Native American Indian Dog vs Molossus - Breed Comparison

Molossus is originated from Greece but Native American Indian Dog is originated from United States. Molossus may grow 42 cm / 17 inches higher than Native American Indian Dog. Molossus may weigh 65 kg / 143 pounds lesser than Native American Indian Dog. Molossus may live 3 years less than Native American Indian Dog. Both Molossus and Native American Indian Dog has almost same litter size. Molossus requires Moderate Maintenance. But Native American Indian Dog requires High Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Molosser dogs
Working dog
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Greece
United States
Height Male:
50 - 76 cm
19 - 30 inches
23 - 34 cm
9 - 14 inches
Height Female:
50 - 76 cm
19 - 30 inches
20 - 30 cm
7 - 12 inches
Weight Male:
25 - 55 kg
55 - 122 pounds
55 - 120 kg
121 - 265 pounds
Weight Female:
25 - 55 kg
55 - 122 pounds
50 - 100 kg
110 - 221 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 16 Years
14 - 19 Years
Litter Size:
5 - 9
4 - 10
Size:
Large
Large
Other Names:
Molosser, Mastiff-type
NAID Carolina Dog, the Dingo Dog, the Dixie Dingo, the Native American Dog, the Southern Aboriginal Dog, and “Old Yaller,”, the North American Native Dog
Colors Available:
All colors
often with a broken or tortoiseshell pattern, silver to black
Coat:
Generally short and smooth
plush, dense 2 layer/ can be long haired or regular hair coated
Shedding:
Moderate, Seasonal
Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Independent, Intelligent, Loyal, Protective, Stubborn
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
High Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
Yes
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

History

The Molossus has always been a popular dog and they have been around since ancient times. Mastiff type dogs are termed as Molossus.

Of course, when looking at the origin of the dog, there are many unsubstantiated claims about it. It has always been believed that the Molossus was a Mastiff-type dog, ferocious in battle. The Romans were dog breeders and recognized that the Molossus was a talented dog – good at guarding and herding.

Over the centuries the dog has changed but it is believed it was a Mastiff-type dog with a number of other breeds included in its origins such as the Rottweiler, Pug, Bulldog, Great Dane, Alano Espanol and Saint Bernard.

The Molossus isn’t a dog breed itself but rather a category that other dogs belong to. Today there are Molosser clubs and Molosser shows around the world.

native american indian dogThe Native American Indian Dog is an ancient breed, that some consider to be feral. It is a landrace breed that developed with the indigenous peoples North America. These dogs originally looked and sounded like wolves and it is likely that their ancestry is tied to wolves crossed with pre-Columbian American dogs that came to the America’s with the first peoples. There are some that believe the Native American Indian Dog is a connecting line back to the dogs or wolves that over 12,000 years ago were the first to be domesticated by human beings.

They are now a rare breed in the wild and a small group of domesticated dogs. Fossil studies in recent years suggests that the Native American Indian Dogs came to North America about 4500 years after the first indigenous peoples. It is believed that the Native Americans bred the dogs that traders and explorers brought with them to the native coyote as well. This created a breed specific to North America and called the Common Native Dog or the Common Indian Dog. The original NAID was a mix of many different breeds of dogs and wild canines.

Today’s NAID is said to be raised on Indian reservations in the United State and represent a mix of Chinook, Husky, German Shepherd Dog and Malamute, along with perhaps some of today’s wolf mixed in. This dog is raised domestically and is socialized to life with humans. They are the last remaining breed from all the Native North American dogs that lived with the original people of the Americas. They are also thought to have an ancestry similar to the Australian Dingo.

They are a devoted, protective and loyal breed though they tend to be shy. They need to be outside for the majority of the day and don’t do well in crates. They need a fenced yard and room to roam. They are working dogs that hunted, pulled sleds and guarded their homes. They still need a job to so.

Today the North American Indian Dog is being bred to replicate the temperament and appearance of the originals. Although there are many breeders working from the founding breeder with original stock, there are only six that are officially given authorization to breed the NAID. They are registered by Terra Pines with the National Kennel Club but not recognized by the AKC and UKC.

The breed name NAID is trademarked by Karen Markel of Majestic View Kennels in the 1990’s. Today the breed is nationally recognized as a breed very much like the original Native American dogs, The breed is intelligent and quite healthy. They enjoy people and engage in many companion activities.

Whatever its true ancestry the current Native American Indian Dog (NAID), today’s version is not recognized by the AKC, but they are recognized by the Dog Registry of America, the Native American Indian Dog Registry and the National Kennel Club.

  • DRA = Dog Registry of America, Inc.
  • NAID - Native American Indian Dog Registry
  • NKC - National Kennel Club

Description

This Ancient dog breed from Greece has different descriptions of what it really looked like. It seems to have always been large to medium sized dog standing in the region of 50 to 76cm in height and weighing anything from 25 to 55kg.

The coat is mostly short and smooth and can be in a host of different colors. They are large boned dogs, solidly built with medium sized floppy ears, a short, thick neck, short, broad muzzle and a long tail which was later docked.

Molossers typically have heavy bones, pendant ears, and a relatively short and well-muscled neck, with a short, broad muzzle. These Molossers have always been used for a variety of jobs where strength, perseverance, speed and braveness are required. They have been used as rescue- and guard dogs, protecting livestock from predators.

Temperament:

The Molossus dogs all have the same kind of characteristics which have been bred into them. From their working days, they are known for their tremendous courage, taking on wild animals to protect their livestock.

They are territorial, wanting to protect their human family and home from intruders.They have also been bred to be loyal, loving family pets, and being highly affectionate, they want to be involved in the activities of the family.

