Unfortunately, sometimes we have Maremma Sheepdogs which need rescue. Something very wrong is going on in our country that is causing this explosion of Maremma dogs needing rescue. Whether it is our throw-away society, or the reasons listed below, we are having difficulties with rescue needs, and we need to address it.

       It has been our experience that 90% of rescue dogs are dogs that have been sold into pet situations. The bright-eyed bundles of white fur that are puppies, turn into very large dogs, and generally are not suitable for city or suburban living.

  • Living out doors, they will speak to their genetic memory for guardianship, and they will bark at night, at nocturnal predators. Their new neighbors are not going to understand that, or their need to bark at anyone who goes by on the street!

  • Indoors, they will heavily shed their undercoat of fur, which clings to carpet and furniture. And they're so big that one wag of the tail will clear off a coffee table in a single sweep. While it may be one way to dust your house, a new owner may be left with the problem of what to do with the broken figurines or lamps that result.

  • These large dogs need lots of room. As breeders we know from personal experience that in the winter, when dogs are in dry-lot and don't have their usual acreage to roam and protect, they get bored. A bored dog will look for work, but often come up with trouble instead.

  • They can be too 'guardy'. In talking to people who think they want a Maremma as a pet, hypothesize this situation: Your child has the neighbor child over, and they start wrestling on the lawn. The neighbor kid starts to get the better of your kid - who actually 'belongs' to your dog. What do you think is going to happen? We hope you have superior liability insurance connected to your homeowner's policy! Some insurance companies won't even insure you if you have this type of dog as a house pet.

       Some of these rescue dogs can be re-homed to LGD situations, even though they may not have been bonded to livestock as pups. Many of them could go into non-working situations if they are well-matched adoptions.

Volunteer to Help

       One person cannot do it all, but together we can form a network of help for these wonderful dogs. These dogs are being taken to the SPCA (or worse!) for adoption. People who do this need to realize they are putting their dogs into the most serious situation, and very likely death. The typical maremma response to a shelter situation is to become food or cage aggressive. Humane society folks, not being familiar with LGD breeds, will not know how to handle them or be willing to adopt them out. If you know you need to find a new home for your dog, don't take it where it is most likely to be killed! *PLEASE * if you need to find a new home for your dog, contact us BEFORE the dog goes to the pound.

The Root of The Problem

       Breeders who inappropriately sell dogs as companion animals. Most Maremma breeders are responsible people who do their best to find good homes (with work to do) for their dogs. Even the most responsible breeder may have one of their dogs need rescue help at some point. Those responsible breeders, when notified of this need, will do everything in their power to help find a new home, including taking the dog back themselves. But the problem breeders I am referring to are those who in reality may not really know the breed, maybe they can't even pronounce the name, and think they can breed in their backyards, or they have accidental breedings, and then need to dump pups where ever and however they can. Or they think, 'I'll just have one litter with Flossie, so she can experience being a mother'. Believe me, your dog will live a much happier and safer life as a spayed or neutered dog, than having 8 to 12 puppies for you to feed, find homes for and care for. I don't know what else we can expect from a society where people put babies into dumpsters, but in my heart of hearts, I truly feel that with education, time, and help, these people can change their minds about having litters of pups, and Maremma Rescue can be disbanded. 'In our dreams', is probably the more realistic thought, but we need to have a light at the end of the tunnel.

       If these words have shocked or upset you, we are sorry, but we're glad we got your attention. Now, please help us to avert these situations! We need to work together as a team to help this wonderful breed of dogs.

       Due to time constraints I regret that I am able to assist only with registered dogs in need of re-homing. For these and others needing help, possible sources of assistance would be the breeder from whom you purchased the dog, the Working Maremma at yahoo groups and the Maremma email list found on the internet. Working Maremma for the working dogs, the Maremma list for non-working dogs. Thank you.

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MAREMMA SHEEPDOG CLUB OF AMERICA
Mary C. Jarvis, Secretary/Treasurer
Email: grovelandfarm@supwi.com
Phone: (715) 364-2646
2862 S. Peterson Road, Poplar, WI 54864
www.all-animals.com/maremma/rescue.html

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