Background of the breed

The Maremma is typical of a livestock guardian, possessing a natural protective instinct. They are friendly and loyal to their own family but can be wary of strangers.
They like children in their own family but need to be supervised when other children come to visit.
They use their size & voice as a deterrent, and are not usually an agressive dog.

The Maremma sheepdog has been known in it's native Italy for 2000 years and originates from two areas of Central Italy.
The Maremma's main function was to guard the flocks against wolves & bears, and more recently from thieves & wild dogs. The dog was left to use it's own iniative in making decisions & that sense of independence is still strong in the dogs of today. In Australia, where the Maremma Sheepdog has been used as a stock guardian, farmers have reported a 35% reduction in losses from foxes, wild dogs and birds of prey

Maremma Sheepdog (n.d). Retrieved May 06, 2007 from http://www.pedigree.com.au/breeds

Saturday, January 17, 2009

The Maremma Diaries

I was asked to write a running article for the "Mostly Maremma's" newsletter of the trials and tribulations of choosing and owning a Maremma.
It was featured in 4 parts and I have posted them here for you.
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