Maremma Sheepdog vs Dutch Shepherd - Breed Comparison

Maremma Sheepdog vs Dutch Shepherd - Breed ComparisonDutch Shepherd is originated from Netherlands but Maremma Sheepdog is originated from Italy. Dutch Shepherd may grow 11 cm / 4 inches shorter than Maremma Sheepdog. Dutch Shepherd may weigh 13 kg / 28 pounds lesser than Maremma Sheepdog. Both Dutch Shepherd and Maremma Sheepdog has almost same life span. Both Dutch Shepherd and Maremma Sheepdog has almost same litter size. Both Dutch Shepherd and Maremma Sheepdog requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Herding dogs
Working dog
undefined
Netherlands
Italy
Height Male:
55 - 62 cm
21 - 25 inches
65 - 73 cm
25 - 29 inches
Height Female:
55 - 62 cm
21 - 25 inches
65 - 73 cm
25 - 29 inches
Weight Male:
20 - 32 kg
44 - 71 pounds
35 - 45 kg
77 - 100 pounds
Weight Female:
20 - 32 kg
44 - 71 pounds
35 - 45 kg
77 - 100 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
10 - 13 Years
Litter Size:
6 - 10
6 - 9
Size:
Medium
Large
Other Names:
Hollandse Herder
Maremmano, Abruzzese Sheepdog
Colors Available:
brindle, red, Gold or silver
White
Coat:
Short and dense but also long or wiry
Long and Thick
Shedding:
Moderate, Seasonal
Moderate, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, 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

dutch shepherdThe Dutch Shepherd is of Dutch origin, hailing from the Netherlands. They were originally used as herding dogs on the farms, where they became a jack-of-all-trades type of dog.

The Dutch Shepherd in those days, 100 odd years ago, were also known as Hollandse Herders.

These dogs are more rare in modern days, but when you do find them, they are being used as police or security dogs, as guides for the blind, or simply as family friends.

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

dutch shepherd puppy - descriptionThe Dutch Shepherd dog is very similar in appearance to the popular German Shepherds, being a medium to large sized dog.

The males are slightly heavier than females, but both males and females can stand between 55 and 62cm and weigh between 20 and 32kg.

There are actually 3 varieties found in the Dutch Shepherd dogs - short-haired, long-haired, and wiry or rough-haired. The dog has a double coat, consisting of a woolly undercoat and a top coat. The basic color of the coat is gold or silver through to red, giving rise to the brindle variations. Too much black or white seen in the fur is considered a fault.

In 1914 it was decided that brindle coats would distinguish them from the others.

The eyes of the Dutch Shepherd are dark, almond shaped and slightly slanting, while the medium sized ears are erect and high on the head and the thick tail is slightly curved. The dog has an unusually long tongue which is often found hanging out.

Temperament:

Early training and socializing for this dog is important so that he can learn to stay calm around new people, or visitors to the property.

The beautiful Dutch Shepherd doesn’t like being left alone for too long, loving rather to be involved with all that the family is involved in. They get on well with other pets in the home as well as being child-friendly.

They are happy dogs, who can also be smart and cunning, therefore highly trainable. They soak up new commands easily. Dutch Shepherds are also good watchdogs as they are fiercely loyal, and do not take kindly to strangers.

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

dutch shepherd dog - characteristicsYour alert, intelligent and somewhat rare Dutch Shepherd is a loyal, protective dog, and while he can be aggressive around intruders and be a great guard dog, he can also be a gentle, loving animal around his human family members.

Though his tongue is long and often hangs out, you won’t have to contend with drooling. He is a wonderfully active dog and doesn’t easily gain weight. He isn’t a barker or howler, and his exceptional intelligence makes him highly trainable.

Whether there are children or other animals in the house, you can rely on your Dutch Shepherd to get on well with them, making him a wonderful family pet and canine friend.

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

dutch shepherd puppies - health problemsThe Dutch Shepherd dogs are the healthiest of the Shepherd breeds. They have relatively few health problems.

However, like the German Shepherds they may develop hip dysplasia, but this is in fact fairly rare. Get your pet to the vet if you suspect this in your dog because it can lead to lameness.

In 2018 the University of Minnesota identified a disease in Dutch Shepherds called Miositis. This is an inflammatory myopathy causing painful inflammation of the skeletal muscle tissue.

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

Grooming:

dutch shepherd dogs - caringUnfortunately Dutch Shepherds shed quite a bit of hair during their shedding period in spring and autumn. This makes regular brushing important during these seasons so as to remove the dead hairs, especially from the undercoat.

The wire- or rough-haired variety shouldn’t be brushed but should rather be groomed by a professional groomer every 6 months or so.

Their nails need to be trimmed when necessary, to avoid cracking, splitting, or an injury.

Their ears can be cleaned weekly to get rid of any debris or wax build-up. This, if left, can lead to infection. Brush his teeth 2 or 3 times a week to avoid dental disease which brings on a host of illnesses.

Exercise:

These dogs do need regular exercising, and at the same time need to be physically and mentally stimulated. He is the kind of dog that has been used for herding purpose on the farm and he just craves activity. Take him with you on your walks and include him in ball games, hikes, jogging, swimming or when you go cycling – he is game for all kinds of activities.

Diet:

The formula for their diet would be that of a medium to large dog with high energy levels. The top commercially manufactured foods have been developed to include all the important vitamins and minerals. Fish oil can also be added to their food to keep the coat shiny.

Add in cooked rice, cooked vegetables and chicken from time to time and be sure to add in some raw meat occasionally to prevent problems with the skin. Always ensure that your pet has fresh, cool water to drink.

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