Find Your Perfect Maremma Match

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Quiz Questions

1.
Do you currently have any dogs?
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- A.
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  Yes — one or more companion/pet dogs (non-LGD breeds)
- B.
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  Yes — one LGD from another source
- C.
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  Yes — multiple LGDs
- D.
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  Yes — both companion dogs and LGD(s)
- E.
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  No dogs at all
2.
Do you currently have any livestock guardian dogs at home, or have you owned them previously?
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- A.
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  No — this will be my first LGD
- B.
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  No — I've had LGDs before but don't have one right now
- C.
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  Yes — I have one LGD right now
- D.
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  Yes — I have two or more LGDs right now
- E.
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  I have never owned a Maremma or any other LGD but have been around them a lot.
3.
What do you need protected?
- A.
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  Poultry (chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys)
- B.
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  Small ruminants (goats, sheep)
- C.
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  Larger livestock (cattle, horses, alpacas/llamas)
- D.
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  Mixed — I have multiple species
- E.
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  Companion animals/family pets (no livestock)
- F.
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  Children and other family members (no livestock)
- G.
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  Nothing. I want a Companion Maremma only
4.
What predator pressure do you face?
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- A.
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  Minimal — occasional hawks, stray dogs, or neighborhood animals
- B.
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  Moderate — coyotes, foxes, or raccoons are present in my area
- C.
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  Heavy — regular coyote packs, bobcats, or larger predators
- D.
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  Severe — mountain lions, bears, wolves, or I've already lost livestock
- E.
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  I'm not sure what's out there
5.
How big is the area your LGD will need to cover?
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- A.
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  Small — under 2 acres (large backyard, small homestead)
- B.
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  Medium — 2 to 10 acres
- C.
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  Large — 10 to 50 acres
- D.
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  Very large — 50+ acres
6.
What's your timeline for adding an LGD to your farm or family?
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- A.
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  I'm just researching — no rush, planning 6+ months out
- B.
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  Within the next few months — I'd like to get started soon
- C.
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  As soon as possible — I'm actively losing livestock or have an urgent need
- D.
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  Flexible — I'll wait for the right dog
7.
What matters most to you? (Pick your top priority)
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- A.
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  The bonding experience — I want to raise my dogs from the beginning and shape their development
- B.
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  A head start — I want dogs who've already learned the basics but are still young enough to adapt to my farm
- C.
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  Proven reliability — I want dogs who are already experienced, with known personalities and working ability
- D.
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  Immediate livestock protection — I need dogs that can start working right away
- E.
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  The right match — I don't have a strong age preference; I want whatever is best for my specific situation
8.
How willing or able are you to train and develop a young dog over 18-24 months?
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- A.
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  Very willing and able. I'm excited about the process and willing to invest the necessary time and effort
- B.
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  A little apprehensive but I believe I could do it with good guidance and support
- C.
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  I'd rather skip or shorten the puppy development phase if possible
- D.
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  I'd prefer a dog who's already fully trained and ready to go to work
9.
Do you have children or frequently have children visiting? Check all that apply.
- A.
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  Yes, I have young children (under 12) of my own
- B.
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  I have older children or teenagers (12+)
- C.
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  I occasionally have young children visitors
- D.
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  No, I don't have children or have them over often
10.
What is your dog training experience level?
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- A.
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  I am a professional dog trainer. I have certification through a recognized science-based dog training certification program. I have extensive experience training and working LGDs for myself and others.
- B.
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  I am a professional dog trainer. I have certification through a recognized dog training certification program. I have experience training companion dogs only. I have not trained working LGDs yet.
- C.
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  I have no certifications in dog training but have taken courses in dog training and have extensive experience training working LGDs for myself or others.
- D.
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  I have no certifications in dog training but have taken courses in dog training and have extensive experience training companion dogs for myself or others.
- E.
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  I am not a dog trainer, but I have read books or watched videos on the subject and successfully trained my working LGDs.
- F.
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  I am not a dog trainer, but I have read books or watched videos on the subject and successfully trained my companion dogs.
- G.
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  I have no experience whatsoever in training dogs and have done little to no research on the topic.
11.
How do you envision the role of a Maremma in your life?
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- A.
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  I would like the Maremma to be a working Livestock Guardian Dog primarily focused on protecting livestock and not a pet.
- B.
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  I would like the Maremma to be more of an all-around farm dog and to interact regularly with family members. The dog will live outside with livestock full-time.
- C.
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  Besides its guarding duties, I want the Maremma to interact regularly with family members and be considered part of our household. The dog will have house privileges.
- D.
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  I want the Maremma to be a loyal family or personal companion. It will not have any livestock-guarding responsibilities.
12.
How confident are you in your ability to raise and train your Maremma to maturity.
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- A.
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  I've got this in the bag. I have extensive experience and the skills I need. I either already have an excellent support system or don't need one. All I need is to find the pup I like and I can do the rest.
- B.
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  I'm pretty confident. I don't have as much experience as I would like, but I have a good support system or source of information and am pretty good at figuring things out on my own. I'm ok with making mistakes and learning as I go, even if it's more work than is ideal.
- C.
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  I'm a bit nervous, but I can do this if I can find a breeder who is a reliable source of information and support. I don't want to rely on social media and other questionable sources for information, so finding a knowledgeable and dedicated breeder is important to me.
- D.
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  I am very nervous and unsure if I know what I'm getting into. I need a breeder with the skills, knowledge, and commitment to answer my endless questions, not just before the sale but for the life of my dog. Breeder support is extremely high on my list of priorities. If I receive that support, I know I can make this dream a reality. If I don't I know I may be heading for a hard road ahead.

Quiz Outcomes

1.
Your Match: Start with Puppies — Build Your Team from the Ground Up
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Based on your answers, you're in the perfect position to start from the very beginning — and that's a genuinely exciting place to be.Why puppies are right for your situation:Puppies are blank slates. They'll bond with YOUR specific livestock, adapt to YOUR property, learn YOUR routines, and grow up as part of YOUR family. There's nothing quite like the experience of raising livestock guardian dogs from puppyhood and watching them develop from fluffy, curious babies into confident, capable protectors. It's one of the most rewarding experiences ever.You have the timeline flexibility to invest in the 24-month development process, and that patience will pay off enormously. During those months, you're not just raising dogs — you're building a decade-long partnership with animals who know your farm inside and out because they grew up there.A note for families with children: Starting with puppies is often the best choice for families with young children. Dogs who grow up alongside children from puppyhood develop the strongest, safest bonds with them. Your kids and your dogs will literally grow up together — and that foundation of trust goes both ways.Why two puppies, not one:I recommend two puppies for every working LGD home, and I'm not going to sugarcoat why: single dogs struggle. Consistently. They develop loneliness, stress, and behavior problems — excessive barking, chasing livestock, escaping — that have nothing to do with training and everything to do with being a social pack animal living in isolation. I've placed over 150 Maremmas, and the pattern is unmistakable.Two puppies from the same litter is the easiest, most natural pairing possible. They already know each other. They match each other's energy perfectly. They keep each other company through every developmental stage. And here's what surprises everyone: raising two puppies together is genuinely easier than raising one alone, because they entertain each other instead of taking their boredom and frustration out on your livestock.I have an entire page dedicated to this topic with real stories from my clients: Why Two LGDs Are Better Than OneYour investment: Puppies start at $3,500 each. Every Prancing Pony Farm Maremma puppy includes health-tested genetics, extensive livestock socialization from birth, a two-year health guarantee, and lifetime support from me — a certified professional trainer — through every stage of your dogs' development.Your timeline: Puppies need approximately 24 months of guided development to become fully reliable, independent livestock guardians. (Some mature sooner and some slightly later.) They're not useless during that time — their presence is a deterrent from day one, and real LGD behaviors emerge well before full maturity. But plan for the full development window.See Available PuppiesKeep in mind:This recommendation is a starting point based on your quiz answers — not the final word. If you're reading this and wondering whether an adolescent or adult Maremma might actually be a better fit, that's a completely valid instinct. Some people take this quiz expecting one result and find themselves drawn to another, and that's okay. A dozen questions can't capture every detail of your situation.The important thing is getting the right dogs for YOUR farm, not matching a quiz result. If you want to explore other age options — or if you're torn — that's exactly what our free discovery call is for. We'll talk through the details and figure it out together.Book a Free Discovery Call ➡️
2.
