Ironically, Mr Farrell describes himself as a traditional Kiwi farmer who runs traditional breeds - Romney sheep and Angus cattle - and he doesn't mate hoggets, so to train an obscure breed of dog by New Zealand standards is a new trick.
A dominant trait of the Maremma breed is its strong independent nature that takes control of its adopted flock. But when a human is part of the dog's pack, they must be pack leader over the dog. Allowing any dog of any size to be a human's pack leader is dangerous as dogs instinctively communicate their displeasure with a growl or a bite. Their jaws are strong with a scissor-like bite.
So humans need to understand how to calmly, but firmly display their authority over the dog. Passive owners will not have a successful human/dog relationship with a Maremma.
Mr Farrell was born and educated in Auckland, but calls the land his home and, in fact, his farm in Wanganui is the sixth province he has lived in recently.
"I've been shepherding for years and this is the sixth province I've lived in over the years. I've spent time in Hawke's Bay, King Country, Waikato, North Auckland, Wairarapa and now Wanganui, although this is my first farm I've owned," Mr Farrell said.
A legacy of his shepherding days are the nine working dogs he arrived with and, of course, his new mate Hunter.
"A few of my dogs are passengers these days, but I don't have the heart to get rid of them. Hunter is only 10-months-old and not the boss yet, but he probably will be one day soon. He has a lovely temperament, but it really depends on how far you want to socialise them. They say not to handle them too much."
Mr Farrell's interests in the breed was piqued after reading a story in a shearing magazine. There was an Australian article about a large station running about 30 Maremma to protect against dingos, foxes, wild dogs and humans and they reckoned they haven't looked back since.
"They bonded the Maremmas with the sheep and calves too, but you can bond them with pretty much anything, including chooks.
"I was also talking to a livestock agent recently who told me about shearers in the United States being warned not to go out amongst the sheep at night. maremmas over there chase off mountain lions and bears and if they don't know the human they will chase them off too," Mr Farrell said.
"A lady tells me of a group of 10 Maremma in Italy who saw a pack of wolves a couple of kilometres away. Five of the dogs went to meet the wolves, while the other five instinctively stayed with the flock."
Hunter sleeps in the open and doesn't get too many treats, but that's just the way he instinctively likes it.
