Questions For Buyers To Ask Maremma Breeders
by Mary Jarvis

1. How long has the breeder been involved with Livestock Guardian Dogs (LGD's) and/or Maremmas?
2. How long have they been breeding Maremmas?
3. Are all their dogs registered? If not, why not?
4. How many dogs do they have?
5. How many breeding pairs do they have?
6. Have they had previous litters? If so, when? (The Club does not recommend breeding a female more than once a year.)
7. How old is the dam? (The Club does not like to see females bred in their first heat.)
8. How many puppies are there in the litter? (Maremmas will have 6 to 9 pups, but rarely more than 10 in one litter. Question an exceptionally large litter.)
9. What is the setting in which the bitch gives birth?
   a. Does she whelp in the barn with the livestock?
   b. Does she raise the puppies with livestock?
   (The bonding window is from 4 to 16 weeks; pups are ideally exposed to livestock from birth.)
10. What vaccinations are given to the puppies? Puppies should be vaccinated starting at 6 weeks with a 'puppy vaccine' that will protect him/her from Corona, distemper, hepatitis, parvo, and parainfluenza. appropriate. These vaccinations continue with boosters at 9 weeks, 12, and 15 or 16 weeks, and annually thereafter. At 12 weeks your pup should receive its Rabies vaccination. At 12 weeks, leptospirosis can be added to the vaccines you're giving where the disease is a problem. You may wish to vaccinate against Lymes at 12 & 15 weeks if you and your vet think that would be appropriate. (Always consult your own veterinarian for his/her vaccine recommendations for your area.) Request that the health certificate for the puppy list the brand and type of vaccine used. Labels from the vaccines can be affixed to the certificate.
11. Have the puppies been de-wormed on a regular basis? They should be regularly de-wormed with a preparation such as Nemex - 2 during their nursing and weaning time. (Both vaccination and de-worming are considered by the Club to be expected and routine veterinary care.) Request a listing of dates for both shots and de-wormings, and the products used.
12. Is the puppy tattooed? Puppies should have their MSCA registration number tattooed in their ears. (Since the Club number is quite long, we recommend that the numbers be placed in the pup's right ear and the letters in the left ear.) The MSCA registration number should also appear on the health certificate, so that the pup can be matched up with its own health certificate.
13. What is the dog's pedigree? Request a 5-generation pedigree. (These are available on request from MSCA for a $5.00 fee. See our Info Forms page.)
14. Are the parents OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) certified? A regular vet exam will not detect dysplasia. A dog cannot be certified for hip dysplasia by the OFA until it is 2 years old, but a preliminary opinion can be obtained from OFA at one year of age. X-rays of hips must be read by a veterinary radiologist who is certified, not every vet is qualified to do this.
15. What guarantees do the breeders provide? Do they guarantee their dogs against genetic defects? What is that guarantee (replacement, money back, etc.)? Ask if they have had any genetic defects in their dogs or their dogs' offspring.
16. Does the breeder provide a contract or buy-sell agreement between buyer and seller? What does it say?
17. If at all possible, pay a visit to the breeder's farm. Observe their dogs and the interaction among the owner, livestock and dogs. A tied dog indicates some sort of a problem. Ask why it's tied. Usually the dogs will be with the livestock, but some dogs float from pasture to pasture and come to see visitors (who might be unwanted intruders). Ask about these behaviors.
18. Ask for references you can call about this breeder's dogs, especially if you cannot visit the farm. Ask if you can call their vet for references.
19. The MSCA recently developed a Code of Ethics. Ask if the breeder has signed it.

       Your investment in a Maremma Sheepdog is a long-term investment. By asking these and other questions of the breeder, you can be prepared for taking on the care of one of these wonderful dogs. The breeder you are talking to should be concerned for the welfare of the puppies as well, and may have many questions for you, too.

        This list of questions is not meant to be all-inclusive; however, we hope it will give you a good start on the education needed in purchasing your LGD.

       Remember that the Maremma Sheepdog Club of America is here to help you in any way we can. Please don't hesitate to call or email us if there is information you need that is not found on our web site.