to 67 cm. With a body weight of 35-40 kg.
2. It is important to remember forever that the individuals of the presented breed can be exclusively white, a different shade of the coat is considered a drawback. In some cases, dogs may be milky stained, this is acceptable.
3. The head is medium in size, in comparison with the general view it may seem small. The frontal part is flat, there is no such transition to the bridge of the nose. The line is smooth. The face is white, the nose is black. Because of this, dogs look like polar bears.
4. The eyes are almond-shaped only. They are not allowed to be perfectly round. Lips are dry and tight, covering the composition of the teeth. Defects include aspects in which the eyelids in dogs, lip trim and nose are pigmented in any color other than black. Scissor bite, complete set of teeth, strong, sharp.
5. The ears are drooping, by no means erect, mobile. The ends are sharp. The ears are set quite wide, in their shape resemble a triangle. If the main purpose of the dog is to guard the territory, ears can stop it. But these cases are so rare that their number is difficult to identify for sure.
6. The limbs are medium in length, massive, with a wide oval bone system. Brushes collected, fingers bent, claws black or dark. The hind legs are muscular, the hips are clearly visible. The tail is carried slightly above the level of the back, but set lower. In the calm state of the dog he is omitted.
7. The withers are clearly visible, overgrown with wool, stands out against the background of a smooth, muscular back. There is elation in the lumbar region, the croup is slightly sloping. The chest is wide and deep.
8. The coat is thick and white. It has already been mentioned that shades of milk are allowed, but undesirable. When dogs attack or defend their territory, the hair on their whole body becomes on end, so the dog is significantly increased in volume. It scares the rivals. The length of the coat can reach 10 cm. Therefore, care should be appropriate.

Character

1. It’s worth mentioning right away that dogs are endowed with a complex character, which is determined by the history of the origin of the animal. Since dogs were taken out for protection, they must be stiff. The reaction in dogs is lightning fast, they attack immediately, as they see a threat. Therefore, if you plan to maintain a pet to protect the local area, make sure that the neighbors will not come without an invitation.
2. Security qualities on top. If the dog guards the territory designated for her, she never slumbers, does not sit in the corner, walks around all her possessions day and night. Dogs mark territory, do not admit other animals. They are famous for their sharp mind and ability to make decisions independently.
3. If the animal is kept in an apartment, then prolonged sitting at home can adversely affect its health. The dog needs constant walks, moreover, long and intense. The future owner needs to take into account his schedule and add dog walking to it.
4. As for the union of the shepherd-man, everything is ambiguous here. There are many reviews of owners who complain about the excessive stiffness of the pet in relation to people. In particular, a similar attitude is given to children. Therefore, to an unprepared, weakly character, apathetic person this subtype of a shepherd dog categorically does not fit. She needs an owner who can curb the animal and temperament in particular. In some situations, a dog can literally make a horror.
5. If you plan to become the proud owner of an individual of this breed, you should keep in mind possible aggressive behavior. The pet may negatively relate to attempts to put him on a chain, put on a collar, pick up a bowl after a meal. It was previously mentioned that the dog does not warn before an attack, therefore this behavior is fraught with a certain danger.
6. The dog of this breed by nature is a true leader, this superiority applies to all life circumstances. The dog will not gently wag its tail or clog into a corner. Any his dissatisfaction is manifested by a growl, a grin, a rupture of soft tissues. Therefore, think three times before starting a dog of this breed. It is important to remember that its main purpose is protection.
7. However, it is impossible to characterize a dog as a leader and an evil pet solely in relation to the owner. Yes, if you do not engage in education, all households will feel bad. But with proper training, the shepherd will protect family members.
8. Separately, it is worth mentioning that maremmas do not apply to nanny dogs. Therefore, such individuals do not really like young children. The presented breed can be good for small family members only if you initially properly raise the animal. This should be done from puppyhood.
9. Keep in mind, the friends of the child and other children who rarely appear in your house, the shepherd can be regarded as a potential threat. Therefore, extreme caution should be exercised with such a dog. Parenting is also important. Most dogs simply do not like the unceremonious and noisy running around of children.
10. With timely socialization, maremma will be absolutely neutral to other pets. The animal coexists perfectly with any breed of dog. Strong friendships between pets can occur if they grow up together. Due to the shepherd's character, maremma refers to pets as their property, so they are inviolable to outsiders.
11. Sometimes small difficulties arise when feeding the breed in question. The problem is that such shepherds are very sensitive to attacks on their own food. Maremma in this case will immediately show aggression when trying to approach its bowl. Therefore, it is recommended to feed the shepherd in isolation.
12. As for walking, in the open air the breed in question will behave very calmly in relation to relatives. In some cases, the cables may be aggressive in the fight for the female. A characteristic feature of the breed is that maremmas are able to vary their own sizes.
13. Such shepherds in case of threat or attack greatly raise their hair. Due to this, the dog visually greatly increases in size. As a result, the attacking enemy is frightened of such a phenomenon and remains startled and scared.

Care and maintenance

1. Maremmas are not fastidious in food and enjoy eating regular food that is intended for working large dogs. You can cook natural food yourself or purchase a ready-made, balanced one. The diet of feeding maremma coincides with the diet of many shepherds. Therefore, you will not come across anything special.
2. It should be borne in mind that during the growth period, the pet does not need high-calorie foods, even with a large size and proportional physique. The same rule applies to the cultivation of molossians. In order for the ligaments and joints to form correctly, it is necessary to give chondoprotectors during the period of active growth of the puppy.
3. Many experienced breeders claim that the breed in question will suffer if kept in an apartment environment. If you understand everything, then everything is not so bad. Firstly, the difficulties fall specifically on the shoulders of the owners. The dog sheds plentifully 2 times a year, you need to be prepared for this.
4. Otherwise, do not be surprised when all the rooms are strewn with an impressive layer of fluff. Also, dead hair gives off an unpleasant stinking smell (similar to dead wood). In addition, Maremma needs long daily walks. They must be active enough. The animal needs to waste energy.
5. Ideal for a shepherd content is considered in the yard. The breed in question is not afraid of hot weather or severe frosts. Soft dense undercoat and thick coat completely protect the dog from wind, cold and rain. In the summer, the maremma will feel great in the shade.
6. Keep in mind that due to the fact that the outer hair has a smooth surface, the coat can be cleaned of various impurities on its own. Therefore, after drying, the dirt quickly rolls off. In any case, the pet will have to comb out daily. Thus, the dog will not form mats. The undercoat will always remain soft and thick. You can bathe maremma a couple of times a year.

The presented shepherd dogs have a rather peculiar temperament. Such a dog should be bred only by an experienced person and in the absence of small children in the family. The pet should be socialized as early as possible. Also with the animal you need to constantly walk and engage. Training maremma lends itself quite easily. Before acquiring a puppy, study all the subtleties.

Video: dog breed maremma-abruzzo shepherd