INTRODUCTION

The Maremma Shepherd Dog or Maremmano-Abrucense, is a breed of mastiff originating in central Italy and used for centuries by shepherds to defend their flocks from wolves.

THE HISTORY OF THE MAREMMA AND ABRUZZO SHEPHERD DOG

This special sheepdog takes its name from two Italian regions. The name comes from the Maremma region. About a hundred years ago, this was a marshy area infested with malaria. The second name comes from the Abruzzo region, whose Apennines reach an altitude of 3,000 metres. In winter, shepherds retreated with their flocks to the arid coast of southern Tuscany. Often they could no longer find food in the Apennines. For this reason, the white guard dogs were also genetically related to each other.

The origins of these dogs go back almost to prehistoric times. Their ancestors are said to have come from the highlands of Tibet. Around 2000 BC, nomadic peoples moved inexorably westward. They sought fertile land and brought with them their herds and their dogs. These dogs protected the herds. They are considered to be the ancestors of all the world's guard dogs.

In the following centuries, the nomads came to the Sea of Azov in the Ukraine. Here two groups were formed. They took different routes. One group followed the route to what is now Western Europe. The second group travelled towards the eastern Mediterranean. Over time, not only the people changed, but also the dogs. They adopted the characteristics needed to work and protect the herds.

The three most important dog breeds of antiquity are descended from the Tibetan molosser. Among them was the Canis Pastoralis, which accompanied shepherds and protected their flocks. It is not known how the ancestors of the guard dogs came to Italy. It is likely that all nomadic peoples had a white Canis Pastoralis with them. It could only survive in certain environmental conditions: where there were wolves or bears. The two separate breeds were united into one in 1950.

THE STANDARD OF THE MAREMMA AND ABRUZZO SHEPHERD DOG

GENERAL APPEARANCE: The Maremma and Abruzzese Sheepdog is a large dog with a strong build and a rustic, yet majestic and truly typical appearance. Its whole shape, of medium proportions, is that of a heavy dog, whose body is longer than the height at the withers; it is balanced both in size (normal proportions between the size and different parts of the body) and in its profiles (concordance between the profiles of the head and the body).

IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS: The length of the head is 4:10 of the height at the withers; the muzzle is slightly shorter than the length of the skull; the length of the body is more than 1:18 of the height at the withers. Depth of chest slightly less than half the height at the withers.

HEAD: The head as a whole is large and flat, conical in shape, reminiscent of a polar bear.

CRANIAL REGION:

SKULL: Of great width with slightly bulging lateral sides. Profile also convex. The upper longitudinal axes of the skull and muzzle are slightly divergent, making the profile of the head slightly convex. The superciliary arches are moderately marked. The line of the mid-frontal furrow is not very marked. The occipital crest is barely visible.

STOP: Naso-frontal depression only slightly accentuated and the fronto-nasal angle always very open.

FACIAL REGION:

TRUFFLE: Rather large, in line with the muzzle, with large well opened nostrils, moist and fresh, black in colour. Seen in profile, it should not extend beyond the anterior vertical plane of the lips. Muzzle: The length is slightly less than that of the skull, its depth is half its length, the lateral sides converge slightly, tapering towards the front but maintaining a blunt surface when viewed from the front. The region below the eyes is slightly chiselled.

LIPS: Seen from the front, at the point where they meet, the upper lips form an arc of very short radius at their lower edge. Being poorly developed, they barely cover the teeth of the jaw; the corner of the mouth is therefore not very accentuated. Consequently, the lower lateral profile of the muzzle is defined by the lips only in its anterior part; in its posterior part it is defined by the jaw and the labial commissure. The edge of the lips is black.

JAWS / TEETH: Jaws of robust appearance and normal development. The incisors are set at right angles, well aligned, of good size and complete. Teeth white and strong.
The articulation is scissor-like.

CHEEKS: Moderately visible.

EYES: Not large in relation to the size of the dog; the iris is of an ochre or chestnut brown colour. The eyes, set sideways, are neither deep set nor protruding. Expression alert and lively. The palpebral opening is almond-shaped and the rims of the eyelids are black.

EAR: Set very high on the zygomatic arches, natural, pendant, but very mobile. They are triangular in shape (V-shaped) and have a pointed tip, never rounded, and are small in relation to the size of the dog. For a medium sized dog the length should not exceed 12 cm. The insertion is of medium width.

NECK: The upper profile is moderately arched. The neck is always shorter than the head. The neck is thick, muscular and very strong and always without dewlap; covered with long, dense hair forming a ruff particularly evident in males.

BODY: Solidly built.

UPPER LINE: Straight from withers to croup where it slopes slightly.

CROSS: Slightly above the topline; broad due to the distance between the shoulder blades.

BACK: Straight in profile, its length reaches about 32% of the height at the withers.

LOIN: Blending perfectly with the topline, slightly curved in profile with well developed and broad muscles.

Croup: Broad, strong and well muscled. The slope of the hip towards the insertion of the tail is 20° increasing to 30° and more, thus the croup is sloping.

CHEST: Broad, descending to elbow level, deep and well rounded at medium height. It decreases progressively downwards, maintaining a good width of the sternal region. Its depth should reach half the height at the withers. The ribs are well sprung and oblique with ample lung room and good width; the last false ribs are long, oblique and well sprung.

BOTTOM LINE AND BELLY: The sternum is long and the sternal line rises slightly towards the belly.

TAIL: Set on low, due to sloping croup, in a normal stop reaching below the level of the hock. Hanging when the dog is at rest; carried at the level of the back line when in action and its tip is rather curved. Well covered with dense hair without forming fringes.

LIMBS

FOREQUARTERS:

GENERAL APPEARANCE: Straight limbs seen from the front and in profile; forequarters well balanced in relation to the body. The various parts of the forelegs are well proportioned to each other.

Shoulders: Long, oblique with powerful muscles. Should be really free in movement. Their length is approximately 1/4 of the height at the withers. Their obliquity below the horizontal is 50° - 60°.

ARM: Set close to the body in the upper two thirds, with powerful muscles. The obliquity below the horizontal varies between 55° and 60°; its length is 30% of the height at the withers. Its position is more or less parallel to the median plane of the body. The scapular-humeral angle varies between 105° and 120°.

ELBOWS: Normally close to the chest, covered with soft, loose skin. Parallel to the median plane of the body. The point of the elbow should be in an imaginary vertical line from the back angle of the shoulder blade. The humerus-radial angle varies between 145° and 150°.

FOREARM: Straight and vertical, strong bone. Its length is slightly longer than the length of the upper arm.

BODY: In extension with the vertical line of the forearm. Strong, lean, smooth and of good thickness; the pisiform bone clearly protruding.

METACARPUS: In length neither too short nor too high. Lean, with minimal subcutaneous tissue. Seen in profile slightly oblique towards the front.

HANDS: Large, rounded in shape, fingers tightly closed, covered with thick, short hair, nails preferably black, but a brownish colour is tolerated.

HIND LEGS:

GENERAL APPEARANCE: Straight limbs seen from behind and in profile.
Harmoniously connected in proportion to the body and to the various parts.

Upper thigh: Long, slightly oblique, broad with protruding muscles and slightly convex rear edge. The coxofemoral (hip bone) angle is approximately 100°.

KNEE: Firm, well placed in the vertical axis. The femorotibial angle should not be excessive.

HINDQUARTERS: The length is slightly less than the length of the thigh. Oblique under the horizontal about 60°. Strong bone, lean muscles and the groove in the leg well marked.

Hock: Rather thick and broad. The angle varies between 140° and 150°.

METATARSE: Strong, lean and broad, neither too long nor too short. The presence of dewclaws is tolerated.

FEET: Large, not as rounded in shape as above,toes well closed, covered with thick, short hair, nails preferably black, but a brownish colour is tolerated.

GAIT / MOVEMENT: Pace and extended trot.

SKIN: Tight on all parts of the body, rather thick. Black pigmentation of the third eyelid as well as the pads.

COAT

COAT: Well covered. Long hair, rather harsh to the touch, resembling a horse's mane. Close lying on the body, slight wave tolerated. The coat forms an important ruff around the neck and fringes of limited length on the edge of the hindquarters. However, the coat is short on the muzzle, the skull, the ears and the front part of the limbs. On the body the length of the coat reaches 8 cm. The undercoat is only abundant in winter.

COLOUR: Solid white. An ivory, pale orange or lemon shade is tolerated but only up to certain limits.

SIZE AND WEIGHT:

HEIGHT AT WITHERS:

• Males: 67 - 73,5 cm
• Bitches: 62 - 70 cm

WEIGHT:

• Males: 40 - 52 kg
• Bitches: 35 - 45 kg
  
  

FAULTS: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and its ability to perform its traditional work.

• Prolonged ambling.

SERIOUS FAULTS:

• Convergent cranio-facial axes.
• Tail curled over the back.
• Constant pacing.
• Size above or below the limits of the standard.
  
  

DISQUALIFYING FAULTS:

• Aggressiveness or extreme shyness.
• Any dog showing clear signs of physical or behavioural abnormalities.
• Completely unpigmented nose.
• Muzzle definitely convex or concave.
• Moderately or bilaterally depigmented eyelids. Gaze eyes. Strabismus.
• Prognathism.
• No tail or short tail, either congenital or docked.
• Wavy coat.
• Solid isabelline or ivory colour or well defined isabelline or ivory patches. Black shades.
  
  

N.B.:

• Male dogs should have two apparently normal appearing testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
• Only functionally and clinically healthy dogs, with breed typical conformation, should be used for breeding.
  
  

THE HEALTH OF THE MAREMMA AND ABRUZZO SHEEPDOG

Your dog's long, heavy, thick coat should be brushed daily. Matted hair can cause eczema. Matted coat can also cause heat build-up. Your dog will suffer as a result. Check the paw pads regularly. Sometimes hair grows between the pads and needs to be trimmed; grooming is recommended for these dogs every two months (essential during the moulting season).

As a general rule, the Maremma and Abruzzese shepherd dog is healthy. However, hereditary eye diseases may occur. Diseases of the hip joint, such as hip joint dysplasia, are frequently diagnosed. This can limit mobility. If you want to breed him, you should consult your veterinarian. It is essential to examine and evaluate your dog's eyes and hips.

As for food, this breed should have a low-fat diet with good amounts of quality animal protein. A good option is Reis d'Aranda's Angus beef feed for adult dogs and the same brand's Scottish salmon puppy food, which will take care of their skin and heart.

THE PERSONALITY OF THE MAREMMA AND ABRUZZO SHEPHERD DOG

Working dogs are not submissive helpers, they are anarchists. They only follow their owner's orders if they seem logical to them. They are jokingly compared to cats, which have a certain stubbornness.

As the owner of such a dog, you must be patient, constant and strong. Training can only be done calmly and without violence. Violence will have the opposite effect on this dog. Keep in mind that the dog is suspicious of strangers. He does not like to be touched. He also needs a wide and individual distance from people. This watchdog is especially alert at dusk. Therefore, you should get him used to things he is not yet familiar with during the day.

The Maremma and Abruzzese Sheepdog does not mature as quickly as other dogs. It exceeds the 18 months foreseen for other dogs. Up to thirty months of age, the dog can redefine his rank in the pack. The pack may be the owner or the family. It may then show some potential for aggression.

The Italians kept these breeds as guard dogs and farm dogs. They were allowed a closer bond with the family. As a result, the typical character traits were weakened. They were also weakened in breeding.

He developed a character trait which also made him a family dog. This breed is not a cuddly dog. Nor does he fawn, but he is very attached to his owner. That is why he can also be kept as a friend and protector of the children in the family. However, it needs good socialisation from an early age and constant training.

CONCLUSION

This breed hardly needs any toys. This breed is also not suitable for dog sports. Neither for agility nor for the dog park. This is because this dog is not at all suited to obedience by word or hand signals. He needs a specific task that suits his nature. He feels at home doing this. He would wilt in a city flat. You should spend at least two hours a day with your dog. Plenty of exercise is very important for a healthy, adult dog.