Latest News & Updates

Although the UK Top Dog competition doesn’t officially finish until the end of the year, in Maremmas we have just had our last qualifying show – and with all the results in I am delighted to confirm that Orsa is Top Maremma 2007! She has only been shown this year 4 times and has won: 3 CCs, 1 BOB, 1 RCC – not a bad performance! Well done Orsa and well done Team Orsa – you know who you are!

She is also starring beautifully in Sarah Fisher’s fabulous new book “Unlock your Dog’s Potential” – available from Tilley Farm (signed!), Amazon and all good book sellers. If you want to strengthen your bond with your dog and work effectively and positively with him/her – this book is a must.

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Just back from a lovely “flying” 2 day visit to Abruzzo to attend the PMA Raduno in Santa Iona. This is a memorial show to Sirio Di Michele and was held in his beautiful home village in the hills. There were around 80 PMA entered and it is always exciting just to see so many PMA in one place! I was travelling with Janet Atkins and when we arrived in Avezzano the day before the Raduno we met Agostino together with Eline from Holland and Juha from Finland for a tour to see his dogs. Good to reacquaint ourselves with old favourites like Spaccone and Irpina and meet his new dogs. After a rest to recover from the 3am start, we were invited in the evening to the traditional pre-show meal in Santa Iona – delicious local food and wine – and loads of it!

The next day was the Raduno and we set off early. Paul and Sandra came along with Osca’s son Cali to say hello which was lovely – Cali is such a sweet lad and a credit to them. Life in Abruzzo seems to be suiting all the family. Once the show got underway, I concentrated on watching the female classes where Agostino was showing Filuccia, a young bitch I really liked. But I also managed to catch the end of the dog judging. The main results were:

Dog CAC: Cane Bianco Terremoto (Spaccone x Lanna)

Reserve Dog CAC: Pastrano (It Ch Pan Dei Giunoni x Penelope)

Bitch CAC: Sefirah Dell’Antica Stirpe (It Ch Cafiero Di Lucas Angitiae x Fiaba Dell’Antica Stirpe)

Reserve Bitch CAC: Filuccia (Spaccone x Marsica)

Best in Show: It Ch Cafiero Di Lucas Angitiae (Turco x Brezza Di Lucas Angitiae) from the Champion class.

After the show we went with Eline and Juha to see some of Guiseppina Di Michele’s dogs and then on to San Benedetto dei Marsi to visit Carlo Caniglia whose dog Pastrano had won the reserve CAC. This was an interesting visit seeing different dogs and enjoying the hospitality of Carlo and his family. Then, after a meal where we finally hooked up with the rest of the UK group who had come later and visited elsewhere, it was time to come home.

Photos from the trip are in the Gallery with a few videos available at Photobucket. Am now wondering about another trip in the Autumn!

Last weekend as part of a birthday treat Rachel took me wolf watching. She had given me a gift membership of the Wolf rescue group Wolf Watch Uk through sponsorship of the beautiful wolf Luna. This enabled us to join a members’ visit to the centre on the English-welsh border to meet the wolves in their wonderful wilderness home.

It was an unforgettable experience – hearing wolves howl and howling with them, walking among them in their enclosure, having one eat out of my hand, being able to touch them. The wolves are beautiful and the home that Tony and the volunteers have created is tremendous – room to roam, to run, to play – with grassy valley, lake, forest and stream. Wolf Watch UK’s website has some videos which show this beautifully – see http://www.wwuk.org/.

I’ve put some photos from our visit in the Gallery – particularly of Luna and Nouska the lower valley wolves. Can’t wait to visit again – hopefully to see them at night.

Members of the Yahoo Maremma Sheepdog group have contributed photos to a calendar in aid of maremma rescue. it is a wall calendar with a different picture for every month of the year. It is available at Cafe Press – www.cafepress.com/selladore – price US$19.99 of which $5 goes to rescue (the rest is production costs to Cafe Press – all our time and photos are donated free). For the next day or two only it is reduced to $15.99 ($5 still going to rescue!) so now is the time to order for Christmas! It can be shipped anywhere in the world so get ordering!

