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The Full Maremma Sheepdog Description

Indicative Breed Standard

General Appearance

Majestic, large size, lithe, strongly built, of ‘outdoor’ appearance. Expression of aloof awareness.

Characteristics

Intelligent, distinguished, sturdy, courageous but not aggressive.

Temperament

Lively, any tendency to nervousness or aggression highly undesirable.

Head and Skull

Head conical in shape and appearing large in proportion to size of body. Skull rather wide between ears, narrowing towards foreface. Occipital ridge little emphasized with medium stop. Area under eyes slightly chiselled. Length of muzzle very slightly less than skull. Muzzle converges without snipiness. Jaws powerful and with plently of substance in foreface. Lips close fitting, not pendulous. Pigmentation of lips and nose black.

Eyes

Bold, neither large nor small, ball neither sunk nor protruding – aperture almond-shaped, dark eye preferred. Rims black.

Ears

Small in relation to size of head, V-shaped, set high on head, covered with short hair. Hanging flat to side of head in repose, moving forward when alert. The extremity of the ear forming a narrow point, never a rounded end.

Mouth

Teeth white, strong, regularly spaced and set in a level jaw. Scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Neck

Strong, of medium length, devoid of dewlap.

Forequarters

Shoulders long, sloping, well muscled. Forelegs well boned and muscular without heaviness, straight when viewed from front; elbows close to ribcage, not turning in or out. Viewed from side, pasterns slope very slightly forward.

Body

Strong, muscles well developed, withers slightly above level of back; back broad and straight, rising to slight arch over loins, and falling to broad, strong rump. Length of body, measured from point of shoulder to point of buttocks, slightly longer than height at shoulder. Ribcage full, let down to level of elbow; well sprung ribs, not barrel chested. Sternum long, gradually curving up to the abdomen, which shows a waist without tucking up.

Hindquarters

Wide and powerful; thighs strongly muscled, legs straight when viewed from behind, hocks well down, strong, moderate bend of stifle.

Feet

Large and almost round. Hindfeet slightly more oval. Pads black.

Tail

Set on low, reaching below joint of hock, hangs down when dog is quiet, but carried level with back when dog is alert, with tip gently curved. Well covered with thick hair but without forming fringes.

Gait/Movement

Movement free and active, giving impression of nimble dog, able to move easily over rough ground and turn quickly.

Coat

Fits outline of dog and is long, plentiful and rather harsh. Slight waviness, not curliness, permitted. Forms thick collar on neck. Hair short on muzzle, skull, ears, feet and front of limbs, forming slight feathering on rear limbs. Thick, close undercoat, especially in winter. Tail well covered with thick hair.

Colour

All white. A little shading of ivory or pale fawn is permissible.

Size

Ideal height: dogs: 65-73 cms (251/2-281/2 ins); bitches: 60-68 cms (231/2-261/2 ins). Ideal weight: dogs: 35-45 kgs (77-99 lbs); bitches: 30-40 kgs (66-88 lbs).