Its head should recall a polar bear’s: large, flat and conical. That really is what the FCI standard says of the Maremma Sheepdog (Cane da Pastore Abruzzese Maremmano). An adult male weighs up to 52 kg.
| FCI | Group 1 (Sheepdogs and Cattledogs), Section 1 Sheepdogs, Standard No. 201, without working trial |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Italy |
| Size (height at the withers) | Males 67 to 73,5 cm, females 62 to 70 cm |
| Weight | Males 40 to 52 kg, females 35 to 45 kg |
| Life expectancy | no reliable study figure found (N/A) |
| Coat | long, rather harsh like straight horsehair, close-fitting; slight wave tolerated; up to 8 cm on body, pronounced neck collar; abundant undercoat only in winter |
| Colours in the standard | white; ivory, pale orange or lemon yellow tolerated only to a limited extent; nose, lip edges and eyelid rims black |
Two landscapes, one dog
The double name explains its origins. Some ancestors protected flocks in Abruzzo, where sheep are still kept today. Others lived with shepherds in the Maremma of Tuscany and Lazio. Especially after 1860, flocks moved seasonally between the two regions and the two types mixed, the standard records. Definitively recognised since 13.03.1956, it is usually called simply Maremmano.
Proud and submissive to no one
The standard says it fulfils its chief role as guardian of flock and farm with judgement, courage and determination. Proud and averse to submission, it is nevertheless loyally devoted to its owner and family. It will not become an obedience specialist: it weighs things up and acts independently. As a puppy, it needs many calm encounters and clear guidance without harshness.
How far a guardian travels
The standard names the walk and powerful trot as its gaits. An Australian GPS study shows how large its territory can be: free-ranging Maremma Sheepdogs spent an average 90 per cent of their time with their sheep, but moved rapidly away from the flock, especially at night (van Bommel and Johnson 2014). For you, that means high fencing and long, quiet walks.
Caring for white horsehair
The harsh hair mats little. Weekly brushing usually suffices; during moulting, when the winter wool comes out, daily brushing is more appropriate.
Heat and lifespan
We cannot substantiate a lifespan in years; McMillan and colleagues did not analyse the breed. However, an Italian study of 4957 deceased dogs from veterinary clinics places the Maremmano among breeds with the lowest mean age at death; across all dogs it was 10,0 years (Roccaro et al. 2024). Data from New South Wales showed an increased risk of heatstroke and other heat-related illness (Tripovich et al. 2023). In summer, it needs shade and rest at midday.
A dog for people with space
Experienced rural owners with a house and large, securely fenced property, who value an independent protector and do not need instant obedience.
Who may find a Maremmano too much
If you live in a city, seek a sporting partner or first dog, or often have changing visitors, you will rarely be happy with this guardian, nor it with you.
For another white livestock guardian, see the Kuvasz entry. To check whether a Maremmano fits your daily life, try the breed quiz; our book offers more thorough guidance: “Welcher Hund passt WIRKLICH zu dir?” (book in German). For the first weeks, there is the free Puppy Starter Pack. Show your white giant on a magazine cover on canvas or browse our dog portraits from your own photo .
Further reading
- The socialisation period: why “as much as possible” is the wrong advice
- An older dog, new rules: giving your senior their best years
- Is my dog overweight? Checking body shape and ideal weight
Sources, accessed on 20.10.2026: FCI-Standard Nr. 201 Cane da Pastore Abruzzese Maremmano (fci.be, German version dated 16.12.2025, valid standard published 03.12.2025); McMillan KM et al., Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death, Scientific Reports 2024; Roccaro M et al., Factors related to longevity and mortality of dogs in Italy, Preventive Veterinary Medicine 2024; Tripovich JS et al., Incidence and risk factors of heat-related illness in dogs from New South Wales, Australia (1997 to 2017), Australian Veterinary Journal 2023; van Bommel L, Johnson CN, Where do livestock guardian dogs go? Movement patterns of free-ranging Maremma sheepdogs, PLoS One 2014.
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