Sheep’s Best Friend

The Maremma Guard Dog

Sheep may be docile, but they do have enemies: Bear, coyote and wild (feral) dogs, to name a few. But they also have a loyal friend in the Maremma dog. These beautiful, quiet, but courageous animals have been guarding sheep for over a thousand years. Unlike Border Collies, Maremmas don’t herd or chase sheep. Instead, they spend their days, dozing, or walking among the flock, unless provoked or there is a nearby threat. Only then do they become fierce protectors, defending the flock above all else.

Perhaps the greatest working trait of the Maremma is their absolute intolerance to all predators while displaying extraordinary loyalty, patience and kindness to the flocks they protect. Another unique trait is that they don’t "chase" sheep or predators and they won’t run around or after the herding dogs that are constantly dashing around the sheep. If a Maremma encounters a predator, say a coyote, it may chase it from the immediate area but it soon returns to the flock.

Because other methods of sheep protection, such as using snares or pepper spray toxicants on predators are not a reasonable alternatives in power grid rights-of-way, the Maremma dogs have proven to be ideal for guarding the sheep used in the Grazing Power Project.

A dog in sheep’s clothing

It’s no coincidence that the Maremma dog happens to bear more than a passing resemblance to your average sheep. A member of the Mastiff family, Maremmas were bred to have a long, flat, white or tan coat. They also stand about sheep height (25-32 inches at the shoulder) and weigh 85-140 pounds.

Shepherds place the dogs with sheep from the time they’re pups so they learn to bond. Later, they introduce the dogs to people, herding dogs and any equipment, so the dogs will not perceive them as predators.

Taking the night shift

Maremmas are nocturnal by nature and therefore do the bulk of their work at night, when the threat to the sheep is greatest. Because Maremmas are territorial, they stay fairly close to the flock at all times.