This dog belongs to the stock of the large White Dogs of central Europe, an ancient stock of sheep dogs, with a mistrusting and bellicose character. It arrived here from the Middle East. In central Italy it evolved as a breed in and of itself, described by Columella (1^st century AD) as the defender of the flock from wolves. This explains why the shepherds like its white coat: because it enables them to distinguish it from the wolves when they attack at twilight and thus avoid killing a friend instead of an enemy. Maremma as well as Abruzzo have been the home of these dogs since time immemorial. Therefore, in 1958 the ENCI decided to give it its current name. These animals are selected to work even in situations where man is not present, so they are endowed with a marked sense of responsibility toward the animals or things they are entrusted with. They are proud, watchful, intuitive and have a strong sense of territory; with strangers they are unsociable and reserved, they love their master but are not submissive and maintain a certain independence. Rustic, robust, indifferent to harsh weather, accustomed to getting along by themselves, the Maremmano-Abruzzese Shepherds are destructive to intruders. The male is the larger and more majestic, assertive, courageous and aggressive. The female is more long-limbed and elegant, more shy and mistrusling. In either case, their general appearance is quite impressive: harmonious, though large; their head resembles that of the white bear.