Maremmano -Abruzzese Sheepdog

Traditionally in Italy, groups of Maremmas worked under the supervision of shepherds during the day and were locked into small enclosures with the livestock (mainly sheep) at night. During winter the Maremmas and livestock were kept on the lower plains where the climate was mild, and the grazing was good. At the start of summer, the livestock and Maremmas were taken up to the cooler pastures of the Apennine Mountains, a trip that often took days to complete. 

Maremmas had to guard their livestock from wolves, bears, lynx, foxes, and stray dogs. In Italy, Maremmas are still widely used to protect sheep, goats, cattle, and other livestock, although these days, feral dogs pose the main threat. Worldwide, Maremmas have been successfully used as livestock guardian dogs under many conditions, ranging from being a property/livestock guardian under the supervision of their owner on a small farm to working unsupervised on large rangeland enterprises in semi-isolation. 

Maremmas are calm, aloof, independent dogs that are most content when they have a job to do. If properly bonded to livestock, Maremmas will spend most of their time with their charges without wandering. During the day they tend to rest among their livestock, or they may seek an elevated spot from which to keep watch. Maremmas are most active at night, making their presence known and confronting predators if needed. They are fast, agile, and strong dogs that are not naturally aggressive, and they use no more force than is necessary to see off anything or anyone they perceive as a threat. Maremmas will accept strangers if they are properly introduced by their owner, but otherwise they guard their livestock as much from human intruders as they do from predators. When dealing with human intruders though, most maremmas will use intimidation instead of resorting to physical violence.