In 1872 a 'Roman Maremma', exhibited by a Mrs. C.F. Smith of Nottingham was first seen at the Grand National Dog Show; however, it was not until 1930 when the then Miss Helen Home (later to become Mrs. Home Robertson) fell in love with a young puppy whilst staying at the home of the Marchese Chigi in Italy.In September that year, young 'Drago of Castelnuova Berardenga' was imported to Great Britain. There was a prolonged struggle with the Kennel Club to get the breed recognised and it was not until December 1936 that Drago was officially registered.

By now Mrs. Home Robertson had imported 'Selva of Cetinale' as a mate for Drago and the first UK litter of Maremma's was born on the 7th May 1936. A need for further breeding stock was recognised and in 1938 Mrs. Home Robertson imported 'Puggione' who was bred by Don Tommaso Corsini.
'Civetta', a daughter of Drago and Selva gave birth to a litter by him in September 1938, two puppies were registered, a dog, 'Lelio' and a bitch, 'Lucia', who became the foundation bitch for Mrs. L.H. Parker. Lelio and Lucia, although brother to sister mating, were almost entirely responsible for maintaining the breed in this country during the war years. As to be expected during this period very little breeding was done although the Kennel Club does show an entry for 1941 of a bitch 'Diana of Mendello'.

In 1946 two littermates, a dog 'Lancelotto' and a bitch 'Lana', were purchased by Mrs. Barbara Alexandre-Couldrey and became the foundation stock of the well-known 'Sansquay' Maremma Sheepdogs. Every 'Best of Breed' at Crufts between 1948 and 1959 came from that line and all but two of the 'Best Opposite Sex' winners.
This kennel provided foundation stock for other well affixes namely Mr. & Mrs. Brierly's 'Wynbriar' and Mr. & Mrs. Locock's 'Swandean'.
In 1948, Donna Anna Corsini, possibly the most famous name to be associated with the Maremma in Italy, allowed two of her dogs to be imported into this country. The dogs, 'Tevere' and Tirveno of Casiglione' were imported by Lady Parker and Mrs. Alexandre-Couldrey.

In 1949, a record fifteen puppies were born to 'Lana of Sansquay' out of 'Veronese of Cervano', among this litter was a bitch, 'Savina of Sansquay' who went on to produce Norman Brierley's bitch 'Sanmandra of Sansquay' who until recent years held the record for the bitch 'Best of Breed' and 'Best Opposite Sex' wins in this country.

In 1950, the first breed club was formed as 'The Maremma Sheepdog Club of Great Britain' and the breed was given classes at Crufts. The same year saw the development of 'Swandean', Wynbriar' and 'Formakin', along with the Sansquay kennels and the breed gained strength but in 1955 no litters were recorded and no 'Best Opposite Sex' certificate was awarded at Crufts, because there were no dogs present. The breed at this time needed new blood, Mr. John Holmes (Formakin), heard of a Maremma at a US Airbase in Oxfordshire; he took along 'Babette of Wynbriar' and the mating resulted in the star of stage and screen: 'Formakin Jason'.

By 1960, only one litter of Maremma's was recorded and in 1962 a much needed import of two bitches, financed by the Maremma Club of GB, resulted in a small boost to the breed in this country, unfortunately Dafne was never bred from and Dalila only ever had one litter. In 1963 only one litter was registered, and in 1964 no registrations for puppies although a new stud dog, 'Ciro de Querceto', was imported.

Through this time despite the efforts of a few stalwarts of the breed, the club had ceased to function and classes were lost at Crufts. The main problems with the breed was insufficient stock, stud dogs were used because they were available and not because of their outstanding type or there was an overuse of good dogs, but poor pigmentation and patchy coats being a predominant problem, a typical case of breed survival over breed perfection. Luckily by the late 1960s type was again more stabilised.

In 1968 the first litter to carry the well-known 'Wyndawn' affix of Lillian Vince (then Miss Jackson) was registered. In 1973, Mr. Eric archer was combing the Italian countryside for a suitable sire and with the assistance of Signora Franca Simondetti found 'Shelmar Rodi de Calif', who went on to be one of the most prolific sires in the history of the breed in this country, winning numerous 'Best of Breeds' between 1969 and 1973.

