Tralee

So you don't agree with many people that keep their dogs like that in rural areas? They usually keep them in pairs. Would that be considered intelligent company or do they need the company of humans to be considered proper maremmas? People keep Rottweilers and GSDs fenced inside car yards and wreckers and service stations but they can hardly be recognised as 'dogs' due to the neglect and abuse they have suffered. The feral attitude of Maremmas left on large sheep farms and fed with hoppers is not the correct temperament. They should be alert but not aggressive. Dogs that have to be caged before the sheep can be herded and sheared have become vicious and misrpresent the breed. The Maremma is a shepherds dog, they work in partnership with one or more humans, but that doesn't make them any less wary of strangers. I've seen two dogs together, but the farmhouse and farmer are close by. My recommendation to potential puppy owners is that the Maremma is not a domestic pet, neither are they a dog for the novice or amateur dog owner. The Maremma is a specialised breed, with particular qualities and attributes that need to employed in order for the dog to grow and develop fully. It is also important that the unique quality of the Maremma be protected and preserved. Regards

A few points, but I will have to return when I have more time. I did not see any dogs in the video about Sardenia Espinay2 but it does clearly show the sheep being corralled at night. Zoiboy, my comment about the sheep traditionally being corralled at night has somehow been misconstrued. The dogs were brought into the corral with the sheep and shpherdesses, but if I was shepherding the sheep I'd be using a dog to keep me warm at night. It doesn't mean the dog would stay there all night though. :laugh: mixeduppup. Your ideas about the dogs being abandoned on sprawling sheep farms, I have to tell you, is an abuse of the breed. This is because the Maremma is a shepherd's dog, but most importantly the Maremma is inherently associative The Maremma needs intelligent company not the mindless twaddle of sheep. I have more to say about the current state of affairs in Italy but quickly point out here that the Italians have surpassed our dogs in their breeding programs and we have not kept pace with their developments. The current Italian dogs winning World BIS are far and beyond superior to anything in this country. Regards

This is Lumen at work for Ponda Estate Wines on the Bellarine Peninsula

I had a very successful arthrodesis at VSS, Qld. Amputation was always an option but we tried surgery first. I would think that if you are getting recidivism of the injury then either your poor dog is not suited to this type of surgery or the surgery is not at an acceptable standard. Its a hard call either way, but since taking the option of surgery to repair the dislocated wrist, I have noticed sevral dogs with legs amputated who all seem to be in great spirits, fit and healthy. Regards

According to the Vet its a common problem with working/large breeds. Apparently, its not genetic, but I can't see how they can make that claim. Its, like hyperthyroidism, could happen but very rarely does. You may be interested to know that I took her in to the Vet to have her breathing checked and they were too busy to do a full work up. A week later she collapsed. Notwithstanding, I am much more cautious walking/running my dogs now. Sooki was the reason for, and the result of, the "Fact or Fiction" thread. Her Breeder was my first mentor. My gratitude to both of them and others we've met in our humble saga is insuperable. I notice at Mass they have changed the words: this 'saving cup' to this 'chalice' It breaks me up in increasing repetition. No one said it would be a rose garden along with the sunshine. Happy Easter to you Steve.

By all accounts, Zuess has overcome his bone infection and is almost as good as new although he has a slight hobble. I plan to visit him soon.

Thanks Steve. Its much appreciated. She is survived by my two boys; her kennel mate Winja and her first born Flynch. :)

Flynnch had a C5 is September because I needed to put him into kennels. He is due to be vaccinated in September. Winja has just had his vaccinations too. Winja was given a Kc Annual on 14 March 13 and is due to be vaccinated again on 14 March 14. Winja was given a C3 on 14 March 13 and is due to be vaccinated again on 14 March 16 So within 6 months the vaccination regime has changed from an annual C3 injection to a tri-annual one. I will be moving to titre testing as soon as the Boarding Kennels pull their head out of their backsides and accept a Veterinary Certificate. Vaccinations are dangerous, I had a Vet vaccinate my pregnant bitch and then try to tell me she was having a phantom.

