Molossus of Epirus
Other names | Μολοσσός της Ηπείρου | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Country of origin | Greece | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dog (Canis lupus familiaris) |
The Molossus of Epirus (Greek: Μολοσσός της Ηπείρου) is a large dog breed originating from Greece. It's a livestock guardian that has been bred for centuries (since the age of Alexander the Great) for guarding livestock from large carnivorous mammals including the wolf, European jackal and the brown bear[1] in the mountainous regions of the country, especially Epirus. Known for its extremely protective nature the Molossus of Epirus is a pure Greek breed and it is believed to be one of the main ancestors of today's Molosser breeds, such as the English Mastiff, the Neapolitan Mastiff, etc.
Health
Because of its long existence and development, the breed is extremely healthy and enduring.
Recognition
It is recognised by the Κυνολογικός Ομιλος Ελλάδος (Kynologikós Omilos Elládos, the "kennel club of Greece").[1] The fact that breed standards have been published and dogs in Greece are competing in Greek dog shows, ensures a better future for this breed's recognition.
History
The Molossus of Epirus was developed by Molossoi, a Greek tribe, living in the mountainous regions of northern Greece.[2] 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.
The Molossus of Epirus today
Today the Molossus of Epirus is a very rare breed with few examples living outside Greece, mainly in the Balkan region. A breed organisation, Διασωστικός Όμιλος Μολοσσού της Ηπείρου (Diasostikós Ómilos Molossoú tis Epeírou, the "Molossus of Epirus rescue organisation"), was founded in 2006,[3] with the aim of recovering the breed and establishing a healthy population.
References
- 1 2 3 4 Μολοσσός Ηπείρου (in Greek, Molossós Epeírou, "Molossus of Epirus"). Κυνολογικός Ομιλος Ελλάδος (Kynologikós Omilos Elládos, "kennel club of Greece"). Accessed December 2015.
- ↑ http://www.bulldoginformation.com/molossers-mastiff-breeds-history.html
- ↑ [AMPE] (03 April 2014). Προσπάθεια διάσωσης της φυλής των μολοσσών της Ηπείρου (in Greek, Prospátheia diásosis tis fylís ton molossón tis Ipeírou, "Rescue attempt of the Molossus of Epirus breed"). SKAÏ. Accessed December 2015.