It’s amazing how a large white dog that likes to lounge around in a shady spot in the middle of the day, as if it didn’t have a care in the world, will be so alert to what is happening all around him. Suddenly, they get up and walk the boundary. The next minute they are chasing a crow or barking loudly with a great level of assertiveness to announce the arrival of a stranger.
I’m talking about the “ Maremma”, this is the Italian Sheep dog or Guardian dog.
I have heard many varying accounts about these dogs but in my own opinion and experience, I think they’re great animals and worth their weight in gold. I use the dogs with my poultry. My Mareemas protect my flocks of birds and water fowl from predators, like crows, hawks, foxes, dingoes and domestic dogs. In my own experience I have not lost any stock where I had these dogs.
The Mareemas are usually used among Sheep, but more and more these great animals are being used to protect poultry and other animals. I heard recently that Maremma dogs were being used to protect the fairy penguins on islands off the southern coastline. Some people use them to guard their families and their homes. These dogs are quite happy as long as they have something or some one to bond with and to look after as in our case here at Bluehills Poultry Stud.
They alert us to know when anyone arrives, most often before they reach the gate. Some people are now using them in their backyard to guard the children and family pets. In my brothers case who lives in NSW, He has them to guard the backyard and the children, when everyone is away the children’s pet rabbits are taken good care of as they run free.
These dogs are so adaptable and able to be used in so many situations, with some training. These dogs are so intelligent and often have a mind of their own and get on with the job that is required. I know that many free range chicken farms use these great dogs.
I recommend that you obtain your dog at an early age to let them bond with the stock/animals and property you want them to protect and be around your other dogs or pets. The Maremma dog is an outside dog and is happy to be left outside.
Leave Comment Below