Berghond van de maremmen

* ORIGIN *

The Maremma sheepdog as the Pastore Maremmano-Abruzzese is called in English comes from Italy and originates from two regions; the Maremma situated at the coastal area north of Rome and the Abruzzo, a mountainous region east of Rome. The breed is over 2000 years old and originally comes from Asia. People have different opinions on how the breed came from Asia to Europe. It is very probable that the dogs came along with the shepherds, when they migrated from the east to the west. A fact is that all of the Big White Dogs, such as the Tatra, the Kuvac and the Pyrenean Mountain dog etc. belong to the same group. They were bred and used to protect and defend flocks of sheep against predators such as wolves or other thieves.

TEMPERAMENT *** The character of the Maremma Sheepdog can be described as calm, good-natured, cautious, but fierce to enemies of his flock. He is a good guardian over the house and its inhabitants, attached to his master, but always aloof to strangers. A Maremma is self-confident and self-willed, and thus needs a consequent, but not a harsh training, that is if you don't want to have any trouble in your 'pack'. 

The breed is originally bred and used as a guardian and defence dog for live stock. The Maremma is used as such till today in Italy. In the United States and in Australia the breed has  successfully been introduced to guard the sheep against coyotes and other predators.

In comparison to other real shepherds a Maremma is calmer, aloof, more independent, so he can perform his task better without people and he can withstand bad weather conditions. His hunting abilities are relatively badly developed, so he won't chase the animals he has to protect. A working Maremma lives between the sheep and sees the sheep, or any other kind of animal he has to protect, as part of his pack. In Holland there are no or very little working Maremma. The Maremma as a companion and family dog is more obedient as his working congener, he can generally be described as calm, aloof, suspicious towards strangers, attached to his master, self-willed and independent. He will protect whatever he sees as part of his pack. A Maremma is not obedient in the usual sense. He had to stay with the sheep, not follow his master. A Maremma patrols along and through his flock and takes action when he thinks it is needed. It is therefore not necessary to train a Maremma how to guard; he himself knows better than anyone else.

It does not mean that a Maremma can't be trained. He will quickly learn how to sit, heel or lay down, but he will never have the 'will to please' as it is seen in some other breeds. A Maremma is not submissive and dependant, and he will always be reserved and timid with strangers. It also doesn't mean that a Maremma wouldn't need leadership. However you can not enforce your leadership upon him, a good relationship originates from a mutually based friendship and a lot of patience. When you are looking for an obedient and submissive dog, who will follow your commands and orders instantaneously, a Maremma is not the dog you want to have.

GROOMING ***  Considering the white, half long fur coat a Maremma has, he needs very little grooming. Of course you can give him a nice brush to take out the loose and dead hairs, but the coat does not tend to become entangled. Washing should be avoided or limited. The skin/coat contains a greasy layer, so sand and dirt will fall out of the coat all by itself. When you wash your dog very often, this layer will be washed away and the dog will become dirtier every time. 

When the dog is outside most of the time, in winter he will develop a thick undercoat, that will moult in spring. In autumn the dog will moult again, but not as much as in spring. 

The Maremma is for his size not a big eater. They are usually not very demanding and don't gulp.

WEIGHT AND HEIGHT ***

SKULL***  the length of the skull is 1/10 more than the length of the muzzle, and its width from cheek to cheek is more than half of the total length of the head; the lateral walls of the skull are therefore somewhat rounded. Seen in profile, the skull is also somewhat rounded and rather wide between the eyes; it narrows toward the facial region. Its upper longitudinal axis diverges slightly from the axis of the nasal bridge. The sinuses are not pronounced. The occipital protuberance is not accentuated.

NOSE***wet and cool, it is positioned on the line of the nasal bridge, with a large border, and nostrils which are large; seen in profile, the nose should not extend beyond the front vertical line of the lips, its forward face is on the same vertical plane as the forward face of the muzzle. Pigmentation: Black

BRIDGE***straight (for its length and direction in relation to the cranial axis, (see Head) Its width, measured at the midpoint should be 22% of the total length of the head, and about 55% of the length of the nasal bridge itself.

STOP***should not be pronounced

LIPS***the upper lips, seen from the front are shaped like a semi-circle with a very narrow chord. The lips are not high, and thus they barely cover the lower teeth; the commissure, because of the slight development of the lips, is not pronounced. Consequently, the lower lateral profile of the muzzle is described by the lips only in their lower-lateral-forward part, while farther back, toward the commissure, it is delineated by the mandible and by the commissure itself the pigment of the lip edges must be black.

EYES***the eyes are not large, considering the overall size of the dog. They should neither be deep-set nor protruding. They are ochre or dark brown in colour. The eyelids must fit fairly close to the eyes. The eye slit is almond-shaped. Pigmentation of the eyelids must be black. The direction of the axes of lids (that is, the straight line which passes between the two corners of the eye opening) determines a 30 degree angle with the median plane of the head.