Well it looks like we might be having a new addition to the family! On the way home from work on Wednesday evening I spotted a small greyhound lurcher running along the side of the busy Leeds ring road. Half an hour and some hairy moments later, she was safely in the car and on her way home with me.

Nothing unusual about that really. Rachel and I regularly take in waifs and strays found lost and wandering. But none have ever stayed more than 24 hours, being collected by relieved owners very quickly (though one little hunt beagle did reappear on the doorstep the day after he had been collected!). But this young lady is still with us in spite of notices to the dog warden, police, lurcher and sight hound forums, lost dog sites, local vets and petshops. No anxious owners out searching for her?

So she’ll be staying with us for now, while we continue to look for an owner and fulfil the statutory requirements (28 days). Then we shall see. It will depend a lot on whether she can fit in with the gang and with our routine. Jake wants her to stay – he is smitten. Rachel and I are rather taken with her too. The Maremmas so far are tolerant. Watch this space!

We had a nasty scare yesterday. Following a very sedate walk Florence collapsed with very laboured breathing. She has had a partial laryngeal paralysis for some time but at her last vet check a few weeks ago there was no cause for concern. Yesterday however, for whatever reason, she went into a breathing crisis which is very scary. The emergency vet (why do these things always happen out of hours?) on ascertaining that in spite of her laboured breathing she was getting sufficient oxygen, advised that she be kept calm and cool at home. It was the best advice – moving her or bringing a stranger to the house would have stressed her and she needed calm. Interestingly the problem did not effect her appetite which was encouraging. After a lot of TTouch and rest her breathing calmed and by this morning she was more or less back to normal (which for her is heavy rather than laboured breathing).

The normal treatment for laryngeal paralysis is surgery but there are complications which occur quite frequently. Because the flaps in the voice box are tied back in the surgery, there is more likelihood of inhaling water or food which can lead to pneumonia. Given Florence’s age (she’s 12 but an elderly 12) and her other health issues (thyroid, very weak rear end needing assistance now to get up, and cognitive dysfunction) we are very reluctant to put her through surgery, so we have an appointment with a homoeopathic vet next week to see what support we might be able to give her that way. With that, her collar replaced by a harness and lots of TTouch we will see how she goes.

We are always of course mindful that this was the condition that killed Bruno, although his LP was acute and sudden leading him to have to be sedated and intubated to allow him to breathe at all. He didn’t improve and at 14.5 we weren’t going to subject him to a tracheostemy (the only option for treatment for him) so we had to let him go peacefully. Hopefully Florence’s LP is not so extreme and we will be able to control it for a while yet at least.

Keep her in your thoughts – she’s a special dog.

We have had some lovely feedback after Orsa’s appearance on Sharon Osbourne – especially from many people in the breed who thought as we did that Tony did a great job getting across the essence of the breed in a short time and that Orsa was thoroughly gorgeous and beautifully behaved. Most agreed that it was just the right sort of publicity – hopefully one or two folk will decide to get a Maremma because of it. Sarah has already had some people asking her more about the breed and she is going to put some links on her website when she has time.

Only one rather strange response. Apparently Charlotte Walsh stated in her breed notes that Orsa’s litter was discussed! I am not sure which programme she (or her informant) was watching but it certainly wasn’t the one Orsa was on! Completely bizarre – someone needs to get their hearing checked that’s for sure! LOL
But the general consensus was that it was a jolly good thing and that Orsa and Tony are to be congratulated on some excellent breed publicity!

Orsa (Osca Dei Giunoni) has become a TV star! She was a guest today on ITV’s Sharon Osbourne Show along with her friend and guardian, the actor Tony Head. She behaved beautifully and looked thoroughly gorgeous – and apparently she had a fantastic day. Here she is with Sharon and Tony:

Tony is Sarah Fisher’s partner and Orsa is now living with them in Somerset.

Lovely to see a Maremma get some primetime good press – anyone seeing her would’ve got a good impression of the breed. We were all very proud of her!

We have not been showing for most of this year. The past year has not been an easy one for me with respect to Maremmadom as mentioned in previous posts so we have taken time out to reflect. But things have been improving, largely thanks to a change in “management” at the MSDCGB earlier in the year, with new people in charge who care more about the breed than their own interests. A new magazine (something worth reading!) and a couple of fun days with lovely atmosphere will hopefully have helped encourage involvement again. So there is reason to be hopeful about the breed here again.
Having let some dust settle we decided this summer to go along to a couple of shows with Orsa (Osca Dei Giunoni). It has actually been delightful to decide to go to a show because you want to and not because of a sense of obligation to the breed. We have been to two so far. At National Working and Pastoral Breeds in July she took the RCC under all rounder Albert Wight. At Welsh Kennel Club this past weekend she went one better and won the CC and Best of Breed under breed specialist Janet Atkins.

Orsa’s new environment is certainly suiting her – she is in fabulous hard condition, very fit and relaxed. The judge this weekend said she was the best conditioned in the entry. Thanks to Sarah and the team for giving such first class care to their “Queen” Orsa.

It’s early days but I’m feeling a lot more optimistic about the breed. It is all about balance. No breed is without its doomsayers and manipulators. But if the genuine breed lovers can be encouraged to come along and to stay then any negative influences can be minimised. For our own part we are encouraged if still wary. We will continue to show Orsa (and perhaps later Fresca) when we want to. And we will do what we can to support those who are trying to turn things round. I really hope they succeed.

Had a lovely day on Sunday at the MSDCGB Fun Day. In the end took Jake as Florence is not good at travelling and Grace is not good at fun days! He had a ball – running in the woods, playing the games, agility and races! He loved all the attention and he quite fell in love with Emma – don’t think the feeling was particularly mutual sadly for him!

It was good to get together with Maremma people again in a relaxed atmosphere and to catch up with people. Belinda and Gwyn had done an amazing job with the food – with Jim and Rob managing the BBQ – and special mention must go to the chocolate fountain…wow! Delicious! Well done to the MSDCGB for putting on the day – well worth the entry fee which must barely have covered costs. I believe this was the second fun day this year. Good to see that the club is providing events to encourage Maremma people to get together again.

Congratulations are also due to Belinda and Janet for the Maremmandum which was a pleasure to receive. Club magazines have been so thin of late – again really good to see this club taking their members seriously and providing good value. At this rate I might even join again!

It has been a while since I updated this. Things have been pretty hectic over the past few months – we have all moved house – away from the cottage and to a large house with a big garden beside the park that we have bought. The dogs love it – they hang out in the garden most of the time sunning themselves, with a cool tiled kitchen if it gets too warm. Still some sorting out to do (and the cottage to let – anyone want a 3 bed roomed dog friendly country cottage north of Leeds with option on a 2 acre field?) but we are getting there.

Grace surprised us all by passing her Bronze Good Citizen test – and with a male examiner at that. She actually behaved brilliantly – no way would she have been able to do that without TTouch.

Speaking of TTouch I had to miss the training in May due to work and moving so I am now scheduled to complete my training in October all being well. Am really looking forward to it!

One final piece of important news. Osca is now living with our friends Sarah Fisher and Tony Head in Somerset. Tensions with Grace came to a head again late last year and in the end it was only fair (on both as they were having to be separated) to find a new place for Osca. So we were delighted when Sarah and Tony offered her a home, having fallen for her on a training. She has a new name “Orsa” meaning “she-bear” (Osca reminded Sarah too much of a reprobate dog she knew called “Oscar”) and is loving her new life. Acres to run in with other (male!) dogs who adore her, a real family life and a complete entourage of wonderful folk to look after her every need! Plus of course plenty of TTouch. I can still see her regularly both at shows and on visits to the farm and Grace can live out her twilight years in peace. And I am still showing her with support from Sarah and the team. So everyone is happy!

Florence our matriarch was 12 today. She celebrated her birthday with a chicken dinner, a short stroll and a good sleep! She is slowing down (and who can blame her) but still fit and well and enjoying life. We go off camping at the weekend for another TTouch training – she will have a ball being adored by everyone.

Happy Birthday Florence!

Can you believe that this little imp:

Grew up to be such a lady:

After much deliberation, Rachel and I have decided to withdraw from showing and breeding Maremmas in future. We may attend the odd show (the girls will be entered for Crufts 2006 for instance) but only occasionally and for fun. We have also withdrawn from both UK breed clubs and from judging lists. It has not, as you can imagine, been an easy decision but we are certain that it is the right one for us and for our dogs at present.

The reasons are multiple and complicated and I have no wish to rake through details here. Suffice it to say that things were brought to a head by behaviour of officers of one breed club committee which we considered to be inappropriate and accusations made by one of them which, though presented with no evidence whatsoever (and which included the charge that this website is “damaging the breed” – and I quote!), were not rejected by the committee. Add to this our increasing activities with rescue and training and our very busy lives in general, and we decided that life is too short and we can use our energy and time much more usefully and enjoyably elsewhere. Certainly life has been considerably less stressful since making this decision.

We are not of course withdrawing from the breed. Our dogs remain, as they have always been, much loved companions and we will continue to do what we can to support rescue internationally. We are proud of our two litters and the pleasure they bring to their owners. But we have no plans to breed again in future. It is a huge commitment in time and resources, not to mention responsibility, which at present we are unable to make. And at the moment we feel that there are enough dogs being bred in the world with far too many being destroyed, to justify us personally breeding any more.

Although we realise that the breed is in difficulties in the UK (though there are still a few good breeders here), there is no shortage of good dogs and breeders in Italy and elsewhere in the world. The breed itself is not endangered, only its future in the show ring in the UK. We hope that the remaining genuine lovers of the breed here will eventually win the day, that the clubs will be able to work together to persuade the Kennel Club to give a reprieve, and that those remaining will be able finally to turn the breed’s fortunes around.

Delighted to see that Osca’s daughter Irpina is now an Italian Champion. Many congratulations to her owner and breeder Agostino Molinelli. Osca sends her love.

Received confirmation back from the KC today that Osca is now solely registered in our name, since she now has her stud book number and is no longer living with Sue. Thanks to all at Sunhaze for boarding her for us for the first 9 months and for whelping and rearing her litter. Their help has been much appreciated.

But it is great that Osca’s travels are now over and that she is permanently settled!

As you may know, there are very few working Maremmas in the UK and it is mainly show people who keep the breed going through breeding litters and importing dogs. It is therefore very serious that the UK Kennel Club has announced that it is minded to remove Championship status from the breed in 2008. The impact of this would be significant – not only to those interested in showing but for those who may want a puppy in the future. Without opportunities to show the breed to the public it will be more difficult to place puppies and therefore fewer will be bred. Without the opportunity to show and possibly make up Champions some breeders may not choose to invest in importing new bloodlines.

The reasons the Kennel Club give for taking this stance are two fold – limited show entries and registrations and an apparent deterioration in quality and temperament. The first of these is indisputable – entries in recent years have been declining as have registrations. But there are many positive signs that things are improving – 8 new imports in 5 years by 5 different kennels, new litters being registered or planned from these imports, several people who have been inactive for some time returning to showing (myself included – until the arrival of Osca I have not had a dog to show since Ambrose died – now I have Osca and soon Fresca!).

The second reason is I believe untrue. Of course quality is always mixed in any breed but we have some dogs at present in the ring who are as good as any for many many years. We have had “firsts” recently – a Maremma winning BIS at an open show – first ever – and a Maremma being shortlisted in a Crufts group – first since the Pastoral group was formed. Temperament is better than it has been for years – this is an area that breeders have particularly prioritised.