Your Match: Start with Adolescents — The Best of Both Worlds
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Based on your answers, adolescents hit the sweet spot for your situation — dogs who've already learned the fundamentals but are still young enough to adapt fully to your farm and family.What "adolescent" actually means:Adolescent Maremmas (roughly 6-24 months) are past the most intensive puppy phase but haven't reached full maturity yet. Think of them as LGDs who've graduated from elementary school — they understand the basics of their job, they've been socialized with livestock, and they have real presence and size. But they're still growing, still developing judgment, and still forming the deep bonds that will define the rest of their working lives.Why adolescents are right for your situation:You want reliable livestock protection without waiting the full 24 months that puppies require to mature, but you're also looking for dogs that are young enough to adapt to your specific farm and bond deeply with your livestock and family. Adolescents give you exactly that middle ground.They've already done the hardest early developmental work — the intensive socialization, the learning-what-livestock-is phase, the basics of impulse control. You're picking up partway through the journey instead of starting from scratch. Depending on the individual dog, you may be looking at 6-18 months of continued development rather than 24 months — a significant shortcut.At the same time, they're still young and flexible enough to truly make your farm their home. They're not set in their ways the way 2 to 6-year-old adults are. The transition to a new property, new livestock, and new people is easier for adolescents than for fully mature dogs.What to expect from your adolescent LGDs:Adolescents aren't finished products. They still need supervision, guidance, and patience as they work through the final stages of maturity. Some adolescent behaviors can be challenging — boundary testing, occasional lapses in judgment, bursts of energy. (The zoomies.) But if you're comfortable with dogs who are partway there and willing to invest in the remaining development (with our full support), the payoff is LGDs who reach reliable working maturity significantly faster than puppies would.A note for families with children: Adolescents from our program have been socialized with people from birth, including small children. But every dog is different in the type of home that fits them best. We'll carefully match you with dogs whose temperament is well-suited to a family with young kids, and we'll guide you through the integration process.Why two adolescents, not one:I recommend two dogs for every working LGD home, and I'm not going to sugarcoat why: single dogs struggle. After placing over 150 Maremmas, the pattern is undeniable. Single working LGDs develop loneliness, stress, and behavior problems — excessive barking, chasing livestock, escaping, anxiety — that have nothing to do with training and everything to do with being a social pack animal living in isolation. Livestock can't meet a dog's social needs. Only another dog can.This matters even more with adolescents specifically. An adolescent leaving the only home they've ever known and arriving at a strange farm is going through a major life change — new property, new livestock, new people, new routines, everything unfamiliar at once. Having a familiar companion through that transition makes an enormous difference in how quickly they settle, how confident they feel, and how smoothly they integrate with your livestock.A pair of adolescents who already know each other will support each other through the adjustment in ways a single dog simply can't. They have each other as a familiar anchor while everything else is new. They play together instead of taking their boredom out on your livestock. They share the workload as they mature into full guardian roles. And they provide backup protection — because one dog, no matter how talented, can't be in two places at once.I have an entire page dedicated to this with real stories from families who tried it both ways. It's worth reading: Why Two LGDs Are Better Than OneYour investment: Adolescent Maremmas are priced individually based on age, training level, and development. Pricing starts at our current puppy price of $3,500 and may be higher depending on the individual dog.About availability: We don't always have adolescents available — it depends on what's happening in our program at any given time. Sometimes we have young dogs we've held back for further training or evaluation as breeding candidates or dogs that are retiring from breeding. Fill out our application and let us know you're interested in adolescents, and we'll let you know what we have or what's coming up. We may also have dogs available that aren't listed publicly on our website.See Available Adolescents and AdultsKeep in mind:This recommendation is a starting point, not the final word. Adolescents hit a sweet spot for a lot of people, but your situation might be better served by starting with puppies (if you have more time than you think and love the idea of raising them from scratch) or going straight to experienced adults (if your need is more urgent than your answers suggested). A dozen questions can only tell us so much.If you're reading this and thinking a different age feels right — or if you're genuinely unsure — let's talk about it. That's what our discovery call is for. I'd rather help you land on the right answer than have you second-guess a quiz.Book a Free Discovery Call ➡️
3.
Your Match: A Pair of Experienced Adult Maremmas — Proven Protection, Ready Now
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Based on your answers, you need dogs who are ready to work — not puppies who won't reach full maturity for two years, and not adolescents who still have developing to do. Adult Maremmas with proven livestock guarding experience bring everything to the table from day one.Why adults are right for your situation:Adult Maremmas (2+ years) are fully formed livestock guardian dogs. Their personalities are established. Their judgment is mature. Their working style is consistent. What you see is what you get — and that's exactly the point.You get proven working ability with specific livestock species, fully developed decision-making around your property, and the kind of calm, confident livestock guardian presence that only comes from years of real-world experience. While puppies would take up to 24 months (some slightly longer) and adolescents 6-18 months to reach this level, adults are already there.What the transition looks like:Even the most experienced adult dog needs time to adjust to a new farm. A dog who's spent years on one property needs to learn your livestock, your routines, your property, and your family. That's not a flaw — it's how bonding works. Expect a 2-4 week transition period where they're settling in, learning the rhythms of your farm, and forming bonds with you, your family, and your livestock.But here's the difference: an adult's transition is about adjusting to a new home, not about growing up. Their skills are already there. Their judgment is already formed. Once they settle in — and with our guidance through the process, they will — you have reliable working guardians.A note for families with children: Not all adult dogs have spent time around young children. This is something we'll discuss carefully during your consultation. We'll only place dogs in homes with small children if those specific dogs have demonstrated child-friendly temperaments and comfort around kids. This may narrow your options, and it's one of the most important reasons to have a personal conversation with us about which dogs would be right for your family. We want to keep our dogs happy and your children safe, so we will make sure the dogs we recommend are the absolute perfect fit. (If we don't have adults that will work for your family, we may suggest puppies or adolescents.)Why two adults, not one:I recommend two dogs for every working LGD home. After placing over 150 Maremmas, the evidence is overwhelming: single working LGDs struggle with loneliness, stress, and behavior problems — excessive barking, chasing livestock, escaping, anxiety — that have nothing to do with training and everything to do with being a social pack animal living in isolation. Livestock can't meet a dog's social needs. Only another dog can.With adults, this actually matters MORE, not less. An adult dog leaving a farm where they've worked alongside familiar dogs for years and suddenly finding themselves completely alone in a strange place is experiencing something close to solitary confinement. Everything familiar — their territory, their pack, their people, their routines — is gone all at once. The stress of that transition is dramatically reduced when they have a companion going through it with them.A bonded pair of adults who already work together is the gold standard: immediate, reliable, redundant protection with dogs who support each other through the transition. If a bonded pair isn't available, we can pair an adult with a well-matched adolescent. Beyond the transition, the practical reasons are just as important: backup protection if one dog is injured or sick, shared workload across your property, better odds against large or multiple predators, and simple insurance against the unexpected. One dog alone is one point of failure for your entire livestock operation. Two dogs is a team.I have an entire page dedicated to this with real stories from families who learned this the hard way: Why Two LGDs Are Better Than OneYour investment: Adult Maremmas are priced individually starting at $3,500 and may be priced higher depending on age, training, and proven working ability. These dogs represent years of professional development training, and real-world livestock protection experience. Their pricing reflects that value.About availability — please read this:We don't always list every available dog on our website, and this is especially true for our adults. Some dogs need very specific home situations. Some are retiring from our breeding program and we want to find them exactly the right family. Some have particular strengths or needs that are best discussed in a personal conversation rather than a public listing.The dogs you see on our Available Older Maremmas page are just a portion of what may be available. If none of those dogs seem like the right fit — or if you want to know whether we have something we haven't listed — the best move is to fill out our application and book a discovery call. That's where the real conversation happens, and it's where our best adult placements begin. You can read more about older dogs on the older dogs page:Learn More About Older LGDsKeep in mind:This recommendation is based on your quiz answers, but seven questions can't capture every nuance of your situation. If part of you is drawn to the idea of raising puppies from the beginning, or if an adolescent — partway through development but still adaptable — sounds appealing, those instincts are worth exploring. The right answer is the one that fits your specific farm, family, and goals.These results are a starting point for the conversation, not a prescription. If you want to talk through the options and figure out what truly makes sense, that's exactly what our free discovery call is for.Book a Free Discovery Call ➡️
4.
Your Match: A Carefully Matched Partner — Let's Talk About Your Current Dog
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You already have at least one livestock guardian dog, and you're looking to add to your team. That's great — but here's the thing: the right age to add depends almost entirely on who you already have, and a quiz can't fully capture that.First, a word about your current dog:If your solo LGD has been showing signs of stress — excessive barking, restlessness, chasing livestock, escape attempts, anxiety — please know that these are almost always loneliness symptoms, not training failures. LGDs are pack animals, and a single working dog is carrying a burden they were never designed to carry alone. Adding the right partner won't just improve your protection — it can transform your current dog's behavior and wellbeing. I see this over and over.Why the right age match matters so much:Adding a dog to an existing team isn't like starting from scratch. Your current dog's age, temperament, energy level, and social history all determine what kind of partner will work — and what kind could make things worse.Some general guidance based on what we typically see:If your current dog is a puppy (under 6 months): Another puppy close in age is the best match. Puppies need a partner at the same developmental stage. An age gap of more than a few months creates real problems — a 3-month-old and a 1-year-old are in completely different worlds physically, mentally, and socially. Keep the ages close.If your current dog is 6-12 months: A dog within a few months of the same age is ideal. A much younger puppy would be overwhelmed by your dog's size and energy. Slightly younger (4-5 months) can sometimes work, but the closer in age, the better.If your current dog is 1-2 years: You have the most flexibility here. A dog in the same general age range is easiest. An older puppy (5-6+ months) can work well. An adult close in age is another solid option. A younger puppy (under 6 months) can work in some circumstances but isn't our first recommendation.If your current dog is in their prime (2-5 years): Another young adult (2-5 years) or an adolescent (roughly 8-23 months) often makes the best match. A very young puppy paired with a prime adult is one of the trickier combinations — the size, energy level and developmental stage mismatch is significant.If your current dog is mature (5+ years): Another adult or mature adolescent is usually best. Pairing a mature adult with a 12-week-old puppy is one of the hardest combinations — the energy mismatch is often stressful for both dogs. It CAN work, but it requires significant management.Not all adult dogs like puppies, and even patient adults can't give the puppy the high-energy play they need to live a happy, healthy life. You'll likely experience problems if you decide to follow the very misguided advice to let your adult dog "train" a new puppy. That situation is rarely fair to the adult dog or the puppy. And it's no good for your livestock, who often become the target of the puppy's attempts to engage in normal puppy play. (Which naturally includes a lot of biting and chasing.)If your current dog is struggling: The right partner can be genuinely transformative. But the wrong one — especially one who's too young and demanding — can make things worse. This is the most important placement to get right, and it absolutely requires a personal conversation.Important factors we need to discuss:Your current dog's age, breed, and temperamentWhether they're social with other dogs or selective/reactiveWhere they came from and how they were socializedWhat challenges (if any) you're currently experiencingWhat your property and livestock setup looks likeYour next step:This is a situation where a phone consultation is worth more than any quiz result. Book a free discovery call, tell me about your current dog(s), and let's figure out the right partner together. I'll give you an honest recommendation — including whether the right match is a puppy, an adolescent, an adult, or something we need to think about more carefully.→ Book a Free Discovery Call→ Fill Out Our Application (mention your current dog's age and any challenges)
5.
Your Match: A Companion Maremma for Your Family
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You're looking for a Maremma as a companion and family dog rather than a working livestock guardian — and that's a wonderful choice. These dogs form incredibly deep bonds with their families and bring a level of loyalty, presence, and personality that's hard to find in any other breed.Most of our companion families already know and love Maremmas, and if that's you, you already understand what makes these dogs special. If you're newer to the breed, you're in for something remarkable.Why a puppy is usually the right starting point:A puppy raised in your home from 12 weeks bonds deeply with your family and adapts to your specific lifestyle in ways that an older dog may not. They'll learn your household routines, socialize with your family members (including children and other pets), and grow into a companion who's perfectly tuned to your world.Our companion puppies come with the same comprehensive foundation that our working LGD puppies receive — health-tested genetics, extensive early socialization, positive human interaction from birth, plus specific guidance from me on raising a Maremma in a companion home setting. (I do own one Maremma that lives full-time in my house and have successfully placed several of my puppies as full-time pets.)Because here's the thing: a companion Maremma is still a livestock guardian dog. Their protective instincts, independent nature, and breed-specific traits don't disappear just because they're living in your house instead of a pasture. Understanding and working with those traits is the key to a happy life together.A note about two dogs: For working LGD homes, I'm adamant that two dogs is essential — a single dog guarding livestock in isolation is a recipe for stress and behavior problems. For companion homes, the picture is different. You're home with your dog. They're part of your daily life. They're not isolated outside 24/7. A single Maremma CAN work well in a companion home if you're committed to providing plenty of interaction, exercise, and mental stimulation. That said, I still think two dogs are better for most families — Maremmas are social dogs who genuinely enjoy canine companionship. It doesn't have to be another Maremma. They also do very well with other breeds as companions and will guard other family dogs, cats, and other pets, as well as their human family members.What about older dogs? While puppies are the most common choice for companion homes, occasionally we have older dogs who would thrive in the right companion setting. If you're open to that, mention it when we talk — but know that transitioning an adult LGD from a working life outdoors to a companion home requires careful evaluation. Not every dog is a good candidate.Your next step: Companion placements are some of my favorite conversations because they're so personal — your family dynamics, your living situation, your lifestyle, your experience with the breed all factor in. I'd love to chat about what you're looking for.Coming soon: We're building a dedicated page for companion Maremma families with breed-specific guidance for non-working homes. This page will feature some of our amazing companion home placements and will show the world that these amazing dogs can, indeed, thrive in non-working homes. In the meantime, your discovery call is the best starting point. → Book a Free Discovery Call→ Fill Out Our Application (mention companion home)→ See Avaialble Puppies