Australian Breed Standards

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

The Maremma is classified scientifically as belonging to the lupoid group (according to Pierre Megnin) As a working dog he is classed as a sheep dog. Full name Cane Da Pastore Maremmano-Abruzzese. He is a large, strongly built dog. In spite of his rustic appearance, he is at the same time majestic and distinguished, robust and courageous, with a very intelligent expression. His character is docile, but he becomes fierce when he is at work as a guardian of the flock and of his master's property. His hair is abundant, long and white. The general conformation is that of a heavy mesomorph, with the body longer than the height at the withers, harmonious as to form (heterometric), and relatively harmonious in outline (halloidism).

WEIGHT AND HEIGHT

HEAD
Dolichocephalic: The total length of the head is about equal to 4/10 of the height at the withers, the length of the muzzle is less than 1/10 of the length of the cranium. The width of the skull, measured from one cheekbone to the other is rather more than half of the total length of the head, but the cephalic index should not be more than 52.5 The direction of the upper longitudinal axes of the skull and of the muzzle is slightly divergent. Overall, the head is large, shaped like a blunt wedge, and is reminiscent of the head of the polar bear.

This is a very correct head. It is conical, broad with a blunt wedge shape.

Another correct head

This head shows beautiful size and breadth

SKULL:
the length of the skull is 1/10 more than the length of the muzzle, and its width from cheek to cheek is more than half of the total length of the head; the lateral walls of the skull are therefore somewhat rounded. Seen in profile, the skull is also somewhat rounded and rather wide between the eyes; it narrows toward the facial region. Its upper longitudinal axis diverges slightly from the axis of the nasal bridge. The sinuses are not pronounced. The occipital protuberance is not accentuated.

Incorrect skull. The head should be more flat

Good breadth of skull, blunt wedge shape

Broad skull, good proportions

Breadth of skull and muzzle in proportion

MUZZLE:
the sides of the muzzle tend to converge, but the forward part of the muzzle has a rather flat surface. The muzzle should be, in height or depth 5/10 of its length (measured at the level of commissure). The suborbital region should be rather chiselled.

Broad muzzle, chiseled correct eyes

Well proportioined head

Eyes too big, muzzle narrow and too long

Fine, snipey muzzle, too long, too much stop

NOSE:
wet and cool, it is positioned on the line of the nasal bridge, with a large border, and nostrils which are large; seen in profile, the nose should not extend beyond the front vertical line of the lips, its forward face is on the same vertical plane as the forward face of the muzzle. Pigmentation: Black

BRIDGE:
straight (for its length and direction in relation to the cranial axis, (see Head) Its width, measured at the midpoint should be 22% of the total length of the head, and about 55% of the length of the nasal bridge itself.

STOP:
should not be pronounced

LIPS:
the upper lips, seen from the front are shaped like a semi-circle with a very narrow chord. The lips are not high, and thus they barely cover the lower teeth; the commissure, because of the slight development of the lips, is not pronounced. Consequently, the lower lateral profile of the muzzle is described by the lips only in their lower-lateral-forward part, while farther back, toward the commissure, it is delineated by the mandible and by the commissure itself the pigment of the lip edges must be black.

Correct mouth and pigmentation

Lips not fitting mouth line well enough

Fine mouth, accentuated by little underjaw

JAWS:
robust, with normal development and meeting in perfect scissor bite; the back part of the upper incisors should fit snugly over the front side of the lower incisors. The upper line of the lower jaw is nearly straight; teeth should be white, regularly aligned, and compete in development and number.

These teeth on two different dogs overlap the lower teeth, this is NOT a scissor bite.

EYES:
the eyes are not large, considering the overall size of the dog. They should neither be deep-set nor protruding. They are ochre or dark brown in colour. The eyelids must fit fairly close to the eyes. The eye slit is almond-shaped. Pigmentation of the eyelids must be black. The direction of the axes of lids (that is, the straight line which passes between the two corners of the eye opening) determines a 30 degree angle with the median plane of the head.

All these eyes are NOT correct.		Eyes set on wrong angle and too close together		Eyes set too straight on the face		This whole head is incorrect. Eyes are round and set wrong.
Shape and angle is crucial for expression!		Eyes set on wrong angle		Round eyes set straight		Eyes set straight on face
Study these eyes against the following		Round eyes set straight		Large, round, straight set		Large round eyes set straight on the face

Close up of the maremma eye. This eye is almond shaped, but a little too round. The colour of the eye is beautiful.

These eyes ARE correct.

Here is the melting maremma expression we aim for.

Notice the angle of these dogs' eyes

Almond shaped

EARS:
considering the size of the dog, the ears are rather small, they are V shaped, set on considerably above the zygomatic arch, and are covered with hair. The tip should be sharply pointed and never be rounded. Ear length in an average sized dog should not be more than 4 1/2 inches when the dog is completely in repose, the ears hang down at the sides of the head, but whenever the dog is alerted the ears are very mobile and should rise to a semierect position: This is indicative of the Maremma's talents as a guard dog and is a specific trait of the breed. The ears may be clipped to a certain extent, if the dog is to be used as custodian of a flock.

These ears are NOT correct.		Ears set high on the head and forward over the face.		Not only incorrect ears, but very round eyes also.		Ears set high on the head and too large.
		Ears too large and set high on the head.		Very large ears set too low on the head.		Ears must be correct size, shape, and position to maintain expression
		Small ears but rounded tip.		Very large ears, rounded tip, set at correct height.		Ears large and long, set low.

These ears ARE correct.

Small V shaped ear set correctly.

Well proportioned head with small ears

NECK:
Strong, with long thick hair which forms a collar, there should be no dewlap. The length of the neck measured from the nape to the edge of the withers should not be more than 8/10 of the length of the head, and is almost 3.2/10 the height of the withers.

This neck is too long

This neck is the correct length

Another neck too long

FOREQUARTERS:
The shoulders should be long, sloping, strongly muscled, and very free in movement. The length is about 1/4 of the height at the withers, while the slope varies from 50 - 60 degrees from the horizontal. the points of the scapulae are relatively vertical in respect to the medial plane of the body and therefore fairly well apart.

Both these shoulders are too straight, and will not allow correct free movement - note the difference in the angles shown in red

Now correct legs, with the angles shown in red. Compare this photo to the angles drawing

Upper Arm:
well joined to the body in the upper two-thirds, with strong muscles, sloped at 55 - 60 degrees from the horizontal. Its length at the withers and its direction are nearly parallel to the medial plane of the body.

Forearm:
well boned, vertical. Its length is slightly more than the length of the humerus, and measures slightly less than 1/3 of the height at the withers. The height at the elbow is 52.87% of the height at the withers. The elbows, which are normally close to the body and covered with soft, loose skin, should lie on a plane which is parallel to the medial plane of the body. The point of the elbow should lie on a perpendicular from the scapular.

Wrist:
the wrist lies on the vertical of the forearm; lean, smooth, with no visible bone relief, except at its back edge, where the pisiform bone protrudes.

Pastern:
seen from in front, the pastern follows the vertical line of the forearm, it is lean with a minimal amount of subcutaneous cellular tissue. Its length should not be less than 1/6 of the height of the entire member at the elbow. Seen in profile it should be slightly extended.

Foot:
large, rounded, with toes well closed, and covered with short dense hair. The pads are lean and hard; the nails are strong and arched. The pads are strongly pigmented, as are the nails, the pigment should be black (brown in the nail is acceptable).

	Large round feet		Black nails
	Small turned out feet		Also lacking in chest

BODY:
The length of the body, measured from the point of the shoulder (Outer scapular-humeral angle) or from the manubrium of the sternum to the point of the buttock (posterior point of the ischium), is 1/18 greater than the height at the withers.

Chest:
broad and well open, with well developed pectoral muscles, the width between the lateral limits (the upper and forward edges of the arms) should be 25% of the height at the withers. The sternum should be level with the point of the shoulders.

Notice there is no width of chest at all between the front legs

This is a young bitch showing promising chest development

Very wide chest floor on a mature bitch but is affecting the shoulder angles

Rib Cage:
broad, descending to the level of the elbow, well rounded at the midpoint of the height. The cross diameter which is greatest at half of the height, diminishes slightly toward the bottom, so that the stern region is still broad. The ribs are well sprung, oblique, with well extended interrib spaces; the last false ribs are long, oblique and well open. The sternum is long: in profile its outline is that of a semicircle with a very broad chord, which ascends toward the abdomen. The circumference of the rib cage should be about 1/4 greater than the height at the withers, and its diameter should be at least 32% of the height at the withers, while the depth of the rib cage should be 50%. In a dog 27 inches high the rib cage should have the following dimensions: circumference (behind the elbows) 32.6 inches; circumference on the rib arches 28.7 inches; depth 13.4 inches; height 12.8 inches. The thoracic index, therefore, should not exceed it (and should be preferably less).

Back:
the withers are slightly raised above the backline, with the points of the scapulae set well apart. The upper outline of the back is straight. The length is about 32% of the height at the withers.

	Back is not straight - rump too high		Back is very straight but rump falls too steeply		Back rising to the rump
	Possibly the worst topline I have ever seen		Topline poor, tail set high, feet - east/west		Notice the definite dip in this dogs topline
	This back is straight, with very correct slope of rump		Correct straight topline, correct rump and tail		Correct topline, rump and set of tail

Loins:
well incorporated into the backline, slightly convex as viewed in profile. The muscles are well developed in their breadth. The length is 1/5 of the height at the withers. The width is almost equal to the length

Belly:
its lower line, from the stern forward, rises very slightly toward the flanks, in such a way that the belly is slightly drawn up. The flanks should be of a length which is almost equal to the lumbar region; the hollowing of the flank should be minimal.

Croup:
broad, robust, muscular; the cross diameter between the haunches should be 1/7 of the height at the withers. Its length is 1/3 of the height at the withers. Its slope, from the haunch to the set on of the tail, is 20 degrees from the horizontal, and thus the dog's croup is hollowed.

Sexual Organs
the male should have perfect and complete development of the testicles.

Tail:
set on low, because of the followed croup, when the dog is standing in normal position, the tail passes the hock. In repose it is carried hanging down, while when the dog is excited it is carried at the backline, with the tip slightly curved. It is well feathered with dense hair, but there should be no fringe.

	These are spitz tails and are a serious breed fault		Notice tails are curled and held high over the dogs back		Incorrect tail carraige is directly related to hip angles		This is a very highly attached tail. It will likely develop into a spitz tail as she matures
	Correct carraige of tail when dog is excited		Correct set, insertion and carraige of tail		Not strictly a spitz tail - it lacks a full curl, but is carried too high		Tail is too short, only just reaching the hock

HINDQUARTERS
Thigh:
long, broad, covered with powerful muscles, with the back edge slightly convex. Its length is 1/3 of the height at the withers. Its outer face, from one edge to the other, should be 3/4 of its length. Its direction is slightly sloping form above to below and from the back forward, and, in respect to the vertical, it should be parallel to the medial plane of the body.

		Poor bone and muscle development for an adult bitch			Powerful musculature with good bone, but not very parellel
		Not parellel		Severe cow hocks		Correct set of hind legs

Leg:
well boned, and well equipped with lean muscles. The length is slightly less than the length of the thigh, and is 32.5% of the height at the withers. Its slope is about 60 degrees from the horizontal.

Both dogs here have legs are too straight and feet are turned out

The hindquarter is crucial to correct movement

Both these have very correct legs with good angles and correct set of tail

Hock:
its height is 30.9% of the height at the withers; this means that in a dog 26 3/4 inches high, the height of the hock should be about 7 1/4 inches. The sides of the hock are very broad, its forward angulation is quite closed, seen from behind, the backline which goes from the hock to the ground should be on the vertical and on the prolongation of the buttock line.

Metatarses:
robust and lean; its length depends on the height of the hock. Seen from behind as well as in profile, it should always be vertical. There should be no dewclaws.

Foot:
like the forefoot, but slight more oval in shape

COAT
Hair:
very abundant, long, rather harsh to the touch, close to the body. A slight wave is permitted; around the neck, the coat forms a rich collar. It is short on the muzzle, on the skull, on the ears, on the forward edge of all four limbs, on the back edge of which it forms a slight fringe. The undercoat is abundant and only a winter coat. The texture of the hair is semivitreous. The length of the hair on the body may be as much as 3 inches

Colour:
solid white, Ivory, pale orange, pale lemon shadings are acceptable if not excessive.

Skin:
close-fitting and rather thick all over, the neck has no dewlap. Lips, nose and eyelids should be black, as should the pads of the feet and the nails. (Brown nails are acceptable)

GAIT
The pace is long, as is the trot.

	This dog has great difficulty moving due to hip angles and poor topline		Notice the difference in the hips and legs as this dog moves compared to the first photo
	Maremma in full flight! Notice the way both hind legs are now coming forward together. The run is different to the walk and trot		Same maremma in full flight but now in the extension stage of the movement - this dog is chasing a sighthound!

This drawing illustrates how to measure the lengths described in the standards, and how to measure the angles. Body length is measured from the point of the shoulder to the point of the hip. Height is measured at the foreleg to the top of the shoulder. Angulation of the legs is demonstrated here well, as are the needed proportions. Compare this drawing now with the various photos shown throughout the standards to see how many of the dogs photographed vary from the ideal. It is a great idea to copy a basic version of this drawing then measure your dog and do the math!

Very incorrect leg angles, & toplineCorrect leg angles

Incorrect angles giving a straight shoulderCorrect shoulder angles

FAULTS
General Characteristics: undistinguished overall appearance, light bone, lack of symmetry.
Height: deficient or excessive.
Head: convergent cranial facial axis (a very serious fault). Nose lower than the line of the bridge; protruding on the vertical of the forepart of the nose; small; nostrils not well open; deficient pigmentation. Total de-pigmentation a disqualification.
Bridge: short, narrow, with the sidelines exaggeratedly convergent; convex (arched); a pronounced arch or hollow constitutes a disqualification.
Lips: over or under-developed. Conjunction of the upper lips decidedly in the shape of an inverted V
Muzzle: short, exaggerated convergence forward of its sides, that is, a decidedly pointed muzzle.
Jaws: thin; overshot condition if it harms the general appearance of the muzzle, undershot condition if due to lack of length in the mandible is a disqualification; if it is the result of bad direction of teeth it is a fault. Curved lower jaw; Irregular teeth; teeth lacking; horizontal erosion of the teeth.
Skull: small, short, flat on top, or exaggeratedly rounded; broad at the zygomatic arches; masseters overly developed; underdeveloped sinuses; or (a serious fault) overly developed, to the point where the stop is pronounced. Convergence of the cranial facial longitudinal axis.
Eyes: too small, or prominent; light eyes; walleyes (disqualification). Eyes set too high, round, entropion; suspicious expression; cross eyes. Partial depigmentation of the eyelids, or (disqualification) total depigmentation. total bilateral depigmentation of the eyelids (disqualification).
Ears: too long or too short; semierect or rose ears. Set on low, rounded tips, covered with excessively long hair, not mobile.
Neck: thin, too short; presence of dewlap.
Pastern: short, thin, spongy; too long, too extended or straight; out of vertical.
Foot: (Forefoot) fat; splayed, broad, too big, crushed; deficiency of arching in the toes; foot carried in or out, that is, not vertically. toe pads fleshy, thin sloes; deficiency of colouring in nails and pads. Bad positioning of pads.
Body: too long; longitudinal diameter equal to height at the withers.
Chest: narrow, insufficiently let down; poor muscular development; manubrium of sternum positioned too low.
Rib Cage: too low, too shallow and of insufficient circumference; narrow; carenated. Xiphoid appendage curved inward; short stern; rib arches not sufficiently open. Ribs not sufficiently sprung; inter rib spaces not broad; false ribs short and closed;
Back: short, interruption of the backline at the eleventh vertebrae. Saddle back (Lordosis); carp back (Hyphosis).
Loins: long, flat, narrow.
Belly: drawn up; long and hollowed flank.
Croup: narrow; deficient in length ; horizontal.
Sexual Organs: Monorchidism (disqualification), cryptorchidsm (disqualification). Incomplete development of one or both testes. (disqualification)
Tail: too long or too short; lack of brachyurism, either congenital or artificial (disqualification); tail set on high. Tail curled over the back (disqualification), or with decided fringes.
Thighs: short, or with badly developed muscles, that is, flat, deviated from the stifle; too straight or too sloped.
Leg: light bone; short, insufficiently sloped.
Hock: high; not broad; open or closed angulation; out of vertical.
Metatarses: long, thin; out of vertical; dewclaws (a very serious fault).

Dewclaws. Notice how they protude from the leg. These are very easily damaged, and this is very painful for a dog. They should be removed at a few days of age.

Hair: strongly waved, curly (disqualification); short; lack of winter undercoat; hair too harsh or too soft.
Colour: other than solid white; Isabella coat (disqualification); Isabel or ivory markings, even if very small, with sharp edges (disqualification). Ivory or pale orange tints in abundance.
Skin: thin or too thick, over abundance; dewlap; traces of depigmentation on the nose and on the edges of the eyelids; lack of colouring, even if season; total depigmentation of the nose (disqualification).
Gait: short, jumpy, ambling.

DISQUALIFICATIONS
Height: more than 30 inches at the withers and more than 3/4 inch less than the minimum height standard.
Head: decidedly convergent cranial facial axis.
Bridge: concave or exaggeratedly arched.

In judging, if any characteristic vital to the type of the breed is graded, the dog cannot be considered, but will be disqualified even if the other characteristics are all graded excellent.

General Appearance:
The Maremma and Abruzzese shepherd dog is a large dog, strongly built of a rustic (hardy) appearance, at the same time majestic and really typical. On the whole, his shape, of average proportions, is that of a heavy dog, whose body is longer than the height at the withers; it is harmonious as to form (heterometric) and relatively harmonious in outline. (halloidism)

Importand Proportions: the length of the head is four tenths of the height at the withers; the body length is greater than the height at the withers by one eighteenth. Depth of the body is slightly less than half the height at the withers. (For instance a dog of 68 cm, the depth is about 32 cm)

The maremma is a majestic, distinguished and sturdy dog with a very intelligent expression. Lack of substance is regarded very seriously in Italy; they should be large and majestic. It is considered to be much more important to preserve and maintain 'type', that is, be typical of the breed, than it is for the dog to be 'spectacular'.

The difference between dog and bitch should be very evident, and not only physically. The dogs are larger, tougher and have a large collar, like a lion's mane. They are more extrovert, stronger in temperament and become aggressive, particularly with dogs who invade their territory. The bitches, on the other hand, may be a few inches smaller, are more elegant and can be feline in theri movements; they are much gentler and more diffident.

For his stature, this dog has only a moderate appetite. The maremma is an irregular feeder, is not a glutton and will never over-eat. His irregularity in feeding needs getting used to, and it is necessary to be sure that water is always available to him.

Characteristics:
It is a shepherd dog used mainly for the protection of flocks and guarding property.

The maremma is essentially an outdoors animal. He is a calm dog, only barking if he sees something unusual, otherwise he will be lying in the shade of the house or in some cool place, sleeping or pretending to do so. Thus, even his calorific requirements are smaller than those of other breeds of the same weight.

Temperament:
His principal function as a guard and defence dog of flocks and property in general, shows itself in the manner in which he accomplishes these tasks, with perception, courage and decision. Although proud and not inclined to submission, he is also devoted to his master and his entourage.

Temperament in this breed is as important as its appearance, as dogs who have the wrong temperament can develop an unwanted aggressiveness, which, besides being a problem to the owner, can do much harm to the breed.

Head and Skull:
On the whole the head is large and flat, of conical shape, reminiscent of that of a polar bear.

Skull: is of great width with the sides of the skull slightly rounded; in profile it is also convex. The upper longitudinal axes of the skull and muzzle are slightly divergent from each other, which makes the profile of the head slightly convex. The eyebrows are moderately arched. The medial furrow is slight. The occipital crest is not accentuated.

Stop: should not be pronounced. The depression is only slight and the angle is always very open

Nose: rather large, in line with the muzzle, with large, well-opened, moist and cool nostrils, and coloured black. In profile must not protrude beyond the front margin of the lips.

Muzzle: its length is one tenth less than that of the skull. Its depth, measured at the level of the corners of the lips, must equal half its length. Its width decreases progressively with the convergence of the sides of the muzzle towards the front. It is slightlly chiselled beneath the eyes.

Lips: Seen from the front, the upper lips are shaped like a semi-circle of very small radius at the lower edge of their junction point. The lips, being only silghtly developed, barely cover the teeth, and therefore the corner of the lips is only lightly accentuated. Consequently, the lower side profile is defined by the lips only at the front part; in its rear part it is defined by the lower jaw and the corner of the lips. The rims of the lips are black.

Jaws: look strong and are normally developed.

Cheeks: moderately visible.

The head of the maremma should be immediately recognisable from the heads of similar breeds, such as the Kuvasz or the Pyrenean Mountain Dog, by its typical shape and expression.

Its size should be in proportion to the body, its shape large and conical; shaped like a blunt wedge and reminiscent of the head of the Polar bear, particularly about the muzzle. The conical shape means that even the sides of the muzzle must not be parallel, but taper towards the nose.

Neck:
Strong, of medium length, devoid of dewlap, with thick hair that forms a collar or mane.

Forequarters:
Straight limbs when viewed from the front and side; forequarters well balanced in relation to the body, and the various parts of the forequarters are well proportioned to each other

Shoulders: long, sloping, with powerful muscles. Must be really free in movement. In length measures about one quarter of the height at the withers. Its angulation below the horizontal is from 50 - 60 degrees.

Elbows: normally close to the chest, they are covered with a soft, loose skin. Their position must be parallel to the median plane of the body; the point of the elbow must be on an imaginary vertical plane from the shoulder blade. The angle formed by the junction of the humerous and the radius varies between 145 and 150 degrees.

Forearm: straight and vertical, heavily boned. Its length is slightly more than the length of the upperarm, whilst being a little less than a third of the height at the withers. The front leg from the ground to elbow measures 53% of the height at the withers.

Pastern joint (wrist or carpus): extends the vertical line of the forearm. Strong, clean, smooth and of good thickness; the pistiform bone at its back edge is clearly visible.

Pastern (metacarpus): its length must never be less than one sixth of the foreleg measured from ground to elbow. It is lean with a minimum of sub-cutaneous tissue. Seen from the side, slopes slightly towards the front.

Body:
Solidly constructed, its length (measured from point of shoulder to buttock) is one eighteenth greater than the height at the withers.

Topline: straight from behind the withers to the rump where it becomes somewhat sloping.

Withers: slightly above the topline; wide because of the distance separating the shoulder blades.

Back; straight in profile, length is about 32% of the height at the withers. The loin which merges perfectly with the topline has a slightly curved profile with well developed muscles. The length of the loin is one fifth of the height at the withers, and its width is nearly equal to its length.

Rump/Croup: Wide, strong and well muscled. Its slope from the hip to the tail set is 20 degrees, increasing to 30 degrees and more if we refer to the ileum-ischium line; that is why the rump of the Maremma and Abruzzese shepherd dog must be qualified as sloping.

Chest: Ample, descending to the level of the elbows, deep and well rounded at mid-height. Its circumference must be one quarter greater than the height at the withers; its maximum width at mid-height must be at least 32% of the height at the withers, then decreases progressively downwards, whilst retaining a good width in the sternal region.

Underline: Its lower line, from the sternum forward, rises very slightly toward the flanks, in such a way that the belly is slightly drawn up.

