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THE MAREMMA GUARDIAN
Second Quarter Newsletter 2024
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The Board of Directors is delighted to announce that Colleen Williams has joined the Board, pro tempore, as a Board Member at Large, following the resignation of Peter Malmberg. The Board thanks Peter for his service.
Colleen is a longtime Maremma breeder from Pequot Lakes, Minnesota, who describes her Maremma journey as follows:
I inherited my first Maremma Sheepdog in 2006 along with a flock of ewes that I purchased from a fellow coworker. That first dog taught me so much about the loyalty and bond between two completely different species, I immediately developed a deep respect and passion for the breed and its incredibly nurturing instinct.
Since then, I have been raising Maremma Sheepdogs for almost 18 years and continue to gain valuable insight from my dogs every day. I enjoy sharing my knowledge and experience with people who are new to the breed and have had the privilege of mentoring many new owners along their journey.
I’ve been a member of the MSCA since 2006 and served on the board from 2016 through 2022. The club has endured a lot of challenges over the years, but I am super excited to see some of the recent changes that are finally being put into action! For those working behind the scenes, this has been a huge accomplishment that deserves more than just a round of applause.
I am honored to have the opportunity to fill the interim position for Board Member at Large and look forward to being an alliance for the Club, its members and the dogs we all love. I am currently Chair of the Heath Committee, as my passion has always been preserving the health and longevity of the breed. In my career as a Veterinary Technician, I have witnessed a lot of increasing health problems over the years, many of which can be prevented through education. It is my goal to recruit at least two other members who have a strong interest in health, science and education.
I am also a member of the Pedigree Committee, where I assist Christine Fahmbauer. With my deep knowledge of our pedigrees and the history of the Club, I am helping Christine problem solve registrations and maintain our database.
It is my pleasure and honor to be part of this great team and I look forward to serving through the remainder of 2024.
Please welcome Colleen and please consider volunteering to work with her on the Health Committee, or on any of our other committees.
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The Registration Process is now In-House!
All member services are now available on the website and all tasks can be accomplished online without ever going to paper. Our Pedigree Committee, under Chair Christine Fahrnbauer, has done a brilliant job of completing all the backlog of registrations. We are very grateful to this wonderful team for their hard work!
Please do not send any paperwork to Associate Registry, it will not be processed.
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One-Step Registrations
Please be reminded that the Club has moved to a one-step litter registration process through the new website. This allows the breeder to register all pups to their new owners at once and eliminates the need for buyers to individually register their pups.
On the website, you can access the litter registration form here:
| You will enter the Sire and Dam information as in the past, then enter all the information for each pup and it's new owner. You can complete this registration when all pups are sold, or do it earlier and register any unsold pups to yourself. The pedigree certificates will be sent to the Breeder to forward on to their buyers. | |
By eliminating the need for individual registrations, we will be able to increase our database of pedigrees and ease the paperwork burden on breeders and the Club.
The Board strongly encourages breeders to register all of their pups, whether they will be breeding stock or not. This will enable our Club to track our bloodlines and preserve the health and working ability of our beloved breed.
| We asked member Karen Hulihan to write up her experience helping her first Maremma overcome the desire to chase because she did such a great job of quickly solving the problem. Often, bad behavior is the sign of a good dog who feels so bonded to his or her stock, that they treat them like litter mates and chase or mouth them. Finding a way to continue the bonding process while preventing any harm to the stock is the key to success. As always, there are many possible solutions, the Dangle Stick is one. | |
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By Karen Hulihan, Willihan Farm
We have a small dairy farm west of Schenectady, New York, Willihan Farm, with a herd of Nigerian dwarf goats. We have coyotes, bobcat, bears and hawks for predators. After doing research, I believed that a Maremma would be a good fit for us. We brought home 'Custode' our Italian guardian at 10 weeks old. His breeder let us know that the greatest chance for success from the start was to put him right in with his charges as soon as he was home. Obviously, he was left unsupervised most of the day. So, Custo kept the goats safe from the predators, but who would keep the goats safe from Custo?
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At about 6 months, our rotund, short, white doe Cassie showed up with wounds on her back legs. Being my first LGD, I had all the faith in the world in him. It did not cross my mind that this was his handiwork. I looked for things that could have caused this. Maybe she got caught in the rock pile and ripped up her legs trying to get out. A few weeks later she was injured again! That can't be the rock pile. A couple days later I was driving in and they were all in the field, running towards the barn. Don't you know, there was Custo biting at the slowest one, poor Cassie. | |
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In looking for an answer, I came upon an article written by Texas A&M. The subject of their article was just what I was looking for, a method to keep adolescent LGDs from biting and injuring sheep or goats. The dangle stick is a device that can be easily made at home and keeps the dog from chasing or at least slows down the dog when chasing the goats or sheep. It is a stick that is made from PVC or wood and hangs from the dog's neck in front of his legs. It extends a couple inches longer than the width of his legs. When he runs it's long enough to impede his gate and slow him down. They have specific directions on the website that I followed and was able to easily replicate the dangle stick. Mine was made of wood. My first attempt I used a 2x4 which was way too heavy for him. I changed it to a 1x2 and it was heavy enough to do the job but still enable him to move around. A very important part of this assembly is to ensure that the connections between the collar and the chain and the chain and the wood are able to swivel, otherwise it becomes a tangled mess. Another very important thing that I learned too late was ensuring the correct length of the chain of the dangle stick. When the dog does run it will hit his legs. It needs to be the proper length to hit him above the knee, not on bone. I learned this the hard way, there were welts on his legs from the chain being too long. When I got the length right the welts went away.
