In the photo
we see the regal "Tratturo" as it was at the beginning of the century.
The "Tratturo" was used by the shepherds for traveling and the passage
of flocks, and along its route, were numerous farms where the shepherds
lodged with their flocks and with their keepers.
The photo shows the "tratturo" between Pratola and Raiano where
there were found and there are still found, near the Petrella farm, "the
great white dogs." |
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Those who believe that these
dogs have a 'standard' for all are wrong; in fact, every shepherd had
his own 'type' of dog, selected for the individual characteristics and
needs of the location.
You can, in fact, often see dogs that are not of great size and others
of immense size, or dogs with the enormous head (molossoide) and others
with the long face.
In Pratola and on the Morrone mountain the present stock contains some
dogs that are larger, both in height and weight, than the actual
standards dictate. These dogs are defined by the characteristics of
location and the tastes of the shepherds.
The scarce water resources and the excessive concentration of flocks
present on the Morrone Mountain were the cause of violent quarrels among
the shepherds, who were often forced to have nighttime raids in the
bordering communes to recover a quantity of water necessary for the
maintenance of the flock.
This characteristic of the Morrone made it necessary to have some dogs
that, besides defending the flock from its number one enemy, the wolf,
also defended the pasture from sheep of other zones.
This characteristic was not present in dogs of other zones of Abruzzo,
where the abundance of pastures and sources allowed for a more peaceful
cohabitation.
I still remember that even when we had plenty for the sheep, and despite
the fact that the dogs didn't live on the mountains anymore, to be able
to add some new heads to the flock required a period of adaptation and
acceptance by the dogs.
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The Petrella Farm
 The
Kennel of Marco Petrella is found along the "Regio Tratturo". (in the
photo we see a very old photo of the tratturo and the farm).
The grounds on which the kennel rises are exactly set at the edge of
three communes: Raiano, Pratola and Prezza.
In general the area also has in its vicinity other farms of notable
historical value, which were well known by travelers who traversed this
important path: a path in use since the Roman era.
The farm used as an animal refuge was a point of reference on that path
for the numerous shepherds who carried out the transumanza.
This stopping point, beyond allowing the family to have unlimited
exemplary choices, has accorded that these particular dogs were well
known by the numerous shepherds who transited here.
The Petrella family have always been Abruzzesi shepherds and historical
research has shown the presence of these dogs already in the 1700’s when
an English traveler wrote an ample and detailed description of the dogs
and the area: "..... After Raiano, at the end of a long descent, I
found myself before some big white dogs that resembled in shape the big
Newfoundlands. These wore some types of iron collars used for protecting
them from wolf attacks.... "
Crossing the Regio Tratturo the farm is found right at the end of a long
descent.
And therefore unquestionably this is the farm of which he speaks.
The dogs of the "amichill" (ancient nickname used for identifying the
members of the family) were famous for their size and their indisputable
gifts as keepers of the flock.
The historical research carried out by Marco Petrella and the numerous
articles and nature documentaries which have sprouted from same, has
increased the popularity of this breed all over the world.
Today there are numerous breeders throughout the world that exclusively
use Petrella family dogs to protect their livestock.
They can enjoy a mark of sure genuineness and have been able to resolve
the numerous problems they have had with the large predators that in the
past gripped their operations.
The efforts are now turned to researching new examples, to be in a
position to always guarantee the necessary return of breed genetics, and
to maintain the ancient methods of breeding used by the shepherds who
have consented to always breed dogs of strength and resistance and of a
balanced temperament.
But the dream that remains in Marco Petrella’s heart is to realize at
the farm a place of meeting and learning for the numerous experts who
come annually to better study the breed and at the same time to make the
most of the tourism of our region.
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