Molossus (dog)

The Molossus (Greek: Μολοσσός) 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.[1]

Molossus
The “Jennings Dog", a Roman copy of a lost Greek bronze statue, on display in the British Museum.
Other names	Μολοσσός Molossian hound
Origin	Ancient Greece
Dog (domestic dog)

History

The Molossus was famous throughout the ancient world for its size and ferocity. It is mentioned in ancient literature by, among others: Aristophanes,[2], Aristotle,[3] Grattius,[4] Horace,[5][6] Lucan,[7] Lucretius,[8] Martial,[9] Nemesianus,[10] Oppian of Apamea,[11] Plautus,[12] Seneca,[13] Statius,[14][15][16] and Virgil.[17] Suda also mentioned it.[18][19]

The Molossians issued silver coinage with an image of a Molossus as their emblem.[1]

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."[3] 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.[20][21]

Polycrates of Samos imported Molossian and Laconian dogs to the island.[22]

Modern kennel club classification

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.[23]

See also

• Alaunt
• Molossus of Epirus
• Livestock guardian dog
• Pshdar dog

References

1. David Hancock, (2001). The Mastiffs: The Big Game Hunters: Their History, Development and Future. Ducklington: Charwynne Dog Features. ISBN 9780951780114.
2. Aristophanes, Thesmophoriazusae, 416.
3. Aristotle, History of Animals, IX. I. 2. Translated by Richard Cresswell, London: George Bell & Sons, 1887.
4. Grattius, Cynegeticon, 169.
5. Horace, Epodes,VI.
6. Horace, Satires 2, VI. 114.
7. Lucan, Pharsalia, IV. 440.
8. Lucretius, De rerum natura, V. 1063.
9. Martial, Epigram, XII. I. 1.
10. Nemesianus, Cynegetica, 107.
11. Oppian, Cynegetica, I. 375.
12. Plautus, Captivi, 86.
13. Seneca, Phaedra, 33.
14. Statius, Achilleid, I. 747.
15. Statius, Silvae, II. VI. 19.
16. Statius, Thebaid, III. 203.
17. Virgil, Georgics, III. 405.
18. Suda, ka.2730
19. Suda, mu.1198
20. Aristotle, History of Animals, 9.1.4
21. Aristotle, History of Animals - GR
22. Athenaeus, Deipnosophists, 12.57
23. FCI breeds nomenclature: Group 2: Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs. Fédération Cynologique Internationale. Accessed June 2020.

Further reading

• Edward Cecil Ash (1927). Dogs: Their History and Development. London: Ernest Benn.