Molosser Type Dogs
Molosser is a name for a group of large, solidly-built dogs, likely all descended from the same root stock. The name derives from Molossia, a country once located in Western Greece. Molossers are sometimes called "mastiffs.", thi si however incorrect and should only be used for the subgroup, Mastiffs, members of the Molosser group. Other terms include "Mast�n" (Spanish), "dogge" (Germanic) and "dogue" or "dogo" (romance languages).Breeds such as the Bullmastiff, Dogue de Bordeaux, Fila Brasileiro, Mastin Del Pirineo, Mastin Espanol, Neapolitan Mastiff, Tibetan Mastiff, and many others fall into the larger category of "Molossers," but are not "Mastiffs." Each is a separate and distinct breed.
Molossers differ widly in temperament, with some being the most gentle of giants, whilst other breeds such the Argentinian Dogo have been declared dangerous dogs in many countries.
Molosser Body Type and Nature
Molossers are typically heavy boned, pendant ears, a relatively short and well-muscled neck, and a short muzzle. Although some Molossers are used for search and rescue, such as the Saint Bernard and the Newfoundland, most are used as guard dogs, due to their deep voices and natural guarding instincts, or herding dogs, not for actual herding(they are generally not high in stamina due to their large muscle and bone mass) but for protection against large predators as well as poachers. Some breeds like the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog have also been used as cart dogs.
The origin of Molossers is disputed, but Assyrian bas-relief carvings found in Nineveh date back as far as approximately 640 BC. Many believe that the Tibetan Mastiff is the ancestor of modern Molossers, although there is little evidence to support this theory. It is a fact, though, that large watchdogs have existed in Asia and the Middle East for several thousand years.Some of today's Molosser breeds come from the British Isles and points farther north, which accounts for their thick coats and solid build.The Bulldog breeds split from the Molossers in England and spread to the New World with colonization as well as Western Europe and, though smaller, are considered by some to still be Molosser breeds.
Health Issues
There are several health problems likely to affect Molloser Type dogs including:-
- Bloat - a painful and sometime painfu stomach condition.
- Hip dysplasia
- heart problems and Entropion (inversion of the eye lids).
- Also pano-ostiosis (growing pains), which occurs when they are growing puppies.
These health issues, should not prevent you buying a Molosser type dog, but do ensure you check out the breed history of your chosen breeder.
In general, Molosser Type dogs tend to be more susceptible to cancer. Molosser type dogs tend to have shorter lifespans than average, at around 9 years,(some average as low ass 6 years, others as high as 13 years). In their old age, they tend to suffer more from arthitic conditions..
Examples of Molosser Type Dogs
- Akbash Dog
- Alano Espanol (Spanish Alano)
- Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog
- Alp Mastiff (Cane Garouf)
- American Bulldog, including: JDJ American Bulldog
- Scott's American Bulldog
- Southern White American Bulldog
- American Mastiff (Panja)
- Anatolian Shepherd Dog
- Appenzeller Sennenhund
- Argentine Dogo
- Bandog
- Bergamasco
- Bernese Mountain Dog (Berner Sennen)
- Boerboel (South-African Mastiff)
- Boxer Dog
- Broholmer
- English Bulldog / British Bulldog
- Bullmastiff
- Bully Kutta (Pakistani Mastiff)
- Ca de Bou
- Cane Corso (Sicilian Brancheiro)
- Cao da Serra da Estrela - see Estrela Mountain Dog
- Cao de Castro Laboreiro
- Cao de Fila de Sao Miguel
- Cao de Fila da Terceira
- Cao de Gado Transmontano
- Catahoula Bulldog
- Caucasian Ovcharka
- Central Asia Shepherd Dog
- Dosa Inu (Korean heavier form of Tosa)
- Dogue de Bordeaux (French Mastiff)
- Dogo Cubano
- English Mastiff (Mastiff)
- Entlebucher Sennenhund (Entlebucher Mountain Dog)
- Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian Mastiff)
- Gran Mastin de Bor’nquen
- Great Dane (German Mastiff)
- Grosser Schweizer Sennenhund (Greater Swiss Mountain Dog)
- Guatemalan Bull Terrier (Dogo Guatemalteco)
- Gull Terr
- Hovawart
- Himalayan Sheepdog
- Indian Mastiff (Sindh Mastiff)
- Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Kangal Dog
- Kuvasz
- Landseer
- Leonberger
- Moscovskaya Storozhevaya Sobaka (Moscow Watchdog)
- Neapolitan Mastiff
- Nebolish Mastiff
- Newfoundland
- Original English/Wilkinson's Bulldog (The old fighting bulldog)
- Owczarek Podhalanski (Tatra Mountain Sheepdog)
- Perro Cimarron
- Perro de Presa Canario
- Perro de Toro
- Pyrenean Mastiff
- Pyrenean Mountain Dog (Great Pyrenees)
- Rottweiler
- Sage Koochee (Afghan Sheepdog)
- Sarplaninac
- Chinese Shar Pei
- Spanish Mastiff
- St. Bernard - Saint Bernard
- Tibetan Kyi Apso (Bearded Tibetan Mastiff)
- Tibetan Mastiff - Do-Khyi
- Tosa Inu (Japanese Mastiff)
- Valley Bulldog
- Wilkinson Bulldog
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