Molossus (dog)
The Molossus or Molossian hound was a breed or type of large dog in the ancient kingdom of Molossis, in the region of Epirus, now western Greece.History
The Molossus was famous throughout the ancient world for its size and ferocity. It is mentioned in ancient literature by, among others: Aristophanes,, Aristotle, Grattius, Horace, Lucan, Lucretius, Martial, Nemesianus, Oppian of Apamea, Plautus, Seneca, Statius, and Virgil. Suda also mentioned it.
The Molossians issued silver coinage with an image of a Molossus as their emblem.
The Molossians kept dogs of two distinct types, one a hunting dog with a broad muzzle which is sometimes considered the ancestor to the modern mastiff type, the other a large livestock guardian dog. Aristotle in his History of Animals wrote "In the Molossian race of dogs, those employed in hunting differ in no respect from other dogs; while those employed in following sheep are larger and more fierce in their attack on wild beasts." He also added that dogs that are born of a mixed breed between the Molossian and the Laconian dogs are remarkable for courage and endurance of hard labor.
Polycrates of Samos imported Molossian and Laconian dogs to the island.The Fédération Cynologique Internationale has a "Molossian type" grouping of modern dog breeds which is further divided into two sections, a mastiff type and mountain type.
