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General Appearance
Majestic, large size, lithe, strongly built, of ‘outdoor’ appearance. Expression of aloof awareness.

Characteristics
Intelligent, distinguished, sturdy, courageous but not aggressive.

Temperament
Lively, any tendency to nervousness or aggression highly undesirable.

Head and Skull
Head conical in shape and appearing large in proportion to size of body. Skull rather wide between ears, narrowing towards foreface. Occipital ridge little emphasized with medium stop. Area under eyes slightly chiselled. Length of muzzle very slightly less than skull. Muzzle converges without snipiness. Jaws powerful and with plently of substance in foreface. Lips close fitting, not pendulous. Pigmentation of lips and nose black.

Eyes
Bold, neither large nor small, ball neither sunk nor protruding – aperture almond-shaped, dark eye preferred.Rims black.

Ears
Small in relation to size of head, V-shaped, set high on head, covered with short hair. Hanging flat to side of head in repose, moving forward when alert. The extremity of the ear forming a narrow point, never a rounded end.

Mouth
Teeth white, strong, regularly spaced and set in a level jaw. Scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Neck
Strong, of medium length, devoid of dewlap.

Forequarters
Shoulders long, sloping, well muscled. Forelegs well boned and muscular without heaviness, straight when viewed from front; elbows close to ribcage, not turning in or out. Viewed from side, pasterns slope very slightly forward.

Body
Strong, muscles well developed, withers slightly above level of back; back broad and straight, rising to slight arch over loins, and falling to broad, strong rump. Length of body, measured from point of shoulder to point of buttocks, slightly longer than height at shoulder. Ribcage full, let down to level of elbow; well sprung ribs, not barrel chested. Sternum long, gradually curving up to the abdomen, which shows a waist without tucking up.

Hindquarters
Wide and powerful; thighs strongly muscled, legs straight when viewed from behind, hocks well down, strong, moderate bend of stifle.

Feet
Large and almost round. Hindfeet slightly more oval. Pads black.

Tail
Set on low, reaching below joint of hock, hangs down when dog is quiet, but carried level with back when dog is alert, with tip gently curved. Well covered with thick hair but without forming fringes.

Gait/Movement
Movement free and active, giving impression of nimble dog, able to move easily over rough ground and turn quickly.

Coat
Fits outline of dog and is long, plentiful and rather harsh. Slight waviness, not curliness, permitted. Forms thick collar on neck. Hair short on muzzle, skull, ears, feet and front of limbs, forming slight feathering on rear limbs. Thick, close undercoat, especially in winter. Tail well covered with thick hair.

Colour
All white. A little shading of ivory or pale fawn is permissible.

Size
Ideal height: dogs: 65-73 cms (251/2-281/2 ins); bitches: 60-68 cms (231/2-261/2 ins). Ideal weight: dogs: 35-45 kgs (77-99 lbs); bitches: 30-40 kgs (66-88 lbs).

Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

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

Last Updated - September 2000

Glossary of Canine Terms

Health Information

The Kennel Club operates health screening schemes with other organisations.  Some are clinical veterinary screening schemes and some are DNA screening schemes, which may be relevant to this breed.

The current health screening requirements and recommendations for Kennel Club Accredited Breeders of this breed show what is required and recommended for the sire and dam of any litter of this breed bred by an Accredited Breeder.

Breed specific summary results from the Purebred Dog Health Survey in 2004 are available.  Individual summaries are only available where the breed response rate was greater than 15%.

Recommended Reading

All the below publications are available to order from the Online Shop.

Kennel Club Breed Standards Kennel Club Breed Standards are available for most breeds indicating the qualities which competition judges normally take into account and the standard or model which breeders endeavour to achieve. The Breed Standards can be purchased by group.

The Kennel Club Illustrated Breed Standards Containing full descriptive standards for 192 breeds, as well as representation for the six Kennel Club recognised breeds that are currently without standards, this beautifully illustrated volume is a must for all dog enthusiasts. This third edition has been completely revised and updated by a panel of experts and incorporates the very latest standards for breeds in each group.

Breed Clubs and Societies

• MAREMMA SHEEPDOG CLUB OF GB. Sec. Mrs J Downes. Tel No: 01948 840220
• NORTHERN MAREMMA ASSOC. Sec. Ms Braud. Tel No: not available, please contact the Kennel Club

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