Whippoorwill Farm Imported Italian Maremmas

The Maremma Sheepdog is a working breed originating in Central Italy. There, in the High Apenines and plains of the Abruzzi region, the Maremma has been bred for over 2000 years. Also known as Cane da Pastore Maremmano-Abruzzese (PMA), or the Pastore Abruzzese, his sole function was to guard the flocks and property of the shepherd, first from wolves and bears still found there, and later from thieves and bands of stray dogs.

Over the centuries, the Maremma developed a strong independent guarding instinct and a responsibility for making decisions. While still maintaining devotion and affection for the shepherd and his family, the Maremma's primary allegiance was to the flocks - and he would never desert whatever had been entrusted to his care. These instincts remain with the breed today.

Above, (left) Giovenco and (right) Rovere

Our imported Maremmas carry a part of their native land with them because of their names! Rovere is named for the town of Rovere, and Giovenco is named for the Giovenco River , both in the Abruzzo Region.

Our farm is surrounded by a state park and public hunting area. We sometimes see black bear walking down the road in front of our farm and have had mountain lion in our back yard!

In 2005 and again in 2008, we imported puppies from Abruzzi, Italy. We wanted large, problem-free, fearless guardians with diverse rustic bloodlines that could protect our flocks and produce the additional guardians we needed. The imported dogs are exactly what we dreamed they would be: beautiful, large, calm, loving, and devoted to their stock.

We use seven Maremmas here to guard our sheep. The chickens, guinea fowl, horses, and ponies are also protected since the Maremmas patrol the farm and know exactly what threats are around at any given time. Our Maremmas allow us to enjoy a very isolated and secluded existence with no predator losses.

Whippoorwill Farm Maremmas:

"Luna", our much loved, older female from U.S. bloodlines.

"Giovenco" - imported from Abruzzo, Italy in 2005. He is currently the alpha Maremma, adores people. He is an excellent guardian, very smart and calculating when dealing with predators. He exhibits no fear with large predators.

"Rovere" - imported from Abruzzo, Italy in 2005. "Rovere" is a beautiful and very large female. "Rovere" has produced two litters and is very loyal to her stock. She has that beautiful 'sleepy eyed' look that is so endearing about this breed.

"Lia" - "Lia" is a very large Maremma and our most serious minded. She especially loves all new babies. Last year when Lia was only 6-7 months old, after being butted many times by new goat mothers, she dug a large hole in the barn, leaving only her head and neck above ground. She was then able to lay inside the hole, in the midst of all the new babies without stressing out the mothers and being butted. We kept Lia from the first litter of Rovere x Giovenco.

"Isidora" - Izzie is our loveable, sweet clown. She is very active and alert, spending part of each day walking the fence line and keeping an eye out for anything unusual. She is the one that mourns the death of our animals, laying with the dead body and then on the grave for days, sometimes even refusing to eat. We kept Izzie from the first litter of Rovere x Giovenco.

"Veleda" - a strong, beautiful, female from the 2007 litter of Rovere and Giovenco. Veleda has a beautiful head and eye and is absolutely as wide as she is tall. She is a serious worker and very mature for her age.

"Abruzzo" - imported from Abruzzo, Italy in 2008. This male puppy represents pure rustic shepherd lines and it shows. He is very beautiful and quiet with a sweet, gentle nature.

Our puppies are available as livestock guardians or all round farm dogs. This breed needs a job to do. All puppies are sold on contract (written health guarantee)----we always stand behind the dogs we sell and will answer any questions to the best of our ability. We have used livestock guardian dogs successfully for 13 years, the Maremmas alone for the past eleven years and have a lot of experience with the breed. Maremmas from our last two litters are successfully guarding sheep, goats, poultry, miniature cattle, and alpacas.

Puppies are registered, vet checked and vaccinated, micro chipped, with health guaranteed.

Maremmas, and other livestock guardian dogs, are not "attack" dogs that protect your possessions. They bond with the livestock and fenced area and act like a "guardian angel" for the flock. They will attack predators that threaten to harm the livestock. At Whippoorwill Farm, all pups are born/raised with sheep and poultry, so guarding should be instilled in them from the very beginning. When they are about six weeks old, the mother will wean them on her own. The litter is left here together with their mom for at least two more weeks to insure they are eating well and no problems are noted with the individual puppies. Puppies are ready to leave at 8 weeks old and should be placed with your adult livestock at that time. You do need to supervise and guide the puppy to make sure good guarding habits are being established.