Maremma Sheepdog - Top 10 Facts

The Maremma Sheepdog is traditionally a livestock guardian dog, originating in Italy, where it has been used for thousands of years to protect flocks from predators, particularly wolves. It is sometimes known as the Maremmano-Abruzzi after the regions of Italy where it was originally found.
In this video, we are counting down the top 10 facts about Maremma Sheepdog.
We'd like to thank all the original Maremma owners who let us use their images/clips in the video.
👉 Video Sources:
/ maremma_sheepdog
/ logan.themaremma
/ sheepdog.shak
/ bundythebear
/ elijah_mm
/ coco.the.maremma
A Quick Overview:
Group: Working Dogs
Weight: 65 to 100 pounds
Height: 23.5 to 28.5 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Expectancy: 11 to 13 years
👉 Website: www.dogswiz.com
👉 Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:58 1. Their History
2:06 2. Their Physical Characteristics
2:53 3. They Make Great Guard Dogs
3:24 4. Their Training Needs
4:03 5. They Can Make Good Family Dogss
4:27 6. Their Compatibility With Other Pets
5:16 7. They Have Moderate Exercise Needs
6:08 8. Their Grooming Needs
7:19 9. They Are Healthy Dogs
8:06 10. How To Find A Maremma Sheepdog
8:51 Outro

[@pawned79]

Our maremma turns 14yo in November (2023). He’s been the most wonderful dog for our household with kids. We got him from a farm in Oklahoma USA.

[@birdie6663]

They're quiet popular in Australian! There's a movie based on a true story called Oddball! The actual dog was female, and my family got to meet a descendent of one of her litters.

[@sisterkathryn6451]

You know, they are much more common in Australia. I had 2 as a kid, and now I'm buying my own.

[@allananderson9497]

I have a female on my 40 acres in Queensland

[@sethlucc9469]

I have a male and a female in Port macquarie NSW

[@vobzyy]

Yeah I’ve got a kelpie x maremma, Couldn’t ask for a better dog.

[@linaulnes7498]

I got my first one in my pack recently and he is the coolest ❤ such uniqe breed.

[@williamgower8376]

Just got a half italian half german shepherd he's amazing

[@lanceg3208]

These dogs are so epic!!! I worked on a remote goat farm in the mountains of New Mexico with 6 of them. Coonridge ranch to be specific. So awesome, and man can they move. Amazing and extremely loving breeds. Absolutely loved em

[@r.8896]

I adopted a handsome large creme Lab mixed with some Maremma Sheepdog from a local shelter. He weighs about 90 lbs and has a long bushy tail. As a gentle giant, he's affectionate and loyal but is wary of strangers. He has a protective nature and makes an excellent guard dog. If a neighborhood coyote comes near the yard, he gets agitated and sounds the alarm.

[@ShaePutnam]

My family used to have one he was literally the best! Only thing is is we are the only one out of his brothers and sisters that didn't end up needing to get him put down so make sure you have proper care land and you know what you're doing and the people around you coming in your house know how to act etc he loved people and playful and a beautiful dog definitely would get another one! We were his flock and we were safe and loved!❤ "Rest in peace Ranger"

[@jamisonfawkes8537]

im from canada and my first dog is a quarter maremma. granted we didn’t know that until driving five hours to get him, but i love him so much! definitely a protector ❤️❤️

[@frankboblett4055]

I have a maremma sheepdog she is 5 months old and gets along with the other dogs just fine her best friend is the toy poodle we have

[@MsMylien]

oo same but mine is 4months or 3months idrk and I also have a toy poodle and they are best friends

[@contentonlyinohio]

same

[@kathleenmcleod7925]

