Friends - Maremmas
Maremmas are also called Livestock guardians. Their originated in the Abruzzese and Maremmano regions of Italy 2000 years ago. They are very wolf like in character and have been bred for their natural nurturing and protective qualities. It is like having another worker on the property; I have to tell them what is going to happen, walk the boundaries with them and generally indicate what our next step will be with the sheep. They then work with me [usually] to do what is required. They have been known to stand in gate ways to the sheep yards when I am trying to yard the sheep which is very frustrating…and sometimes I think they think it is funny!
They have double coats and prefer to be outside in the weather. Luce lives with sheep permanently while Bella makes her own arrangements which includes being inside with Silver a lot of the time! Food is not central to their life and eating is done from a self feeder in the middle of the paddock. They are usually fed porridge each alternate day and a large bone on other days.
They make a great companions. They are very gentle while being protective to the animals and to people as well. Our lambing rates have been at 100%. Any losses has been through illness or injury.