Molossus (dog)
The Molossus (Greek: Μολοσσὸς) (also known as the Molossian hound, Epirus mastiff or molosser) was a breed of dog from Ancient Greece.
| Molossus | |
|---|---|
 The "Jennings Dog", a Roman copy of a lost Greek bronze statue, on display in the British Museum. | |
| Other names | Μολοσσὸς Molossian hound Molosser |
| Origin | Ancient Epirus |
| Breed status | Extinct |
| Dog (domestic dog) | |
History
The Molossus were dogs that were kept by the ancient Greek tribe and kingdom of the Molossians, who inhabited the region of Epirus.[1][2]
The Molossus was famous throughout the ancient world for their size and ferocity and were frequently mentioned in ancient literature, it is mentioned in the writings of Aristophanes,[3] Aristotle,[4] Grattius,[5] Horace,[6][7] Lucan,[8] Lucretius,[9] Martial,[10] Nemesianus,[11] Oppian of Apamea,[12] Plautus,[13] Seneca,[14] Statius,[15][16][17] and Virgil.[18] The Molossians issued silver coinage with an image of a Molossus as their emblem.[1]
It is sometimes stated in books and magazines, particularly in Continental Europe and North America, that all mastiff-type dogs are descended from the Molossus.[1][2] This theory states the breed’s progenitors arrived in Molossia from Asia and was eventually discovered by the Romans who employed large numbers as guards for the Roman Army; this theory speculates that the various mastiff breeds found throughout Europe descend from dogs left behind by the Romans.[2] This theory has been questioned by many experts who state it relies on guesswork and lacks historical evidence, and that mastiffs likely developed elsewhere.[1][2]
Another story is that in the course of his military conquests Alexander the Great discovered some giant dogs in Asia that impressed him so much that he sent some home; as the son of a Molossi princess these dogs became associated with his mother’s people and that it was from these dogs that all mastiffs descend.[2]
It seems most likely that Molossi kept two distinct types of dogs, one a hunting dog with a broad muzzle which resembled something in between a Great Dane and a heavily built Saluki, the other a large livestock guardian dog.[1][2] 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."[1][4]
Modern kennel club classification
A number of modern kennel clubs, including the Fédération Cynologique Internationale, group the distinct mastiffs with livestock guardian dogs as a single type they call the "molosser" or "molossoid".[1][19][20] It has been theorised that this confusion is due to mistranslations of ancient texts and assumptions based solely on size.[1][19]
References
- Hancock, David (2001). The mastiffs: the big game hunters, their history, development & future. Ducklington, Oxon: Charwynne Dog Features. ISBN 9780951780114.
- Morris, Desmond (2001). Dogs: the ultimate guide to over 1,000 dog breeds. North Pomfret, VT: Trafalgar Square Publishing. pp. 616-617 & 703. ISBN 1-57076-219-8.
- Aristophanes, Thesmophoriazusae, 416.
- Aristotle, History of Animals, IX. I. 2. Translated by Richard Cresswell, London: George Bell & Sons, 1887.
- Grattius, Cynegeticon, 169.
- Horace, Epodes,VI.
- Horace, Satires 2, VI. 114.
- Lucan, Pharsalia, IV. 440.
- Lucretius, De rerum natura, V. 1063.
- Martial, Epigram, XII. I. 1.
- Nemesianus, Cynegetica, 107.
- Oppian, Cynegetica, I. 375.
- Plautus, Captivi, 86.
- Seneca, Phaedra, 33.
- Statius, Achilleid, I. 747.
- Statius, Silvae, II. VI. 19.
- Statius, Thebaid, III. 203.
- Virgil, Georgics, III. 405.
- Ash, Edward Cecil (1927). Dogs: their history and development. London: Ernest Benn. p. 499.
- "Group 2: Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs". Fédération Cynologique Internationale. Retrieved 27 January 2021.