EARS*** considering the size of the dog, the ears are rather small, they are V shaped, set on considerably above the zygomatic arch, and are covered with hair. The tip should be sharply pointed and never be rounded. Ear length in an average sized dog should not be more than 4 1/2 inches when the dog is completely in repose, the ears hang down at the sides of the head, but whenever the dog is alerted the ears are very mobile and should rise to a semierect position: This is indicative of the Maremma's talents as a guard dog and is a specific trait of the breed. The ears may be clipped to a certain extent, if the dog is to be used as custodian of a flock.

FOREQUARTERS***The shoulders should be long, sloping, strongly muscled, and very free in movement. The length is about 1/4 of the height at the withers, while the slope varies from 50 - 60 degrees from the horizontal. the points of the scapulae are relatively vertical in respect to the medial plane of the body and therefore fairly well apart.

Upper Arm***well joined to the body in the upper two-thirds, with strong muscles, sloped at 55 - 60 degrees from the horizontal. Its length at the withers and its direction are nearly parallel to the medial plane of the body.

Forearm***well boned, vertical. Its length is slightly more than the length of the humerus, and measures slightly less than 1/3 of the height at the withers. The height at the elbow is 52.87% of the height at the withers. The elbows, which are normally close to the body and covered with soft, loose skin, should lie on a plane which is parallel to the medial plane of the body. The point of the elbow should lie on a perpendicular from the scapular.

Wrist***the wrist lies on the vertical of the forearm; lean, smooth, with no visible bone relief, except at its back edge, where the pisiform bone protrudes.

Pastern***seen from in front, the pastern follows the vertical line of the forearm, it is lean with a minimal amount of subcutaneous cellular tissue. Its length should not be less than 1/6 of the height of the entire member at the elbow. Seen in profile it should be slightly extended.

Foot***large, rounded, with toes well closed, and covered with short dense hair. The pads are lean and hard; the nails are strong and arched. The pads are strongly pigmented, as are the nails, the pigment should be black (brown in the nail is acceptable).

BODY ***The length of the body, measured from the point of the shoulder (Outer scapular-humeral angle) or from the manubrium of the sternum to the point of the buttock (posterior point of the ischium), is 1/18 greater than the height at the withers.

Chest *** broad and well open, with well developed pectoral muscles, the width between the lateral limits (the upper and forward edges of the arms) should be 25% of the height at the withers. The sternum should be level with the point of the shoulders.

Rib Cage***broad, descending to the level of the elbow, well rounded at the midpoint of the height. The cross diameter which is greatest at half of the height, diminishes slightly toward the bottom, so that the stern region is still broad. The ribs are well sprung, oblique, with well extended interrib spaces; the last false ribs are long, oblique and well open. The sternum is long: in profile its outline is that of a semicircle with a very broad chord, which ascends toward the abdomen. The circumference of the rib cage should be about 1/4 greater than the height at the withers, and its diameter should be at least 32% of the height at the withers, while the depth of the rib cage should be 50%. In a dog 27 inches high the rib cage should have the following dimensions: circumference (behind the elbows) 32.6 inches; circumference on the rib arches 28.7 inches; depth 13.4 inches; height 12.8 inches. The thoracic index, therefore, should not exceed it (and should be preferably less).

Back***the withers are slightly raised above the backline, with the points of the scapulae set well apart. The upper outline of the back is straight. The length is about 32% of the height at the withers.

Loins*** well incorporated into the backline, slightly convex as viewed in profile. The muscles are well developed in their breadth. The length is 1/5 of the height at the withers. The width is almost equal to the length

Belly***
its lower line, from the stern forward, rises very slightly toward the flanks, in such a way that the belly is slightly drawn up. The flanks should be of a length which is almost equal to the lumbar region; the hollowing of the flank should be minimal.

Croup*** broad, robust, muscular; the cross diameter between the haunches should be 1/7 of the height at the withers. Its length is 1/3 of the height at the withers. Its slope, from the haunch to the set on of the tail, is 20 degrees from the horizontal, and thus the dog's croup is hollowed.

Sexual Organs ***  the male should have perfect and complete development of the testicles.

Tail***  set on low, because of the followed croup, when the dog is standing in normal position, the tail passes the hock. In repose it is carried hanging down, while when the dog is excited it is carried at the backline, with the tip slightly curved. It is well feathered with dense hair, but there should be no fringe.

Leg ***  well boned, and well equipped with lean muscles. The length is slightly less than the length of the thigh, and is 32.5% of the height at the withers. Its slope is about 60 degrees from the horizontal.

Hock ***  its height is 30.9% of the height at the withers; this means that in a dog 26 3/4 inches high, the height of the hock should be about 7 1/4 inches. The sides of the hock are very broad, its forward angulation is quite closed, seen from behind, the backline which goes from the hock to the ground should be on the vertical and on the prolongation of the buttock line.

Metatarses***  robust and lean; its length depends on the height of the hock. Seen from behind as well as in profile, it should always be vertical. There should be no dewclaws.