After just the first time he wore that dangle stick, those goats had no more injuries. Even Cassie was able to outrun him. He wore it for about 3 months until he grew out of the urge. He is now 2 years old and there has never been another Custo related goat injury. He's a wonderful dog who loves his herd. We had a little bump in the road, but there is no doubt that at any point in the journey he would not have hesitated to die protecting any one of them. We are very blessed to have him.
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Bonnie Panettieri of Pygmy Harbor Farm in Knoxville, Tennessee, recently won a bitter court case against neighbors who knowingly moved into an agricultural area and then objected to her Livestock Guardian Dogs. Because this is becoming more and more of a problem for shepherds, ranchers and farmers, we asked Bonnie to write up her experience in the hopes that it may help any of our members should they find themselves in a similar situation. Please read and save her article and remember your right to farm!!!
THE STORY OF PYGMY HARBOR FARM WINNING A
LAWSUIT AGAINST THEIR USE OF LIVESTOCK
GUARDIAN DOGS
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Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
The Board Meeting Minutes can be found here.
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Please note some advertisements may have been shortened due to space limitations. Full advertisements are located on the "Find a Maremma" tab on the Maremma Sheepdog Club of America website. | |
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Black Alder Ranch
Deborah Reid
Council, Idaho
blackalderranch@gmail.com
Black Alder Ranch is a small family farm in southwest Idaho. We raise poultry (chickens, ducks, geese) goats, pigs and cattle. Our predators include coyote, bear, mountain lion, and wolves, as well as smaller predators such as dogs, coon, weasel, fox, and aerial predators.
We believe in and uphold the Code of Ethics. We take the act of creation very seriously: both parents must have passed health testing certification, be of stable temperament, superior conformation and have intrinsic guarding instinct. Our breeding objective is to maintain the natural guarding instinct of the Maremma as well as the breed’s inherent good health. Our dogs have OFA/PennHIP certification for Canine Hip Dysplasia and Canine Elbow Dysplasia. All of our puppies are placed with a contract and health warranties, and a lifetime of support!
We do our best to select the best possible home for our puppies based on each puppy's instinct, abilities, and conformation, and the desires of the prospective owner. We raise our puppies with the livestock and use Puppy Culture, a "positive" reinforcement-based and socialization program, that focuses on the puppy being successful and building confidence with age appropriate protocols and lessons.
Inquire about our Black Alder Ranch 2024 Fall litter.
Dam PennHIP Result
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2J 2K Maremma Sheepdogs
Jason & Kara Marx
Conway, MO
602-628-9361
kara@2j2kmaremmasheepdogs.com
Nestled in the Ozarks, near Springfield, Missouri, 2J 2K Ranch is home to a devoted team of Maremma Sheepdogs integral to the success of our family farm. Our Maremma’s lineage descends from working dog pedigrees, including Heritage American and Italian Imports.
These loyal guardians ensure the safety of our poultry and livestock, protecting them from a variety of threats, including hawks, eagles, foxes, coyotes, raccoons, and more. Raised alongside farm animals, the puppies also interact with barn and house cats and our other dogs.
Our commitment to quality extends to genetic health testing, encompassing OFA and/or PennHIP assessments. Implementing ENS, ESI, Puppy Culture, Avidog, BAB techniques, and a specialized LGD Puppy Curriculum, our Maremmas are well-socialized and love people. We are certified puppy evaluators, and each pup undergoes a thorough temperament assessment.
Personal delivery options available.
For further information, visit our website, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube Channel. Complete the Puppy Application to join our waitlist or to apply for our 2024 puppies. Puppies now available.
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The Ewe Crew Homestead
Valerie Schmidt
Pocatello, Idaho
Text or call: (626) 676-0529
Info@TheEweCrew.com
4 male puppies left out of litter of 10 born December 21, 2023.
Our working Maremmas live on pasture protecting sheep, chickens and barn cats from coyotes, foxes, birds of prey and stray dogs. Maremma Sheepdogs thrive in homes, farms and ranches using them as working livestock guardian dogs (LGD).
The Ewe Crew Homestead puppies come with a 90-day health guarantee, a five-generation pedigree, vet checked, dewormed, microchipped and current age-appropriate vaccines. Parents PennHip tested. Puppies available for pickup at homestead or ground transportation options available for an additional fee.
