Mike came back for another call with questions about his three working Maremmas. And Clive joined us from Portugal, where it was 1:00 AM. That’s real dedication!
Four owners, four very different lives with Maremma Sheepdogs. The conversation that followed is one I want every one of you to hear.
Can a Maremma Sheepdog Be Both a Working Dog and a Companion?
Mike’s three Maremmas guard about 100 sheep against coyotes on his California ranch. He’s had zero losses since they arrived. He also admitted he was skeptical that a 100-pound livestock guardian dog could ever be a house companion.
Then everyone else chimed in.
Angela has kept Maremmas as companions for 23 years, hiking with them across Washington, Idaho, British Columbia, and Alberta, and Luna is her newest. The independence and stubbornness people warn you about? Those are exactly what she loves about the breed.
Tom’s Jimmy, Luna’s older half-brother, walks the city streets in LA, greets the neighbors, and stays alert without being reactive. Luna and Jimmy’s parents are working livestock guardian dogs on my farm, from a long line of working Maremmas. Luna and Jimmy were raised full-time with my goats and other livestock until they left to go to their new homes around 12-14 weeks. They transitioned seamlessly from farm dogs to companions.
Clive’s Max comes from five generations of working Italian sheepdogs, and he’s the first of his line to live as a companion. He’s calm, friendly, and quietly watchful over his family.
Same breed, even the same family tree, and completely different lives. Here’s what ties it all together: Maremmas adapt to the life they’re raised in.
That’s why my Puppy Development Program socializes puppies with both livestock and people from the start. They grow up in my Puppy Parlor inside the goat pasture, with my grandkids handling them from the first weeks. That range of adaptability gets built early.
Quick takeaway:If you want a companion Maremma, start with a puppy. Adult working dogs come with settled habits that can make the switch hard, even in a loving home.
10-month-old Jimmy politely shares a muffin with mom
Are Maremma Sheepdog Puppies Available Now?
Speaking of starting with a puppy: Luna and Jimmy’s family tree still has a few branches looking for homes.
If you loved hearing how Luna and Jimmy are doing, these puppies are their family. They’ve been raised the same way: in the puppy parlor with the goats, handled by my grandkids from the first weeks, and brought up through my Puppy Development Program.
Whether you’re looking for a working LGD or a companion, I’d love to help you figure out if one of them is the right fit. See available puppies or hit reply and tell me about your needs and goals for a Maremma.
Does a Bigger Maremma Sheepdog Protect Livestock Better?
Mike asked how big adult females get. The range is wide: females run roughly 70 to 115 pounds, and males about 90 to 130+.
His own experience answered the bigger question, though. His 80-pound female, Iris, is arguably the most effective dog on his property.
Size doesn’t make a great LGD. If you need more protection, add another dog rather than hunting for a bigger one. Smaller dogs are often faster and more agile anyway. And as Angela reminded us, a Maremma’s first line of defense is the bark.
When Should You Spay or Neuter a Maremma Sheepdog?
I used to tell everyone to wait until two years old. But because I sell most of my dogs in pairs and male/female pairs tend to work best, this can be complicated. After several clients ended up with pregnant 10-month-old dogs (Thankfully, none were sibling matings, but still, a pregnant 10-month-old is not a good thing), my advice has changed.
Most Maremma females have their first heat between 9 and 12 months, and sometimes earlier.
If you have a male and a female together, spay the female first. She carries the higher risk.
Ask your vet about ovary-sparing spays or vasectomies. They’re harder to find and cost more in the US, but they’re worth asking about.
Where Can You Get Maremma Sheepdog Answers Every Week?
The best part of these calls is hearing the questions you didn’t know to ask. People like Mike keep coming back, and every week the conversation gets richer because of who shows up. Someone else’s teething puppy or leash struggle often answers the question you were about to have.
These calls are free right now, and that won’t last forever. The Maremmas Made Easy membership is launching soon, and the weekly calls will move inside it as part of a supportive community of Maremma owners and future owners.
If you’ve been meaning to join, now’s the time. Register once and come to any session. The link is in the call reminder block below.
Bring your questions. Bring your dog, too, if they’ll sit still for it.
Kim
P.S. If two emails from me landed in your inbox on the same day last week, that wasn’t a glitch on your end. That was me. I scheduled one, forgot I’d scheduled it, and sent another. Consider it a bonus. I’ve got a better system now, so you’ll be back to your regular once-a-week Kim.
Join Our Maremmas Made Easy Calls!
Every Tuesday at 5pm Pacific, I host a free Maremmas Made Easy Q&A call on Zoom. Whether you’re researching the breed, waiting on a puppy, or already living with a Maremma, you’re welcome. Register once and come any week.
For a limited time, come talk Maremmas with other Maremma owners and me — free. Have a different livestock guardian dog breed? You're welcome here too — most of what we cover applies to all LGDs.
These calls and their recordings will become part of the Maremmas Made Easy membership community soon, so signing up now gets you a free sneak peek at the membership, plus first access to founding-member pricing when it launches.
For a limited time, come talk Maremmas with other Maremma owners and me — free. Have a different livestock guardian dog breed? You're welcome here too — most of what we cover applies to all LGDs.
These calls and their recordings will become part of the Maremmas Made Easy membership community soon, so signing up now gets you a free sneak peek at the membership, plus first access to founding-member pricing when it launches.