HINDQUARTERS

Seen as a whole: Limbs are straight when seen from behind. The general aspect is in proportion with the body, and the various parts of the hindquarters are in harmony with each other.

Upper Thigh: Long, wide with prominent muscles and the rear edge slightly convex. Its width, measured from edge to edge, is three quarters of its length. It is slightly angulated from top to bottom and rear to front; the angle of the femur with the hip-bone is about 100 degrees.

Lower Thigh: Its length which is a little shorter than the upper thigh, is 32.5% of the height at the withers. Its angulation below the horizontal is about 60 degrees. Strong bone, muscles lean and the groove in the leg well marked.

Stifle: Set perfectly in the vertical line of the hind leg, turns neither in nor out. The angle of the femur and tibia is rather open and varies between 135 and 140 degrees.

Hock Joint: Quite thick, with broad lateral faces. The angle varies between 140 and 150 degrees.

Rear Pastern (metatarsal): Strong, lean and broad. Its length is 31% of the height at the withers. Dewclaws must be removed.

FEET

Front: Large of roundish shape, well closed toes, covered with short, thick hair; nails preferably black; chestnut colour is tolerated.

Hind: Like the front feet but more oval.

TAIL: Low set due to the sloping rump, in normal stance reaching below the level of the hock. Hanging down when the dog is stationary; carried level with back line with a rather strongly hooked tip when the dog is moving. Well furnished with dense hair without fringes.

The tail is set low, and when excited, carried straight out with onlly a slight curve at the end. Very cheerful dogs carry their tails in a slight upwards curl. A very bad fault is the so-called "spitz tail", which is generally caused by an incorrect croup.

The first third of the tail, starting from its insertion in the rump, should never be carried above the level of the back, even if the last part may be waving gayly during movement.

GAIT/MOVEMENT

Walk and extended trot.

Movement is very free, but not like the German Shepherd as it si less angulated behind. maremmas are fast and as agile as any cat. They are strong dogs but they must maintain agility to be typical of the breed. This fact must be strongly emphasised as if the dogs become too heavy and too large they will lose their agility. On the other hand they must maintain their excellent bone, strength and size, also without losing their agility.

COAT

Skin: Tight on all parts of the body; rather thick. Black pigmentation of the mucous membranes, eyelids and the central and toe pads.

Nature of Coat: Very well furnished. Hair long, rather harsh to the touch, closer to straight horse hair; flat to the body; slight wave is tolerated. The coat forms a rich collar around the neck and feathering of limited length on the edge of the hindquarters. It is short on the muzzle, skull, ears and front edge of the limbs. On the body it reaches 8 cm (3 ins). The undercoat is only abundant in winter.

COLOUR: Solid white. Shades of ivory, pale orange or lemon are tolerated but only if not excessive.

The dogs spend a lot of time cleaning their coats, like cats, and, although the coat is white, it does not need any special care. It sheds its coat twice a year after losing all the dead hair, which becomes yellowish, just like wool. When it rains and the dogs are wet, the coat becomes the colour of the earth, but as soon as it dries it becomse whiter than it was before

Size:

FAULTS: Any departure from the foregoing constitutes a fault which when judging must be penalised according to its seriousness and its extent. The same conditions apply to dogs which pace very often and dogs whose dewclaws have not been removed.

Eliminating Faults:

Head: The axes of the skull and foreface are convergent

Mouth: Serious and disfiguring prognathism (undershot if it harms the general appearance of the muzzle; overshot if the result of bad direction of the teeth).

Tail: Rolled over the back.

Gait: Continual pacing.

Size: Above or below the limits fixed by the Standard.

Disqualifying Faults:

Nose: Completely depigmented.

Muzzle: Definitely convex or concave.

Eyes: Moderate or bilateral depigmentation of the eyelids. Wall-eyed. Cross-eyed.

Mouth: Overshot (when caused by lack of length of the underjaw).

Tail: Tailless or short tail, whether congenital or docked.

Coat: Curly. Colour: Isabella coat; well defined patches of Isabella or ivory colour. Black shadings. NOTE:

Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

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