Molossus vs Dutch Smoushond - Breed Comparison | MyDogBreeds

Molossus is originated from Greece but Dutch Smoushond is originated from Netherlands. Molossus may grow 33 cm / 13 inches higher than Dutch Smoushond. Molossus may weigh 44 kg / 98 pounds more than Dutch Smoushond. Both Molossus and Dutch Smoushond has almost same life span. Molossus may have more litter size than Dutch Smoushond. Both Molossus and Dutch Smoushond requires Moderate maintenance.

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.

dutch smoushond - historyThe Dutch Smoushond, known also as the Hollandse Smoushond ,Hollandse Herdershond

or Dutch Ratter is a small to medium sized dog. The Smoushondenclub was formed in 1905 as it was thought that the breed was dying out and they wanted to register the dog as a purebred breed.

It is believed that the dog’s origins may have to do with the Schnauzer breed. It was in 1973 that a number of breeders looked to reconstruct the breed, using Border Terrier crosses.

Today this rare breed is popular in the Netherlands, but not particularly well known anywhere else. In 2001 it was recognized by the Federation Cynologique Internationale as well as by the United Kennel Club in the United States.

Although the dog was once a skilled ratter, most Dutch Smoushond are kept as companion dogs.

Basic Information

Group:
Molosser dogs
Companion dog
Origin:
Greece
Netherlands
Height Male:
50 - 76 cm
19 - 30 inches
35 - 43 cm
13 - 17 inches
Height Female:
50 - 76 cm
19 - 30 inches
35 - 43 cm
13 - 17 inches
Weight Male:
25 - 55 kg
55 - 122 pounds
9 - 11 kg
19 - 25 pounds
Weight Female:
25 - 55 kg
55 - 122 pounds
9 - 11 kg
19 - 25 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 16 Years
13 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
5 - 9
2 - 6
Size:
Large dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Molosser, Mastiff-type
Dutch Terrier, Dutch Ratter
Colors Available:
All colors
Yellowish, straw color
Coat:
Generally short and smooth
Rough, shaggy, wiry medium length
Shedding:
Moderate, Seasonal
Minimal
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, Cheerful, Courageous, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

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.

dutch smoushond puppy - descriptionThe Dutch Smoushond is a small to medium sized dog breed related to the Schnauzer- and Pinscher breed. He stands at about 35 to 43cm at the withers and weighs about 10kg.

He has a rough, shaggy, wiry coat which is waterproof and which is a yellowish or straw color. You’ll notice that the hair around the face is long and fairly straight and forms a beard, eyebrows, and moustache, giving him wise, know-it-all look.

The forelegs are also feathered. He may well give the impression of being ungroomed and untidy with his different length hair. He has floppy ears, the eyes are small and dark, the nose black and the tail is long and feathery, hanging limply when the dog is relaxed.

Temperament:

Easy going, friendly and social, the Dutch Smoushond is a fairly quiet dog, but because he is intelligent and alert, he makes a good watchdog.

When not guarding you, he is cheerful and entertaining. He is an adaptable dog, being able to settle down to life in the city or in the countryside, getting on well with other pets in the home as well as with children.

He is a dog who wants to please, so training him isn’t going to prove difficult. He’ll do well with this training as well as socialization as he becomes obedient, easy-going and relaxed around strangers.

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.

dutch smoushond dog - characteristicsThe Dutch Smoushond, also known as the Dutchie, Dutch Ratter or Dutch Terrier may once have been used as a vermin hunter, but today this terrier dog shares some of the characteristics of the more popular terriers. He may have been a hunter in his day, but more recently he is used as a reliable companion dog.

He tends to be a bit of a barker, particularly when he isn’t getting attention.

He gets on well with other animals in the home as well as with children, but he will need to be trained and socialized. He is lively, friendly and social and is a dog who becomes devoted to his human family.

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.

dutch smoushond puppies - health problemsThese dogs are a healthy breed, but nonetheless there are are some health problems that can crop up occasionally.