Love this video! In my area, southwestern Ontario, Canada, they are somewhat common, particularly in the Mennonite farming areas. I adopted two purebreds from the Humane Society (a few years apart). They are absolutely wonderful beings! I think my oldest, Punchy, ended up in a shelter because he was fired for being too friendly haha (but seriously - screw the people who abandoned him). He is a regular at cafe patios and pet expos, attracting curious children and photo opportunities (a tour group once asked if they could each have a photo with him at the park, and in one hour hanging out on a Starbucks patio, he had four separate photo shoots). He doesn't necessarily care to have a ton of space for roaming around, but he does like to spend most of the day outside in the yard napping with intermittent patrol rounds, then snoozes through the night indoors. He also prefers a few hours a day of privacy. Unlike "eager to please" breeds like retrievers, Maremmas don't want their owners nearby all the time (nothing personal). If they choose to rest alone in a separate room, respect their space. Since these dogs aren't inclined to be very active, it's important to walk them every day and manage their weight, because the hip dysplasia and predisposition to OA is real :(

[@rachelspencer9736]

My wife and I were fortunate enough to get a big beautiful perfect example of a male maremma and then we got a female four years later. Needless to say, we have had some of the most amazing puppies you've ever seen! Proud of my critters! The second batch of puppies started big but the momma separated three from the rest and they were the only ones to make it from the litter, so we haven't been able to Part with any of them. They are just to much fun and they are to beautiful to let go. I sure wish I had the confidence to make a video like this to show them off because after living with my oldest maremma for the last six or seven years, I really want to show him off!

[@sc0ttishlass]

A month ago we failed at fostering our Maremma puppy and now Yuki stays. Seh is 6 months old and keeps us on our toes. Beautiful dogs. Yuki has a good 'trainer' in our neighbour's Owtsharka

[@94sweetmochi]

For some reason these breeds are becoming quite common in Puerto Rico. I have seen a few at the grooming salon i work in. They ussually come in as pups and pre-teens but then stop coming. Down the line i learn that they have become uncontrolable out of their comfort zone. Still have 2-3 that come regularly tho.

[@henryrivera196]

Y como les va con ellos en Puerto Rico, estoy considerando comprar uno.

[@55Kingrey]

Si tengo 7 😂 hahaha son unas bestias

[@Apoctopi]

I got a dog from a shelter and gave him a DNA test - I'd never heard of this breed before, but my dog is 42% maremma sheepdog! Thanks for the video so I can learn about my pup!

[@linaulnes7498]

Smart move. They need different. Its not the same as raising a golden or other Retrievers one might think they are related to in a mix.

[@FunBobbyMarley]

Well, my wife is currently in Rome, Italy picking up our new 3 month old Maremmano sheepdog and bringing him home to Wayne, Pennsylvania, USA. We were in Italy in April 2022 when our son happened to find a breeder with a new litter. We lost 2 of our 3 Golden Retrievers during Covid (unrelated) and our 4 yo needs a buddy. Obviously hoping for the best.

[@alphacat9302]

How it go? We found a local breeder around here and got lucky! Super sweet dogs!

[@FunBobbyMarley]

@@alphacat9302 - She made it back with the pup. Interesting trip, Lufthansa was great with the pup. He's now acclimating to life in the burbs with and Golden Retriever brother. Where is your breeder located?

[@alphacat9302]

@@FunBobbyMarley we're in the Pacific Northwest, there seem to be several Maremma breeders around here. We got super lucky though, pups practically fell in our lap.

[@dakotalandandcattle]

I kept Maremmas as Livestock Guardian Dogs for 25 years. I would keep 2 to 4 at all times to prevent mountain lion predation on the dogs. There are a unique breed and need to be raised differently than conventional dogs. The can be prone to roaming as "teenagers" as they try to aquire more territory to guard. They are extremely intelligent and responsive to direction, but are not a dog that responds to doing tricks. They are very stoic, and they don't mature fir 2-3 years.

[@gabrielandariana8911]

I'm glad people put videos up like this because it allows us to see different breeds we've never seen before

[@sethlucc9469]

They are beautiful dogs

[@judithpetersen631]

We have two at home our girl was raised alone then we got our boy so we can breed them they are great with our cats We live in Australia and their names are Snowball and Koda

[@animallover4955]

I have one she’s great family dog. In my town (beach town north nsw) I know of 7 maremma dogs.❤

[@mollyv9935]

They are so cute!

[@chalon4230]

50-60 kilos or 132 Pounds is not a Cute Dog 🤓

[@bullykutta_indo_pak_mastiff]

Beautiful

[@kathleenirish]

Unbelievably strong dog, very handsome. Ours is 145 pounds

[@r.8896]

Your dog is too large for a Maremma and is most likely a Great Pyrenees. A Maremma Sheepdog male weighs about 77-99 lbs. Great Pyrenees - males weighs 100-160 lbs.

[@7milestones]

We rescued a dog here in Turkey, that is white, somewhat fluffy, double coated etc. Looks exactly like some dogs in this video. Especially the one with Blue harness, that plays with a Husky/Malamute. 2 main difference: ours have slightly smaller ears than most of them in the video, and dewclaws on her back feet. apart from them, everything looks, both appearance and characteristics, exactly like it is mentioned in this video. So i will call her breed Maremma. but the problem is that i really don't think there is a Maremma sheepdog in Turkey, let alone it was released to forest, that we rescued. However, i need to choose a breed to register her, and i will go with Maremma, and i hope they don't have travel restrictions especially within EU.

[@DogsWiz]

What do you like the most about Maremma Sheepdogs? Let us know in the comments!

[@allananderson9497]

Loyalty

[@sebastianotero]

Their intelligence

[@bosse641]

A lovely big dog :o)

[@tylerd4504]

7:01 "dirt, mud" AND POOP, lmfao my Maremma is always masking her scent by rolling in crap.

[@rasulboqiy]

😍

[@allananderson9497]

I have not heard my dog bark 6 months since we left our Queensland property to temporary living in a city.She does not like coming inside for too long just half hour then heads for the door.

[@dakotalandandcattle]

As an farmer / rancher who kept 150+ cashmere goats in the foothills (7400') of Colorado, I kept 2-5 Marremmas for over 25 years. Through that time I raised 8 Maremmas, and they averaged a life span of 12 to 13 years. They are excellent guardians but need to be started correctly. They are NOT a dog that should be purchased for a pet if one is inexperienced and not committed to a lifetime with your dog. They do not do well being rehomed. This is a dog that will love you and die for you if need be and deserves love and total commitment. If you want a cute white fluffy puppy but are not committed to raising a giant independent dog, get a more socialized dog like a Pyr or a Samoyed.

[@loudloveen]

I want a big white dog to be a pet who would scare off intruders. I'm willing to train him, walk him and keep him for as long as he lives. I've raised an Akita, a Poodle, a JRT, a sheepdog and a Cavapoo. Do you think having raised those dogs would help? Are you saying Great Pyrinees are easier to keep than Maremma dogs?

[@bxnniq6769]

@@loudloveenconsidering what you want in a dog, a maremma could definitely be an option. However it is important to emphasise that they are independent and hard to manage as a pet if you don’t know what you are doing. Considering your experience with raising dogs, especially raising an Akita, I’d say you should be fine, but research a lot on the breed before you commit because these dogs are large, powerful, and can be unmanageable as pets

[@loudloveen]

@@bxnniq6769 Thank you for your reply. 🙏🏽

[@linaulnes7498]

​​@@loudloveenI would say they are different to raise, more so fhen difficult. But one need to understand their needs then they arnt more difficult to raise. They arnt like any other breed Ive had. Something different all together. Its just very important to understand what they need. But some other breeds need more exercise for example. For example support their guarding for them to feel safe and take your que. Not yell at them for guarding as young, but teach them what to react to. Teach them by praise them and when enough is enough. Ive also had other breeds before and it definitivly helps because the more breeds you have had the more one get they are different so then when getting a Maremma you will get its different from everything else you have had 😅 myn tho is the easy to train on leash, off leash aswell he have had amazing decolpmemt and is allways close by, dont run after things just more letting me know there is something there. But he had interactions with goats as young. I would recomand having them trained on some animals for them to be easier in other situations. Small livestock can be more difficult, and they can have prey drive for small wild animals. He is still young and is more soft type that needed support in new things to feel secure, but he has been a pleasent surprise in my life. I had never met one before getting him. He is so happy and bubbly you cant help but smile and whole of him is wiggling when his tails wags. If I smile at him he will jump around 😂 I love him so much ❤ he also have curling thick soft coat that is so nice to cuddle and big strong body to hug. He loves cuddles 😊 but is also not needy, independent enough to lay by themselfs. And no matter weather he loves being outdoors. When it dropped to close to -30 here in Norway he gad zero issues with a walk in the forrest while my alaska huskies wanted to be indoors 😅 so they arnt city apartment dogs. Also if you got an other dog who barks a lot I would recomand seperate them on training because they are on lookout and a different type who barks easily will get triggered. And then they Maremma puppy to and its a bad circle. Give them the correvt support as young os bery important for their devlopment.

[@loudloveen]

@@linaulnes7498 Thank you for taking the time to tell me more about this wonderful breed. I truly hope I get to at least see one in person one day. By the time I have room for another dog I'll be too old to have such a large dog. My largest dog at the moment weighs 21kg and he's wonderful on the lead. I need a dog who will be happy walking alongside me. And preferably a guard dog as I sometimes go for walks late in the evening. I'm considering a Giant Schnauzer, who's not on the restricted list in Ireland. These dogs must be muzzled in public.

[@user-xp8ry7df1i]

Супер

[@belindacole71]

A Meremma is not like like any other breed. You MUST have a mutual respect .You cannot antagonize them. They respond only to love and respect. They do love to sniff on a walk probably a hundred times. They are happy to go out and happy to come home to their bed. You must have patience and allow them to take the time to think. They enjoy routine but are curious . They are fiercly independent and stubborn. They love attention and praise. Hey, don't we all! They are gentle giants and love children, cats, and other dogs. Amazing, beautiful creatures!

[@sufranczar]

don't forget to metnion, that these dogs are all aware to fight. These are perfect companions, one needs to tell them where to go

[@sebastianotero]

PLove my maremma with a passion but he is a piece of work 😂

[@sunex6806]

My maramma ia called Yeti ❤ . Love my dog

[@user-pe1jg4yk2r]

Супер 👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿

[@veraantoine4727]

I have one of them

[@sufranczar]

.. and as you see, I am in love with him. If I had the time, it wonder about a Maremanno. ... Where they do not want to drive in Car ... they do not like to be there what they do not know. They want their territory and there they are the chief ..

[@lindaowens933]

I losted my.maremma 2nyrs ago at the age of 13 he was the most loyal companion I now have a maremma mix anatolian I couldn't find another maremma 😊

[@ShivaLadiva-sb9nw]

I live in Israel. Two years ago i adopted a puppy that was rescued from southern Israel from a large Beduin village. Initially i was told by the vet my puppy was a Cnaan dog however i thought she was a golden retriever. At 26 months old my shiva la diva showed as 88.4%Italian sheepdog and she looks very similar. She does not shed a lot though and might be mixed with Akbash a Turkish sheep dog. She adores being outside. Our great outdoors is the local dog beach which she refuses to leave ,she is very social when off leash at a dog park however when on the leash she is very protective and doesnt allow anyone in the building ..or in the apartment. I am glad shiva la diva was rescued from southern Israel since sadly the hamas terrorists murdered people there ..both Arabs and Jews and animals..so as we pray for real peace and these terrorists stopped we are glad we have a guard dog though sometimes challenging ... She has epilepsy since the war and is being treated with medication...

[@soyboystan8804]

We bought my maremma-golden retriever mix puppy for only about 150$, damn I got lucky there lmao.

[@vi4670]

Can I ask you what's your golden/maremma dog like? Sweet, protective, etc Have you found easy to train him/her? Thanks!

[@juliemomzithomas6731]

How are they or are they related to Great Prynees?

[@littlebigjohn69]

not related , because the great pyranees are much larger and characteristics are completely different. very good guard dogs as i personally saw my brother in law that two to guard his farm animals take on 2 coyotes .

