Health Issues

Maremmas are a relatively hardy breed with few hereditary health conditions. In many cases the only time you will have to see your vet is for routine healthcare and checks. Like any dog, Maremmas should be regularly wormed, vaccinated or given nosodes to protect against serious diseases, and given treatment for external parasites where needed. However there are a number of hereditary conditions that have arisen in the breed and it is worth breeders, in particular, being aware of these to ensure that they do not become prevalent or serious.

Hip Dysplasia
Like all large breeds, Maremma can suffer from Hip Dysplasia, which is a serious conditon which can lead to an animal having reduced mobility or, in the worst cases, put to sleep due to severe pain and disability. All animals should therefore be Xrayed and scored before being bred from. It can help to get a fuller picture of what a particular animal produces if non-breeding progeny are also scored. In the UK the BVA-KC scheme is used which scores each hip on a range from 0 to 53, where higher numbers indicate poorer hips. The animal's hip score is therefore given as three number: left hip, right hip and total (e.g. 4/7:11).

The current breed average for Maremmas is a total score of 15, which is relatively low for large breeds, but this has crept up in recent years and breeders need to be vigilant. The balance of the score should be taken into account as well as the total. So, for example, a score of 7/8:15 is preferred to 1/14:15 even though the totals are the same. When you are choosing a puppy you should ask for both parents' hip scores and make sure you are given all three numbers. Note also that other countries use different schemes. In Europe hips are graded on a scale of A-E where only A and B are considered fit for breeding. In the US, the hip scoring scheme is run by OFA and measures hips on a seven point scale from Excellent to Severe. To compare schemes see the Canaan Dog hip scoring page for more details on the scheme including a useful scoring method comparison table. Katrina Sommers' website contains an excellent article on hip scoring in Australia which is very informative.

It is also thought that diet and exercise have a role to play in some cases of hip displasia so appropriate feeding and exercise in puppies can also be helpful preventative measures.

Thyroid and other autoimmune conditions
Autoimmune conditions are not common in the breed but we have had two (related) Maremmas with thyroid problems, and have known others with different immune-related conditions, such as Addisons, so it is worth breeders being aware of this area. Autoimmune conditions occur when the body's immune system attacks itself. In the case of thyroid, it is the thyroid that is attacked and eventually destroyed. Other conditions affect other systems.

It is not known exactly what causes autoimmune conditions but it is thought that it is a combination of factors including genetic pre-disposition, stress and environmental factors, such as illness or vaccination. The genetic element of this means that breeders should keep note of any occurrences and check for trends in particular lines. Note that a range of autoimmune diseases may occur in a particular line which may at first seem unrelated but all arise from the same basic problem - a malfunction of the dog's immune system. They should therefore not be seen as unrelated when it comes to assessing breeding stock.

For further information on autoimmune conditions (including autoimmune thyroiditis and behaviour) see

Other conditions
One of the true canine emergencies, particularly affecting large breeds, including the Maremma, is Gastric Torsion or bloat. One of the main symptoms is stomach enlargement due to gases and twisting of the gut and it can be fatal if not treated immediately. Learn to recognise the signs and get your dog to a vet immediately day or night if you suspect bloat.

Another serious condition that can affect unneutered females is Pyometra. This is a serious condition where the uterus fills with pus and again can be fatal if not treated quickly.

We recommend you get a good book on canine care such as the Doglopaedia or (if you have a female) the Book of the Bitch as these can be invaluable reference books on health and related issues.

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Last updated January 2006