ICCF Official Breed Standard
Brief Historical Overview
The Maremma–Abruzzese Sheepdog developed in the central and southern regions of Italy, where for centuries it was used to protect flocks of sheep from wolves and other predators. The breed emerged through natural selection among large, powerful, and independent dogs capable of accompanying the flock day and night, making decisions without a shepherd’s constant supervision. Traditionally kept in the Apennine Mountains and the pastures of Abruzzo and Maremma, these dogs acquired a stable temperament, excellent orientation, and remarkable endurance. During the 20th century, the breed received formal recognition and systematic development. Today, it is valued as a reliable guardian that has preserved its authentic working type.
General Appearance
The Maremma–Abruzzese Sheepdog is a large, strong, and harmoniously built dog with a powerful yet dry constitution, clearly reflecting its working purpose. The body is slightly elongated, the chest deep, and the back firm and muscular. The head is large and expressive, with a calm and attentive expression. The neck is strong and blends smoothly into a stable topline. The limbs are straight and robust, providing traction and confidence on uneven terrain. The coat is thick, dense, and white, offering protection from sun, cold, and harsh weather. The overall appearance conveys strength, stability, and innate flock-guarding ability.
Important Proportions
Correct proportions are essential for ensuring the breed’s strength, stability, and sustained working capacity. In males, the height at the withers slightly exceeds the body length, creating an impression of power and balance. The chest depth is approximately half the dog’s height, providing ample lung capacity for continuous work in mountainous terrain. The head is proportional to the body, with a strong muzzle and well-developed jaws. The limbs have correct angulation, enabling secure movement over difficult ground. All proportions serve to maintain the breed’s stability, power, and traditional working type.
Behavior and Temperament
The Maremma–Abruzzese Sheepdog has a confident, independent, and well-balanced temperament shaped by centuries of pastoral and guarding work. The dog is highly vigilant, courageous, and capable of evaluating situations independently, acting without human direction. Loyal to its owner but never clingy, it prefers to work autonomously while maintaining contact and obedience. It is reserved with strangers but not unnecessarily aggressive, showing protective behavior only in the presence of genuine threat. In everyday life, the breed is calm, patient, and stable, making it an excellent guardian of property and livestock.
Head
The head is large, broad, and proportional to the dog’s overall structure. The skull is slightly convex, and the stop is moderately defined. The muzzle is strong and sufficiently long, tapering gradually toward the fully pigmented nose. The lips are tight, dry, and well-fitting. The jaws are powerful, with a full set of teeth and a scissor bite. The cheekbones are moderately developed, emphasizing strength. The expression is calm, attentive, and confident, reflecting the breed’s steady character. The head must show clean lines and clear breed type, combining power with balance.
Facial Region
The facial region is defined by a deep, strong muzzle with a straight or slightly convex nasal bridge. The nose is large and fully pigmented, with wide nostrils allowing free breathing during prolonged work. The lips are tight and form a clean outline. The jaws are broad and strong, ensuring a secure grip. The teeth are large, even, with a correct scissor bite. The cheeks are dry and moderately muscled, emphasizing the strength of the muzzle. Overall, the facial region conveys alertness, calm confidence, and readiness for work, highlighting the breed’s natural reliability.
Eyes
The eyes are medium-sized, almond-shaped, and slightly oblique, giving an expression of attentiveness, calmness, and confidence. The iris ranges from dark brown to hazel, harmonizing with the white coat. The eyelids are dry, well-fitted, and fully pigmented, providing protection during work in bright sunlight. The gaze is deep and steady, reflecting the breed’s seriousness and independence. Eyes must not be too light, round, or protruding. Correct expression indicates stable temperament and innate guarding instinct.
Ears
The ears are triangular, medium in size, set high, and drop close to the sides of the head. The tips are slightly rounded. The cartilage is firm but not coarse, complementing the breed’s calm and confident expression. The ears should be mobile and responsive to surrounding sounds. Oversized, low-set, excessively thick, or otherwise incorrect ears are faults. The inner surface is covered with short, dense protective hair. Correct ears emphasize the breed’s type and clean head profile.
Neck
The neck is strong, muscular, and of medium length, blending smoothly into the well-defined withers. It must be powerful enough to support long working hours and maintain stability during guarding. The topline of the neck shows a slight arch, expressing strength and confidence. The skin is tight and elastic, without excessive folds. The neck should allow free head movement and a wide field of view. A neck that is too long or too short is a fault affecting overall balance and breed type.
Body
The body is strong, powerful, and well-proportioned, emphasizing durability and stability. The topline is straight and firm, without sagging or excessive arching. The withers are broad and well-defined, transitioning into a long, strong back. The loin is muscular, short, and firmly connected to the croup. The chest is deep, wide, and oval in shape, providing ample lung capacity. The ribs are moderately arched, not barrel-shaped. The abdomen is moderately tucked up, reflecting a dry, functional build. The croup is long, slightly sloping, and powerful, contributing to strong rear drive. The body conveys endurance and strength.
