Molosser Dog Breeds — Get to Know Them Here

The total number of official dog breeds — that is, those recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) — is 343. That said, this figure keeps growing year after year as scientists conduct more research. The FCI classifies these 343 breeds into 10 groups. Today we're talking about molossers, Group II of that classification.

Their physical and character traits are well defined, so once you get to know them, you won't have trouble identifying these dogs. The name "molosser" comes from Molossia, in Greece, though today these dogs are found all over the planet. As you'll see, looks can be deceiving, and their bad reputation is, in some cases, not justified at all.

Molosser Dog Breeds: Characteristics and Types

These dogs have a sturdy, muscular build, with a solid head, strong jaws, and a flat muzzle. Their appearance can be intimidating. That said, they're very loyal, affectionate dogs with a strong protective instinct toward those they consider part of their community.

Generally, they tend to be aloof or cold with strangers, since they descend from crosses specifically aimed at producing dogs that excelled at guarding and protection. They have great physical endurance and love staying busy. Molosser breeds are divided into 3 groups: mastiff-type, mountain-type, and mixed.

Mastiff-Type Molossers

Medium-to-large in size, they tend to be athletic and sturdy. Because of this, the large-head-in-proportion-to-body trait tends to be more obvious than in mountain-type molossers. They're active and form a strong bond with their human family, whom they'll protect even at risk to their own life if necessary.

Besides the breeds we'll cover below, this group also includes breeds like the Bulldog (English, French, and American), the Cimarrón Uruguayo, the Boston Terrier, the American Pit Bull Terrier, and the American Staffordshire Terrier.

Rottweiler

Its sturdy, powerful build inspires admiration and fear in equal measure. That said, these are loyal, affectionate dogs, deeply attached to their family. With early, proper training, they can take on all kinds of jobs.

Boxer

They descend from the extinct Brabant Bullenbeisser and Bulldogs. During World War II, they were a great help to the German army, transporting wounded soldiers to field hospitals or delivering tactical messages.

Great Dane

Don't be fooled by its enormous size. Despite being one of the largest breeds around, these are loving, charming dogs. Due to its sleek, well-proportioned build, the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) calls it the "Apollo of dog breeds."

Broholmer

This is among the oldest breeds we know of. It was officially recognized during the Renaissance, but it already existed in the Middle Ages, when it was used to hunt deer and protect feudal lands. Due to how much it sheds during shedding season, it's not a suitable breed for people with allergies.

Shar Pei

Its origin involves both the U.S. and China. In the latter, it's a symbol of social status. In ancient times, it was used for tasks as varied as hunting, protection, or herding. That said, this breed's most distinctive trait is its countless wrinkles, both on the face and body. They're very intelligent and somewhat independent.

Fila Brasileiro

During slavery in its native Brazil, it was used to catch runaway enslaved people, as well as to guard cattle herds and farmers' property. It's very eager to please and loves feeling useful to the community it lives in.

Fila de São Miguel

It comes from the Azores and is one of the best-known dog breeds in Portugal, unlike outside its borders. Its solid, square head and alert gaze will catch your attention. They tend to be quite tall and very energetic, so if you choose this breed, you'll need to dedicate time to let it burn off energy.

Neapolitan Mastiff

Due to its physical strength and endurance, it was used for auxiliary work in wartime. In fact, it can reach 80 cm at the withers and weigh 100 kg. As with the Shar Pei, its many folds are a distinctive trait.

Ca de Bou

This is the Majorcan mastiff-type dog. Its name can be translated from Catalan as "bull dog," since the first individuals used to fight bulls to entertain the locals.

Presa Canario

This is the national symbol of its native Gran Canaria and one of the oldest breeds in Spain. They're extremely affectionate and docile. That said, they're among the breeds considered potentially dangerous, both nationally and internationally.

Cane Corso

Also called the Italian Mastiff, it descends from the canis pugnaces used by the Roman army in war and for entertainment, watching them fight bears and lions in the arena. They're very territorial and active. Because of this, they need training from puppyhood and daily attention to meet their needs.

Dogue de Bordeaux

Despite its name, its origin is believed to lie in Celtic lands. It gets along especially well with young children. The wrinkles on its head tend to become more pronounced when it's alert.

Tosa Inu

Territorial and dominant, these aren't suitable dogs for people who've never had a dog before. They're excellent guard dogs and very playful and affectionate with their family.

Bullmastiff

Of British origin, it descends from crossing the Bulldog with the English Mastiff. Its molosser traits are obvious in this affectionate, active dog. It loves human company, especially children's, but needs socialization and training from puppyhood to keep its strong protective instinct in check.

Mastiff

Also of British origin, it's believed to be related to the Tibetan Mastiffs introduced to Europe in the 6th century BC. It has an affectionate, balanced temperament. It's very patient with children and sensitive to anything other than positive-reinforcement-based training. It needs to feel cared for.

Mountain Dog-Type Molossers

This group of breeds shares molosser physical traits, but are larger, with many reaching giant size, and have a denser, longer coat to protect them from extreme temperatures. They're working, herding, or guard dogs with extraordinary working capacity.

Other breeds in this group include the Castro Laboreiro, the Karst Shepherd (Kraški Ovčar), the Tibetan Mastiff, the Bernese Mountain Dog, the Estrela Mountain Dog (one of the oldest in Portugal), the Turkish Kangal, the Anatolian Shepherd, the Caucasian Shepherd, the Rafeiro do Alentejo, and the Yugoslavian Shepherd Dog of Šarplanina.

Hovawart

These dogs are directly related to the German Shepherd. They tend to be very affectionate and protective with family, and wary of strangers. Because of this, early training is recommended.

Leonberger

The result of crossing the Saint Bernard with the Great Pyrenees, these are giants, with a thick brown coat and black face. Calm, confident, and affectionate, they're well suited to families with young children. That said, they need to be properly trained to avoid accidentally hurting little ones. They're commonly used in rescue work.

Landseer

Although the FCI recognizes it as an independent breed, some kennel clubs consider it the black-and-white version of the Newfoundland. Did you know it owes its name to painter Edwin Landseer? He painted some pictures of these dogs rescuing children from the water, and the breed took on his surname as its name.

Newfoundland

Its coat is usually black and white, black, or brown. It gets along perfectly with children, whom it protects instinctively, and it's very active. It especially enjoys outdoor games in green spaces.

Tornjak

This is the herding dog of Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia. Its long, dense coat protects it from the harsh winters of that region. You'll find it in various shades, but white always serves as the base color. Despite its large size, they're very agile.

Pyrenean Mastiff

It can weigh up to 100 kg and stand 77 cm at the withers. That said, its movements are graceful and quick, and it enjoys its human family's company.

Spanish Mastiff

This breed holds the honor of being Spain's largest dog breed. Even today, it's still used as a guardian in rural settings.

Great Pyrenees

Also known as the Pyrenean Mountain Dog, it's historically been used to guard flocks and castles. Its beautiful long coat is very soft and made up of a double layer. Precisely because of its ability to retain body heat, it doesn't tolerate hot climates well.

Saint Bernard

This is, without a doubt, the most popular drover dog in the world. It's impossible not to associate it with protection, calm, and bravery. Its origin lies in the Swiss Alps and northern Italy, and it's related to the Great Dane, the Tibetan Mastiff, the Newfoundland, and the extinct Alpine Mastiff.

Aidi (Atlas Mountain Dog)

This is the herding dog of the Berber people. It's worth noting that molosser traits aren't as evident in this breed as in the others. In fact, its head is cone-shaped, like a bear's. It has a beautiful long coat that protects it from cold and predators.

Mixed Molossers

This group includes dogs that combine molosser traits with those of other breeds. They tend to be smaller, but equally loyal, affectionate, and well suited as companion pets.