they could if they policed them - made sure everyone had paid their rego and fined them if they didnt ,made sure everyone changes their details and fine them if they dont , make sure every one has a dog on a leash and fine them if they dont ,make sure every dog bred has a chip as has been mandatory since 97 and fine them if they dont . One ranger doing a doork nock to check every house hold that has a dog is compliant and if they are not issuing fines and that every household has adequate fencing etc to contain the size and type of dog they had etc and prevent a dog issue before they have to be called out to them would make them millions. You're dreamin' steve. When they stuff up it costs us thousands to fix their mistakes. Sometimes we even lose our dogs as well

Thanks for that Linda. Congratulations to Lisa. It looked like a great outing with a good number of Maremma. I am not making any comments about any of the dogs except to say that I liked the few who were 'alert'. Note, of course, that I am refering to temperament and not just considering appearance. I think Anna Albrigo makes a concise and precise example on how to speak about other peoples' dogs. She is amazing don't you think?

I have mistaken Pyreneans for Maremmas at a Show once, and actually asked the handler walking them . We will get our turn in my lifetime, I am certain of it. :) The question is: How long and how much effort will it take?

Edited to suit, and a big congratulations to the Breed for its 1st BIS in Spanish Championship histroy

55 pages. I'll have a look on the holidays. I didn't see anything on supporting, assisting, facilitating or developing the rescuing of dogs.

A couple for espinay2 The big Maremmas, .... erh! ... I mean Pyreneans. :laugh: BANZO DE TODOBE - Best in Show in Valladolid National Show (Spain) The first Pyrenean Mountain Dog winning the BIS in Spanish Championships history. Després de la pluja: secat natural.

On-line: Mauro Di Fonzo Via Chieti, 67046 9 Santa Jona Ovindoli (AQ) Tel +39 348.8525806 Fax +39 1786052507 Mauro is second from the left.

This dog's ruff is spectacular. There is no other description. And look at the feathering on the R front leg.

I don't know what sort of Shows you two are attending, but I am fully conversant with the machinations of presenting Maremma at Show. My experience ranges from: "OMG! A Friendly Maremma", to being nobbled by exhibitors behind me while waiting to enter the Show Ring who find it amusing to see the Maremma's guardian instinct in action. I've learnt to have eyes in the back of my head, and look far ahead both geographically and temporally when my dogs are away from home. The thread is about the progression of Maremma at Show. In Europe, they are winning BIS internationally. I have posited two factors for the difference in this country. The Italian dogs are far and above superior. While Australian dogs have been improved over the past decades we have not kept pace with the Italians who faced similar problems. The discussion around Maremma in Italy is lively and often heated. Debate centres around the direction the Breed should be taken and its true origins. The issue with Judging and temperament, which I have openly exposed as the occassional deliberate exploitation of the dog's innate and inherent guarding instinct, was a digression from the awe, wonder and glory of these beautiful whites. Other than that, my dogs are fine. Winja has mellowed into a confidently quiet and tolerant dog while Flynnch likes being more active, is cheeky and prone to demanding attention. I am hoping to get a 5 week study scholarship this year to visit Italy in person. But we will just have to wait and see.

So, no progress on the Bacchus Marsh Dog Fighting saga. It's been going on for years, ..

Linda, do you have the reply from Mauro in the original Italian? It's a great piece of diplomacy and promotion as is the want of any group with a political vested interest. What else would you expect? To balance the issue the perspective from the side of current exhibitors could be useful. The conclusion from these examples is obvious. They may not be the ideal, but the camera does not lie. Perhaps I could write to a highly respected Italian breeder and exhibitor I know and see if the reality accords with the 'spin' from the CMPA.

Hi PME My big dog used to runoff lead and look like he would never return. I changed his name to bikkie for the times I needed him and now he has comes and responds on command. The puppy boy however is a completely different kettle of fish. I have to preempt any problems, make him focus on me, and keep him responding for the duration of any issue that arises. He is too eager to retaliate when dogs rush the fence when we are walking. If I can tap his shoulder before we get to the fence, remind him not to retaliate, and then march him past the offending dogs, he complies brilliantly. He needs to do without promting, but even the big dog gets annoyed with 'fence rushers'

You're very welcome. It was a good show wasn't it. I can't help feeling that if he hadn't had that damn wound, he might have taken Open in Show. :laugh: I was so happy, I was ecstatic.