1970 saw an upsurge for the breed, Anne and Gorden Latimer of the now famous 'Sonymer' affix had their Maremma: 'Wyndawn Snow Blossom', seven litters were registered, followed by another seven in 1971, two further imports, both by Eric and Mavis Archer, 'Shelmar Maremmana delle Grandes Murailles', from Franca Simondetti and 'Shelmar Venturina delle Verherie', from Donna Anna Corsini. Unfortunately each bitch only produced one litter but a mating with 'Shelmar Rodi del Calif' produced 'Shelmar Delgardo', who was to become John and Pearl's Hill's (Millena) first Maremma.
The 1970s also saw the birth of the 'Gransasso' Maremma's with Alan and Anne Nettley's 'Wyndawn Elaine' ex 'Wastoorak Balbo' producing a litter.

By 1975 the breed was again in need of new bloodstock; Arthur Hammond (Marammano) approached Franca Simondetti about the likelihood of bringing in a bitch in welp to the UK. Franca agreed to loan not just one but two of her bitches, who she mated prior to their being quarantined in the UK and the results were a litter of four dogs and four bitches to It.Ch. 'Fara Sabina delle Grandes Murailles' and five dogs and four bitches to 'Alberese delle Grand Murailles'.
The breed in the UK can not thank Franca enough for this gesture, without a doubt the contribution that was made by these imports have secured the breed's future in the UK. Several of the litter went to well known kennels and helped to found lines still dominant in our present day offspring.
Pisa and Pomona went to John and Pearl Hill (Millena), Pomaia to Paul and Madeline Colburn (Abruzzi), and Parrana to Anne and Gorden Latimer (Sonymer). Parrana went on to produce Ch. 'Sonymer Bianca Anna', the breeds first UK Champion, who in turn produced four UK Champions, and is behind many of our current champions. The first male champion was Ch. 'Hebrides Aeneas of Tsangpo'.

By 1980 the breed was established enough to be awarded Challenge Certificates for the first time. During the 1980s and early '90s, the breed has only just managed a sustainable level of breeding, a noticeable increase in litters recorded after much needed imports have been made but still only averaging out at three to four litters per year. Kennels active in breeding and showing during this period were John and Pearl Hill’s Millena, Alan and Ann Nettley’s Gransasso, Paul and Madeline Colburn’s Abruzzi and of course the Wyndawn and Sonymer Kennels.

1983/84 saw the formation of the second breed club, the Northern Maremma Association. During the same period, the MSCGB applied for Championship status, which was granted. The Northern Maremma Association became established and held it’s first Open Show on 27th June 1987. The judge at that show was the well-known Mrs Anne Arch; the NMA gained Championship status on 21st April 1991. Signor F. Simmondetti (Grandes Murailles) from Italy judged this show and he awarded Ch. Sonymer Dillon the Dog C.C. and Best of Breed (owned by Gordon and Anne Latimer) and Bitch C.C. to Astral Flora, who later went on to be the first champion for the Milwyr Kennel of Jacqueline Downes.

The Sonymer Kennel dominated the breed in the '90s with Ch. Sonymer Dillon being top dog and top stud dog for a number of years. This distinction was to pass on to another Sonymer dog, Ch. Sonymer Kynos; a dog whelped in quarantine from an Italian import, Dulcinea de Allegra.
Kynos along with Ch. Millena Pandora of Sonymer, bred by John and Pearl Hill, produced more UK and international champions than any other UK pair.

During the late 80s and early 90s, the Wyndawn kennel of Lillian and David Vince were the only other kennel to take top honours in the breed. By the mid 90s, the competition was more open with top awards being shared between the Silvermere Kennel of Janet Atkins, the Italiacane kennel of Beth Bradder, the Indunna kennel of Carol Carlyle, Milwyr kennel of Jacqueline Downes, the Grandorso kennel of Mick Marshall and the Rodanna kennel of Bob Martinali.

Charlotte and Ian Walsh (Charlian) produced many puppies and further additions to the breed were contributed by Joanne Baxter (Baxtron), Lyn and Geoff Truman (Organa) and Rosemary Tassel (Tassrosa); each producing at least one Breed Champion. A few other one off litters were registered helping to maintain breed registration.

The late 90s up to today, have seen an exciting upsurge in new bloodlines. The Sonymer, Milwyr, Silvermere, Sunhaze and Charlian Kennels have all brought in much needed imports. These imports have played a significant role in improving the breed in the UK. Most of the recent Challenge Certificates have gone to these imports or their descendants. Ch. Verner Milwyr has already produced two further UK champions. Temperament has also improved over the past years and it is hoped that the breed will now go on with renewed vigour.

Article thanks to: The Maremma Sheepdog Club of Great Britain

E-MAIL US! Jens Roesner jroesner@richmonded.freeserve.co.uk
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