Dogs in Le Marche

We take our up to Montespino near Montefortino or the hills just behind Montemonaco. We have a male and he has never been attacked. To no honest we never see any other dogs. Just be aware there are some places where you can't take your dog in the park. It is there area where they are re-introducing the chamois deer. There may be others. You can look on the parks website for a map.

We too have a sheep dog - one of those big white Italian jobs - and we go to Lago San Ruffino quite a bit. Like Penny we rarely meet any other dogs, or people come to that. It's lovely around there and of course there is the river for the dog to swim in and retrieve sticks. Who or what has attacked your dog?

Would not suggest going there while the hunting season is on, as the hunters just let their dogs run wild. I know as had a broken hip due to mine protecting me ( and not her fault as she was on a lead, just her reaction to an attack ) while 3 overgrown rats who could not be controlled by these so called "hunters" just stood back as they did not want to confront  a Maremmano, as most Italians would not either.

Thanks for your suggestions.  Yes must make a note of when the hunting is on! The dog that attacked Fred was two-thirds size wolf hound that evidently had been dumped by someone who no longer needed him. When I broke up the fight he ran to me very submissively - just wanting to be taken home.  Very sad.  Hopefully future generations of farmers and hunters will act more responsibly. There are many the same/possibly worse in Ireland and across the water.  My daughter recently rescued one. Will try those suggestions and take a hefty walking stick. Thanks once more. ps hope your hip is fine now.

Thanks MJJ yes the hip is great, don't really notice it was ever broken. This is an interesting article about the great " hunters " here http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/feb/01/italy-hunting-crisis-35-deaths

Thanks for posting the link Keith, I put it on fb. So only 18% think its OK now. A more realistic view of what Italians think, and representative of hopefully the way in which animal welfare is moving ahead in this country.....I always said they were lousy shots!