Bonnie's A-Z of Dog Sculptures- Update Abruzesse Sheepdog!

So sorry that this has taken so long- I've been a bit more busy recently!
But here is the Abruzzese Sheepdog, with puppy, and so far the adult is the biggest dog I have sculpted. I'm slightly confused as I did it in 1/12 scale but he came out much bigger than any Schleich 1/12 dog...
This breed has so many other names, because there are many disagreements over what is classed as this breed and what is not, and some even consider this dog as non- existent, and instead the same as the Maremma Sheepdog. But after a lot of research, I would call it a breed in its own right. They have guarded flocks of sheep in Italy for as long as 2,000 years, originally from wolves and bears but now from stray dogs and human thieves.
Things got confusing when at one point there was a difference between the looks of the dogs from Abruzzi and those from the Maremma plains of Italy, so Italian canine experts brought them all under one cumbersome name to keep both regions happy: The Cane da Pastore Maremmano- Abruzesse (A breed now more commonly known as the Maremma Sheepdog)!
However, some Italians remained loyal to their original Abruzesse, keeping its working ability which the emerging show lines did not have, and keeping its larger size- some weigh up to 100kg! And because they are still being bred for working ability, they have maintained their naturally aggressive nature crucial for a flock guard. It should also be noted that within this breed there are many subtypes, and although some consider them separate breeds in their own right, I think that slight differences in appearance make them more likely to be simply variations. There are quite a few so I won't list here, but if anyone is interested I could send a link to the complete list!
So here is this powerful and majestic breed, at risk of dying out in favour of the smaller Maremma  Sheepdog. I think my main challenge here was covering it completely in paint, as without realising I had done some rather deep fur marks that were tricky to fill in!
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Something quite unusual and again a wonderful work.
Love the pose of the pupy too.
I know it is not easy to get right the scale of a model but I have no idea if your figures got too big or if it is Schleich models that are too small. However, only the older Schleich dogs are at 1:12 scale, all recent figures are much smaller.

Oh it looks pyrenean Patou (maybe its head is a little more massive) and has exactly the same job to do!..  This job in France had quite disapeared but since the wolf comeback, Patous are now useful again, and like these abbruzeze dogs, can be dangerous for trekkers!..

Big congrats for the sculpting of this so interesting breed!

Thank you so much Roger and Alain!
Yes I'm not sure if mine are too big or Schleich's are too small- I definitely measured it all to be the right height so it's quite confusing!
And yes the Pyrenean Patou of course! They look very similar and have the same job! And how interesting they are now having a comeback in France- and of course- poor trekkers! I immediately think of the Papo Great Pyrenees from this year!

Thank you Andreas!

Another fab pair of dogs Lillias, you really need to teach me how to make animals, as I made some animals last year but they didn't look very good.

If you don't mind could you try out other animals, and if it goes well, I'll send you some figures I'd like making

Thank you Adam! I would love to teach you but I'm probably not the best teacher, as dogs are the only thing I seem to be able to do!
But then again I've never tried other animals... maybe I'll give it ago and see what happens!

Great model!!

They are gorgeous

And again, a very rare breed , whic I had never heard of

The pose of the puppy - like Roger said - is just cool

Thank you so much Susanne and Taylor!

Thank you Luke!

They are lovely! You give them motion and life.

Two sets of beautiful dogs! Well done.

Thank you so much Kelly and Paige!

I think you are very good at this Bonnie Very nice dogs indeed

Thank you Ivar, I'm so glad you like them!

Lovely doggos!

Thank you so much Anna!

I just discovered your great talent Bonnie. Even if I don't collect dogs I will follow your work now

Oh thank you so much Christophe! I'm planning on trying a few other animals and seeing how it goes, so there may be some others in the future!

Oh yes! Try some wild canids too please!

Caracal wrote:

Oh yes! Try some wild canids too please!

Definitely, this is what I want to try next, as they aren't too different to dogs!