The Sila Sheepdog is similar in appearance to the more well-known Abruzzese Sheepdog. Its herding abilities are similar, but its characteristics are clear and distinct.

As a longtime Maremma Sheepdog breeder, I often encounter enthusiasts and/or potential clients who are willing to bet the unbettable on claiming to know, have seen, or have owned black Maremma Sheepdogs.

Over the years, I admit I've never hidden my disappointment when hearing these claims. One of the morphological characteristics that most distinguishes the Abruzzo Sheepdog is its white coat. This is probably one of the few aspects that unifies the common thinking of enthusiasts, breeders, technicians, and shepherds.

In the past, I've always viewed with suspicion, and even a touch of irony, those who persisted in claiming to have observed dogs following flocks in Calabria, calling them Maremma Sheepdogs, but insisting that their color was pitch-black, or at most black and tan.

Only after visiting the Calabrian highland pastures and coming into contact with the Italian Sila Shepherd Club (CIPS) and Dr. Isabella Biafora did I realize the gross error I'd been making for years.

The black Maremma Sheepdog doesn't exist, but Calabria has its own splendid native guardian of the flocks, a pride of southern dog breeding. He's often black, but his name is the Sila Shepherd.