Samoyed vs Maremma Sheepdog - Breed Comparison | MyDogBreeds

Samoyed vs Maremma Sheepdog - Breed ComparisonSamoyed is originated from Russia but Maremma Sheepdog is originated from Italy. Samoyed may grow 13 cm / 5 inches shorter than Maremma Sheepdog. Samoyed may weigh 15 kg / 33 pounds lesser than Maremma Sheepdog. Both Samoyed and Maremma Sheepdog has almost same life span. Both Samoyed and Maremma Sheepdog has almost same litter size. Both Samoyed and Maremma Sheepdog requires Moderate maintenance.

History

samoyed - historyThe Samoyed is a large breed of dog; a spitz-type dog, with a thick, double-layer coat. The dog was used to help with herding and to also haul sledges for the Siberian Samoyede people.

The Samoyed has been used in polar expeditions, including Sir Ernest Shackleton's journey to the Antarctic. They’ve put up with a lot of hardships on these journeys and some of them have lost their lives on these expeditions.

The first standard for the breed was adopted in England in 1909, and in 1923 the original Samoyed Club of America was established.

maremma sheepdog - historyKnown 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.

Description

samoyed puppy - descriptionThe Samoyed is a large herding dog standing at between 48 to 60cm in height and weighing 16 – 30kg. He has a thick, double layer coat that is silvery white.

The top layer is fairly long and coarse. The dog sheds heavily once or twice a year, but the dog is described as being hypoallergenic.

The ears of the dog are typical spitz-like – erect. The eyes of the dog are almond in shape and while they are usually brown, they can sometimes be blue too. The tail is long and curls over the dog’s back. When these dogs sleep in the snow, you might notice the tail is folded so that it covers the dog’s nose.

Temperament:

The Samoyed is a friendly dog, to such an extent that you wouldn’t call him a good watchdog. They’re friendly dogs with happy expressions on their faces. They make great family pets and will get on well with children as well as other dogs in the home.

Like all dogs, the Samoyed will need early training and socialization to make him obedient and well rounded. He is intelligent and can easily learn a few basic commands.

maremma sheepdog puppy - descriptionThe 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.

Temperament:

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.

Characteristics

samoyed dog - characteristicsThe Samoyed is a gentle, easy going dog that gets on well with everyone, loving children and being prepared to be friendly towards other dogs too.

His friendliness makes it that he doesn’t make a good watchdog. He is intelligent and can be trained to obey basic commands.

He loves plenty of exercise, after all he has always been a working dog. Apart from the coat which will require quite a bit of upkeep, the Samoyed is prepared to come into your home and make you a splendid pet and companion.

maremma sheepdog dog - characteristicsThis 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.

Health Problems

Some of the common canine diseases your Samoyed can succumb to -

Diabetes:

samoyed puppies - health problemsDogs can get diabetes just like people can. Diabetes is becoming more common in dogs as people try and feed their dogs ‘treats’ such as chocolates, biscuits and ice-cream.

Fortunately diabetes is manageable. Certainly, if you discover signs of diabetes in your pet, get him to the vet. The typical symptoms of diabetes in dogs are increased urination, increased thirst and weight loss. Cataracts and blindness can also occur.

Glaucoma: 

Glaucoma is when there is increased pressure in the eye. It can be hereditary or secondary where there is decreased fluid in the eye because of other eye diseases. Symptoms include pain and even vision loss. It can be treated surgically or with eye drops.

Hip Dysplasia:

This is an inherited condition in dogs where the thighbone doesn't fit properly into the hip joint. Some dogs will even have lameness in both rear legs. The vet will want x-rays to diagnose hip dysplasia. Unfortunately arthritis can also develop.

maremma sheepdog puppies - health problemsThis 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.

Caring The Pet

Grooming:

samoyed dogs - caringThe coat of the dog is super thick and in the Spring, the dog sheds a lot. Samoyed dog owners will need to be regular with their brushing routine with these dogs as the coat can easily tangle. Some people just prefer to get their Samoyed to a professional groomer.

Exercise:

This is a working dog, used to working hard in all kinds of conditions. He doesn’t take kindly to being bored with nothing to do and he howls and barks till you take him on a walk. He requires regular exercise such as hiking, ball games, running and swimming. It is why this dog isn’t suited to life on a small property in the city. He requires a large garden or farm and lots of exercise.

Diet:

If you want your Samoyed to be healthy so that you’re not constantly at the vet, provide him with top quality food. It is always useful and convenient having commercially manufactured food but you want to vary the diet just a bit by providing some homemade food too.

If you boil chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots in a pot you can chop it all up and freeze it and feed portions twice a week to your dog. Warmed up it can be added to his dry kibble and be a wonderful tasty treat for him. Every now and then you can also include some raw meat which can be beneficial for his skin. Ensure there is always a bowl of fresh, cool water within his reach.

Exercise:

maremma sheepdog dogs - caringAs 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.

Grooming:

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.

Diet:

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.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Working dog
Origin:
Russia
Italy
Height Male:
48 - 60 cm
18 - 24 inches
65 - 73 cm
25 - 29 inches
Height Female:
48 - 60 cm
18 - 24 inches
65 - 73 cm
25 - 29 inches
Weight Male:
16 - 30 kg
35 - 67 pounds
35 - 45 kg
77 - 100 pounds
Weight Female:
16 - 30 kg
35 - 67 pounds
35 - 45 kg
77 - 100 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 14 Years
10 - 13 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 8
6 - 9
Size:
Large dog
Large dog
Other Names:
Sammy, Bjelkier, Smiley
Maremmano, Abruzzese Sheepdog
Colors Available:
White
White
Coat:
Medium length, thick
Long and Thick
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
Yes
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Samoyed vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  2. Samoyed vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  3. Samoyed vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  4. Samoyed vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  5. Samoyed vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  6. Samoyed vs Alaskan Malamute - Breed Comparison
  7. Samoyed vs Bullmastiff - Breed Comparison
  8. Samoyed vs Great Pyrenees - Breed Comparison
  9. Samoyed vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  10. Samoyed vs Presa Canario - Breed Comparison
  11. Samoyed vs Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  12. Samoyed vs Labrador Husky - Breed Comparison
  13. Samoyed vs Argentine Dogo - Breed Comparison
  14. Samoyed vs Giant Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  15. Samoyed vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  16. Samoyed vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  17. Samoyed vs Goldador - Breed Comparison
  18. Samoyed vs Bandog - Breed Comparison
  19. Samoyed vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  20. Samoyed vs Dogo Cubano - Breed Comparison
  21. Samoyed vs Dogo Sardesco - Breed Comparison
  22. Samoyed vs Beauceron - Breed Comparison
  23. Samoyed vs Central Asian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  24. Samoyed vs Mackenzie River Husky - Breed Comparison
  25. Samoyed vs Black Russian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Samoyed vs Maremma Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  27. Presa Canario vs Maremma Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  28. Pyredoodle vs Maremma Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  29. Maremma Sheepdog vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  30. Maremma Sheepdog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  31. Maremma Sheepdog vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  32. Maremma Sheepdog vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  33. Maremma Sheepdog vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  34. Maremma Sheepdog vs Alaskan Malamute - Breed Comparison
  35. Maremma Sheepdog vs Bullmastiff - Breed Comparison
  36. Maremma Sheepdog vs Great Pyrenees - Breed Comparison
  37. Maremma Sheepdog vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  38. Maremma Sheepdog vs Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  39. Maremma Sheepdog vs Labrador Husky - Breed Comparison
  40. Maremma Sheepdog vs Argentine Dogo - Breed Comparison
  41. Maremma Sheepdog vs Giant Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  42. Maremma Sheepdog vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  43. Maremma Sheepdog vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  44. Maremma Sheepdog vs Goldador - Breed Comparison
  45. Maremma Sheepdog vs Bandog - Breed Comparison
  46. Maremma Sheepdog vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  47. Maremma Sheepdog vs Dogo Cubano - Breed Comparison
  48. Maremma Sheepdog vs Dogo Sardesco - Breed Comparison
  49. Maremma Sheepdog vs Beauceron - Breed Comparison
  50. Maremma Sheepdog vs Central Asian Shepherd - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds