The obligatory milestones that sign the puppy’s way towards a correct and refined adulthood consist in the accurate selection by the breeder as well as the maternal and human imprinting that the puppy receives from the first day on. There are numerous obstacles that can present themselves along the long course of puppy’s growth and maturation.

Sometimes it can be a revelation to acquire a one-year-old dog, grown in a family context, guided by expert hands of the breeder with some behavioural expertise, that do not present the problems usually induced by the excessive pampering reserved for puppies by owners without a proper preparation, who grow up to become spoiled and hardly manageable.

Now let’s analyze step by step the advantages and disadvantages of buying a dog of a certain age, seeing that the age can be a “means” aimed to help choosing the dog most suitable for one’s necessities.

The puppy of 2-3 months has the lowest acquisition cost, but at the same time requires someone with a bit of experience and spare time to dedicate to the puppy in the following four/six months, following the advice of an expert. For various motives a puppy of this age is not very recommended for families with babies/toddlers.

Obviously for those who would like to purchase a future show-dog, planning to participate in competitions and championships, this age is the one offering less success guarantees.

The experience of the breeder will certainly help to spot the “most beautiful” pup, but the error margin is not to be neglected. During this phase, the choice of a puppy is made “by comparison”. Each Maremma puppy seems fluffy, cute and ready to be cuddled, but it’s only comparing the pups between them and monitoring their daily development that little vices or virtues can be spotted and in this way “the most beautiful” one can be chosen.

The term “beautiful” in this case is used in its zootechnical meaning, indicating a dog that will majorly comply with the breed standard once adult. Obviously the smaller the pup the more difficult it will be to foresee its development and growth in the adult age.

A young dog of 4/10 months gives the confidence to make the right choice, given the fact that at this age most of his morphological and character traits that he will retain throughout his life are already developed. Naturally the purchase price is higher as the pup has been watched and socialized by the breeder, but it also excludes lots of expenses that could show necessary for a pup that did not have the chance to grow in a good environment. At this age the pup should have concluded the vaccination and the anti-parasite cycle.

A pup of this age is much more recommended for families with small children. The breeder who sells a young dog should be able to show the customer what the dog is able to do: walking on a leash, socialization with other dogs and with humans, sense of property, and aptitude for farmyard animals.

In case you wanted a show dog, there is no better age for purchasing than a young dog. Most of the morphological characteristics will be rather obvious, particularly for the females, even if there is still margin for improvements.

Keep in mind that the males of 5/8 months are lanky, clumsy, with too long limbs and aesthetically not really a pleasure to see, but it will still be possible to have a glimpse on their morphological correctness, granted that one is able to see the prospective rather than the present state. The cross-sectional limb diameters of the males will be improving as months pass. The testosterone that conveys these changes linked to the sex of the pup acts more slowly than the estrogens in the females.

At this age another important factor in the choice of the dog are the judgements given in show, which may render the pup more valuable for the new owner.

Keep in mind that the males of 5/8 months are lanky, clumsy, with too long limbs and aesthetically not really a pleasure to see, but it will still be possible to have a glimpse on their morphological correctness, granted that one is able to see the prospective rather than the present state. The cross-sectional limb diameters of the males will be improving as months pass. The testosterone that conveys these changes linked to the sex of the pup acts more slowly than the estrogens in the females.

At this age another important factor in the choice of the dog are the judgements given in show, which may render the pup more valuable for the new owner.

A grown-up dog of 1 year and more is the ideal choice for people who want a dog ready for herd or propriety guarding or reproduction scopes without having to wait for a long time.

It is advisable to have the help of an expert during the first phase of the “encounter”, because both you and the dog will be the “perfect strangers” to each other, but it won’t take long for him to become an affectionate friend of the family. Do not acquire a grown-up dog if you do not trust the breeder completely.

It can happen to you, like it has happened to me many other times, to be stricken by a dog that is particularly beautiful or has exceptional character traits, a love at first sight, a reciprocal affinity so to speak, whereby you and the dog literally “choose” each other. In most of such cases, the owner of the dog does not have the intention to sell his prestigious specimen. In case you find an agreement, you are absolutely entitled to ask for all the character and health guarantees possible.

It could happen, too, that you are being offered an adult dog at prices that are not excessively high, particularly in a breeding context where the dog in question has already given his contribution to the kennel (the options in this case are various and the price shall always be considered related to the zoological value of the dog). Given a possibility like this, I would always recommend considering buying an adult dog. You would have a ready-made dog, without any bad surprise. Here you can find our grown-up Maremmas for sale/adoption.

Most people, victims of a superficial approach to the culture of dog-breeding, consider buying a 2-3 months old pup the only way of stimulating the loyalty and affection of the four-legged friend. Nothing could be more wrong than this, as an equilibrated adult dog, maybe with exceptional guardian characteristics, will have no problems giving you and your family all the affection he is capable of.

Whereas a puppy sometimes could take for granted that you are there for him, to feed him, to cuddle him, and only sometimes to scold him – why should you ever go away? – an adult dog will carefully notice each and every of your attempts to make friends for life.

He will learn soon to love you, to live and interface with you in a way even more intense than a dog grown up together with you ever could. Trust him! ...and me... if you decide to open your home and your heart to a Pastore Maremmano Abruzzese, puppy or adult dog alike, you will gain a friend for life! Do not betray him by abandoning him!