Maremma Sheepdog vs Kyi-Leo - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

Maremma Sheepdog vs Kyi-Leo - Breed ComparisonKyi-Leo is originated from United States but Maremma Sheepdog is originated from Italy. Kyi-Leo may grow 43 cm / 16 inches shorter than Maremma Sheepdog. Kyi-Leo may weigh 39 kg / 85 pounds lesser than Maremma Sheepdog. Both Kyi-Leo and Maremma Sheepdog has almost same life span. Both Kyi-Leo and Maremma Sheepdog has almost same litter size. Both Kyi-Leo and Maremma Sheepdog requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Companion dog
Working dog
undefined
United States
Italy
Height Male:
20 - 30 cm
7 - 12 inches
65 - 73 cm
25 - 29 inches
Height Female:
20 - 30 cm
7 - 12 inches
65 - 73 cm
25 - 29 inches
Weight Male:
4 - 6 kg
8 - 14 pounds
35 - 45 kg
77 - 100 pounds
Weight Female:
4 - 6 kg
8 - 14 pounds
35 - 45 kg
77 - 100 pounds
Life Span:
13 - 15 Years
10 - 13 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 8
6 - 9
Size:
Small
Large
Other Names:
Kye-Leo
Maremmano, Abruzzese Sheepdog
Colors Available:
Black, Silver, White, Yellow
White
Coat:
Long and Silky
Long and Thick
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

kyi leoThe Kyi-Leo first came about in the 1950s in San Francisco, USA, with the crossing of two dog breeds – the Lhasa Apso and the Maltese.

Because this is a mixed-breed dog, it isn’t recognized by the American Kennel Club, but it is recognized by some of the other dog associations such as the American Rare Breed Association or ARBA as it is known. Today the dog is looked upon as a designer breed.

maremma sheepdogKnown also as the Cane de Pastore Maremmano-Abruzzese, the Maremma Sheepdog is often referred to as the Maremmano or the Abruzzese Sheepdog.

This is a working dog – a guardian of sheep and an indigenous dog to central Italy. The dog has been used for centuries already to guard sheep.

It was in 1924 that the first standard for the breed was published.

Description

kyi leo puppy - descriptionThe Kyi-Leo is a small dog standing at 20 – 30cm in height and weighing in the region of 4 – 6kg.

He has a long, silky coat which is essentially black and white or grey/silver and white or even gold and white. He has frail legs which can become injured or broken in vigorous rough and tumble games.

Temperament:

You can certainly describe the Kyi-Leo as a sweet, quiet, non-aggessive playful dog, and for anyone who wants a splendid pet and companion, this dog makes a great family pet and he won’t cost you an arm and a leg to feed either.

He also has an acute sense of hearing and this turns him into an excellent ‘alarm’ watch-dog. It is also a dog, that while he will love to join you on a walk, he isn’t a dog that is going to demand a lot of exercise.

He responds well to his human family, is easy-going and gentle, tending to be cautious around strangers. You can trust him to be an awesome playmate for children. In this instance, it’s the children who should be warned when playing with a dog like this as, because of his fragile build, he could easily be injured by children who haven’t been taught to respect animals.

Even though he is such an amicable pet, it will still be of benefit to you and him to have him trained and socialized. Then he responds well to basic commands such as sit, stay and lie-down.

Dogs who spend time with their family, pick up on the ‘culture’ of the family and they learn how to behave. Dogs who are left on their own and never socialized can become nervous and aggressive towards people as they never got to learn how to behave – they weren’t socialized.

maremma sheepdog puppy - descriptionThe Maremma Sheepdog is a large dog with a muscular build. Some people who have owned these distinctive-looking dogs say he is like a big bear. He stands at 65 to 73 cm in height, both male and female, and he weighs 35 to 45 kg.

The coat is long, thick and white with a dense undercoat. If you look you’ll see flashes of pale orange or apricot amid the white. There is thicker, longer hair around the neck area.

The nose is black, the eyes brown and the ears medium length and floppy. The long tail is set low and is thickly feathered. You can expect 6 – 10 puppies from these dogs.

Temperament:

The Maremma has always been used to guarding sheep, and today even though he is looked upon as a wonderful, friendly companion dog, he also makes an excellent watch dog, being brave and courageous. He isn’t the kind of dog that you think of as getting wildly excited over something, as he has a dignified aura about him.

He is an independent dog, so training and sociaization will be absolutely imperative as he is strong-willed and likes to do things his way. Once trained and socialized, it is amazing to see such a large dog obeying all your commands such as ‘lie down, come, sit an stay'. He is very intelligent and shouldn’t have any trouble learning these basic commands.

He is calm and gets on well with children as well as other pets in the home. With his role as guardian of sheep, he has learned to be loyal and patient and will make a loyal ad loving family pet he takes his role as guardian very seriously.

He loves hard work, and shepherds have always appreciated the splendid work he does guarding their flocks. As a companion you will also appreciate the many excellent qualities he possesses.

The Maremma Sheepdog isn’t recommended for life in the city where there is a tiny garden. He has always been accustomed to large open spaces and requires a large garden. He won’t tolerate heat well with that thick coat of his and will require a shady spot in your garden to retreat to.

Characteristics

kyi leo dog - characteristicsThe Kyi-Leo is everything you want in a family companion – active, playful, loving, gentle, happy and balanced.

He loves his human family but tends to be a little bit wary around strangers, gradually warming to them.

He may be small, but he is robust and alert, and he is also capable of making you a good watchdog.

The Kyi-Leo is an all-round great little pet to have.

maremma sheepdog dog - characteristicsThis is a beautiful dog, but large, so don’t make the mistake of wanting a large dog like this for his looks. He will be expensive to feed.

