Maremma Information:
In looking over my key word searches that brought some viewers to my page I want to answer some of their specific questions regarding maremmas.
1. Maremmas are a large breed dog. This usually means that although their body might physically appear to be adult size their mental age might still be considered puppy. Maremmas are usually considered adults at 2 years of age. Therefore, it is common practice for breeders to begin breeding their dogs at 2 yrs old. Of course it all depends on your dog’s temperment. My dog, Bianca, gave birth at just over 1 yr old and was an outstanding mother. I had no issues in breeding her so early.
2. Dogs give birth approx. 60-63 days after breeding. Puppies usually weigh in the ounces up to a little over a pound. To me they look like blind guinea pigs. That is the average , but in typical fashion at my ranch we had one maremma pup, Gino, come in at 2.2 lbs. The vet said he was the largest pup she had ever birthed in her 23 years of practice.
3. Go with your gut instincts. I knew Bianca was pregnant even though after two separate visits weeks apart the vet told me she wasn’t. Luckily I was able to convince my husband that she was and he made her whelping box in time for the birth. Sometimes those puppies hide behind the ribs and the x-ray doesn’t pick them up.
4. If you have to give your pups milk, please don’t buy the milk replacer. In my experience they won’t drink it. The best thing to do is to go online and look up a puppy formula. If I remember correctly ours consisted of goat’s milk, yogurt, a raw egg, and a little karo syrup. The puppy loved it and put weight on immediately.
These are just some tidbits. If you have other questions, please post them and I will gladly answer.
