Breed Standards
MAREMMA ASSOCIATION NORTHERN

General Appearance Majestic, large size, lithe, strongly built, of ‘outdoor’ appearance. Expression of aloof awareness.

Characteristics Intelligent, distinguished, sturdy, courageous but not aggressive.

Temperament Lively, any tendency to nervousness or aggression highly undesirable.

Head and Skull Head conical in shape and appearing large in proportion to size of body. Skull rather wide between ears, narrowing towards foreface. Occipital ridge little emphasized with medium stop. Area under eyes slightly chiseled. Length of muzzle very slightly less than skull. Muzzle converges without snippiness. Jaws powerful and with plenty of substance in foreface. Lips close fitting, not pendulous. Pigmentation of lips and nose, black.

Eyes Bold, neither large nor small, ball neither sunk nor protruding – aperture almond-shaped, dark eye preferred. Rims black.

Ears Small in relation to size of head. V-shaped, set high on head, covered with short hair. Hanging flat to side of head in repose, moving forward when alert. The extremity of the ear forming a narrow point, never a rounded end.

Mouth Teeth white, strong, regularly spaced and set in a level jaw. Scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to jaws.

Neck Strong, of medium length, devoid of dewlap.

Forequarters Strong, muscles well developed, withers slightly above level of back: back broad and straight, rising to slight arch over loins, and falling to broad, strong rump. Length of body, measured from point of shoulder to point of buttocks, slightly longer than height of shoulder. Ribcage full, let down to level of elbow: well sprung ribs, not barrel-chested. Sternum long, gradually curving up to the abdomen, which shows a waist without tucking up.

Hindquarters Wide and powerful; thighs strongly muscled, legs straight when viewed from behind, hocks well down, strong, moderate bend of stifle.

Feet Large and almost round. Hind feet slightly more oval. Pads black.

Tail Set on low, reaching below joint of hock, hangs down when dog is quiret, but carried level with back when dog is alert, with tip gently curved. Well covered with thick hair but without forming fringes.

Gait/Movement Movement free and active , giving impression of nimble dog, able to move easily over rough ground and turn quickly.

Coat Fits outline of dog and is long, plentiful and rather harsh. Slight waviness, not curliness, permitted. Forms thick collar on neck. Hair short on muzzle, skull, ears, feetand front of limbs, forming slight feathering on rear limbs. Thick, close undercoat, especially in winter. Tail well covered with thick hair.

Colour All white. A little shading of ivory or pale fawn is permissible.

Size Ideal height: dogs: 65-73cm (25.5-28.5 inches); bitches: 60-68cm (23.5-26.5 inches). Ideal weight: dogs: 35-45 kgs (77-99lbs); bitches: 30-40 kgs (66-88lbs)

Faults Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

Note Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.