If you have the means to provide a good home for him, he is friendly and good natured, even though he is strong-willed and independent.

Provide him with a good home and you’ll have a most splendid pet and companion.

Health Problems

kyi leo puppies - health problemsYour Kyi-Leo is such a feisty, robust little dog who is not likely to cost you much in terms of health care. With his frail legs, it is a good thing to know that you need to be careful with him in terms of back-and joint problems.

There are actually knee joint issues which are fairly common in small dogs, one of which is patellar luxation.

Patellar Luxation:

This is where the kneecap pops out of the thighbone, causing the dog to skip or hop. Some joint issues are genetic and may require surgery. Make sure to keep your pet’s weight under control to remove additional stress on the joints.

Pancreatitis:

This is another dog illness you want to be careful with. Acute pancreatitis -inflammation - is when the condition comes on suddenly while chronic pancreatitis is when pancreatitis occurs over a period of time.

With acute pancreatitis in dogs you’ll see symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain, tremors and reluctance to eat. Pancreatitis can be brought on by too much fat, especially rancid fat, some anti-biotics, a low protein diet or a sickness such as diabetes.

If you suspect pancreatitis in your dog, get him as quickly as possible to the vet.

maremma sheepdog puppies - health problemsThis ancient dog breed is robust and can reach 11 to 13 years of age when cared for properly. Like any other dogs, he can be prone to certain health problems.

One of these is hip dysplasia. Preventing your dog from becoming overweight can work towards preventing these kinds of musculoskeletal issues. Hip dysplasia occurs when your dog’s hip joints don’t develop properly so that the hips partially dislocate.

It is painful for your dog and it can be debilitating, leading to arthritis too and making it difficult for your pet to get around and to get up from lying down. There are a number of treatment options offered by your vet.

Caring The Pet

Exercise and Interaction:

kyi leo dogs - caringThe Kyi-Leo doesn’t require vigorous exercising. One walk a day will keep them happy. There are pet owners who believe dogs can be permanently outside dogs where they can do their own exercise.

Everybody who knows dogs, knows they are social creatures who will simply lie at your backdoor just waiting for some response from their beloved human family. Every dog, regardless of breed or size, needs exercise and interaction with their humans every day.

Dogs left alone in the yard day after day are loney, frustrated and bored, and when they start digging or barking, irresponsible owners will ill treat them. These kind of people should never own a dog.

Diet:

The Kyi-Leo has a sensitive stomach so he’ll need good quality food to avoid digestive problems. Ideally home-cooked food such as softly boiled chicken, brown rice and raw or cooked vegetables added into top quality kibble is the preferred diet.

Fresh, cool water needs to be constantly available.

Grooming:

Brush the long, silky coat at least twice a week to ensure it remains free of knotting. Brushing keeps the coat shiny too.

As a long eared dog, ears should be checked and cleaned regularly too. Air doesn’t reach the inside of their ears and the warm dampness in the ears are a breeding place for infection.

Nails should also be trimmed when they become long because left uncut they can hook onto things causing injury ad pain.

Small dogs are more prone to tartar formation and loss of teeth. You’ll notice that something isn’t right because your lively little dog will be lethargic, he may not want to eat his food and his face may be swollen. When you suspect dental problems, get him to the vet.

Exercise:

maremma sheepdog dogs - caringAs already suggested, this large dog will need space and he will need to be exercised. Apart from long walks in he countryside or in the park or your neighborhood, he will also need other activities that stimulate him mentally and physically.

Grooming:

The thick, all-weather coat of the Maremma will need a thorough bushing at least twice a week to get rid of all those loose hairs. When you are brushing him, look around for signs of ticks and fleas too and run your hands over him to feel for any unusual lumps.

Diet:

The Maremma is a large-breed dog, so before you get a big dog like this, decide whether you have the financial means to feed him and look after him properly. He is going to cost a lot to feed, so think it through first.

He will need to be fed a high-quality commercial dog food which has been specially formulated for a dog of his size. Keep the food of dogs simple. We’re all tempted to feed our dog treats like things such as chocolates, coffee, nuts, onions, grapes and raisins but these can cause havoc with your dog’s stomach.

Stick to simple, nutritious food. Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and vegetables such as potatoes, spinach and carrots can do wonders for your pet when you sometimes mix this into his kibble.

Try and mix some raw meat into his diet occasionally. Make sure he always has access to fresh, cool water.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Maremma Sheepdog vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Maremma Sheepdog vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Maremma Sheepdog vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Maremma Sheepdog vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Maremma Sheepdog vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Maremma Sheepdog vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Maremma Sheepdog vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Maremma Sheepdog vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Maremma Sheepdog vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Maremma Sheepdog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Maremma Sheepdog vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Maremma Sheepdog vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Maremma Sheepdog vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Maremma Sheepdog vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Maremma Sheepdog vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Maremma Sheepdog vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Maremma Sheepdog vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Maremma Sheepdog vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Maremma Sheepdog vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Maremma Sheepdog vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Maremma Sheepdog vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Maremma Sheepdog vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Maremma Sheepdog vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Maremma Sheepdog vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Maremma Sheepdog vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Kyi-Leo vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Kyi-Leo vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Kyi-Leo vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Kyi-Leo vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Kyi-Leo vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Kyi-Leo vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Kyi-Leo vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Kyi-Leo vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Kyi-Leo vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Kyi-Leo vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Kyi-Leo vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Kyi-Leo vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Kyi-Leo vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Kyi-Leo vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Kyi-Leo vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Kyi-Leo vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Kyi-Leo vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Kyi-Leo vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Kyi-Leo vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Kyi-Leo vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Kyi-Leo vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Kyi-Leo vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Kyi-Leo vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Kyi-Leo vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Kyi-Leo vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison