Dog breed · Italy
The Maremmano-Abruzzese Sheepdog, Italian: Cane da Pastore Maremmano-Abruzzese, is an Italian breed of livestock guardian dog. It is indigenous to central Italy, especially to the Maremma region of Tuscany and Lazio, and to northern areas of Southern Italy, particularly to Abruzzo. It has been used for centuries by Italian shepherds to guard sheep from wolves. The "Maremmano" name derives from that of the Maremma marshlands where, until recently, shepherds, dogs and hundreds of thousands of sheep over-wintered, and where the dogs are still abundant although sheep-farming has decreased substantially. However, the breed is still widely employed in and closely culturally associated with the nearby region of Abruzzo, where sheep herding remains vital to the rural economy and where the wolf (specifically the Apennine wolf) remains an active and protected predator. The "Abruzzese" portion of the dog's name derives from its ubiquity in Abruzzo and the surrounding area.
It may share a common ancestor with other European breeds of similar appearance and function such as the Pyrenean Mountain Dog, the Kuvasz of Hungary, the Polish Tatra Sheepdog and the Šarplaninac.
Characteristics: The Maremmano has a solid, muscular build, a thick white coat, a large head and a black nose. Dogs weigh some 35–[dose — ask your vet] (75–100 lb) and stand 65–73 cm (26–29 in) at the shoulder, while bitches weigh 30–[dose — ask your vet] (65–90 lb) and stand 60–68 cm (24–27 in). Some dogs may be considerably larger. The coat is long and thick; it is rough to the touch, and forms a thick collar around the neck. It should be solid white; some minor yellowing may be tolerated. The nose, the lips and the skin round the eyes are black.
The median age at death has been reported as 7.5 years, compared to a median of 10 years for all dogs in Italy.
Characteristics: The Maremmano has a solid, muscular build, a thick white coat, a large head and a black nose. Dogs weigh some 35–[dose — ask your vet] (75–100 lb) and stand 65–73 cm (26–29 in) at the shoulder, while bitches weigh 30–[dose — ask your vet] (65–90 lb) and stand 60–68 cm (24–27 in). Some dogs may be considerably larger. The coat is long and thick; it is rough to the touch, and forms a thick collar around the neck. It should be solid white; some minor yellowing may be tolerated. The nose, the lips and the skin round the eyes are black.
The median age at death has been reported as 7.5 years, compared to a median of 10 years for all dogs in Italy.
