Update: The next breeding pair will be between Gianna and Santino. Contact us if you would like to be added to their waiting list. We hope to breed them in the early summer 2010. All female pups are $850 and all male pups are $750. Included in the price is the first shot, dewormer, microchip, and registration paperwork. All transportation, vet health certificates for travel, and carriers are at the new owner's expense. Feel free to contact us at info@desertmtnalpacas.com or by calling 520-220-2778 for lineage records or any other information. We have currently moved to Mansfield, GA where the next litter will be born and raised.
Maremmas (pronounced mare and then emma) orginate from Italy. They differ from herding dogs as their job is not to herd animals, but to protect them. The maremmas will literally fall in love with the animals they are protecting.
Maremmas are similar in appearance to the Pyrenees and they only come in white. Maremmas are not incessant barkers. They will only bark when they deem danger is present. They also are known not to be droolers. This is helpful when you have visitors come to your ranch. It can be quite embarrassing to have your visitors leave with drool left over on their clothes. Maremmas have wiry coats that can be either straight or with slight waves. Both types are acceptable. The average weight for a male maremma is between 75 to over 100 pounds. The average weight for a female maremma is between 66 to 88 pounds.
Maremmas are working dogs. They are suitable for guarding livestock or your home perimeter. They are very affectionate and loyal to their family, but as they grow they will become more intolerable to strangers. Maremmas are also very good with our family pets such as other dogs and cats. Stray dogs and cats will not be allowed into the maremmas perimeter.
Maremmas are self thinkers. Therefore, training them must begin early. The older a maremma gets the more they will make their own decisions on what is and is not danger.
Meet Our Dogs:
This is Santino. Santino is just under three years old and has been with us since July 2006. Santino's job is to guard our 26 alpacas. Predators in our area consist mostly of coyotes and the occasional stray dog. Tom and I have the typical fencing, cameras, etc., but never felt that the alpacas were truly safe and secure. We would constantly hear an alpaca giving off the alarm call. Of course most of the time it was only the cat from across the street. However, a few times it was a dog that had escaped its yard. (FYI....the biggest killer of the alpaca is the domesticated dog).
When Tom and I made the decision to purchase a livestock guardian dog we fell in love with the appearance and temperment of the maremmas. Santino came from a ranch in Virginia. I admit that he was not much help at first, arriving at only 8 weeks old. However, by the time he was four months old he was already taking on his new role as guardian. Santino only barks when necessary, so the neighbors do not complain. Now we feel totally at ease knowing that Santino is on guard. We rarely, if ever, hear the alpacas alarm. When they hear Santino bark they simply look without panic as they know he will take care of everything.
Gianna is our latest addition. She is a direct import from the Abruzzi region in Italy. We had her delivered to JFK and I flew to NY to pick her up. Gianna will be 17 months old in July, 2010. She is so playful and lovable even though her size is so intimidating.
It took no time at all for Gianna to call the ranch her home. She walks around like she owns the place and has proven that she is the female alpha dog.
Gianna is Santino's breeding partner and we are looking for them to breed in early summer 2010.
This is Vincenzo. He is a full brother to Santino, but one year younger. Vinny is three years of age.
When Vinny and Santino are together we have to do a double take to figure out who is who.
Vinny loves to meet guests at the gate with a bark and a happy wagging tail. Vincenzo and Donatella had their first litter in the fall of 2009. They made beautiful pups which are shown at the top of this page. Vincenzo will definitely be used to father more litters in the upcoming years.
This is Donatella. She will be two years old this July. Donatella is super friendly and loves to be the center of attention. Donatella is also Vincenzo's girlfriend. The two of them live with the male alpacas and guard them.
Donatella had her first litter in November 2009. She is a wonderful mother and took the best care of her pups. She raised seven of them like a pro. Donatella will be bred to Vincenzo in the fall of 2010.
All the maremmas compliment each other. They eat, work, and sleep together everyday. Having them on guard keeps Tom and I a little more stress free.
Tom and I are registered breeders of the Maremma Sheepdog Club of America. We have signed an ethics code in which we will only sell these dogs as working dogs. We also will only breed the females once a year. For more information on maremmas or on the club please visit the link: www.maremmaclub.com.
To view more pictures and videos of puppies born on the ranch visit our blog by Clicking Here and then selecting the maremma link in the category menu on the right hand side.
