The Molossoid Dog Breed Family Overview

The Molossoid dog breed family is a group of large, powerful breeds that originated in ancient Greece and Rome. They are known for their strength, courage, and loyalty.

These breeds were often used as guard dogs and war dogs, taking advantage of their natural protective instincts. Their origins date back to the Molossus, an ancient Greek breed.

The Molossoid family includes breeds such as the Mastiff, Bullmastiff, and Rottweiler, all known for their massive size and intimidating appearance. They are often referred to as "gentle giants" due to their calm and even-tempered nature.

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Classification of molossoid can be a bit confusing, but essentially it falls under Group 2: Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs, specifically Section 2: Molossoid.

The FCI classifies molossoid in this way, which is a standard classification used by many kennel clubs.

Some modern kennel clubs, however, group molossoid with livestock guardian dogs as a single type called "molossoid". This classification is used by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale and others.

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Molossoid Breeds are known for their large size, with some breeds being described as "molossian in size" like the Dogue de Bordeaux. They are also often referred to as Molossoids.

The Dogue de Bordeaux and other Molossoid breeds are classified as Molossoid - Dogo, indicating their origins and characteristics. Some Molossoid breeds are also known for being strong watchdogs, such as the El Pastor Kangal.

The Rottweiler is one of the Molossoid breeds, originating from Germany, and is known for its characteristics as a German breed.

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The Rottweiler is one of the breeds of German origin that originated from working dogs.

This Molosser breed has a distinctive appearance with a black coat and distinctive markings.

The Rottweiler is known for being a powerful and confident dog.

They are often used as guard dogs and police dogs due to their strength and loyalty.

Rottweilers are a relatively large breed, with males weighing up to 135 pounds.

Despite their size, they are known for being agile and athletic.

Their short, dense coat requires minimal grooming.

Rottweilers are generally a healthy breed, but like all breeds, they can be prone to certain health issues.

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The Dogo Argentino is a Molossoid breed, specifically recognized by the FCI as number 292.

It's a large and very strong watchdog.

The dog is primarily used as a guardian of the house.

The Pyrenean Mountain Dog is a Molossoid breed. It's a large dog, with the FCI classification of 137.

The Pyrenean Mountain Dog is a working dog, originating from the Pyrenees Mountains. It's a rare breed.

This breed is also known as a Pyrenean Dog, and it's a Mountain dog. It's a big dog, weighing around 45-60 kg.

The Shar Pei is a breed that has existed for centuries. They are part of the Molossoid group, which is a broad category of breeds that originated from ancient fighting dogs.

Dogs like the Shar Pei have a long history, dating back to ancient China. The Shar Pei was originally bred as a working dog, guarding homes and families.

The Shar Pei was recognized by the FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale) in 1992, specifically with the breed number 309.

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Classification in Working Group can be a bit confusing, but it's actually quite simple. Many modern kennel clubs, including the Fédération Cynologique Internationale, group molossoids with livestock guardian dogs as a single type.

The reason for this classification is often attributed to mistranslations of ancient texts and assumptions based solely on size.

The Molossus was a breed of dog kept by the ancient Greek tribe and kingdom of the Molossians, who inhabited the region of Epirus.

These dogs were famous throughout the ancient world for their size and ferocity, and were frequently mentioned in ancient literature.

The Molossians issued silver coinage with an image of a Molossus as their emblem, showcasing the breed's importance to the tribe.

It's believed that the Molossians kept two distinct types of dogs: one for hunting and another for guarding livestock.

Aristotle wrote that the dogs used for hunting were similar to other dogs, while those used for guarding livestock were larger and more fierce.

Polycrates of Samos imported Molossian dogs to the island, which suggests that the breed was highly valued for its abilities.

According to Greek mythology, the goddess Artemis gave a dog named Laelaps to Procris, which was said to never fail to catch its prey.

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