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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

Maremma Sheepdog?

12 replies

AtYourCervix · 13/08/2013 17:52

Turns out possible BinkyPuppy isn't a Pyrenean at all but a Miremma Sheepdog (DH'misinformation!).

Anyway, rare italian guarding, flock breed.

Anyone know any?

Going to visit possible BinkyPuppy tomorrow.

OP posts:

tooearlytobeup · 13/08/2013 17:57

A women Ive met dog walking has two. Hers plays happily with my Springer and is friendly but she did say to me that it was something she had to work on as they tend to be very reserved and not great with other dogs/strangers unless very well socialised from young. They are big too, i thought it was a giant golden retriever at first.

SmallFarAway · 13/08/2013 18:00

Hmmm...what's the background? Rescue of unknown parentage? Or from a breeder?

I have owned large/giant breeds for a long time and I'd have to think long and hard about taking on a Maremma. They have a reputation for poor temperaments and being very 'guardy' and difficult to manage. I'd have to be very sure of the parentage and temperament in the lines before I'd even consider taking it on...and I'm not known from shying away from a challenge when it comes to big dogs

Original poster

AtYourCervix · 13/08/2013 18:24

Friend of DHs. Breeder. Had a litter twice as big as expected and has offered us one.

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Original poster

AtYourCervix · 13/08/2013 18:28

Timing isn't grwat TBH. Lost lovely BigDog a few weeks ago and I'm away for whole of September. Although DH and the DDs will be here and will do classes etc.

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SmallFarAway · 13/08/2013 19:22

Have you had a chance to meet the parents and assess their temperaments?

From what I know if them, they can be fiercely protective if the family, or certain members within the family. I'd only take one on if I had full control of the socialisation from day 1 (and I'd not be waiting til after the second vaccination to start that) and didn't have very small children as this is a breed that will need 100% consistency in its training from the off and that's nigh on impossible to achieve with wee kids.

Are you the one that normally does the training with your dogs? Or can you trust your DH to be thorough and consistent (with dogs and children)? This is a breed you need to reinforce the boundaries with from the beginning. You do not want to be trying to correct undesirable behaviour when it weighs as much as a small adult (the reason that most adolescents find themselves in our (giant) breed rescue...and it's a way more laid back and friendly breed than the Maremma).

As you say yourself that the timing isn't ideal, I'd give it a swerve as getting it right will require way more effort than your average affable Lab/spaniel etc. and even then you'll always be contending with 'nature' to a certain degree in the hard wired behaviours with regard to wariness of strangers/guarding tendencies. But only you can decide what's right for you and the family....and fluffy little white puppies are so tempting although you'll never be done picking white hair off your clothes/dinner

SmallFarAway · 13/08/2013 19:24

And sorry to hear about BigDog :( I lost one of mine just over a fortnight ago so I feel your pain. Sucks, doesn't it? :(

Original poster

AtYourCervix · 13/08/2013 19:40

DH knows them well. He's been visiying almost daily since they were born (soppy git). Mate has both parents.

Problem is they're about 5 months now and if they're to be socialised and stuff it needs to be now. DDs are big teenagers not small.

OP posts:

Original poster

AtYourCervix · 13/08/2013 19:44

BigDog was an enormous, highly intelligent yet stubborn and lazy, collie.
very used to big dog stuff, white hairs and being consistant.

OP posts:

Original poster

AtYourCervix · 13/08/2013 19:45

BigDog was an enormous, highly intelligent yet stubborn and lazy, collie.
very used to big dog stuff, white hairs and being consistant.

OP posts:

SmallFarAway · 13/08/2013 20:00

With no small kids in the equation, it's less of a concern but 5 months with little socialisation is a worry but not necessarily insurmountable. My Rottie X was an unsocialised hooligan when he came to us at 6 months. It took a lot of time and effort but he eventually became a solid, steady boy who I can trust in most situations. He's never really overcome his wariness with strangers but it manifests in him keeping his distance from people rather than actively trying to keep them away so it's not a problem.

The white hair would be the bigger deal breaker for me

Original poster

AtYourCervix · 13/08/2013 20:11

BigDog was also an unsocialised 5 month old farm hooligan when we got him.
Hard work but he was amazingly loyal and lovely.

OP posts:

SmallFarAway · 13/08/2013 21:14

Sounds like your mind is pretty much made up :) You'll certainly get loyalty in spades from a Maremma. And as long as you're up for the challenge, I'm sure you'll get along fine. I was raised with farm bred collies and I wouldn't have one now so you're already a braver woman than I :)

Just don't call the poor sod Snowy

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