“A dog with the traits for which it has been forged, will make an excellent companion and trusted guardian for the family”

Ca’ del Cuco’s core activity is breeding. This is done by adopting the most stringent measures to prevent disease, ensuring the animals’ welfare and preserving the breed's specific traits. The dogs live outdoors, in close contact with nature, and are well socialised with humans, conspecifics and the sheep and goats on the farm.

The name of the kennels reflects the desire to keep the memory of the breed’s origins alive, as well as the tradition and culture that have marked its development over the centuries. When the flocks were shepherded down from the mountains of the Abruzzo region towards the vast Tavoliere plane in Apulia, they were accompanied by a group of men, each of whom had clearly defined roles and duties. They were led by the head shepherd (Vergaro). He was in charge of the other shepherds, their itinerary, buying provisions, storing dairy products and keeping them fresh. In his book, Gian Franco Giannelli calls the Maremmano Abruzzese Sheepdog “the transhumance dog”, and so “Della Muta del Vergaro” (which could be translated as “Of the Head Shepherd’s Pack”) seems a fitting name for a business that recognises the importance of the history of the white Abruzzese sheepdog.

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The Maremmano Abruzzese Sheepdog

  • The origins of the breed

      According to Paolo Breber, the most likely hypothesis is that this canine breed originated in the steppes and grasslands of Asia and was brought to Europe along migratory and trade routes.

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  • Character

      Shaped by thousands of years of being accustomed to a solitary life in harsh conditions, albeit in a fairly civilised world, the Maremmano Abruzzese Sheepdog has a very special character, in which the dominant trait is undoubtedly even-temperedness.

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  • Work

      The Maremmano Abruzzese Sheepdog’s primary role is to keep livestock safe from predators, especially wolves. This is the most effective and correct way for farmers to limit damage to their animals, especially sheep.

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Some of our dogs

Our puppies

Our puppies are not sent to their new homes until they are at least 60 days old. They must have completed a course of vaccinations to comply with the most advanced veterinary guidelines, have been de-wormed twice and have been issued with a health record. Furthermore, all puppies at our kennels receive sensory training from when they are three days old until they leave. This is a recent practice that helps the puppies to socialise properly with the domestic environment and with people or other animals. The daily programme makes the puppies even-tempered and able to adapt to human society quickly and with excellent results. The activities change as the puppies grow, starting with just being touched, to going out in a car before they leave. The aim is to develop their skills in the following areas:

  • Motor
    strength, power, speed, balance
  • Cognitive
    attention, concentration, self-control
  • Social
    communication, play, trust

In addition, constant contact with their mother and living with other adult dogs helps them to develop their ability to interact with intraspecifics. This attention to the puppies’ psychological development, especially during the imprinting period, from the fourth to the sixteenth week, and a good genetic background are the foundations for facilitating a smooth transition into the new environment that awaits them.

To find out more about our puppies or if you require further information, please write to
delvergaro@cadelcuco.eu

Valter has chosen Almo Nature Holistic kibbles to give his big dogs all the energy they need to do their job. This food is an excellent maintenance diet, it is good value for money and is produced in a sustainable manner by a company whose ethical goals he shares.

Almo Nature dog and cat food is made from natural ingredients and the company invests all of its profits in solidarity projects for cats and dogs and biodiversity, through the Fondazione Capellino. One project in particular, called, Farmers&Predators, is committed to reducing conflict between natural predators and livestock farmers by supporting and promoting their decision to respect the natural balance of biodiversity without using guns. To find out more about their solidarity projects, we suggest you visit the almonature.com website or Almo Nature's Facebook page.