Maremma Sheepdogs: Fierce Guardians You Don’t Want as City Pets!
The Maremma Sheepdog—also called a Maremmano-Abruzzese Sheepdog or Cane da Pastore Maremmano Abruzzese in Italian—is a large livestock guardian dog breed from Italy. A breed with at least 2,000 years of history, Italian Maremma Sheepdogs have been guarding flocks of sheep from large predators like wolves for generations and have earned a fearsome reputation.
If you look up the Maremma Italian Sheepdog on social media, you might first see click-bait-worthy videos about the ferocious Maremma Sheepdog personality. Some people will go as far as to say that these dogs shouldn’t be living in cities and suburbs because they pose such a high risk. Stereotyped as unfriendly, the misconceptions about Maremma Sheepdogs are partly a symptom of how little the general public knows about livestock and flock guardian breeds.
Let’s get to know the real Maremma Sheepdog and learn more about what makes livestock guardian breeds different from other dogs.
Meet 5 Maremma Sheepdogs from Instagram
Maremma Sheepdogs all come in one coat color: solid white. According to the United Kennel Club “shades of pale ivory, orange or lemon are tolerated but not to extremes,” so most Maremma Sheepdogs look very similar. Knowing this can help you identify Maremma Sheepdogs, but it can also help you avoid scams if you are searching for a Maremma Sheepdog puppy. You won’t fall for advertisements that claim, for example, to be selling a black Maremma sheepdog puppy—you know that doesn’t exist!
Let’s meet a handful of Maremma Sheepdogs so you can more easily identify one in the wild.
1. Arthur & Merlin
Arthur and Merlin look basically identical, and that’s for one good reason: they’re brothers!
2. Blizzard
Blizzard the Maremma Sheepdog is super dedicated to his job. Wherever his flock goes, he goes too, even if it means riding in a truck!
3. Ranger
Maremma Sheepdogs aren’t easily intimidated—just look at Ranger chilling with his alpaca buddies!
4. Monte
Not all Maremma Sheepdogs are aloof and shy—Monte is a big goofy guy who loves to play and socialize!
5. Leo
Leo is all grown up now, but wasn’t he so adorable as a puppy? Maremma Sheepdog puppies are just the cutest little clouds of fluff!
Maremma Sheepdog Basic Info
The Maremma Sheepdog as we know it today originates from two breeds of Italian sheepdog that worked as guard dogs and livestock guardians on small farms and rural communities for at least 2,000 years. Depictions of early Maremma Sheepdogs can be found in countless works of art from ancient Rome, Sicily, Florence, and throughout Italy. Through centuries of persistent cross-breeding, these two breeds became indistinguishable from each other creating modern Maremma Sheepdog dogs.
Still most commonly found in Italy, some Maremma Sheepdogs have made their way to the United States. The vast majority of Maremma Sheepdogs are working dogs protecting livestock, but a small number live as companion animals.
Maremma Sheepdog Temperament
Sometimes stereotyped as aggressive, Maremma Sheepdogs are a typical livestock guardian breed. Maremma Sheepdogs bond very closely to their flocks—whether it be sheep, chickens, etc.—and immediate family, but are wary of strangers and naturally territorial. Maremma Sheepdogs were bred to protect their homesteads and livestock and treat newcomers or unknown humans and animals as potentially dangerous intruders.
Independent and strong-willed, Maremma Sheepdogs have strong instincts that make them excellent livestock guardians who can work alone and make quick decisions. Hard to train and sometimes aloof, Maremma Sheepdogs are guided by natural instinct and high intelligence.
Some Maremma Sheepdogs can be very affectionate and gentle with their humans and other animal family members. Certain Maremma Sheepdog owners swear that their dogs adore their children and become their caregivers. Other Maremma owners explain that the unpredictable energy of children can make their dogs nervous and that their Maremma Sheepdogs are reactive toward their children. Unless you are experienced with livestock guardian dogs and large breeds, I would not recommend a Maremma Sheepdog for a family with young children.
When not given a job to do or adequate enrichment, Maremma Sheepdogs can become stressed and hypervigilant. Maremma Sheepdogs are happiest when they can fulfill their natural instincts and do best in families with rural or farmland properties.
Maremma Sheepdog Size
Maremma Sheepdogs are large, standing 23.5–28.75 inches tall and weighing in at 66–100 pounds.
Maremma Sheepdog Health
Maremma Sheepdogs are prone to several genetic and size-related health issues but are also more likely to be injured than other dog breeds if they are working dogs. If you own a working Maremma, be sure to periodically check their paws for debris, their skin and coat for ticks and fleas, and their bodies for injuries. Other health problems to be aware of if you own a Maremma Sheepdog include:
- Eye and vision problems (e.g. entropion, ectropion, distichiasis)
- Joint problems (e.g. elbow and hip dysplasia, patellar luxation)
- Back and spine issues (e.g. degenerative myelopathy)
- Bloat
Where To Find a Maremma Sheepdog for Sale
If you are searching for Maremma Sheepdog breeders, the best place to start is with the Maremma Sheepdog Club of America’s breeder directory. Keep in mind that most breeders of Maremma Sheepdog puppies will want to know whether you want a working dog or a companion dog, and may refuse to sell you a puppy if you do not own a farm or livestock.
Part of the mission of ethical breeders is to address breeding dogs and high abandonment rates. When breeders of working breeds like the Maremma Sheepdog refuse to sell puppies to everyday pet owners, they are protecting their dogs and the breed from abandonment. Many livestock guardian breeds are surrendered by owners who are overwhelmed with their care and aren’t prepared for the breed’s needs. If you’d like to help a livestock guardian dog who needs a home, consider learning how to adopt a Maremma Sheepdog.
Can Maremma Sheepdogs Be City Dogs?
In theory, any dog breed could be adjusted to city or suburb living, but that doesn’t mean they will thrive or be the happiest they can be.
“I have had [a Maremma Sheepdog] for 12 years. This has limited the places we could live, the amount of time we could leave the house, the kinds of activities we could do…just about every part of your life will be impacted by having a ‘companion’ Maremma,” says a Reddit comment from a user who has owned a Maremma for over a decade. “[My Maremma] has required careful management that entire time to manage her barking, hypervigilance, and provide her with suitable enrichment…we even got a backyard chicken flock. You can’t out-socialize or out-train their instincts.”
I would not recommend owning a Maremma Sheepdog if you live in the city or the suburbs for the following reasons:
- Maremma Sheepdogs bark a lot and have very loud voices. They bark to alert, to communicate, and to intimidate which isn’t ideal for city or suburban dwellings.
- Maremma Sheepdogs are wary of strangers and may be reactive when their social boundaries are pushed. City dogs need to be able to meet new people every day, and even social Maremma Sheepdogs may find this to be stressful.
- Maremma Sheepdogs are dog-selective and may perceive strange or new dogs as a threat. City dogs are constantly encountering other pups and need to be comfortable sharing space.
- Maremma Sheepdogs are independent and prefer to be outside dogs. Most Maremma Sheepdogs spend their entire lives living alongside livestock and don’t often thrive following the average daily schedule for city pets.
Maremma Sheepdog FAQ
You’ve got more questions about the Maremma Sheepdog and I’ve got more answers! If you’re still weighing Maremma Sheepdog pros and cons, be sure to learn everything there is to know about the breed.
What’s the difference between a Maremma Sheepdog and a Great Pyrenees?
When you look at a Maremma Sheepdog vs. Great Pyrenees (also called a Pyrenean Mountain Dog) you might not immediately be able to tell the difference. The biggest difference is the regions of origin: Maremma Sheepdogs are from central Italy whereas Great Pyrenees are from the mountainous regions of France and Spain.
Maremma Sheepdogs and Great Pyrenees also differ in size—Great Pyrenees are heavier and taller than Maremma Sheepdogs, and often top 100 pounds.
Great Pyrenees are white but can have tan, red, and gray markings whereas the Maremma Sheepdog can only be pure white.
The final clue to tell these dog breeds apart is in the ears. Great Pyrenees have smaller rounded ears set low on the skull whereas Maremma Sheepdogs have larger, higher-set ears that taper to a point.
Here’s a quick side-by-side comparison of the Maremma Sheepdog (left) vs. the Great Pyrenees (right). 
Source: @JohnB_London and @LucyLu_TheGreatPyr
What is the average Maremma Sheepdog lifespan?
Maremma Sheepdogs live an average of 10–12 years.
Is the Maremma Sheepdog recognized by the American Kennel Club?
No. The Maremma Sheepdog is not recognized by the American Kennel Club, but it is recognized and registered with other international kennel clubs like the United Kennel Club and the Continental Kennel Club.
Do Maremma Sheepdogs shed a lot?
Yes. Maremma Sheepdogs have thick double coats that need regular brushing and shed moderately. Maremma Sheepdogs will also blow their coats as the seasons change, dropping large amounts of undercoat at a time and becoming heavy shedders.
