The Maremma breed in general is not for Novice dog people. Whether you are considering a puppy or a rescue/rehome, you need to do a lot of research about this breed and its temperament and activity level. You should have also done as much research as possible about this breed and how it will fit into your life. They are very smart, fairly active, can be very protective and companion dogs need to live in a stimulating family environment.
Unfortunately some Maremma's do not have a happy life or their owners cannot care for them anymore. This webpage is provided as a service to help people who are considering having a Maremma join their family. We call them Rescue dogs because a lot of the time they are rescued from Death Row at council pounds or from homes where they are no longer wanted.
You must be as forthright as possible in your discussions with carers about why you want a Maremma, what kind of environment you are going to provide, the type of personality and age you are looking for. You should also be able to discuss how you are going to help the dog adapt to the new home. The goal is to find these orphans a good home, you will be at least their second home; we want this to be their 'forever' home.
Sometimes due to the unusual characteristics of this breed and irresponsible impulse purchasing, there are a dogs who become unwanted through no fault of their own. The Maremma has a lovely spirit and playful enthusiasm, it is not well suited for kennel life or for being left in a backyard situation. They need to live as part of the family, trained from an early age and be well socialised.
Not a good look! Unwanted, unloved and very depressed
Our rescue dogs are assessed for their suitability to working situations or as family companions on an individual basis. Mostly the dogs we receive from Pounds are ones which have been raised in family situations, mostly suburban, they generally have been well socialised from an early age and have lovely natures.
HOW DO I PREPARE FOR MY MAREMMA?
Good fencing is a MUST. A Maremma will adopt a large territory if fencing is of poor quality. The best type of fencing is one which is made of mesh with no large holes and regular farm fencing being minimum of 1.5 metres in height.
Enrolling in training classes is optional, it can be a bonus for socialising and basic training, however, the Maremma as a breed can be fairly willful and independent due to their intelligence. Getting the necessary doggies items (food, bowls, leash, toys, etc.), setting up a household routine that will help your dog adjust to its new surroundings etc. Reading up on the available materials and attending a couple of training classes prior to getting your dog is a great way to get your feet wet.
Ideally, you will have communication from the current carer about things like what kind of food, toys, amount of exercise he gets now, how well trained is he, what does his life look like now. This will help you make the transition to your home easier. You can start off with the same kind of food, same type of toys and so on. The current owner may send something along to his new home to help make the transition easier. The first few weeks will be the hardest as you get to know each other. Patience and time are very important during the transition. A tired dog is always a better dog, and a happy dog causes less problems.
Ultimately consistency is the key to training any dog, and having a companion dog living as part of its new family is a must for bonding to occur.
For more information on the Maremmas in Rescue at the moment,
please ring Andrea on (02) 6355 5004 or 0418 171896
or email maremmas@companionsforlife.cjb.net
if emailing, please also tell me which area you live in
BEFORE GETTING A MAREMMA
-GET ACCURATE INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THIS BREED
-ASK QUESTIONS OF OTHER OWNERS - COMPANION DOGS AND/OR WORKING DOGS
Other dogs in care at the moment:
Companions For Life
Links of Interest
Pets Online
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A Note from Andrea:
As rescuers, our main concern is in finding excellent "forever" homes for the dogs in our care. WE (my family) ARE NOT BREEDERS and will not recommend any breeders for purposes of purchasing a puppy, please contact the Breed Club for this information. Please also ensure to buy from a responsible, reputable and registered breeder, as these would be most concerned with the long-term welfare and future of their pups, and should help no matter what the problem or how old the dog.
No dog will be placed if the placement does not benefit both the new owner and the dog.
Any links found on this site, are herein placed solely for information purposes only, to help you to make an informed decision on acquiring a Maremma Sheepdog as a working dog or companion.
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