Meliteo Kinidio vs Maremma Sheepdog - Breed Comparison

Meliteo Kinidio is originated from Greece but Maremma Sheepdog is originated from Italy. Meliteo Kinidio may grow 41 cm / 16 inches shorter than Maremma Sheepdog. Meliteo Kinidio may weigh 37 kg / 81 pounds lesser than Maremma Sheepdog. Both Meliteo Kinidio and Maremma Sheepdog has almost same life span. Both Meliteo Kinidio and Maremma Sheepdog has almost same litter size. Meliteo Kinidio requires Low maintenance. But Maremma Sheepdog requires Moderate maintenance

History

Originating in Greece, the Melitea Kinidio is also known as the Small Greek Domestic Dog. It is an ancient dog breed. The dog has always been a skillful hunter of small game and birds.

It is believed that the dog breed originated from Malta, explaining its Greek name, Melitaion Kunidion.

There are efforts to recognize the Meliteo Kinidio as a separate and unique Greek dog breed but no formal breed clubs exist so far today. The dog also hasn’t been recognized by any reputable registry. Today these common dogs are found in high numbers throughout most of Greece.  

maremma sheepdog - historyKnown also as the Cane de Pastore Maremmano-Abruzzese, the Maremma Sheepdog is often referred to as the Maremmano or the Abruzzese Sheepdog.

This is a working dog – a guardian of sheep and an indigenous dog to central Italy. The dog has been used for centuries already to guard sheep.

It was in 1924 that the first standard for the breed was published.

Basic Information

Group:
Companion dog
Working dog
Origin:
Greece
Italy
Height Male:
23 - 32 cm
9 - 13 inches
65 - 73 cm
25 - 29 inches
Height Female:
23 - 32 cm
9 - 13 inches
65 - 73 cm
25 - 29 inches
Weight Male:
3 - 8 kg
6 - 18 pounds
35 - 45 kg
77 - 100 pounds
Weight Female:
3 - 8 kg
6 - 18 pounds
35 - 45 kg
77 - 100 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
10 - 13 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 7
6 - 9
Size:
Small dog
Large dog
Other Names:
Small Greek Domestic Dog
Maremmano, Abruzzese Sheepdog
Colors Available:
white or black, Beige, blonde
White
Coat:
Long- and short-haired
Long and Thick
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

The Meliteo Kinidio is a deep chested small sized dog which weighs about 3 to 8kg and stands at about 23 – 32cm in height.

The dog has a bright, fox shaped face, floppy ears and a tail which curls over the back and which is feathery or plumed. The body is longer than being tall.

He is available with two coat types – long- and short-haired, with the long haired one being the more common of the two. People often confuse this dog with the long-haired Dachshund. The coat is dense, weatherproof, silky and wavy.

The coat colors can be beige, blonde, white or black, with there being no standardization with color.

Temperament:

These Greek dogs are no pushover and in fact they are fairly fearless dogs, possessive of the human family, wanting to protect them and therefore being territorial as well. They make excellent pets, being very sensitive to their owners, sensing their different moods.

He has always been a hunting dog so he loves to be busy, making a good dog to have on the farm. They are even tempered and gentle, but have a loud, robust bark for their size.

maremma sheepdog puppy - descriptionThe Maremma Sheepdog is a large dog with a muscular build. Some people who have owned these distinctive-looking dogs say he is like a big bear. He stands at 65 to 73 cm in height, both male and female, and he weighs 35 to 45 kg.

The coat is long, thick and white with a dense undercoat. If you look you’ll see flashes of pale orange or apricot amid the white. There is thicker, longer hair around the neck area.

The nose is black, the eyes brown and the ears medium length and floppy. The long tail is set low and is thickly feathered. You can expect 6 – 10 puppies from these dogs.

Temperament:

The Maremma has always been used to guarding sheep, and today even though he is looked upon as a wonderful, friendly companion dog, he also makes an excellent watch dog, being brave and courageous. He isn’t the kind of dog that you think of as getting wildly excited over something, as he has a dignified aura about him.

