Origin
The Maremma is a highly intelligent dog and one that forms extremely strong bonds with their owners. They have always been highly prized for their herding abilities in their native Italy, but they are also known to be kind and gentle family pets and companions too. Maremmas are noble, proud dogs that enjoy being part of the family and involved in everything that goes on around them which is why since they first appeared in the UK, they have found their way into the hearts and homes of many people. However, anyone wishing to share their home with a Maremma would need to register their interest with breeders because these handsome dogs remain quite rare.
The exact origins of the Maremma Sheepdog are a bit of a mystery, but what is known is that these majestic dogs have been used by shepherds in Italy for centuries. Some people think they are the descendants of white dogs that were around at the time of the Magyars. Other people think that at one time two there were two types of dog, namely the Maremmano and the Abruzzese with the latter dog being longer in the body and used in the more mountainous regions of the country. It was not until the 1950s that the two were officially recognised as one breed and given the name Maremmano-Abruzzese.
The Maremmano-Abruzzese is thought to be a descendant of white sheepdogs seen in Eastern Europe two thousand years ago. The Maremma however, evolved to be that much smaller than other sheepdogs that were around at the time, but they retained their strong, independent herding instincts and their aloofness. These noble dogs are still highly prized in Italy for their herding skills, and although the first Maremma arrived British shores way back in 1872, they remain quite rare in the UK.