Visit our website at https://www.theewecrew.com/puppylitters for more information and complete the puppy questionnaire. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Dam & Sire PennHIP Results
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Unfinished Acres
Greenwood, CA
Mark - 916-296-6260
Becky - 530-613-2004
UnfinishedAcres@gmail.com
Available adults
Unfinished Acres sits on 130 acres in the Sierra Foothills near Sacramento, California. A gorgeous area with all the predators you would see in a rural mountain environment. We raise Meat/ Dairy Goats, Katahdin Sheep, chickens and have horses. Enough to keep our Maremma’s busy and well trained.
We sell primarily limited registration Maremmas and spay or neuter all LGD’s that we are not breeding. We may have adult LGD’s available for breeding. All of our breeding Maremmas have had PennHIP exams and their scores are on our website. Our goal is not only great Maremmas but structurally sound Maremmas.
Although our Maremma's are well socialized with people, they are working Livestock Guardians. We breed for loyalty to us, to the ranch and to their charges. I can sell you an adult, but I can’t sell you this loyalty, that must be earned. Purchasing a quality adult Maremma from us or anyone else requires some commitment to make that LGD your partner.
If you are purchasing a puppy but do not have an adult, we may be an option for you. Our adults have gone through various pastures, with various partners out in the fields. Many have been through the kidding process, almost all been with goats, sheep and horses and some have been with chickens. They are adaptable and with patience they should be able to fit into your livestock and ranch requirements.
If there is an interest in our Maremma’s, please fill out the application on our website. If you have any questions with regards to our Maremma’s, how we raise them and our Ranch, we look forward to hearing from you. If you would like to visit, we would look forward to seeing you.
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Unfinished Acres
Greenwood, CA
Mark - 916-296-6260
Becky - 530-613-2004
UnfinishedAcres@gmail.com
Available puppies/teams
Unfinished Acres sits on 130 acres in the Sierra Foothills near Sacramento, California. A gorgeous area with all the predators you would see in a rural mountain environment. We raise Meat/ Dairy Goats, Katahdin Sheep, chickens and have horses. Enough to keep our Maremma’s busy and well trained.
We sell primarily limited registration puppies with generally only one full registration per litter and only after a successful PennHIP exam. Fid’s Puppies were born on March 20th. We keep all puppies from between 14 – 18 weeks, with these puppies available on June 20th. We feel there is a lot of education that goes on after 8 weeks.
As we only sell to working homes, we also try to keep our Maremma’s at a reasonable price. We hope our LGD’s can help the success of your farm and ranch without being a significant financial burden.
We try to keep one to two puppies from each litter to be able to provide Teams (1 adult and 1 puppy). We currently have the ability to put 3 teams together.
Our puppies are born in the barn next to their future charges and essentially stay with them 24/7. With various herds and pastures but always with stock. If you would like to see more pictures, please visit our Facebook page and/or website. All our puppies are well socialized with people.
If there is an interest in our Maremma’s, please fill out the application on our website. If you have any questions with regards to our Maremma’s, how we raise them and our Ranch, we look forward to hearing from you. If you would like to visit, we would look forward to seeing you.
Mano-Finnish-Pedigree
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Prancing Pony Farm
Kim Crawmer
Lemoore, CA
559-904-5193
kim@prancingponyfarm.com
At Prancing Pony Farm, we select breeding dogs with genetics to guard livestock and sound bodies to hold up to the rigors of the job. Our breeding dogs are PennHip/OFA and DNA tested and guard our dairy goats and a wide variety of livestock on our working farm.
Our dogs thrive on modern farms, ranches, and homesteads, big and small. We also have pups successfully living in companion homes and have a companion Maremma of our own. Working Maremmas are our priority but we are well-equipped to support all types of owners and situations.
We socialize our puppies extensively with livestock and people (including children) from birth, ensuring they mature into trustworthy, dependable LGDs and family dogs. We utilize Puppy Culture and science-based positive-reinforcement training methods, taking advantage of the puppies' critical learning periods in the first 16 weeks of life.
As a graduate of the Karen Pryor Academy Dog Trainer Professional program, I (Kim) have the professional education to understand dog behavior and support my clients. My years of experience breeding and training Maremmas and using them on my farm have given me the hands-on experience to go with that education.
Our puppies come with MSCA registration, a puppy contract, a 2-year health guarantee, vaccinations/parasite control, microchip with lifetime enrollment in the Petlink Pet Recovery System, and 30 days of Trupanion health insurance. Most importantly, our puppies come with lifetime breeder support and lifetime professional training services. We care about helping families succeed with their new dogs. If this is the type of relationship you want from your future breeder, then we have a Maremma for you!
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The Maremma Sheepdog Club of America accepts advertisements on a rolling basis. Active members can sign-in to their account and submit the "Buy An Advertisement" online form located under the "Other Forms" tab on the left hand side. Each ad remains on the website for 90 days and is included in the corresponding quarterly newsletter. Ads can be resubmitted upon expiration by filling out a new online form. | | |
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Join the Official Maremma Sheepdog Club of America, a private Facebook group where you can gather with other Maremma owners and breeders to share ideas and experiences and ask questions in a friendly, inclusive environment!
If you have stories you would like to share in the next newsletter, please send them here.
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