We hope that we may be able to persuade the Kennel Club to reconsider and at least give the breed a reprieve for a few more years to give the recent (and planned) imports a chance to make their mark. But one thing is certain – if we do get such a reprieve, we need to give serious attention to encouraging new people. We have lost many excellent people to the breed because of pettiness and back biting. New puppy owners have found themselves forced into “camps” depending on whose puppy they bought – and there has sometimes been little encouragement from any other breeders. We have all been guilty of this at some time or another.

We need to get over it. Of course we will have our friends and those who will never be more than acquaintances. Of course there will be some dogs we prefer to others. But we need to see beyond this and put past differences aside to at least work together for the good of the breed. We should be able to disagree and still remain civil. And we should not be dragging new owners into old disputes!

Hopefully in the months to come there will be a number of puppies old enough to make their debut in the show ring. I would encourage ALL their owners to give it a go. Even if you just come for a day out at a club show or your local show – we would love to see you. If you need any details of any shows or help with entries I am more than happy to help – whoever bred your puppy!! And if I am there on the day I promise I will do my best to make you welcome!

Once again Osca alarms us with her “escape-ades”… This afternoon it was Jake who decided to take himself off next door (their gate was open) and wander down to see the geese. When I realised where he’d gone, I secured the girls (so I thought!) in their 7ft-high fenced runs and went round to see my neighbour. We got close to the boundary hedge between our field and their wood, looking for Jake and we could hear Osca whining at the fence and there was a thud. I thought she was just banging against the kennel and turned my attention to finding Jake (who was still hiding in the 6 acres of woodland!). Finally he came running round the corner and we headed back home. Just about to leave and someone else careered round the corner – Osca! She had only managed to get over a 7 ft fence and through a thick hawthorn hedge!! We think that the “thud” was her using the dog house as a spring board to launch herself over the top. I am surprised she didn’t hurt herself – she has a slightly cut lip but nothing worse.

So back to the drawing board. I have moved the kennels away from the fence and am hoping it was a one off because she was left on her own (the other girls were watching with amazement from the other run!). If not she may have to move to a smaller covered run when we are not able to supervise her

I had to post these links to Linda and Helen’s photos of their trip to Abruzzo last summer. It was a visit with great associations for me too. Rachel and I met them in Avezzano and went up to the Raduno in Campo Imperatore with them – what a day! And not just the excitement of seeing the flocks and the sheep with their Abruzzesi protectors. Picture spectacular thunderstorm in open plateaux with only one very small wooden building and several hundred people needing shelter. Crammed under the eaves of the shack, with no sign of the storm letting up, guess who was the hero (read mug!) who volunteered to venture out in the storm to bring back the car…. I have never been so wet in my life! Covered only with a cheap plastic poncho I set out – not realising that the car was at least 1/2 mile away. Within 6 paces I was drenched. By the time I reached the car …. well as I say I have never been so wet!

Then there was the Italian lady we kidnapped! She flagged us down in the same storm and asked us (as far as we could make out from our phrase book Italian) to take her to her car! Well being kind (read mugs!) we let her get in – and then the fun began! She spoke no English, we little Italian – but we established we were trying to find a red car! So along we drove – row on row of very wet cars – “questo?” – say us pointing at each red one. No no. It must have been 1/2 hour later that we realised we were looking in completely the wrong place! By the time we finally delivered the poor woman to her car she looked so relieved. She must’ve wondered if these mad “inglese” were ever going to let her out!

And of course that was the trip when we collected Osca – and it was Linda and Helen who waved her/us off with Agostino as we set out on our journey home. And without them we would never have made it. It was Helen who ran after us with Osca’s Pet Passport that we had left on the breakfast table and Linda who stopped us with the proprietor who it turned out still had our passports! So we were doubly, trebly glad they were there!

And most of all of course it was just great to meet them both after “knowing” them for years via the internet!

So here are the links to their photo pages – fantastic shots that capture a fantastic trip of which I was delighted to share just a few days. Thanks girls!

Helen’s pictures
Linda’s pictures

All is now working fine. Thanks to Fiona at hiraeth for sorting it all out.