MyDogBreeds
Maremma Sheepdog is originated from Italy but Ariegeois is originated from France. Maremma Sheepdog may grow 15 cm / 6 inches higher than Ariegeois. Maremma Sheepdog may weigh 18 kg / 40 pounds more than Ariegeois. Both Maremma Sheepdog and Ariegeois has almost same life span. Maremma Sheepdog may have more litter size than Ariegeois. Maremma Sheepdog requires Moderate maintenance. But Ariegeois requires Low maintenance
Known also as the Cane de Pastore Maremmano-Abruzzese, the Maremma Sheepdog is often referred to as the Maremmano or the Abruzzese Sheepdog.
This is a working dog – a guardian of sheep and an indigenous dog to central Italy. The dog has been used for centuries already to guard sheep.
It was in 1924 that the first standard for the breed was published.
The Ariegeois is a fairly new breed, believed to have originated in France in 1912. As a scent hound, it is a blend of 3 French scent hounds - Grand Gascon-Saintongeois, Grand bleu de Gascon and the Briquet.
Just to show you how ancient these breeds are, the Grand bleu were thought to have been brought to France by an ancient civilization, the Phoenicians, who traded wares and dogs. The Briquet is native to southern France but they have been used as hunting dogs as far back as pre-Roman times.
As the breeds mixed, the Ariegeois came about. A popular pack dog emerged with an excellent sense of smell that would stand the dog in good stead for hunting. Today, while still fairly uncommon beyond French borders, the dog is highly regarded for its extraordinary hunting abilities and his loyal, affectionate nature towards his human companions.
The Maremma Sheepdog is a large dog with a muscular build. Some people who have owned these distinctive-looking dogs say he is like a big bear. He stands at 65 to 73 cm in height, both male and female, and he weighs 35 to 45 kg.
The coat is long, thick and white with a dense undercoat. If you look you’ll see flashes of pale orange or apricot amid the white. There is thicker, longer hair around the neck area.
The nose is black, the eyes brown and the ears medium length and floppy. The long tail is set low and is thickly feathered. You can expect 6 – 10 puppies from these dogs.
The Maremma has always been used to guarding sheep, and today even though he is looked upon as a wonderful, friendly companion dog, he also makes an excellent watch dog, being brave and courageous. He isn’t the kind of dog that you think of as getting wildly excited over something, as he has a dignified aura about him.
He is an independent dog, so training and sociaization will be absolutely imperative as he is strong-willed and likes to do things his way. Once trained and socialized, it is amazing to see such a large dog obeying all your commands such as ‘lie down, come, sit an stay'. He is very intelligent and shouldn’t have any trouble learning these basic commands.
He is calm and gets on well with children as well as other pets in the home. With his role as guardian of sheep, he has learned to be loyal and patient and will make a loyal ad loving family pet he takes his role as guardian very seriously.
He loves hard work, and shepherds have always appreciated the splendid work he does guarding their flocks. As a companion you will also appreciate the many excellent qualities he possesses.
The Maremma Sheepdog isn’t recommended for life in the city where there is a tiny garden. He has always been accustomed to large open spaces and requires a large garden. He won’t tolerate heat well with that thick coat of his and will require a shady spot in your garden to retreat to.
The amicable-looking medium-sized Ariegeois dog, also known as the Ariege Hound, has a lean, muscled body. This dog breed isn’t just suitable as as working breed, but his kind face tells you he has a good temperament and he makes for an affectionate family pet and friend as well.
The Ariegeois gets along well with children in the family. Gentle and patient, you want to teach your children to also be gentle, patient and kind around this affectionate canine. Early socialization and training, as with any dog breed, will be important for this energetic dog, and training will make him a wonderful family pet.
With their trim, athletic build, deep chest and slightly forward lean similar to that of a Pointer dog, the scenthound’s white coat with black markings is short and smooth.
One of the more noticeable features of the dog is his long ears which are lovely and soft to touch. With his dark brown, soulful eyes, his black nose and slightly curved tail, the Ariegeois has a deep, throaty bark.
This is a beautiful dog, but large, so don’t make the mistake of wanting a large dog like this for his looks. He will be expensive to feed.
If you have the means to provide a good home for him, he is friendly and good natured, even though he is strong-willed and independent.
Provide him with a good home and you’ll have a most splendid pet and companion.
Your wonderful Ariegeois wants to be your lifelong companion, and you can expect all the wonderful characteristics to be evident in this canine if you buy him from a reputable breeder. When you bring him home, make sure he has a warm, dry, comfortable sleeping area, and in exchange for this provision he will be your loyal, devoted friend.
Spayed or Neutered saves you from Unwanted Puppies
If you don’t intend your Ariegeois becoming a parent have your dog spayed or neutered by 6 months of age.
Your Ariegeois is intelligent and easy to train and can be guaranteed to be your best friend and will be your loyal companion through thick and thin. In exchange for this priceless friendship, you need to be a responsible dog owner to ensure his health and happiness.
This ancient dog breed is robust and can reach 11 to 13 years of age when cared for properly. Like any other dogs, he can be prone to certain health problems.
One of these is hip dysplasia. Preventing your dog from becoming overweight can work towards preventing these kinds of musculoskeletal issues. Hip dysplasia occurs when your dog’s hip joints don’t develop properly so that the hips partially dislocate.
It is painful for your dog and it can be debilitating, leading to arthritis too and making it difficult for your pet to get around and to get up from lying down. There are a number of treatment options offered by your vet.
There are a number of illnesses that are common to all dog breeds. Some of the more common dog illnesses are -
No Standard Health Problems – Get Puppy Vaccinations
There are no specific health problems linked to the Ariegeois Dog but he will still need to get his regular puppy vaccinations -
As already suggested, this large dog will need space and he will need to be exercised. Apart from long walks in he countryside or in the park or your neighborhood, he will also need other activities that stimulate him mentally and physically.
The thick, all-weather coat of the Maremma will need a thorough bushing at least twice a week to get rid of all those loose hairs. When you are brushing him, look around for signs of ticks and fleas too and run your hands over him to feel for any unusual lumps.
The Maremma is a large-breed dog, so before you get a big dog like this, decide whether you have the financial means to feed him and look after him properly. He is going to cost a lot to feed, so think it through first.
He will need to be fed a high-quality commercial dog food which has been specially formulated for a dog of his size. Keep the food of dogs simple. We’re all tempted to feed our dog treats like things such as chocolates, coffee, nuts, onions, grapes and raisins but these can cause havoc with your dog’s stomach.
Stick to simple, nutritious food. Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and vegetables such as potatoes, spinach and carrots can do wonders for your pet when you sometimes mix this into his kibble.
Try and mix some raw meat into his diet occasionally. Make sure he always has access to fresh, cool water.
The Ariegeois is a relatively low maintenance dog and his short coat will require a good brush at least once a week. You don’t have to bath him often as this strips natural oils away that make his coat shiny and glossy. Check those long ears and make sure that no leaves, grass and dirt are lodged deep within the ears.
There are thousands of options for dog foods and the first step is to chat to your veterinarian about the best food for your to meet his nutritional needs during each stage of his life. It is difficult to determine diet quality for you dog from the label.
Wet or dry dog food, it is important to have high quality ingredients from a dog food manufacturing company that has the expertise to produce dog food that meets your pet’s nutritional needs. Protein is highly important for your pet and many dog owners make their own dog food. Raw meat is imperative for the health of your dog, but before switching to a raw diet, chat to your veterinarian. Do research on different brands - there are good and bad brands and your pet needs to be protected from false claims. Always make sure your pet has access to fresh, cool, clean drinking water.
Your Ariegeois will need some exercise if you want him to maintain his lean, muscular shape. In order for him to stay in shape and to avoid boredom, take him on walks, throw a ball for him, and your reward will be his bright eyes and wagging tail.