DMAR Alpaca and Maremma Blog

Maremmas – Santino and Gianna

Santino                                      Gianna

Our next breeding pair will be Santino and Gianna. Santino is first generation of Italian imports. Santino is just under 4 yrs of age and has fathered two litters so far. He is very loyal and loving with his family that includes 25 alpacas. Santino has been guarding alpacas since he was 8 wks old. He was our first maremma and never had to be taught how to guard. It was all instinct. Santino is a large sized male weighing 103 lbs.

Gianna is an Italian import right from the Abruzzi region. She is currently 18 months old and this will be Gianna’s first litter. Gianna loves to play catch and run around. She too is very serious about her guarding duties. Gianna came to us when she was 9 wks old and learned from the other dogs what to do. Gianna is a big dog weighing 101 lbs. She has now become the alpha female and demands respect from the others.

We expect Santino and Gianna to breed this summer as early as July. Puppies are born 2 months later and ready to go to new homes in 4 months. We expect this pair to produce gorgeous puppies that will be big just like all the prior litters we have had to date.

We are currently accepting names for our waiting list. Price per female puppy is $850 and price per male pup is $750. Discounts will apply on multiple puppy purchases. Take $50 off the list price if you send a deposit prior to breeding. Included in the pups’ pricing is first shots, first deworming, microchip, and registration paperwork.

Previous litters have gone to goat, sheep, and alpaca farms in the western states. Since we are moving we do plan on this next litter to be born in Georgia.

For more information on maremmas Click Here.

DMAR Update: Cross these Items Off the To Do List

Matter of Trust: Above is a video showing how alpaca fleece absorbs and holds oil better than the standard synthetic material. The oil spill in the Gulf is tremendous. Peoples’ livelihood have been put on hold. Our environment is once again put under siege. This is a shame and just plain unacceptable! Like always in the midst of tragedy there are always those that step up to try to help. DMAR is proud to be among the alpaca ranches who is taking the cost upon themselves to ship their alpaca fiber to the Gulf to help create these booms. Today one large box of fiber will be sent with more in the near future.

Weaning: This year we have successfully weaned 2 male alpacas and in the above youtube we have 3 females. I am happy to say that all know how to walk on a halter and lead. I have two more females to go but that won’t be until August when they hit 6 months of age. We got a great juvenile show string this year and we are very excited to show them off.

Breedings: Not sure why, but it seems to have taken Kaitlyn a bit longer this year to take to a breeding. Well it might be because she is a big time wiggler. Not sure if any of you have any of these females but they kush at the sight of a male; however, once the male is breeding then the female seems like they have ants in their pants. Kaitlyn is constantly repositioning herself and at times even ends up laying on her side. For an inexperienced male like DMAR Royal Knight this is very frustrating as he would find himself outside of her and having to start all over. So far we are at 2 weeks of her spitting off vehemently. I do believe she is pregnant.

Fans and Coolers: Tom got the fans and coolers going this past weekend. Good thing as the temps have hit 100. Every day I hose down the alpacas legs and bellies. Electrolytes have been added to the buckets and I see an increase in water consumption. So far the alpacas seem to be maintaining their cool.

Even though I may accomplish completing some items on the list there always seems to be another 2 items added for every 1 item I scratch out. I’m sure you all feel this way from time to time.