---
title: "Maremma Sheepdog - temperament, price, health | Pedibase"
description: "Everything to know about the Maremma Sheepdog (Italy): temperament, size, health, lifespan of 11-13 years, feeding, price, and verified breeders."
canonical_url: "https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/maremma-sheepdog"
meta:
"og:description": "Everything to know about the Maremma Sheepdog (Italy): temperament, size, health, lifespan of 11-13 years, feeding, price, and verified breeders."
"og:image": "https://www.pedibase.com/_img/rs:fill:1200:630/el:1/q:80/f:jpg/plain/s3://media-pedibase/public/8503/berger-de-maremme-et-des-abruzzes-4.jpg"
"og:image:alt": "Dog and cat breeders near you"
"og:image:height": "630"
"og:image:width": "1200"
"og:title": "Maremma Sheepdog - temperament, price, health"
"twitter:description": "Everything to know about the Maremma Sheepdog (Italy): temperament, size, health, lifespan of 11-13 years, feeding, price, and verified breeders."
"twitter:image": "https://www.pedibase.com/_img/rs:fill:1200:630/el:1/q:80/f:jpg/plain/s3://media-pedibase/public/8503/berger-de-maremme-et-des-abruzzes-4.jpg"
"twitter:title": "Maremma Sheepdog - temperament, price, health"
---
> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://www.pedibase.com/llms.txt)
+8
Dogs
# The Maremma Sheepdog: temperament, price, health, and breeders
Italy
A great Italian guardian, courageous, independent and deeply loyal to his own.
Size LargeLife expectancy 11–13 yearsBudget ≈ €145/monthPuppy €1,000 – €1,600
[Find a breeder 3](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-maremma-sheepdog) [ Compare with other breeds](https://www.pedibase.com/en/compare-dog-breeds?races=maremma-sheepdog)
The right choice?
## Is this breed right for you?
[Find your ideal breed with our online quiz!](https://www.pedibase.com/en/choose-your-dog)
Families and children Good
Daily exercise needs High
Apartment living Fair
First-time owners Good
Other pets Good
Tolerance of being alone Good
Guarding instinct Very good
Strengths and weaknesses
- Natural guardian: His courage, vigilance and sense of territory make him a reliable protector.
- Loyal to his family: He develops a deep attachment to the people and animals of his group.
- Robust in the face of cold: His double, abundant coat protects him effectively from bad weather.
- Capable of autonomy: He knows how to observe, decide and work without constant prompting.
- Independent temperament: Its autonomy and tenacity make training and recall demanding.
- Need for large spaces: Confined urban life poorly meets its need for movement and vigilance.
- Wariness toward strangers: Insufficient socialization can accentuate its reserve and its territorial reactions.
- Limited tolerance to heat: Its dense coat requires strict precautions during hot periods.
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- Families living in the countryside: A large enclosed plot of land allows it to express its need for space and guarding.
- Calm and consistent owners: It responds better to stable, respectful and patient authority.
- Breeders with herds: Its protective instinct is particularly suited to watching over animals.
- Experienced people: A good understanding of independent dogs makes its training and socialization easier.
Not recommended for
- Living in a small apartment: The lack of space and territory to watch over can compromise its balance.
- Owners seeking immediate obedience: It thinks and decides independently rather than executing mechanically.
- Very sedentary households: It needs long outings and regular activity.
- Very hot climates without accommodations: Its double, dense coat makes it vulnerable to high temperatures.
Meet the breed
## What does it look like?
1,75 mHuman
67 cmMaremma Sheepdog
- Height at the withers
- 60–73 cm
- Weight
- 30–45 kg
- Coat
- Long, dense, coarse, double
- FCI group
- 1
- Origin
- Italy
- Grooming
- Moderate grooming needs
## Photos and videos
See the Maremma Sheepdog in photos and videos: coat colors, size, and distinctive expressions.
Origins
## Where does it come from?
The Berger de Maremme et des Abruzzes is a very ancient Italian breed, attested for more than two millennia. It descends from livestock guardian dogs present in the historical regions of the Maremma, between Tuscany and Lazio, and the Abruzzo, in central-eastern Italy. Molossoid-type dogs from Asia as well as several European mountain dogs are said to have contributed to its formation. Long distinguished according to their region and their coat length, the Berger des Abruzzes and the Berger de Maremme were brought together into a single breed at the beginning of the 1950s. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale definitively recognized the breed on 13 March 1956.
Appearance
## What does it look like?
Large, rustic dog, strongly built and well proportioned, the Berger de Maremme et des Abruzzes is slightly longer than tall. Its broad and rather flat head recalls that of a polar bear, with a slight stop, a powerful muzzle and ochre to chestnut eyes with a gentle and attentive expression. Its small triangular ears are set high and hang close to the head. Its back is straight, its chest deep and its croup broad and muscular. The tail, set low, is abundantly furnished. Its white coat, long up to about 8 cm, harsh, dense and lying close to the body forms a pronounced ruff; an abundant undercoat appears in winter. Slight shades of ivory, pale orange or lemon are tolerated.
Temperament
## Temperament and personality
Intelligent, courageous and very territorial, the Berger de Maremme et des Abruzzes has a deeply rooted protective instinct. Loyal and affectionate with its family, it remains reserved toward strangers and knows how to take initiative without waiting for an order. Its independence, tenacity and strong personality must not be confused with a lack of attachment: this guardian has historically worked autonomously alongside flocks.
Playful Intelligent Protective
Living together
## Living with children and other pets
On a daily basis, he seeks space, freedom of movement and a clear mission. He generally appears calm when he can watch over his territory, but needs long outings and regular activities to remain balanced. A house with a large, perfectly fenced plot suits him better than an apartment. Living with children and other animals is possible when it is prepared through early socialization, appropriate supervision and gradual introductions.
Training
## Training and socialization
His training must begin early and combine firmness, consistency, patience and respect. Brutal methods must be avoided, as they reinforce the mistrust and opposition of this independent dog. Short, varied and motivating sessions give better results than mechanical repetitions. Socialization to people, animals, noises and varied environments is essential. Recall must be worked on carefully in secure places before any freedom, because his natural autonomy makes its acquisition demanding.
Budget
## Price and budget for the Maremma Sheepdog
The purchase price varies depending on registration with the LOF, the quality of the lineage, the screenings carried out on the parents, the reputation of the kennel and the puppy’s intended purpose. The initial cost must be considered along with the ongoing expenses related to food, care and equipment for a large dog.
[See cost breakdown](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/maremma-sheepdog/price)
Health
## Health at a glance
The Berger de Maremme et des Abruzzes is an overall robust and hardy dog. Its double coat protects it effectively from cold and dampness. The breed does not show any clearly established major pathological predisposition, but its large size justifies orthopedic monitoring and preventive measures specific to large dogs.
[Prevention and things to watch for](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/maremma-sheepdog/health)
Nutrition
## Feeding your pet well
This large active dog needs a complete, balanced diet adapted to its age, weight, activity and environment. Growth must be regular and not accelerated in order to protect the skeleton. In adults, the ration must support muscle mass without promoting overweight.
[Our feeding advice](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/maremma-sheepdog/food)
Did you know?
## Fun facts and popularity
Its name brings together the two Italian territories where its ancestors traditionally protected the herds. Its white coat allowed shepherds to quickly distinguish it from predators in the dark. Even today, it is used as a protection dog against wolves and other predators, in Italy as well as in several extensive livestock farming countries.
FAQ
## Frequently asked questions about the Maremma Sheepdog
Answers to common questions from future owners before their new companion arrives.
### Can the Berger de Maremme et des Abruzzes live in an apartment?
Apartment living is not very suitable for this large territorial guardian. It thrives more in a house with a large, well-fenced plot of land, long outings and real contact with its family.
### Is it easy to train?
It is intelligent but independent and sometimes stubborn. Early, consistent, respectful training and thorough socialization are essential; its recall generally requires more work than that of a very cooperative breed.
### Does it get along with children and other animals?
A good relationship is possible when the puppy is socialized early and interactions are supervised. Its size, protective instinct and autonomy nevertheless require supervision with young children and gradual introductions with other animals.
### What grooming does its white coat require?
Weekly brushing is generally sufficient, increased to two or three sessions per week during shedding. After outings, the coat and the inside of the ears should be checked to remove debris and quickly detect irritation.
## Find a Maremma Sheepdog breeder
The areas where Pedibase lists the most Maremma Sheepdog breeders, along with their litters and typical prices.
### Maremma Sheepdog breeders by country
[47 breeders of Maremma Sheepdog in Italy](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-maremma-sheepdog/italy) [13 breeders of Maremma Sheepdog in Germany](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-maremma-sheepdog/germany) [3 breeders of Maremma Sheepdog in Finland](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-maremma-sheepdog/finland) [3 breeders of Maremma Sheepdog in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-maremma-sheepdog) [3 breeders of Maremma Sheepdog in the Netherlands](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-maremma-sheepdog/netherlands) [1 breeder of Maremma Sheepdog in Austria](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-maremma-sheepdog/austria) [1 breeder of Maremma Sheepdog in the United Kingdom](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-maremma-sheepdog/united-kingdom)
[All breeders of Maremma Sheepdog in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-maremma-sheepdog)
## Ready to welcome a Maremma Sheepdog?
Find a registered, verified breeder near you and meet your future companion with confidence.
[View breeders](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-maremma-sheepdog)
## Discover other breeds
[Bergamasco Sheepdog
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/bergamasco-sheepdog)
[Karst Shepherd Dog
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/karst-shepherd-dog)
[Yugoslavian Shepherd
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/yugoslavian-shepherd-dog)
[German Shepherd Dog
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/german-shepherd-dog)
[Belgian Shepherd Dog Groenendael
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/belgian-shepherd-dog-groenendael)
```json
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@id":"https://www.pedibase.com/#website","@type":"WebSite","description":"Find dog and cat breeders near you. France's leading breeder directory, with an interactive map, breed information, and verified reviews.","inLanguage":"en","name":"Pedibase","url":"https://www.pedibase.com","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https://www.pedibase.com/en/search?q={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"publisher":{"@id":"https://www.pedibase.com/#identity"},"translationOfWork":{"@id":"https://www.pedibase.com/#website"}},{"@id":"https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/maremma-sheepdog#webpage","description":"Everything to know about the Maremma Sheepdog (Italy): temperament, size, health, lifespan of 11-13 years, feeding, price, and verified breeders.","name":"Maremma Sheepdog - temperament, price, health","url":"https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/maremma-sheepdog","@type":["WebPage","FAQPage"],"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/maremma-sheepdog#breadcrumb"},"isPartOf":{"@id":"https://www.pedibase.com/en#website"},"mainEntity":[{"@id":"https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/maremma-sheepdog#/schema/question/1"},{"@id":"https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/maremma-sheepdog#/schema/question/2"},{"@id":"https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/maremma-sheepdog#/schema/question/3"},{"@id":"https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/maremma-sheepdog#/schema/question/4"}],"potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/maremma-sheepdog"]}],"primaryImageOfPage":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://www.pedibase.com/_img/rs:fill:1200:630/el:1/q:80/f:jpg/plain/s3://media-pedibase/public/8503/berger-de-maremme-et-des-abruzzes-4.jpg","width":1200,"height":630,"inLanguage":"en","contentUrl":"https://www.pedibase.com/_img/rs:fill:1200:630/el:1/q:80/f:jpg/plain/s3://media-pedibase/public/8503/berger-de-maremme-et-des-abruzzes-4.jpg"}},{"@id":"https://www.pedibase.com/#identity","@type":"Organization","description":"Pedibase is a free directory of dog and cat breeders that helps prospective owners find a registered breeder near them.","email":"contact@pedibase.com","name":"Pedibase","url":"https://www.pedibase.com/","contactPoint":{"@type":"ContactPoint","contactType":"customer support","email":"contact@pedibase.com"},"logo":{"@id":"https://www.pedibase.com/#logo"},"parentOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Aurion","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"1 rue Pasteur","postalCode":"72000","addressLocality":"Le Mans","addressCountry":"FR"}},"sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/pedibase","https://www.instagram.com/pedibase_app"]},{"@id":"https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/maremma-sheepdog#breadcrumb","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","name":"Home","item":"https://www.pedibase.com/en","position":1},{"@type":"ListItem","name":"Dogs","item":"https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breeds","position":2},{"@type":"ListItem","name":"Maremma Sheepdog","position":3}]},{"@id":"https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/maremma-sheepdog#/schema/question/1","@type":"Question","inLanguage":"en","name":"Can the Berger de Maremme et des Abruzzes live in an apartment?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Apartment living is not very suitable for this large territorial guardian. It thrives more in a house with a large, well-fenced plot of land, long outings and real contact with its family."}},{"@id":"https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/maremma-sheepdog#/schema/question/2","@type":"Question","inLanguage":"en","name":"Is it easy to train?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"It is intelligent but independent and sometimes stubborn. Early, consistent, respectful training and thorough socialization are essential; its recall generally requires more work than that of a very cooperative breed."}},{"@id":"https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/maremma-sheepdog#/schema/question/3","@type":"Question","inLanguage":"en","name":"Does it get along with children and other animals?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"A good relationship is possible when the puppy is socialized early and interactions are supervised. Its size, protective instinct and autonomy nevertheless require supervision with young children and gradual introductions with other animals."}},{"@id":"https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/maremma-sheepdog#/schema/question/4","@type":"Question","inLanguage":"en","name":"What grooming does its white coat require?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Weekly brushing is generally sufficient, increased to two or three sessions per week during shedding. After outings, the coat and the inside of the ears should be checked to remove debris and quickly detect irritation."}},{"@id":"https://www.pedibase.com/#logo","@type":"ImageObject","caption":"Pedibase","contentUrl":"https://www.pedibase.com/logo.svg","inLanguage":"en","url":"https://www.pedibase.com/logo.svg"}]}
```