[@BarbaraSumma]

We adopted our pastore abruzzese from the veterinarian shelter in L'Aqui,la in Italy. Due to the large number of sheep flocks in the mountains around this city, they have all the time lost o abandoned puppies. If you like the dog, want to give a loving home to an abandoned puppy and don't need lots of information on their pedigree, it is the best choice. In order to reduce the number of strays they have an excellent adoption packages: the puppies come already chipped, vaccinated, their anti-parasite treatment is being taking care for, and because I was bringing him abroad they even gave him the anti-rabies shot. The shelter employs two veterinarians and a trainer, so all the dogs are socialized. They even offered to sterilize him for free if I was bringing him back after puberty, this is also part of the package. I only had to pay some € 16 to get him a passport.

[@Yaya25002]

no manches es igual a mi perrq

[@Yaya25002]

y yo creyendo que es husky

[@user-cx1ip7ic3f]

Белая пушистая

[@mrschez21]

What is the difference in this dog and Great Pyrenees? They look identical to me.

[@dakotalandandcattle]

They are very different when standing side by side. A Maremma is a much leaner dog but their coat is so thick it isn't always obvious. A Maremma has a different set to it's ears and a generally narrower head. A Maremma usually will have web feet, similar to the webbed feet of a Labrador. Marrmmas slso tend to be all white eithout tge inclusion of tand or brown spots. Temperament is significantly different. Maremmas can be reserved and stoic, but are extremely intelligent. They need to be included within a family group or have a guarding job. Not everyone should own a Maremma and many pet and livestock owners give up on them at about 9 months to one year. One needs to be a committed dog owner and accept the unique traits of a Maremma before getting one as a puppy. They suffer greatly if ignored or poorly trained. They do not handle harsh correction and are sensitive to their owners. Firm and gentle correction works well and a safe crating environment may be needed as they can go through a period of separation anxiety, test they grow out of as they mature. These dogs go back thousands of years and were bred to stay with the flocks, when the shepard returned to his hut. They make decisions on their own, which makes them an independent dog that does not look to it's owner to every task and direction. My males were 32"-34" at the withers and 130-140 lbs. The females ran 2-3" shorter and about 30 lbs lighter. All hunting instincts are generally brief out of them, but they fo enjoy scavenging for "prizes". A Maremma is a more primitive dog in a sense and one needs to understand their primary function is protecting, not aggression., although no one would want to challenge a mature Maremma protecting it's flick or family.

[@tjtexas5130]

⁠Thank you. We have a dog adopted from the city shelter. We think he is Great Pyrenees - but not sure. With your description I think we can rule out this breed.

[@user-fx8zf2jy4r]

Owning one of them I can attest to all said about their behaviour Ours is all of that

[@TheJosevr]

1 walk is definitely not enough for a MSD! And my MSD wil hunt every cat he will see. And more things you talked about is not completely right!

[@alphacat9302]

My Maremma don't hunt my cats or chickens.

[@dakotalandandcattle]

Your Maremma may see cats as predators, but Maremmas raised with cats will protect them.

[@sufranczar]

one thing to emphasis, those dogs have just one Boss ... they are used to do their job all alone ... the bose are the sheep .. actually. In my mind my Comrad#s Maremannon tbink's I am a sheep of my freinds herd ... and therefore I am alive .. to tell it roughly

[@LonsdalePalmer]

What does "aloof" mean"? Disinterested or posing a threat?

[@johnseabrook1029]

Wary of newcomers, but certainly not aggressive towards them. That’s how our Maremma is.

[@melvinchavers4116]

There are no African Wild Dogs in Italy⚓⚓⚓

[@Luc-uw8ur]

😂

[@dakotalandandcattle]

There were wild dogs similar to African wild dogs thousands of years ago.

[@rns7426]

What if illegal immigrants from Africa brought them with them?

[@sufranczar]

it is too smooth,well. These dogs are build to protect, all alone, they have a strong selfesteam ... they need to protect to be not borrwed .. and a stronmg Chief

[@ShivaLadiva-sb9nw]

Just discoveted my dog is 88.4% maremm

[@sashamellon822]

Soceliizasun

[@ArshadAli-gh4wu]

What's with the glasses and head phones! Let them be dogs

[@trt2127]

Too dangerous.People don’t understand how deadly they actually are. My dads attacked his best friends arms.Badly.

[@Crazycat86400]

No unless you didn't train them properly

[@trt2127]

@@Crazycat86400 🤣