Molosser

Molosser is a category of solidly built, large dog breeds that all descend from the same common ancestor. The name derives from Molossia, an area of ancient Epirus, where the large shepherd dog was known as a Molossus.

Molossers typically have heavy bones, pendant ears, a relatively short and well-muscled neck, and a short muzzle.

Origins

Function

Molossers today can still be found in Greece and Albania guarding archaeological sites. Although some Molosser types are used for search and rescue, such as the Newfoundland and the Saint Bernard, some are used as guard dogs, or livestock guardian dogs for protection against large predators as well as poachers. Some breeds like the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog have also been used as cart dogs.

Development

The oldest known record of a Molosser-type dog is found in its name, which is the namesake of the people who first used these dogs: Molosser is an eponym of King Molossus, the grandchild of the mighty Achilles famed in the Trojan War, who ruled the ancient tribe of Molossians in Epirus. Since the ancient region of Epirus has historically been claimed by such modern countries as Greece and Albania, there is some dispute over the molosser's exact origin. The people of Epirus were a seafaring people and these dogs sailed with their masters to Asia, where selective breeding gave them multiple phenotypes that were better suited to their new climates and roles.