This breed is gentle and loving, social and active and gets on well with other pets in the home as well as with children. They’re intelligent dogs and will need to be trained and socialized to ensure they are obedient and amicable with visitors to the home.

native american indian dog puppy - descriptionThere are two sizes of the North American Indian Dog – they are medium and large. They have dense short double coats, or they have long top coats and a fairly dense undercoat. They come in a variety of colors mostly black or silver but there is also a tortoiseshell. These tortoiseshell colored dogs are considered by Native Americans to be sacred beings. These tortoiseshell dogs are strikingly good looking and are called Spirit Dog.

They all have the look of a Siberian Husky or Alaskan Malamute with upright ears and almond shaped eyes that are anywhere from amber to brown with some blue. Usually their tails are down and long but can be curled. They resemble the wolf and have that wild, feral appearance. They can be as large as over one hundred pounds or average seventy to eighty pounds. They are strong, alert and intelligent. They are considered to be hypoallergenic, shedding their coat only once a year.

Characteristics

The Molossus, contrary to what many people think, isn’t a vicious dog, but rather a good natured dog that makes a wonderful family pet.

These dogs are known also for being hard working dogs with characteristics of bravery. They are dogs who may look fairly tough, but they are actually gentle, calm and sensitive. It’s a bad upbringing from the owners that gives any dog bad characteristics.

Train your Molossus, have him socialized and be a responsible and loving dog owner, and these dogs promise to make you a splendid family pet.

Children friendliness

native american indian dog dog - characteristicsThis breed is gentle and loving with children.

Special talents

Endurance, strength and good health.

Adaptability

Low adaptability to small living spaces and lack of outside space; don’t do well in crates and need an experienced dog owner.

Learning ability

They are highly intelligent, love to learn and are just a little stubborn.

Health Problems

These large dogs are particularly prone to health issues such as hip dysplasia, a genetic condition. A poor diet as well as environmental factors can contribute towards the disease too as well as rapid weight gain and obesity.

This disease develops because the dog’s hip joints haven’t developed properly. The hips then partially dislocate, and the dog has pain and battles to get around. If your dog shows signs of hip dysplasia, he will need to get to the vet to do a physical exam and come up with a treatment- and management program.

native american indian dog puppies - health problemsThis is a fairly healthy, long lived breed having spent so much of its history in isolation. They are prone to some of the issues that affect all medium to large breeds.

  • Hip and elbow Dysplasia – can lead to lameness and arthritis.
  • Too fast growth causing joint issues – also can lead to lameness and arthritis.

  • Bloat – as with all large dogs this can be fatal.

Caring The Pet

Exercise:

These dogs were bred to be working dogs and they have always spent their time outdoors performing a guarding or rescue role. Today they require a lot of exercise – walks and ball games – as they are dogs with a lot of energy.

Diet:

Essentially a large breed, the Molossus will need a commercially manufactured food of high quality if you opt to make use of the convenience of these foods.

Make sure to choose one manufactured for large breeds and which is free of a host of bad ingredients such as corn, soy, wheat, dairy, artificial colors, sweeteners and preservatives.

You want dog food which is high in protein and fat. Try and include some home-cooked food such as boiled chicken, brown rice, pasta and vegetables. An ingredient to look out for in your dog’s food is omega-3 fatty acid to help keep the skin and coat shiny and healthy. Puppies particularly benefit from DHA, or Docosahexaenoic acid, a form of omega-3 fatty acid that is good for brain development.

Grooming:

Brushing the dog’s coat twice a week will be necessary to remove loose hairs, especially during the shedding period. When you brush him, check for ticks and fleas and speak to your vet about flea treatment if necessary. Ears and eyes should be checked and cleaned regularly.

Feeding the puppy

native american indian dog dogs - caringBecause of their propensity to grow to quickly the puppy should only stay on puppy food for 8-10 months. Feed them a high quality large dog puppy food 3-4 times daily for a total of 2-21/2 cups per day.

Feeding the adult

Feed a high protein, large dog dry food twice a day for a total of two cups. Do not over feed. Do not feed right before or after exercise do to the risk of bloat.

Points for Good Health

Healthy, strong long lived dog.

Games and Exercises

This is not an indoor, couch potato dog. They need exercise and they need space. They won’t do well as apartment dogs unless you can take them to a dog park for over an hour every day. They really need a large fenced in yard. They don’t do well in crates either. He doesn’t understand crates and thinks you are punishing him. They make great hunters, search and rescue dogs, service dogs and therapy dogs. They will succeed at pulling competitions and weight competitions.

Comparison with other breeds

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  2. Molossus vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Molossus vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Molossus vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Molossus vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Molossus vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Molossus vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Molossus vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Molossus vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Molossus vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Molossus vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Molossus vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Molossus vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Molossus vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Molossus vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Molossus vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Molossus vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Molossus vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Molossus vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Molossus vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
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  22. Molossus vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Molossus vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Molossus vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Molossus vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Native American Indian Dog vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Native American Indian Dog vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Native American Indian Dog vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Native American Indian Dog vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Native American Indian Dog vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Native American Indian Dog vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Native American Indian Dog vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Native American Indian Dog vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Native American Indian Dog vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Native American Indian Dog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Native American Indian Dog vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Native American Indian Dog vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Native American Indian Dog vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Native American Indian Dog vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Native American Indian Dog vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Native American Indian Dog vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Native American Indian Dog vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Native American Indian Dog vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Native American Indian Dog vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Native American Indian Dog vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Native American Indian Dog vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Native American Indian Dog vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Native American Indian Dog vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Native American Indian Dog vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Native American Indian Dog vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison