Finding the Perfect Dog for Our New Home
From the moment Victor and I finished building our first home, we knew we wanted a dog to share this new chapter with us. We each had our wish lists: Victor wanted a dog that could guard the house—smart, obedient, and protective. I wanted those qualities too, but with a few extras—a dog that didn’t shed much, was good looking, and perfect for me to practice my grooming skills. Most importantly, we both agreed on one thing: we wanted a big dog.
Finding a dog that ticked all the boxes felt almost impossible—until I stumbled across something called a “Maroodle.” Curious, I discovered it’s a crossbreed between a Maremma Sheepdog and a Standard Poodle. Both breeds have wonderful traits, and the combination sounded promising. After chatting with the breeder, I was convinced: this was the dog for us.
Sherlock’s Unique Beginning
Sherlock’s story is unique. His glamorous mom is an Apricot Standard Poodle, originally planned to have pure poodle puppies. When she gave birth to 11 puppies, 7 were poodles—but 4 were mixed. Turns out, their Maremma guard dog had a little rendezvous with her, creating a fascinating mix—science or a little canine affair, depending on how you see it!
Baby Sherlock at 8 weeks Puppy School Graduation!
Early Training and Mischief
The first moment I met Sherlock, I fell head over heels. Training started immediately, and he proved to be everything we hoped for and more. In three months, he learned to ring a bell by the sliding door when he needed to go out, mastered about 10 tricks, slept calmly in his crate without fuss, and showed respect for our cats. His Maremma instincts surfaced too—he became more alert at night and took his role of patrolling the property seriously.
Of course, like any pup, Sherlock brought his share of mischief. One rainy night, he dug up my garden bed, scattering mud everywhere—it took my anger from zero to a thousand! Another time, he dashed out the door and ran 100 meters straight into a creek pond—guess what? More mud!
Growing Into a Calm and Loving Companion
Sherlock only fully matured physically and mentally after he turned two. Now, he’s a calm and stable dog who truly enjoys his daily walks, homemade dinners, squeaky toys, and of course, plenty of cuddles. Sometimes, I catch myself thinking that when he eventually crosses the rainbow bridge, I might not get another dog—how could we possibly be that lucky twice??
For now, I cherish every moment we share: our daily walks, prepping his meals, taking him on outdoor adventures, and chilling together on the couch—where he confidently claims two seats to himself.