He is an independent dog, so training and sociaization will be absolutely imperative as he is strong-willed and likes to do things his way. Once trained and socialized, it is amazing to see such a large dog obeying all your commands such as ‘lie down, come, sit an stay'. He is very intelligent and shouldn’t have any trouble learning these basic commands.

He is calm and gets on well with children as well as other pets in the home. With his role as guardian of sheep, he has learned to be loyal and patient and will make a loyal ad loving family pet he takes his role as guardian very seriously.

He loves hard work, and shepherds have always appreciated the splendid work he does guarding their flocks. As a companion you will also appreciate the many excellent qualities he possesses.

The Maremma Sheepdog isn’t recommended for life in the city where there is a tiny garden. He has always been accustomed to large open spaces and requires a large garden. He won’t tolerate heat well with that thick coat of his and will require a shady spot in your garden to retreat to.

Characteristics

These feisty Small Greek Domestic Dogs are loving, loyal dogs who enjoy being around their human family but who don’t mind spending some time on their own either.

They’re dogs which are in tune with their owners and they’re intelligent too so they learn easily. You can expect to a have a good friend when you allow this companion dog into your home.

maremma sheepdog dog - characteristicsThis is a beautiful dog, but large, so don’t make the mistake of wanting a large dog like this for his looks. He will be expensive to feed.

If you have the means to provide a good home for him, he is friendly and good natured, even though he is strong-willed and independent.

Provide him with a good home and you’ll have a most splendid pet and companion.

Health Problems

This dog breed enjoys good longevity and can live to be about 12 to 15 years of age with good care.

One thing you have to be careful of with a dog like this is that because he is active he loves to running around and jumping. However, with his long back, jumping off a fairly high bed for instance, can lead to injury and should be discouraged rather. Apart from ear infections, other health issues can be dental.

Dental Issues:

Brushing your dog’s teeth 2 or 3 times a week can prevent dental problems. Small dogs are more prone to plaque formation and gum recession. Many small dogs loose their teeth with dental issues. Plaque that is left on the surface of the tooth is detrimental to the dog’s immune system, starting an inflammatory response. Without good oral hygiene, other health issues such as heart disease and diabetes can become a factor.

Ear Infections:

Ear infections in dogs, particularly those with floppy ears, are common and can be painful.

Scratching at the ear with head shaking is a common sign that your dog has an ear infection as well as the presence of redness and swelling. The inside of the ear needs to be gently cleaned with ear cleanser, but many people don’t like to do this, fearing they may damage the ear. Then it becomes important for your vet or professional groomer to do it for you.

maremma sheepdog puppies - health problemsThis ancient dog breed is robust and can reach 11 to 13 years of age when cared for properly. Like any other dogs, he can be prone to certain health problems.

One of these is hip dysplasia. Preventing your dog from becoming overweight can work towards preventing these kinds of musculoskeletal issues. Hip dysplasia occurs when your dog’s hip joints don’t develop properly so that the hips partially dislocate.

It is painful for your dog and it can be debilitating, leading to arthritis too and making it difficult for your pet to get around and to get up from lying down. There are a number of treatment options offered by your vet.

Caring The Pet

The Small Greek Domestic Dog is easy to groom and the coat which sheds moderately will simply require brushing twice a week to keep it silky and vibrant.

Diet:

The Small Greek Domestic Dog is sleek lean and muscular and you want to keep him like that at all costs and avoid obesity. To keep him happy and fit feed him two smaller meals as opposed to one. If you buy commercially manufactured food, make sure its the best quality one as the lower quality foods have inferior ingredients devoid of minerals and vitamins. When you have bought the best quality kibble, treat your dog to some home-made food from time to time – nothing exotic – just plain boiled chicken, brown rice and pasta and cooked vegetables such as potato, carrots and spinach. Some raw meat added in occasionaly is also excellent. Feeding your dog a simple but nutritious meal like this will ensure your dog is healthy, content and free of stomach problems. Fresh, cool water must be availabe around the clock.

Exercise:

maremma sheepdog dogs - caringAs already suggested, this large dog will need space and he will need to be exercised. Apart from long walks in he countryside or in the park or your neighborhood, he will also need other activities that stimulate him mentally and physically.

