Abruzzese Mastiff
Encyclopedia
The Abruzzese Mastiff is a breed related to, but distinct from the Maremmano-Abruzzese (commonly called Maremma Sheepdog
s in America
) from the Italian
region of the Abruzzi. The Mastino Abruzzese represents the original Abruzzese strain and is characterized by its larger size, some male dogs reportedly exceeding 100 kg (220 lbs) in size. Some of these dogs have been successfully employed as livestock
guardian dogs in the United States and in Norway
, where reportedly they were effective in deterring predation by bear
s.. Mastini are employed in packs of 4 to 10 (depending on the size of the flock). The pack leader is the one who will engage predators in combat more often and usually wears a spiked iron collar to defend its throat.
Maremma Sheepdog
The Maremma Sheepdog, in Italian Cane da pastore Maremmano-Abruzzese, usually referred to as just Maremmano, is a breed of livestock guardian dog indigenous to central Italy, particularly to Abruzzo and the Maremma region of Tuscany and Lazio. It has been used for centuries by Italian shepherds to...
s in America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
) from the Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
region of the Abruzzi. The Mastino Abruzzese represents the original Abruzzese strain and is characterized by its larger size, some male dogs reportedly exceeding 100 kg (220 lbs) in size. Some of these dogs have been successfully employed as livestock
Livestock
Livestock refers to one or more domesticated animals raised in an agricultural setting to produce commodities such as food, fiber and labor. The term "livestock" as used in this article does not include poultry or farmed fish; however the inclusion of these, especially poultry, within the meaning...
guardian dogs in the United States and in Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
, where reportedly they were effective in deterring predation by bear
Bear
Bears are mammals of the family Ursidae. Bears are classified as caniforms, or doglike carnivorans, with the pinnipeds being their closest living relatives. Although there are only eight living species of bear, they are widespread, appearing in a wide variety of habitats throughout the Northern...
s.. Mastini are employed in packs of 4 to 10 (depending on the size of the flock). The pack leader is the one who will engage predators in combat more often and usually wears a spiked iron collar to defend its throat.
A roccale of a different type |
The roccale or vreccale, a spiked iron collar |
External links
- Abruzzese Mastiff at work
- Article on Abruzzese Mastiff- in English
- Large Specimens of Pastore Abruzzese
- Mastino Abruzzese Web Site
- Abruzzi Regional Law to protect Mastino Abruzzese
- Abruzzi Regional Law to protect Mastino Abruzzese #2
- Journal Article On Mastino Abruzzese from leading Italian Newspaper Corriere Della Sera
- LGD work in Italy
- Article on Mastino Abruzzese
- Video: Abruzzese Mastiff
- Abruzzese Mastiffs at work 2
- Maremmano livestock guards in Switzerland