Recognized only by the Greek Kennel Club, the Molossus of Epirus is an extremely rare breed now despite being once popular in his heyday. This is an ancient Livestock Guardian Dog and war dog which has existed in Greece and Rome since at least 400 BC, and is said to have been owned by Alexander the Great! The breed can also boast an impressive resume of dogs which were later created from it, such as the Neapolitan Mastiff and Cane Corso. Because of a now-declining population, fanciers are working hard to keep this massive guard dog afloat. He is not recognized by the FCI or the AKC.

The loyal Molossus is respectful and tender around his family, forming tight bonds, although is very cautious around new people. He is known to be territorial and can be aggressive towards those who he deems a threat, meaning that even a friend coming over may set him off! This is not only a watch dog that will alert to someone entering the property, but a full-on guard dog. He was bred to have no fear towards anyone or anything – whether it be wolf or man. Because he is so secure about himself, he is not a shy or anxious dog and in fact is quite calm and aloof most of the time – but the flip side of his confidence means that an owner must be knowledgeable and ever-vigilant about potential situations which could turn into problems (such as a neighbor dropping by unexpectedly).

The Molossus generally considers himself a protector of all that is “his”, including the children of the family. This said, because of his sheer size and strength, supervision is required around very young kids. Keep in mind that like other LGD breeds he is likely to regard strange children very differently. This is not a dog for people that have lots of kids coming over to the house! Because of his original guarding purposes and territorial nature he would also not be a good pet for someone interested in going to the dog park or otherwise socializing with other dogs. This is a serious breed that is prone to both dog aggression and human aggression.

Because of his no-nonsense temperament, it is vital that the Molossus of Epirus be socialized extensively from a young age and be given obedience training regularly. He is extremely independent and is not likely to be a “push-button” obedience dog, but he should be trained nonetheless! Bred to make decisions on his own, he may find training a stupid task so it is up to the owner/trainer to make it an enriching experience. It is also important to note that the breed tends to have a dominant personality and is likely to try and set the rules of the house. Yet another reason why an owner should be experienced with raising dogs of similar temperament! Training must be firm yet respectful, and owners should be patient yet unyielding. This intelligent dog also need regular mental stimulation in the form of puzzles, games and possibly also dog sports.

The Molossus of Epirus does require exercise, although not a lot is required. He is not particularly athletic or agile as a rule, but is happy to amble along on a walk. Because of his very large frame he shouldn’t be over-exercised when he is young, and long walks should wait until after his growth plates have closed to avoid possible injury or future problems with hip dysplasia. While this description may make it sound like the breed is somewhat delicate, in fact that is not entirely the case and the average lifespan is shockingly long for a dog of this size – around 14 years! Furthermore what he lacks in agility he makes up for in stamina.

As mentioned above, one of the most striking physical traits of the Molossus is his huge size – being both tall as well as massive in build and possessing a very large head. He is strongly built with strong bones – rectangular and compact in shape while also being very broad. The neck is conic-shaped, muscular, and has enough loose skin to form a dewlap underneath. The chest is broad, deep and well-muscled, reaching lower than the elbows. The tail is long and thick at the base. The coat of the Molossus is short and thick and can come in a variety of colors including red, blonde, yellow, black, black/tan, black/brindle, wolf color, or deer color.

The Sicilian Mastiff (AKA the Cane di Mannara) is an ancient Italian breed known by Italian farmers simply as “shepherd’s dog”. This dignified breed has existed alongside farmers and shepherds seemingly forever, and was tasked with working in mountainous regions to guard both sheep and goat herds. Possessing an independent nature and ability to make decisions on the fly, this is a constant guardian that will do whatever it takes to protect his charges. The breed has been featured in art from at least as far back as the 1800’s, although is most certainly even older than that – likely at least a thousand years! Together with the Cirneco dell’ Etna, they are the oldest of the Italian breeds. At one point rescued from the brink of extinction, this molosser remains very rare and is not officially recognized by the FCI or any major kennel club, and although the Italian Kennel Club has admitted it into their provisional records it does not yet have full recognition.

Sicilian Mastiffs are incredibly clever and learn easily. They can be naturally obedient, calm and are easy house pets in the sense that they aren’t overly demanding. Their temperament is described as balanced although they are definitely guard dogs which can show aggression when challenged, and as such should only be owned by those experienced with molosser breeds! Bred to have an “iron character”, they need structure and rules from day one!

It should come at no surprise that Sicilian Mastiffs are extremely wary of strangers. This does not mean that they are needlessly aggressive towards them, only that they are suspicious and guarded until they decide the person is not a threat. Towards their own families they are gentle and particularly observant of those who might need extra protection, such as children, the elderly or even smaller pets! There is a range of temperament in the breed in terms of how much affection is shown to the family but they take their guarding jobs very seriously.

Sicilian Mastiffs are large in size and need homes which have adequate property in which to run. They are absolutely not a dog which can be kept in a kennel full-time or other similar small living situation. This is a dog which was bred to protect flocks on a large property and are best suited to lives which can fulfill this role – living on a farm as a Livestock Guardian Dog is the ideal circumstance. Created as working dogs, they are not be happy without a full-time job.

Like many “old world” working dogs, the Sicilian Mastiff was a bred with a certain degree of “those that survive will live to pass on their genes”. That means that while there may be a bit of variation in appearance, overall he is said to be resistant to disease, parasites as well as to temperature fluctuations. Note that resistant does not mean immune! Although the breed is very hardy, they still need regular veterinary care and common-sense housing like any other dog!

The Sicilian Mastiff is a dog of great substance, and with a rustic appearance. His eyes are small and positioned very forward on the head. The ears are high set and small, carried in either the hanging or rose position. Although the topline is straight, it rises slightly towards the rump. The breed may possess double dewclaws on the back feet. The coat is a distinguishing feature of the breed, being semi-medium long in length and forming either large curls or a slighter wave. It should be very hard to the touch. The color can be either black, cream, mahogany, light liver, gray, or brindle and all colors can be solid or come in combination with white markings. Small tan or brindle markings may also appear which will expand and lighten into a light ivory as the dog gets older!

Photo by Nicosora02

The Buryat-Mongolian Wolfhound (AKA the Bankhar Dog, AKA the Hotosho) is a Livestock Guardian Dog that very well might be the forerunner of all other Livestock Guardian breeds! The only native dog of Mongolia, it is speculated that it may have been the dog which accompanied Genghis Khan in his terrifying raids! Similar in temperament to most of his LGD relatives, he is affectionate and faithful towards his owners yet has an unshakeable temperament when it comes to watching over his charges. This dog will defend those charges fearlessly against all manner of foes – human or animal alike. Originally created by the Buryat people, they tell legends that the breed first appeared coming down from the mountains alongside a giant. Indeed, the fierce temperament and seemingly indestructible nature of this dog explains why these legends came to be.

Buryats are so intelligent that some have sworn they can perfectly understand all of human language. This of course isn’t true (probably), and they still must be taught commands just like any other dog, however they are very adept at watching and learning. This molosser can be adapted to take on a variety of roles however they will always have a guarding instinct. Take note that the breed is independent as he was bred to think for himself. This makes him stubborn and frankly better suited for more experienced owners/trainers.

The Mongolian has a dual nature when it comes to those he knows and loves vs. those he doesn’t. He is extremely gentle and affectionate with his own human family, including young children, yet he will not hesitate to attack a stranger that seems to be up to no good. He also seemingly has no fear towards what he may be up against – including wolves or snow leopards! Despite being capable of great damage, he will generally act unassuming unless he has good reason to go into “warning mode”. He is not prone to flying off the handle randomly, and does make his own decisions about who and when to engage against. It is important to note that although this breed is very good with children from his own family, he can be unpredictable around strange children and might make bad decisions around them. Supervision, common sense, and experience with LGD breeds are all important considerations for owners in this regard!

Buryat-Mongolians are known to be very hardy as they had to work tirelessly in the extreme harsh weather conditions of Russia and Mongolia. They also have an almost-unheard of lifespan for a dog of their size, averaging 14-16 years! However, this is unfortunately an endangered breed, having been rapidly declining since the mid-20th century. Despite being healthy and hardy, they were regrettably exterminated in great numbers at certain points in time. Following that, it began to become more difficult to find purebred members of the breed, as remaining bloodlines began to be mixed with other dogs. They do still exist, however are extremely rare at this point in time.

Mongolian Wolfhounds are a giant breed with a dense double coat which can either be longhaired or short-haired. The top coat is coarse while the undercoat is soft and fluffy. The coat is longer behind the ears, the front legs, the haunches and the tail – especially in the longhaired dogs, which are particularly magnificent! The four main color patterns are black/tan, red, solid black and “wolf”, with variations in shade for most of those color patterns. The muzzle is somewhat short, and the head is fairly large with distinct brow ridges. The hanging ears are triangular shaped. The body is muscular and has thick bone. The tail is set high but carried low unless moving, at which point it may be carried over the back.

The Buryat-Mongolian Wolfhound is a very social creature and needs to spend lots of time with his human family. This is not the type of dog that will thrive being kept outdoors all day. In Mongolia, the breed is thought to be “of the same spirit” as humans, so special is his temperament and the bond he forms with his owner. It may come as no surprise that most would sacrifice their lives for their owner! This sensitive soul needs a decent sized house in which he can spend time with the family, in addition to a large enough yard for him to stretch his legs. He has a medium energy level and requires daily exercise – both mental as well as physical. Above all he requires a knowledgeable owner who can provide him the structure, love and respect that he needs.

Photo By Аркадий Зарубин

The Greek Shepherd is an ancient Livestock Guarding Dog that is closely related to other LGDs from the countries bordering Greece. A bit of history – it is common for the shepherds of Greece to migrate annually with their dogs and flocks in search of better pastures during the changing seasons. This often meant they would cross borders into other countries, and it is speculated that certain breeds such as the Sarplaninac and Akbash Dog may actually be Greek Shepherds (or vice versa). If not the same breed, they are likely closely related. Whether or not these are multiple breeds with separate countries of origin or simply one breed is ultimately irrelevant – as dogs from the different countries do have their own separate standards, clubs, and breeders. The Greek Shepherd is itself recognized by the Kennel Club of Greece.

Greek Shepherds are known for their natural guarding abilities and their tendencies to be territorial of large areas. They take their guarding jobs extremely seriously. Owners should keep them contained in secure fenced yards as it is not unusual for them to try and protect the whole neighborhood – and in doing so, could stir up legal trouble. They are courageous and no-nonsense towards perceived threats, and definitely not for beginners! When raised incorrectly, socialized inadequately, and/or allowed to roam beyond their property they can be aggressive.

The Greek Shepherd was bred to make his mind up for himself, and is additionally a naturally dominant breed. This said, he can be trained successfully, especially if he is started young and is taught by an experienced person. He absolutely needs an owner that can set and maintain household rules, although he is also surprisingly sensitive and he doesn’t take kindly to forceful techniques. He equally will not mesh well with a wishy-washy type of owner and instead needs a firm (yet very fair) hand. Like most working breeds, this dog will thrive when given a job to do – he definitely needs mental stimulation, without which he can become a nuisance barker and prone to destruction.

Greek Shepherds are known to fight other dogs to determine hierarchy when placed in a group, although can live in a multi-dog household if raised together from puppyhood. Early socialization also means better results with kids and other animals including cats. Towards strangers, they are distant and aloof with a watchful and suspicious eye. As with all related breeds, early and constant socialization to people and animals is essential for this breed! When it comes to behavior around the owner, these dogs are very loyal but somewhat distant. Don’t expect massive shows of affection and excitement. In Greece, while some members of the breed are kept strictly as companions the majority of them are working dogs. Thus, a prospective owner must keep in mind that this is not the typical pet with a friendly, easy temperament that one might otherwise expect. They do form tight bonds with those they love however it looks quite different than that of other breeds.

While the Greek Shepherd may look like he lounges around quite a lot, he is always watchful and alert, ready to act if he perceives something is “off”. Many tend to become more active in the evening and at night, when traditionally it was more likely for predators (animal or even human) to trespass. While not active in the sense of many sporting or herding dogs, this breed is used to working and living in a large area. The smaller an area he is kept in, the more exercise he needs and the more active the owner must be. In almost all situations, this breed does best living on acreage.

The Greek Shepherd is a large dog with a heavy, massive build and a bulky head. The hanging ears are thick, medium in size and triangular. The high-set tail is long enough to reach the hock, and forms a curve at the end. Some members of the breed are born with naturally short tails. The coat can either be short haired or long haired – but both varieties are dense and are compromised of a thick double coat. The undercoat is soft while the top coat is longer with either straight or wavy hair. The breed comes in a large variety of colors including black (with or without brown and white, red or brindle markings), fawn (in various shades and with or without black masks and/or white markings), brindle (with or without white markings), solid white, blue and multi-color.

Photo By Gzac2016

The Greek White Shepherd is a Livestock Guardian Dog with a sensitive and loving nature towards humans and other animals alike. Although some assume it is just a color variation of the Greek Shepherd, there are clear differences in both physical traits and temperament between the two breeds, and the GWS is considered as a breed unto itself by the Kennel Club of Greece. This rare molosser is thought to be the result of crossing the Akbash Dog with the Slovensky Cuvac and the Skilos tou Pyrrou.

The Greek White is playful and easygoing most of the time but has the will and the courage to stand up to any type of foe. Traditionally this social breed would be raised with the livestock that he was tasked to protect although he can also play the role of estate guard. Like all LGDs, this is instinctual and does not need to be formally trained (and in fact, personal protection training is not recommended). An owner doesn’t even need to be at home for him to guard his property/livestock/charge. A lot of the time, the sheer size of this dog is enough to deter an intruder or wild animal but if not, he is ready and willing to engage!

GWS’s are known for their balanced temperaments and ease at becoming family pets. They are generally calm and not difficult to live with as long as their needs are met. One of those particular needs includes giving them company in the form of another dog or other pets/livestock which they can incorporate into their pack. They need to have something to watch over, especially if their owner isn’t home all the time, and they are so social that keeping them all alone for any amount of time doesn’t make for a great situation. They are known for the deep loyal bonds that they form with their owners, to the point that they can be hard to rehome if the situation calls for it. Aside from this particular requirement – as LGDs go they are surprisingly friendly, making them easier to keep than some related dogs. This said they are still likely to be initially hesitant when meeting a new person, as they need to assess each new human first before making any new friends.

The Greek White Shepherd is intelligent although can also be strong-willed. This was important for the breed as they needed to be able to make independent decisions when guarding the flocks, and stick to those decisions! As many dog fanciers know, intelligence doesn’t always correlate with trainability and this is true for the GWS – which can be more difficult to train simply because they are so intelligent! Prospective owners shouldn’t expect a push-bottom obedience dog, but rather a dog which is more likely to follow their own judgement of a situation. This is not to say the dog shouldn’t be given any training at all – in fact the breed definitely needs basic obedience lessons from an early age – but that advanced training will take a lot more effort! It is also important to note that early socialization is critical for this breed and without it, will likely result in a dog with a less-than-desirable temperament.

Although very loyal, the Greek White doesn’t feel the need to be in everyone’s face or constantly underfoot. Aside from younger puppies which are naturally more playful and excitable, a mature dog adopts an independent nature and is most likely to find a spot to relax by himself where he can watch the action from afar. An autonomous and laid-back fellow, he doesn’t do well in a home that’s often filled with chaos – either of the stressful/heated variety or the party-atmosphere variety because he may feel the need to step in and put a stop to it. This might hopefully give a prospective owner an idea of how he might fit into their particular household… and which types of households are unsuitable. While he generally has a wonderful temperament he is still a giant protective breed that is not for the novice dog owner.

Because he tends to wander, a GWS needs a home with a fully fenced yard which can be escape-proofed if need be. That yard should be large enough for him to run and play in – as proper exercise is important, especially for young dogs still developing. A dog kept in a home without an adequate yard is likely to become destructive and frustrating to live with. A tall, secure fence is important as this breed can be prone to climbing or jumping! With all of these requirements put in place he can make a wonderful companion and steady guard.

The Mucuchies hails from the mountains of Venezuala, where it is the only dog breed native to the country. Descendants of the dogs brought by Spanish Conquistadors in the 1500s and 1600s – their early heritage probably consisted of Pyrenean Mastiff, Spanish Mastiff, Great Pyrenees and Algerian Mastiff which then mixed with local dogs. Later on it is thought that (English) Mastiffs might have been added. Like their ancestors, they are natural livestock guardians and protectors of their families, and they have herding instincts as well. Although they have been around since before the 19th century and were once popular, nowadays they are sadly very rare. Fanciers, in particular a group called the Navado Foundation, have been making an effort to revive the breed so that they don’t go completely extinct.

Mucuchies are known for being confident and brave, and in fact it was these traits which originally set the breed on the path to popularity. In the 1800’s a man named Simon Bolivar (a Venezuelan soldier who led revolutions against Spanish rule) came upon a puppy in the town of Mucuchies which would not let him nor his men get too close to the gate of his master’s property. Bolivar was impressed with this puppy’s courageous attitude and the puppy’s owner ended up gifting him to the man. The puppy was later named Navado (meaning snow), and accompanied his new owner on the campaign for independence, even saving his life on numerous occasions! Tragically Navado was eventually killed in battle, however he had played his part in the quest for independence which led to the local popularity of the breed!

The Mucuchies should never live a life of solitude as he can develop severe separation anxiety or even become aggressive. This is a breed that bonds very strongly to his family and must have enough regular contact with them in order to be “ok” and happy. He is incredibly loyal and faithful but is also sensitive in this regard. With children he is protective and can even be overprotective, so socialization with other people is vital to ensure he develops appropriately. He fits best into a home where his family is home regularly, and children are at least big enough not to get bowled over by his rambunctiousness! Overall he is affectionate and loving, but has the capability for being a fierce protector if needed.

The Mucuchies needs a job to do and benefits from training. Know that he can be stubborn when bored, and therefore does best with training that is divided into many short sessions (versus a long drawn-out session). Keep the training interesting and incorporate different challenges as you go. He is far too intelligent to just repeat the same things over and over, so while the act of training does need a certain amount of repetition, there are ways of doing so while incorporating novelty into the sessions. Make it fun and you will see that he is indeed trainable!

The Mucuchies needs a fair amount of exercise every day – at least 45 minutes of enthusiastic exercise as he is quite active! This said, an owner does need to be mindful of the type of exercise given to growing puppies. Like other large breeds, certain activities can be too much for the joints of a young dog (such as too much running on a hard surface or repetitive jumping). Once the dog has fully grown these activities are ok, but caution should be taken until then. Otherwise, giving the young dog access to a grassy, fenced yard should be helpful. This is a breed that is best kept in a home with a backyard as compared to an apartment, and as their thick coat is very well-suited to cold mountain weather they do best in colder climates.

The Mucuchies is a large dog with a double coat which is medium-long in length and very dense. It can be wavy but never curly, and is always predominately white with black, gray or honey markings. This coat does need regular brushing, as he is known to shed quite profusely in the hotter seasons. He needs a bath much less frequently although since baths can help “move the shedding process along”, can be bathed more frequently as long as a good quality dog shampoo is used.

Photo By Wilfredor

The Sicilian Shepherd (AKA the Spino Degli Iblei) is Italy’s 17th dog breed, having been recently recognized as a local breed by the Italian Dog Association (ENCI) in 2015. Although not yet recognized by the FCI or abroad, this is still a great accomplishment for a breed that had been in danger of extinction. Evidence of bearded dogs have been recorded in the region of Sicily since the 17th century and there is even talk of the breed having been around since the Bronze Age, however it wasn’t until 2014 that the first breed club was founded. This is a livestock guarding dog, used primarily to protect sheep and goats from wolves.

As might be assumed by a dog bred to face off against wolves, the Sicilian is very brave and confident which makes him a wonderful choice as a family guard dog as well! This said, with his family he is affectionate, sweet and very loyal. He can do well living with children, and is gentle enough to make a good therapy dog. This dual nature is one of the key traits that the breed is known and bred for. Not all livestock guardian breeds are as well-adapted to family life as the Sicilian! The breed is also obedient, docile and intelligent which makes him a good house companion although he does love to spend a lot of time outdoors. As he has fairly high exercise requirements, he does best with active owners.

The Sicilian Shepherd is a large, robust and rustic dog. It has thick bone and should look strong when observed, with a massive head. The coat is long, thick and fairly wavy with a very substantial texture to it. The face is equally covered in thick hair which should form a “wig” of eyebrows, mustache and beard. Colors include white/black, white/fawn (in all shades) or solid white, and there must always be at least one white spot on the chest. The tail is long and carried low, but will raise substantially in movement or excitement. The dog’s gait should be free and fluid, and the dog should never trudge while trotting.

By Canarian

The Romanian Raven Shepherd Dog is a devoted livestock guardian breed and household watchdog with an even temperament and generally calm demeanor. He loves his human family with all of his heart and is a dependable companion and alert protector. With a dignified personality that matches his grandiose appearance, this is not the type of dog that will demand attention frequently or otherwise act like an obnoxious pest, nor will he cower in the corner anxiously. This is a confident but laid-back breed that will step up to any challenge if he feels his owner or other charges are in danger, and the breed is well-known for even confronting bears when necessary – usually while protecting cattle. The breed gets its name from the raven-black color of the coat, and has been recognized by the Romanian Kennel Club since 2008.

The Romanian Raven Shepherd has an abundant, medium-long coat which is straight and rough. The head and parts of the legs are covered with short hair. As mentioned above, the color is always black, or black with white markings on the chest and forequarters although black must cover at least 80% of the dog. When two dogs of otherwise equal merit are being judged, the dog with the most black should be prioritized. Other key traits of the breed include a deep chest, a powerful and massive head, small almond-shaped eyes, v-shaped hanging ears, and a high-set pendant tail.

Ravens are active dogs that can get silly and joyous in play with their owners, and especially love playing with children. They tend to be gentle even with the smallest of kids. They do need owners that are able to exercise them regularly not only with games in the backyard but also with long daily walks of at least an hour a day. For this reason the breed isn’t for everyone as they require not only active owners, but those who live in homes with enough space to accommodate them. Like many livestock guardians, Ravens are often good with all sorts of animals as long as they are introduced to them while young. This includes cats and even smaller pets. This tolerance doesn’t hold true for animals that wander into their territory however, as they are not very forgiving towards strange dogs (or other animals) that suddenly appear on their property.

The Romanian Raven has a loud, thunderous voice which he will use when a stranger enters the property. He may tend to bark frequently, as anything out of place may cause his suspicions to rise so he is best living in a home without close neighbors! Like most livestock guardian dogs he is suspicious of people whom he doesn’t know. Standing up to 31 inches at the withers and reaching up to 130 pounds, this dog can easily take down a threat if he needs to! For this reason it’s doubly important to socialize him extensively while young to ensure the proper temperament develops. Even with socialization, know that this isn’t the best dog for people who enjoy throwing weekly parties at the house as he doesn’t love having house guests over.

Raven Shepherds are intelligent and generally submissive to their owners, making them easy to train in general. This said, they are independent-minded and are not push-button obedience dogs either. With consistency and plenty of guidance, however, they can become wonderfully trained members of the family! As the breed tends to live an average of 12 years it is important to start young and introduce training while they are still at an easier size to manage. It is also interesting to note that although they usually love everyone in the family, they will generally choose one person who they are more likely to “listen to”. This said, the whole family can (and should) take part in training as this will benefit everyone and promote an even stronger bond!

Photo By Canarian

The Georgian Mountain Dog is not from the American state of Georgia, but rather he originates from the country of Georgia- where he is the national animal of the country. This is an old guarding (property protection) and livestock guardian (livestock protection) breed that descended from the Tibetan Mastiff, and is highly related to the Caucasian Shepherd Dog. At one point threatened with extinction, a group of dedicated breeders with the purpose of preserving this powerful dog has been working diligently to ensure the breed’s survival. The Cynological Federation of Georgia recognized the breed standard in the year 2000 and hosts shows so that breeders can continue their work. This molosser can be identified by a massive head, high-set ears traditionally cropped extra short, a short yet thick double coat which can appear in any color, and a heavy distrust of strangers.

Georgians are courageous yet calm, and are well known to have a very high suspicion of strangers. They are extremely protective of their families (including livestock and other pets) and won’t hesitate to defend if they feel they need to. This dog is not for the novice, for if they suspect danger they won’t wait around, choosing to act quickly whether or not actual danger exists! An owner must be very knowledgeable and experienced with handling the unique personality of a livestock guardian dog, including early and frequent training and socialization. This said, when raised correctly the breed should not be aggressive towards his owners, and in fact will form a very tight bond with them.

Georgians can be gentle with children and will often play more carefully with them than they might an older person. They also share a gentle nature with family livestock and household pets including cats, as long as they consider those animals to be part of their family. When it comes to strange animals or wild animals however, they are not so kind. This trait makes sense when one remembers their original purpose was to protect their herd or family group from predators and/or outside danger. With other dogs, they usually only get along with those in their household, although there may be some initial scuffles with housemates as the dogs decide where they stand with each other. Not a breed generally known for its dog-sociability skills, they have historically (and unfortunately) been used in dog fighting pits.

The standard of the Georgian Mountain calls him a dog of “robust constitution” but he is definitely not a huge couch potato! Rather, he is an athletic dog fully capable of long exercise routines in even the worst of weather. He does need regular daily exercise in order to thrive. He will not do well in an apartment or even a small house as he needs room to stretch out. Traditionally the breed is kept outside to guard the flock or home, and while he can be an indoor dog he prefers to be outside as much as possible so that he can patrol a large yard. When given regular exercise and correct care, the typical lifespan is 11-12 years and the breed as a whole is not prone to any particular health issues (although any dog of any breed or mix can always develop an issue).

Georgian Mountain Dogs require patient owners when it comes to training, and furthermore they tend to be dominant which means household rules must be in place and upheld at all times. A wishy-washy owner will not be a good fit for this strong assertive breed, as they require someone firm and experienced. Add in the fact that this giant breed can reach 30″ or so, and can weigh anywhere from 100-200 pounds, and it becomes obvious that an out-of-control Georgian is a disaster in the making! With the right owner, however, this strong breed is known for being clever and is capable of being taught obedience. This said, the primary goal of this dog is that of serious protector.

The Transmontano Mastiff is a livestock guardian dog that hails from Portugal. Also known as the Cao de Gado Transmontano, this very rare breed is seldom seen outside of its homeland but is invaluable for protecting flocks of sheep. The main foe of this molosser breed is the wolf, which is frequently seen in the area and is the main reason the flocks need protection. The vast majority of these dogs are still used as livestock guardians even today! As far as the breed’s lineage, some speculate that the Tibetan Mastiff played a part in its creation. There is no actual evidence of this however, although it is known that the Alentejo Mastiff is a definite ancestor. Although most Transmontanos reside overseas some members do live in the United States – in particular, Oregon. A select few were brought over in order to observe how well the dogs protect flocks from wolves and other predators in this country.

The Transmontano is a working breed through and through. He is completely dedicated and serious about his job and, as such, may or may not make a good pet. Prospective owners should have a thorough understanding of this breed’s temperament and needs before obtaining one, particularly in regards to the guarding nature. If a threat were to arise it would be dealt with calmly but matter-of-factly by the dog. These are not hot-headed dogs but they will react accordingly to any perceived dangers. The breed is very intelligent and will remain inquisitive and alert to all goings-on in their vicinity. For example, they won’t sleep through a package delivery. They’ll be there at the window or the door, ready and willing to act if they feel a threat has arisen!

The Transmontano Mastiff is very territorial and is likely to try and expand the territory which he feels must be guarded. This can result in the dog digging out under the fence frequently. A very, very secure fence is extremely important – it is not fair nor safe for a Transmontano to wander the neighborhood, potentially ready to defend the whole street from perceived dangers! These “dangers” could include people, pets or wild animals. Interestingly, in Portugal it is not unusual for a pack of Transmontanos to guard a large flock – including intact males and females. While strange dogs can be seen as instant foes, they are much more adaptable to living in a multi-dog household than other similar breeds. As well as digging under fences, Transmontano Mastiffs will also dig large craters just about anywhere. Making dens to escape the heat is a behavioral breed trait that most will due instinctively.

Transmontanos have a lot of energy due to their history of guarding flocks among many miles and over difficult terrain. In Portugal, they don’t really have “time off” and must be able to defend at any time whether day or night! Anyone keeping one as a companion must realize that they need a vast amount of space to roam in order to be happy. It can be very difficult to have one as a pet if it is not being used as a livestock guardian as this need (large amount of space plus a job) is hard to replicate otherwise. They will absolutely not work in an apartment setting, nor in any lifestyle that doesn’t allow plenty of free movement.

While it may seem otherwise, the Transmontano can actually make a good companion for those who are able to meet their extensive needs. It is said that females in particular can make better pets, and it is also said that they do better in households that only have one or two members rather than a large family. They can fit in very well for someone with a large property who would prefer an outside-only dog, as this breed doesn’t need to live indoors. They do still enjoy human company and attention, but can also bond to other dogs or livestock. They are generally calm and pleasant to be around, and are low-maintenance when it comes to grooming. Finally, as a breed they are rugged and healthy, not normally prone to extreme health issues, and able to live in any climate as long as common sense precautions are used.

As a breed that is naturally independent, the Transmontano Mastiff can (and should) be trained and socialized starting from an early age. This is a breed that tends toward being dominant, tends to be possessive of food, people and other items of value, and can hold a grudge when he feels he’s been treated unfairly. It is absolutely essential to gain and maintain control and to do it in a very firm, yet very fair way! He will not tolerate behavior which he feels is abusive, but likewise he will take advantage of an owner that doesn’t follow through with rules. For this reason the breed should only be owned by very experience owners that understand how to manage this type of temperament! For experienced owners that know what they are doing, they will find that this dog is in fact very trainable.

Photo By CARLOS