Maremma Sheepdog Grooming

The Maremma Sheepdog (sometimes called the Pastore Maremano Abruzzese, or just the Pastore) has a medium-length, thick, double-layered coat that doesn't require a lot of care. The coats shed seasonally (moderately for most of the year, and profusely during the spring and fall shedding seasons), so consistent brushing will be needed to help collect dead hairs--but otherwise, overall Maremma Sheepdog grooming isn't too time-consuming.

Brush your Maremma 2-3 times per week with a pin brush. First wet the coat with water mist from a spray bottle, then go through the coat section by section with the brush, moving in the direction of hair growth. If you run across a tangle, first try working it out with your fingers, then if needed continue working through it with the end teeth of a greyhound comb. (During shedding season, daily brushing is best; some owners also use de-shedding tools during these periods to help collect all the dead hair.)

Maremma Sheepdog baths are only needed every 3-4 months. When bathing a Maremma Sheepdog, be sure to use canine shampoo, as the kind made for humans has a different pH and will irritate the dog's skin.

And a Pastore haircut isn't required at all. (See the Styling & Haircuts section below to find out why shaving a Maremma Sheepdog coat is never a good idea.)

In addition to its coat, your Maremma will need regular care in other areas. Brush the dog's teeth 2-3 times per week with a regular toothbrush; clean the dog's ears monthly with canine ear cleaning solution; and if your Maremma's nails click on hard surfaces, it's time for a trim--which you can do with standard nail clippers.

Though owners can certainly learn to perform all aspects of Maremma Sheepdog grooming themselves, it's a good idea to take the dog to a professional groomer at least once. The groomer can give the dog a nice makeover, and provide tips on how to groom a Maremma Sheepdog at home.

The only good Pastore hairstyle is its natural one. Even so, some people think that shaving a Maremma Sheepdog's coat will keep the dog cool in summer, and will reduce shedding. As any Maremma Sheepdog grooming guide will tell you, though, both these ideas are myths.

Here's why: double coats on dogs act as natural climate control systems, and help regulate the dogs' body temperatures. Cool air is trapped between the layers on hot days to keep the dog from overheating; the same happens with warm air in freezing temps. A shaved Maremma Sheepdog will be much more susceptible to heatstroke and sunburn, and the shaved dog will get cold very easily.

Neither will a shaved Maremma shed any less--the shed hairs will probably just be shorter. Since it's the undercoat that sheds, unless the dog is shaved bald--which is never a good idea!--the undercoat remains, and the dog will still shed. And when the coat does grow back, it'll be uneven and duller in color.

The only time any part of a Maremma's coat needs shaving is if the dog is to undergo a medical procedure. Your vet should discuss this with you beforehand.

So to anyone considering shaving a Maremma Sheepdog: put those clippers away!