| The Maremma Sheepdog is native to the Italian | | | | noted for its high intelligence. A few of the dogs |
| Alps. This is a breed that has an extraordinary | | | | stayed behind as farm protectors and gradually |
| capability of working in the higher altitudes. For | | | | the Maremma also became known as the large |
| many hundreds of years, the life of the sheep, | | | | white dog who frequented the fine homes of |
| the shepherds and the Maremma dog that | | | | Tuscany as a companion and watchdog. |
| guarded the flock was structured on the seasons. | | | | The Maremma is a large white dog with profuse |
| From June to October the flocks would be | | | | and abundant coat. One might confuse the dog |
| moved to the high country in the mountains of | | | | with the Pyrenees or the Kuvasz, excerpt that |
| Abruzzi and from October to June they would go | | | | the head of the Maremma is much larger in |
| down to the plains and rolling pastures of | | | | proportion to the body and in fact is very like |
| Maremma. | | | | that of the Polar bear, conical in shape and |
| The job of the Maremma historically has been | | | | massive. In general, of the large white dogs that |
| that of a livestock protector and herding dog, | | | | are the herding dogs of central Europe and the |
| being of great value to the Italian peasants as | | | | Alps, the Maremma is probably the breed that |
| they moved their flocks of mountain goats and | | | | exhibits the most independent thinking and is one |
| sheep through the high alpine pastures, not only | | | | of the dogs considered to be a very protective |
| herding but also protecting the flock from | | | | dog, working in the dual role as flock guard and |
| predators. The Maremma has the capability of | | | | herder. |
| working independently as a flock protector and is | | | | |