Yorkillon vs Maremma Sheepdog - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

Known 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.

The Yorkillon is a bighearted cross between the Yorkshire Terrier and the Papillon. They are small dogs with huge attitudes and big ears. They are known to be sassy and get into trouble. They are playful, affectionate and intelligent. They were initially developed in the US sometime about 20-30 years ago. Not recognized by the American Kennel Club as they are considered designer dogs or mixed breeds

The 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.

The Yorkillon is a small dog that can look like a Yorkie or a Papillon but most due have large ears like the Papillon. Both parent breeds have long hair and short legs. There is still a lot of first generation breeding, but most are now products of multigenerational breeding. This means that every puppy can look different and no two are likely to look the same.

This 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.

1.Children friendliness yes but be careful the children do not hurt the small dogs. This is particularly true regarding the risk of tracheal collapse. 2.Special talents – loves to do tricks 3.Adaptability – can live anywhere in an apartment as well as a home, but he would prefer to have a fenced yard to run in. 4.Learning ability – extremely smart and very obedient

This 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.

There are not a lot of hereditary health issues but there are some issues they can be prone to: • Patellar Luxation – slipped knee caps can lead to lameness. • Epilepsy – can be treated with medication. • Diabetes – can be treated with medication • Legg Calve Perthes Disease – blood disorder affecting hind leg bones. • Heart defects • Tracheal collapse • Hip dysplasia – can cause lameness.

Exercise:

As 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.

1.Feeding the puppy Feed a high quality toy puppy food 3-4 meals per day a total of ¼ cup for the day. 2.Feeding the adult Feed a high quality toy puppy food 1-2 meals per day a total of ½ cup for the day. 3.Points for Good Health – No inherited issues. 4. Games and Exercises – These are high energy dogs as both parent breeds are such. They need to run, love having a fenced yard, 15-20 minute walks per day.