Iconographic sources that have been identified as relevant to the history of the Maremmano include:[6], The Canis pastoralis of classical antiquity, in the Vatican Museums; the ears are a restoration. Weight should be in keeping with the size and stature of these dogs, ranging from 45–50 kilograms (99–110 lb) for males and from 40–45 kilograms (88–99 lb) for females. Here's how you say it. [8], The Cane Corso is a large dog of molossoid type, and is closely related to the Neapolitan Mastiff. A breeder's society for the Pastore Abruzzese was formed in 1950, and one for the Maremmano in 1953. Whilst some older publications refer to the Maremmano and Abruzzese as independent breeds combined to create the Maremmano-Abruzzese, it has been noted that the shorter-haired Maremmano was only ever observed during the winter months, when flocks were grazed on their winter pastures on the milder coastal Tuscany, whilst the supposedly longer-bodied Abruzzese was only observed in the summer months, when flocks were grazed in the Abruzzi mountains. Over 100,000 Italian translations of English words and phrases. Columella, writing in the 1st century A.D., recommends white dogs for this purpose, as the shepherd can easily distinguish them from the wolf, while Varro suggests that white dogs have a "lion-like aspect" in the dark. Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Breed Standards : Cane Corso Italiano - United Kennel Club (UKC)", Body measurements and morphological evaluation of Italian Cane Corso, FCI breeds nomenclature: Cane Corso Italiano (343), "Longevity of Cane Corso Italiano dog breed and its relationship with hair colour", "AKC Official Standard of the Cane Corso", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cane_Corso&oldid=986351867, Pages containing links to subscription-only content, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles needing additional references from December 2018, All articles needing additional references, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 31 October 2020, at 09:18. The literal English translation of the name is "The dog of the shepherds of the Maremma and Abruzzese region". The forehead should be flat and convergent to the muzzle. [9], These dogs are docile and affectionate to their owners, loving with children and family, and easily trained. Besides their wide use in Italy, Maremma Sheepdogs are extensively used as livestock guardian dogs in Australia, Canada and the United States. It is large and imposing. [19] The dogs work in groups; three or four dogs are an adequate defense against wolves and stray dogs. [14][15], As sheep farming developed into an annual trek or transhumance from mountain grasslands of Abruzzo and Molise (and other parts of central Italy) south to lower pasture land in Puglia, where sheep were over-wintered[citation needed], the dogs came to play a central role in the centuries-old migration, an annual event vital to Abruzzese culture. History [20] Nevertheless, working dogs may be fitted with a roccale (or vreccale), a spiked iron collar which protects the neck in combat. It should be solid white; some minor yellowing may be tolerated. S.P. Similar-looking dog breeds include the Pyrenean Mountain Dog (known as the Great Pyrenees in North America), the Kuvasz of Hungary, the Polish Tatra Sheepdog, the Slovenský Cuvac of Slovakia and the Šarplaninac (although this breed is not only coloured white like the others are), with all of which it may share a common ancestor;[3][4] and the Akbash of Turkey. The ears of working dogs are normally cropped. The traditional use of the Maremma Sheepdog is as a guardian for the protection of sheep flocks against wolves. [4] A breed society, the Società Amatori Cane Corso, was formed in 1983. Marelli, A. Monaghé, M. Polli, L. Guidobono Cavalchini (2003). Neopolitan Mastiff Appearance Wolves in a changing world. [18] However, biologists dispute this division, as well as over-reliance on minor physical differences, as the dogs were bred over the centuries for their behavioral characteristics as flock guardians. It has been used for centuries by Italian shepherds to guard sheep from wolves. The Engli… [21] If there are already guardian dogs in the flock, the puppy imitates and learns from their behaviour. The literal English translation of the name is "The dog of the shepherds of the Maremma and Abruzzese region". This large Italian dog breed is closely related to the Cane Corso. The coat is long and thick; it is rough to the touch, and forms a thick collar around the neck. The breed is known as a true and quite possibly the last of the coursing Mastiffs. It has been used for centuries by Italian shepherds to guard sheep from wolves. [22] A small number have been used since 2006 on Middle Island, off Warrnambool, in Victoria, Australia, to protect a small population of the little penguin (Eudyptula minor) against red foxes. In 1940 there were 17 dogs registered. On 1 January 1958 the breeds were unified by the ENCI, the Ente Nazionale della Cinofilia Italiano, the national dog association of Italy. White markings are common on the chest, tips of toes, the chin, and the bridge of the nose. They are an unequalled protector of the owners and their property. [13], Until 1958 the Pastore Maremmano, or shepherd dog of the Maremma, and the Pastore Abruzzese, or shepherd dog of the Abruzzi, were regarded as separate breeds. Maremmano dogs continue to be widely used by Italian sheep farmers in areas where predation is common, such as the Apennines of central Italy and the open range land of national parks in Abruzzo. A 2017 study of 232 Cane Corso dogs across 25 countries found an average life span of 9.3 years, varying with different coat colours. The Maremmano-Abruzzese Sheepdog or Maremma Sheepdog (Italian: Cane da pastore Maremmano-Abruzzese), usually referred to simply as the Maremmano or Abruzzese Sheepdog, is a breed of livestock guardian dog indigenous to central Italy, particularly to Abruzzo and the Maremma region of Tuscany and Lazio. Pages 523–526 in L.N. Brindling of varying intensity is common on both basic coat colours as well, creating Tigrato (black brindle), and Grigio Tigrato (blue brindle). [6] 1385, showing a white shepherd dog with a spiked collar, Detail of the Journey of the Magi to Bethlehem by Benozzo Gozzoli, "Wolf dogs of the Abruzzi", illustration from the Penny Magazine of 1833, The first registration of the Maremmano in the Libro delle Origini Italiano of the Kennel Club Italiano, as it was then called, was of four dogs in 1898. [16], The Maremmano has a solid, muscular build, a thick white coat, a large head and a black nose. Dogs used for flock protection are placed among the sheep as young puppies – no more than 40 days old – so that they bond with them; human contact is kept to the indispensable minimum. [7] It was recognised by the American Kennel Club of the United States in 2010. The breed is widely employed in Abruzzo, where sheep herding remains vital to the rural economy and the wolf remains an active (though protected) predator. Seip, editors. The Maremmano-Abruzzese Sheepdog or Maremma Sheepdog (Italian: .mw-parser-output .noitalic{font-style:normal}Cane da pastore Maremmano-Abruzzese), usually referred to simply as the Maremmano or Abruzzese Sheepdog, is a breed of livestock guardian dog indigenous to central Italy and the northern parts of Southern Italy, particularly to Abruzzo and the Maremma region of Tuscany and Lazio. [21] The traditional use of the Maremmano is with sheep, but the dogs can form a similar bond with cows and have been used to protect range cattle as well.