Sheep dog fact file

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View all Bird worksheets. View all natural world worksheets. View all earth science worksheets. View all biology worksheets. View all space worksheets. The Maremma dog is now used as a sheepdog in central Italy where wolves are still predators, and the breed has also spread to other sheep-rearing countries, notably Canada, the USA, Australia and New Zealand. A solid, muscular animal, the Maremma is the largest Italian sheep dog. At around lbs 50 kilos and standing up to 29" 75 centimetres tall, it is bigger, heavier and more powerful than either the Retriever or the Bergamasco dog and in stature most like its cousin the Pyrenean mountain dog.

With the same large head and powerful jaws, its slightly wavy coat is white or a very pale gold and its nose, black as a pup, turns pink with age. The Maremma is one of the most loyal of all Italian dog breeds and will remain true to one handler for his whole life.

That does not mean, however, that he will automatically obey everything he hears asked of him. For the Maremma sheepdog is also independent, highly intelligent and very strong willed.

By no means a submissive dog, he will listen to commands, weigh them up for himself and then decide whether it's a good idea or not - and if he thinks not, the command will quite simply be ignored. This dog is not a servant but sees himself as an equal partner with his handler, a problem-solver there to do one piece of business above all else.

This Italian sheep dog does what he says he will do - he guards his flock. As a working dog in Italy he is introduced to small animals like lambs at a very early stage and to the rest of his flock when a bit bigger. Once those guarding instincts lock in, he will be the gentlest of guards with the smallest of animals and the most hostile and ferocious if he perceives his flock to be threatened.

Unlike the Bergamasco , the Maremma is not a herding dog. You will often see him sitting alone with his flock for days on end. He knows what his job is and doesn't need to be given any other instruction. He will just guard. Used with all kinds of livestock from chickens to cattle, he allows domestic and farm animals to live side by side with wild animal predators without the need for guns. Popular in Australia as a flock guardian, a Maremma dog called Oddball, followed by his sister Mollie, has recently been used on a small island off the south-western Australian coast to guard The experts said it was a crazy idea.

The dogs would - obviously - eat the penguins. Nearly extinct on Middle Island due to the presence of natural predators like the fox and the wild dog, penguin numbers have increased from under twenty to well over seventy since this Italian sheep dog was introduced.

Her handler, Allan "Swampy" Marsh, commented that the Maremma breed isn't bothered about what kind of animal she guards :. Oddy is really protective of my chooks, so to her the penguins were only chooks in dinner suits".

So, the big question : is this type of Italian sheep dog right for you and your family? Here's how you can decide whether this is the Italian dog breed to suit your lifestyle.