Grooming:

The thick, all-weather coat of the Maremma will need a thorough bushing at least twice a week to get rid of all those loose hairs. When you are brushing him, look around for signs of ticks and fleas too and run your hands over him to feel for any unusual lumps.

Diet:

The Maremma is a large-breed dog, so before you get a big dog like this, decide whether you have the financial means to feed him and look after him properly. He is going to cost a lot to feed, so think it through first.

He will need to be fed a high-quality commercial dog food which has been specially formulated for a dog of his size. Keep the food of dogs simple. We’re all tempted to feed our dog treats like things such as chocolates, coffee, nuts, onions, grapes and raisins but these can cause havoc with your dog’s stomach.

Stick to simple, nutritious food. Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and vegetables such as potatoes, spinach and carrots can do wonders for your pet when you sometimes mix this into his kibble.

Try and mix some raw meat into his diet occasionally. Make sure he always has access to fresh, cool water.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. PekePoo vs Meliteo Kinidio - Breed Comparison
  2. Schipperke vs Meliteo Kinidio - Breed Comparison
  3. Schweenie vs Meliteo Kinidio - Breed Comparison
  4. Meliteo Kinidio vs Bichon Frise - Breed Comparison
  5. Meliteo Kinidio vs Mal-Shi - Breed Comparison
  6. Meliteo Kinidio vs Alaskan Klee Kai - Breed Comparison
  7. Meliteo Kinidio vs Coton De Tulear - Breed Comparison
  8. Meliteo Kinidio vs Japanese Spitz - Breed Comparison
  9. Meliteo Kinidio vs Malti-Pom - Breed Comparison
  10. Meliteo Kinidio vs Fruggle - Breed Comparison
  11. Meliteo Kinidio vs Lhasapoo - Breed Comparison
  12. Meliteo Kinidio vs Hawaiian Poi Dog - Breed Comparison
  13. Meliteo Kinidio vs Kyi-Leo - Breed Comparison
  14. Prazsky Krysarik vs Meliteo Kinidio - Breed Comparison
  15. Pugalier vs Meliteo Kinidio - Breed Comparison
  16. Tsvetnaya Bolonka vs Meliteo Kinidio - Breed Comparison
  17. Muggin vs Meliteo Kinidio - Breed Comparison
  18. Pomeranian vs Meliteo Kinidio - Breed Comparison
  19. Pug vs Meliteo Kinidio - Breed Comparison
  20. Miniature Schnauzer vs Meliteo Kinidio - Breed Comparison
  21. Papillon vs Meliteo Kinidio - Breed Comparison
  22. Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Meliteo Kinidio - Breed Comparison
  23. Miniature English Bulldog vs Meliteo Kinidio - Breed Comparison
  24. Miniature Dachshund vs Meliteo Kinidio - Breed Comparison
  25. Miniature Poodle vs Meliteo Kinidio - Breed Comparison
  26. Samoyed vs Maremma Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  27. Presa Canario vs Maremma Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  28. Pyredoodle vs Maremma Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  29. Maremma Sheepdog vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  30. Maremma Sheepdog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  31. Maremma Sheepdog vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  32. Maremma Sheepdog vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  33. Maremma Sheepdog vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  34. Maremma Sheepdog vs Alaskan Malamute - Breed Comparison
  35. Maremma Sheepdog vs Bullmastiff - Breed Comparison
  36. Maremma Sheepdog vs Great Pyrenees - Breed Comparison
  37. Maremma Sheepdog vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  38. Maremma Sheepdog vs Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  39. Maremma Sheepdog vs Labrador Husky - Breed Comparison
  40. Maremma Sheepdog vs Argentine Dogo - Breed Comparison
  41. Maremma Sheepdog vs Giant Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  42. Maremma Sheepdog vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  43. Maremma Sheepdog vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  44. Maremma Sheepdog vs Goldador - Breed Comparison
  45. Maremma Sheepdog vs Bandog - Breed Comparison
  46. Maremma Sheepdog vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  47. Maremma Sheepdog vs Dogo Cubano - Breed Comparison
  48. Maremma Sheepdog vs Dogo Sardesco - Breed Comparison
  49. Maremma Sheepdog vs Beauceron - Breed Comparison
  50. Maremma Sheepdog vs Central Asian Shepherd - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds