The sheep-guarding dog of Abruzzo / by Paolo Breber.

Includes bibliographical references.

Cover -- Contents -- Preface -- Introduction -- Ecology and Distribution -- Nomenclature -- The Sheep Universe of the Abruzzi -- The Mastino At Work -- Life Cycle -- Conformation -- History of the Mastino Abruzzese and Origins of the Pastoral Dog -- Recent History -- References -- Appendices -- Colour Plates.

The Author describes the dog kept and bred by the shepherds of mountainous Abruzzo in Italy to repel wolves and bears from their flocks. The way it behaves and works, its life history, and its relationship to the environment are recounted. The dog is placed in the wider perspective of the pastoral dogs of the Old World and historical documents are provided to indicate the antiquity of the type. The degenerating effect of kennel-breeding for conformation is stressed. The book does not contain instructions for the private fancier intending to keep one of these dogs as a companion.

Print version record.

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