Other names Μολοσσός της Ηπείρου Male 45–65 kg (99–143 lb) Height Male Scientific name Canis lupus familiaris Higher classification Dog | Weight Male Female 40–60 kg (88–132 lb) Male 66-75 cm Origin Greece Rank Breed | |
Similar Molossus, Greek Shepherd, Small Greek Domestic, Cretan Hound, Guatemalan Dogo | ||
The Molossus of Epirus (Greek: Μολοσσός της Ηπείρου) is a large dog breed originating from Greece. It is a livestock guardian that has been bred since the age of Alexander the Great for protecting livestock from carnivorous mammals including the wolf, European jackal and the brown bear in the mountainous regions of Greece, especially Epirus. Molossus is a pure Greek breed and is believed to be one of the main ancestors of today's Molosser breeds, such as the English Mastiff and the Neapolitan Mastiff,
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Because of its long existence and development, the breed is extremely healthy and enduring. Few examples live outside Greece, mainly in the Balkans.
Recognition
The breed is recognised by the Κυνολογικός Ομιλος Ελλάδος (Kynologikós Omilos Elládos, the "kennel club of Greece"). Breed standards have been published and dogs in Greece compete in Greek dog shows.
A breed organisation, Διασωστικός Όμιλος Μολοσσού της Ηπείρου (Diasostikós Ómilos Molossoú tis Epeírou, the "Molossus of Epirus rescue organisation"), was founded in 2006, with the aim of recovering the breed and establishing a healthy population.
History
The Molossus of Epirus was developed by Molossoi, a Greek tribe, living in the mountainous regions of northern Greece. The breed was developed as a war-dog as well as a livestock guardian. Later, during the classical era, Alexander the Great had been taking these dogs to his expeditions to enlarge the country's size.