Purpose

The following recommendations aim to protect, preserve, and improve the inherent qualities of the Maremma Sheepdog and to ensure humane and ethical treatment of individual dogs. These recommendations serve as a voluntary standard for both members and breeders and a guideline for anyone seeking information about the breed or breeding principles.

Standards of Care for Breeders

Breeding Age

The MSCA does not recommend breeding any dog, male or female, before the age of 18 months. The basic standards of health, working ability and temperament cannot be fully evaluated until at least 18 months of age. Hips and elbows cannot be OFA certified until 2 years of age. PennHip may be performed as early as 16 weeks. However, it is recommended to wait until 9 months of age to increase the accuracy of results. It is also not recommended to breed any female beyond 8 years of age, only if she is in optimal health.

Breeding Frequency

A female should not be allowed to produce more than 6 litters in her lifetime, nor more than 3 litters in any given two-year period. These parameters are a general guideline to allow the dam to restore her body condition and continue her livestock
guardian duties.

Health and Genetic Considerations

Sire and Dam should be certified free of Hip Dysplasia through either OFA or Penn Hip. A veterinarian should also evaluate them for any potential hereditary defects such as Entropion, overbite, underbite, umbilical hernia or cryptorchidism. The MSCA also recommends genetic screening through Embark or another source to minimize the possibility of passing on a hidden genetic disorder.

In accidental breeding, parents should be tested immediately to rule out any potential hereditary disorder. Pups from that breeding should be registered with non-breeding status only until health clearances are received on both parents. Any breeding that produces a defect that would compromise the health or well-being of the offspring should not be repeated. If any male or female produces the same defect when bred to another partner, it is recommended that the individual be sexually altered and used for working and companion purposes only.

Working Quality Considerations

The primary goal of any breeder should be to improve the breed’s inherent qualities and working ability. The Maremma Sheepdog was developed for its excellent guarding ability and discernment in an unsupervised environment. Only dogs with a calm and quiet temperament, the ability to control impulsive behaviors, and the desire to stay with the stock should be considered for breeding candidates.

Care of Mom and the Puppies

Both mom and pups should receive regular veterinary care, including treating internal and external parasites. Pups should be reared in a clean and safe environment and allowed to bond with livestock and their handlers. They should also receive age-appropriate vaccines and parasite prevention as their Veterinarian recommends.

After the Puppies Go Home

Breeders should commit to a lifelong relationship with their puppy buyers. Every attempt should be made to provide the new puppy owner with the necessary resources and education to raise a
successful livestock guardian. If a puppy does not work out in its new home, the breeder should be willing to take back the puppy or, at least, assist the owner in rehoming the puppy in a more suitable environment.

Expectations of Owners

Owners must provide a safe and healthy environment for their puppy throughout its adult life. This includes fresh water daily, adequate nutrition based on the animal’s size, age, and caloric requirements, and a suitable shelter to protect him or her from the harsh elements. You should also provide the dog with daily human interaction, enrichment, and exercise. Owners should provide their pup with regular veterinary care. This may include preventative health care such as vaccinations, flea and tick prevention, and intestinal parasite control, based on their veterinarian’s recommendations.

Unless the dog is intended for breeding purposes, he or she should be spayed or neutered at the appropriate age.  Keep the breeder informed of any behavioral or health issue that
becomes a concern in your dog. This is especially important in the case of aggression toward livestock or people, or a known heritable defect such as Hip Dysplasia.

Notify the breeder in the event you are unable to keep the dog and allow them first opportunity to reclaim ownership or assist in you in rehoming the dog in a suitable environment.