The Breeding
The Maremma Sheepdog originated in Italy where it has been used for many centuries as a guardian of flocks of sheep and goats. The Maremma is a large white or cream colored dog, usually weighing between 70 and 100 pounds and standing 25 to 30 inches tall. It is described in the Breed Standard as being majestic, lively, sturdy, distinguished, intelligent, and courageous without being aggressive. It demonstrates an aloof awareness as leader of its adopted family, while at the same time readily accepting a secondary role to its bonded humans. A Maremma accepts the leadership of humans, but not their mastery, and while being a good friend to man, will not willingly be his slave. The independence necessary for solitary guarding of a flock makes the Maremma somewhat unwilling to take orders, and all of its behavioral characteristics that make it an excellent guardian tend to become stronger as it matures. The pet Maremma, without a flock and large area to guard, will gradually become more possessive of its bonded humans and of its limited territory, and more defensive of its possessions, while it will also become less discriminatory between friend and foe. The ideal time for an inexperienced owner to purchase a Maremma is as a recently weaned puppy so that it will bond strongly with its adopted family, its humans, and its territory as it grows. However, this also involves all the antics of puppy-hood, adolescence, and training in the "Don'ts" of guardianship - it already knows all of the "Do's" and will develop them on its own if exposed at the right time to appropriate guarding situations. Maremmas become mature, fully developed guardians at about age two.