Ear- and eye infections and joint problems are always a major concern, even in young dogs. Bad diet, old age and being overweight can all contribute to your dog developing joint pain. Joint pain symptoms can include -

difficulty with sitting or lying down

limping or even holding a leg up off the ground

lethargic to take part in any activities

Take your pet to the vet who will examine your pet and perhaps request x-rays.

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.

dutch smoushond dogs - caringThe Dutch Smoushond is basically an easy care breed, and it won’t do to try and tame the coat as the dog has a naturally unkempt look.

You can brush him twice a week to keep the coat free of matting and to remove loose hairs. The Dutch Smoushond may require the hair being plucked and a professional groomer can do this.

At the same time, the groomer can remove excess hair from the ears and also clean your dog’s teeth. This is of critical importance as bad teeth can lead to a host of health problems.

Get into the habit of brushing your pet’s teeth 2 or 3 times a week, making use of special pet approved toothbrush and toothpaste.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Perro de Presa Canario vs Molossus - Breed Comparison
  2. Molossus vs Cane Corso - Breed Comparison
  3. Molossus vs Dogue De Bordeaux - Breed Comparison
  4. Molossus vs Caucasian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  5. Molossus vs Dogo Guatemalteco - Breed Comparison
  6. Molossus vs Danish Broholmer - Breed Comparison
  7. Molossus vs Bakharwal Dog - Breed Comparison
  8. Molossus vs Cabecudo Boiadeiro - Breed Comparison
  9. Molossus vs Canis Panther - Breed Comparison
  10. Molossus vs Cao de Castro Laboreiro - Breed Comparison
  11. Molossus vs Cao de Fila da Terceira - Breed Comparison
  12. Molossus vs Cordoba Fighting Dog - Breed Comparison
  13. Molossus vs Gran Mastin de Borinquen - Breed Comparison
  14. Molossus vs Korean Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  15. Sage Koochee vs Molossus - Breed Comparison
  16. Perro Cimarron vs Molossus - Breed Comparison
  17. Perro de Toro vs Molossus - Breed Comparison
  18. Samoyed vs Molossus - Breed Comparison
  19. Old English Sheepdog vs Molossus - Breed Comparison
  20. Presa Canario vs Molossus - Breed Comparison
  21. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Molossus - Breed Comparison
  22. Saluki vs Molossus - Breed Comparison
  23. Rough Collie vs Molossus - Breed Comparison
  24. Mountain Cur vs Molossus - Breed Comparison
  25. Golden Doodle vs Dutch Smoushond - Breed Comparison
  26. Pomsky vs Dutch Smoushond - Breed Comparison
  27. Old English Bulldog vs Dutch Smoushond - Breed Comparison
  28. Puggle vs Dutch Smoushond - Breed Comparison
  29. Schnoodle vs Dutch Smoushond - Breed Comparison
  30. Eurasier vs Dutch Smoushond - Breed Comparison
  31. Irish Doodles vs Dutch Smoushond - Breed Comparison
  32. Sanshu vs Dutch Smoushond - Breed Comparison
  33. German Spitz (Mittel) vs Dutch Smoushond - Breed Comparison
  34. Bordoodle vs Dutch Smoushond - Breed Comparison
  35. Pandikona vs Dutch Smoushond - Breed Comparison
  36. Renascence Bulldogge vs Dutch Smoushond - Breed Comparison
  37. Hairless Khala vs Dutch Smoushond - Breed Comparison
  38. Jindo vs Dutch Smoushond - Breed Comparison
  39. Hermes Bulldogge vs Dutch Smoushond - Breed Comparison
  40. Serbian Tricolour Hound vs Dutch Smoushond - Breed Comparison
  41. Kromfohrlander vs Dutch Smoushond - Breed Comparison
  42. Valley Bulldog vs Dutch Smoushond - Breed Comparison
  43. Whoodles vs Dutch Smoushond - Breed Comparison
  44. Mini Sheepadoodles vs Dutch Smoushond - Breed Comparison
  45. Dutch Smoushond vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  46. Dutch Smoushond vs Aussie Poo - Breed Comparison
  47. Dutch Smoushond vs Dalmador - Breed Comparison
  48. Dutch Smoushond vs Elo - Breed Comparison
  49. Beabull vs Dutch Smoushond - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds