Breeds / Large
Maremma Sheepdog puppies
Independent, alert and devoted to the people and animals it counts as its own, while remaining suspicious of strangers. It guards by presence and voice rather than by herding.
The facts
- Size class Large
- Country of origin Italy
- Adult weight 35 to 52 kg
- Adult weight in pounds 77 to 115 lb
- Adult height 62 to 73.5 cm
- Energy level High
- Grooming High
- Coat type Long double
- Typical lifespan 11 to 13 years
- Good with children Fine with supervision
- Good with other dogs Fine with supervision
Where these come from:
- fci.be for adult weight and height, coat type and country of origin
- purina.co.uk for life expectancy and health notes
- royalkennelclub.com for energy, grooming and the temperament ratings
About the Maremma Sheepdog
The Maremma is the white flock guardian of central Italy, drawn from the shepherd dogs of the Abruzzes and the sheepdogs of the Tuscan Maremma and Latium, which mixed as flocks moved between regions. The standard describes a big, rustic, majestic dog with a broad flat head said to recall a polar bear. Males run 67 to 73.5 cm and up to 52 kg. It still does its original job in its home region today.
Living with one means accepting a dog that patrols and barks at night, because that is what it was bred to do. The long harsh coat needs thorough brushing and combing several times a week or it mats. Exercise is long and quiet rather than fast, and a large securely fenced property matters more than a class. New owners buy a big white pet and find a working guardian that reaches its own verdict on every visitor.
What to expect at eight weeks
At eight weeks a Maremma Sheepdog puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A large breed puppy at eight weeks looks deceptively normal sized and will roughly double every few weeks for a while. Keep exercise short and low impact, the growth plates are wide open. This is a high energy breed. At eight weeks that shows up as intensity rather than stamina, and it will need a job to do long before it needs long walks. Grooming needs are high. Start daily brushing and short, positive handling sessions at eight weeks, well before the adult coat arrives, or the first professional groom will be traumatic. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything it meets calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of its life.
Health worth knowing about
Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.
- Hip dysplasia, scored from x-rays under the BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme
- Elbow dysplasia, graded from x-rays before a dog is used for breeding
- Gastric dilatation volvulus, or bloat, a surgical emergency that deep chested dogs are prone to
From Maremma Sheepdog breed information at https://www.purina.co.uk/find-a-pet/dog-breeds/maremma-sheepdog. Discuss any of these with your own vet.
Your Maremma Sheepdog puppy's first six months
- Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
- Worming and parasite schedule.
- Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Large for a Maremma Sheepdog.
- Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 35 to 52 kg adult range.
- Puppy names and the first week checklist.
Other large breeds
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Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.