Tail
The tail is long, set moderately low, and hangs naturally when the dog is at rest, often with a slight curve at the tip. In motion, it may rise but must not curl or be carried above the topline. The tail is densely coated. Short, curled, broken, or incorrectly set tails are unacceptable. A correct tail complements the dog’s silhouette and emphasizes its calm, confident nature.
Forequarters
The forequarters are straight, strong, and well-set under the body, providing stability and power. The shoulders are long and well-sloped, closely fitted to the chest and strongly muscled. The upper arm is robust, with correct angulation for free and extended movement. The forearms are straight and strongly built. The pasterns are solid and slightly sloped to absorb impact. The feet are large, round, and equipped with thick pads. Proper forequarters ensure strength, traction, and working efficiency.
Hindquarters
The hindquarters are powerful and well-muscled, providing strong propulsion and stability on uneven pastures. The thighs are long and broad, with dry, dense musculature. The stifles are well-defined and firm. The lower legs are strong, medium in length, and parallel when viewed from behind. The hock joints are low-set, well-defined, and flexible but not loose. The metatarsi are straight and stable. The feet are large and compact, adapted for rocky and uneven terrain. Correct hindquarters are essential for endurance and efficient movement.
Gait and Movement
The gait is confident, powerful, and free, with good amplitude and stability. Movement is straight, smooth, and without rolling or crossing. At the trot, the dog shows efficiency and a steady rhythm, allowing long work periods without fatigue. The forelimbs extend well forward, while the hindquarters provide strong drive, producing balanced, harmonious action. When speeding up, stride length increases without loss of stability. Faults include wobbling, crossing, short stride, or poor coordination. Correct movement reflects the breed’s working capability.
Coat
The coat is thick, dense, and highly functional, protecting the dog from cold, heat, and severe weather. The outer coat is long, straight or slightly wavy, close-lying, and weather-resistant. The undercoat is dense, soft, and abundant, especially in winter. The neck forms a mane. The coat on the tail and thighs is thicker. Excessively soft, curly, or sparse coat is faulty. The correct coat is crucial to the breed’s endurance and ability to guard flocks year-round.
Acceptable Colors
The breed is exclusively white, a functional trait allowing shepherds to distinguish the dog from predators and livestock at a distance. Shades of ivory or very pale cream are acceptable if they do not detract from the overall impression of whiteness. The pigmentation of the nose, eyelids, and lips must be black or very dark. Strong cream tones, patches, any non-white coloration, or pigment loss are serious faults.
Size
The Maremma–Abruzzese Sheepdog is a large breed. Males typically stand 65–73 cm at the withers; females 60–68 cm. Weight ranges from 30 to 45 kg depending on sex and build. The dog must be powerful but not heavy—excessive mass reduces endurance, while excessive lightness compromises stability. Proportions must maintain a balance between strength, agility, and long-term working ability. Size is directly linked to the breed’s historical function as a guardian in mountainous terrain and open pastures.
Faults
Faults include weak bone, loose musculature, narrow or insufficient chest depth, sagging or overly arched topline, disproportionate head, weak pigmentation of nose or eyelids, light eyes, thick or pendulous lips. Other faults include incorrect bite, missing teeth, short ears, incorrect ear placement, restricted movement, cow-hocked gait, weak rear drive. A coat that is soft, sparse, or curly is faulty. All faults must be evaluated according to their impact on working ability.
Disqualifying Faults
Disqualifying faults include unprovoked aggression or pronounced timidity, which are incompatible with the breed’s guarding role. Also disqualifying are severe bite defects, absence of several teeth, total depigmentation of the nose, eyelids, or lips, serious orthopedic problems, limb deformities, paralysis, or pronounced movement disorders. Non-white coat colors, spotting, strong cream coloring, or significant pigment loss are disqualifying. Any anatomical or behavioral defect that prevents the dog from performing guarding duties results in exclusion.
Important Notes
When evaluating the Maremma–Abruzzese Sheepdog, the working type must take priority over decorative features. The dog must show mental stability, vigilance, confidence, and the ability to make independent decisions. Minor deviations in appearance are acceptable if they do not hinder function. Seasonal shedding is not a fault. Coat quality, pigmentation, and overall health are essential. The temperament must be brave yet balanced, without unwarranted aggression. The evaluator must assess the dog holistically, preserving the breed’s traditional working type.
Conclusion
The Maremma–Abruzzese Sheepdog is a powerful, reliable, and independent pastoral breed that has preserved its working essence for centuries. It is characterized by strong temperament, exceptional endurance, and the ability to guard livestock day and night in mountainous regions and vast pastures. Its large size, dense coat, steady movements, and stable character make it an ideal protector. Despite its independence, it remains loyal and attentive to its owner. The breed exemplifies the classic working guardian type, maintaining its functionality and heritage. It is best suited for those who value reliability, strength, and natural balance.