Foot*** like the forefoot, but slight more oval in shape

COAT***  Hair very abundant, long, rather harsh to the touch, close to the body. A slight wave is permitted; around the neck, the coat forms a rich collar. It is short on the muzzle, on the skull, on the ears, on the forward edge of all four limbs, on the back edge of which it forms a slight fringe. The undercoat is abundant and only a winter coat. The texture of the hair is semivitreous. The length of the hair on the body may be as much as 3 inches

Colour ***  solid white, Ivory, pale orange, pale lemon shadings are acceptable if not excessive.

Skin ***  close-fitting and rather thick all over, the neck has no dewlap. Lips, nose and eyelids should be black, as should the pads of the feet and the nails. (Brown nails are acceptable)

GAIT *** The pace is long, as is the trot.

Fault's *** undistinguished overall appearance, light bone, lack of symmetry.
Height** deficient or excessive.
Head** convergent cranial facial axis (a very serious fault). Nose"** lower than the line of the bridge; protruding on the vertical of the forepart of the nose; small; nostrils not well open; deficient pigmentation. Total de-pigmentation a disqualification.
Bridge** short, narrow, with the sidelines exaggeratedly convergent; convex (arched); a pronounced arch or hollow constitutes a disqualification.
Lips** over or under-developed. Conjunction of the upper lips decidedly in the shape of an inverted V
Muzzle** short, exaggerated convergence forward of its sides, that is, a decidedly pointed muzzle.
Jaws** thin; overshot condition if it harms the general appearance of the muzzle, undershot condition if due to lack of length in the mandible is a disqualification; if it is the result of bad direction of teeth it is a fault. Curved lower jaw; Irregular teeth; teeth lacking; horizontal erosion of the teeth.
Skull ** small, short, flat on top, or exaggeratedly rounded; broad at the zygomatic arches; masseters overly developed; underdeveloped sinuses; or (a serious fault) overly developed, to the point where the stop is pronounced. Convergence of the cranial facial longitudinal axis.
Eyes** too small, or prominent; light eyes; walleyes (disqualification). Eyes set too high, round, entropion; suspicious expression; cross eyes. Partial depigmentation of the eyelids, or (disqualification) total depigmentation. total bilateral depigmentation of the eyelids (disqualification).
Ears**too long or too short; semierect or rose ears. Set on low, rounded tips, covered with excessively long hair, not mobile.
Neck** thin, too short; presence of dewlap.
Pastern: short, thin, spongy; too long, too extended or straight; out of vertical.
Foot** (Forefoot) fat; splayed, broad, too big, crushed; deficiency of arching in the toes; foot carried in or out, that is, not vertically. toe pads fleshy, thin sloes; deficiency of colouring in nails and pads. Bad positioning of pads.
Body** too long; longitudinal diameter equal to height at the withers.
Chest**  narrow, insufficiently let down; poor muscular development; manubrium of sternum positioned too low.
Rib Cage** too low, too shallow and of insufficient circumference; narrow; carenated. Xiphoid appendage curved inward; short stern; rib arches not sufficiently open. Ribs not sufficiently sprung; inter rib spaces not broad; false ribs short and closed;
Back**short, interruption of the backline at the eleventh vertebrae. Saddle back (Lordosis); carp back (Hyphosis).
Loins** long, flat, narrow.
Belly** drawn up; long and hollowed flank.
Croup: narrow; deficient in length ; horizontal.
Sexual Organs *  Monorchidism (disqualification), cryptorchidsm (disqualification). Incomplete development of one or both testes. (disqualification)
Tail ***  too long or too short; lack of brachyurism, either congenital or artificial (disqualification); tail set on high. Tail curled over the back (disqualification), or with decided fringes.
Thighs: short, or with badly developed muscles, that is, flat, deviated from the stifle; too straight or too sloped.
Leg: light bone; short, insufficiently sloped.
Hock: high; not broad; open or closed angulation; out of vertical.
Metatarses: long, thin; out of vertical; dewclaws (a very serious fault).

Hair ***  strongly waved, curly (disqualification); short; lack of winter undercoat; hair too harsh or too soft.
Colour: other than solid white; Isabella coat (disqualification); Isabel or ivory markings, even if very small, with sharp edges (disqualification). Ivory or pale orange tints in abundance.
Skin: thin or too thick, over abundance; dewlap; traces of depigmentation on the nose and on the edges of the eyelids; lack of colouring, even if season; total depigmentation of the nose (disqualification).
Gait: short, jumpy, ambling.

DISQUALIFICATIONS *** Height: more than 30 inches at the withers and more than 3/4 inch less than the minimum height standard.
Head: decidedly convergent cranial facial axis.
Bridge: concave or exaggeratedly arched.
In judging, if any characteristic vital to the type of the breed is graded, the dog cannot be considered, but will be disqualified even if the other characteristics are all graded excellent.

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