Toy Poodle vs American Molossus - Breed Comparison

Toy Poodle is originated from France but American Molossus is originated from United States. Toy Poodle may grow 38 cm / 14 inches shorter than American Molossus. Toy Poodle may weigh 43 kg / 94 pounds lesser than American Molossus. Both Toy Poodle and American Molossus has almost same life span. Toy Poodle may have less litter size than American Molossus. Both Toy Poodle and American Molossus requires Moderate maintenance.

History

toy poodle - historyMore and more people are opting not to clip their Poodles ith those ridiculous hair cuts with pom poms. Clipped properly, he can be just as cute as any other dog.

It is thought that the Toy Poodle hails from France, with the standard poodle having originated in Germany. The first poodles were used as herders so they’re not just useless dogs with silly pom-pom haircuts.

Some rough-coated water dogs are believed to be ancestors of the Poodle. It was in the 19th century that these dogs became show dogs. Their popularity died out in the 1920s, but it has once again become a popular dog.

Based on the massive dog of Mesopotamia in 5000 BC, the American Molossus is the same dog recreated in the United States by and for the lovers of these giant dogs. The ancient Molossus was fierce to look at, massive in size, courageous and loyal. He was undaunted by any animal and stood up to any man attempting to hurt his master. When Rome fell the descendants of today’s Molossus were scattered and attempts to revive the breed have created carious large dogs. The American Molossus is the first true recreation that hits the mark.

The original Molossus was one of the most primitive of dogs, one of the earliest dogs that men domesticated. Their initials duties were the guarding of herds and homes against all enemies. They were incredibly loyal to their one master and stayed with him and protected him. These dogs also ate carrion and served the villages by eliminating animal carcasses. They could handle any other hunting animals such as wolves and large cats. This dog, although extinct was the ancestor of all the Mastiff-type dogs of today. The Molossus is said to be the ancestor of the St. Bernard, English Mastiff, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Bernese Mountain Dog, Newfoundland, Great Dane, Great Pyrenees, Rottweiler, Rottweiler and the Neapolitan Mastiff. Now these breeds have become the ancestry of the American Molossus.

According to Marcus Curtis, the founder of the new Molossus, the nearest relative of the American Molossus is the Neapolitan Mastiff. The Hines Bulldog, German Rottweiler, American Bandogge, and South African Boerboel together with the Neapolitan Mastiff were used to form the American Molossus. The goal of the founder was to make a great family pet and protector. It was specifically bred to be courageous, loyal and protective.

Basic Information

Group:
Toy dog
Molosser dogs
Origin:
France
United States
Height Male:
24 - 28 cm
9 - 12 inches
56 - 66 cm
22 - 26 inches
Height Female:
24 - 28 cm
9 - 12 inches
51 - 60 cm
20 - 24 inches
Weight Male:
2 - 5 kg
4 - 12 pounds
38 - 48 kg
83 - 106 pounds
Weight Female:
2 - 5 kg
4 - 12 pounds
32 - 43 kg
70 - 95 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
10 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
1 - 4
6 - 8
Size:
Toy dog
Giant dog
Other Names:
None
American Molosser • American Brabanter • American Bullenbeisser
Colors Available:
chocolate and black, brown, apricot, Cream
Colors are black, black brindle with some white
Coat:
Long, thick and curly
coat type coarse, dense, smooth and long
Shedding:
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Alert, Courageous, Independent, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Protective, Quiet, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
Yes
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

Description

toy poodle puppy - descriptionToy Poodles stand between 24 to 28 cm in height and weigh in the region of 2 to 5kg. Poodles are light-shedding dogs and are thought to be hypo-allergenic. If you have an allergy, a Toy Poodle can e a great dog for you.

The crip, curly coat comes in a number of colors – cream, apricot, brown, chocolate, and black and he can be clipped if you find that he is too high maintenance. If the hair is allowed to grow it can become very matted and turn into dreadlocks.

Many Toy Poodle owners find this very difficult to maintain and opt to have the dog’s hair clipped. The poodle has medium-length floppy ears. Docking of the tail is important if you want to keep the distinctive look of your poodle. Fortunately, docking is still permitted in the USA and this is best done when the puppy is very young.

Temperament:

Toy Poodles are intelligent dogs and are capable of learning a whole lot of commands and tricks. They’re also excellent athletes, being lively and energetic.

Being lively and alert, the Toy Poodle can be a good watchdog too, barking sharply at intruders. The Toy Poodle is very social and won’t take kindly to being left alone for hours.

Then again, he is gentle and sensitive and won’t do well with undisciplined children and their shrill screams. They are definitely dogs that want peace and harmony. And having him trained and socialized will get you a well mannered, obedient dog. He is small enough to adapt to life in the city or the countryside.

This is a giant, massive dog in every way and this recently developed standard makes that very clear. The Molossus should be heavy bones, muscular with a lot of loose skin and wrinkles of all kinds, everywhere. He is an intimidating presence, with a massive square head, broad shoulders, height and mass. No, the American Molossus is not athletic, but he certainly is intimidating.

His head is massive in comparison to his body and it must be square. He has extensive wrinkles and pendulous lips and dewlap. The face is all folds of skin and wrinkles. Deep set eyes, drooping upper lids and lower lids as well as an intimidating expression. His brow is well developed with a marked frontal furrow. The nose is large, and the muzzle is about a third of the length of its head. It is short and broad. Everything about the head must be square. It’s neck and body are powerful and muscular. The chest is deep, wide and barrel like. The back is also powerful and muscular. The front legs are heavy and muscular while the hind legs are broad, strong, powerful and wide-stance. Do not remove the front dew claws. His tail is thick and wide then gradually tapers at the tip.

Characteristics

toy poodle dog - characteristicsThis dog breed is very loyal to its family. It doesn't do well when left for hours on its own.

Energetic and lively, you’ll find your Toy Poodle such a pleasure to have around. He is very intelligent too, so with training and socialization he becomes a super little pet.

Playful and social, he is like a small ray of sunshine that comes into your home and your heart.

The American Molossus is an intimidating massive giant bred for protection and guard duty. He is incredibly loyal to his family and courageous in his protection of them. They are guard dogs, not attack dogs. Their simple appearance is usually enough to frighten off anyone intending harm on their families. He is in reality a loving giant. He is intelligent and stable with a strong desire to please his owner. He is a calm yet vigilant presence in the home.

Because the Molossus is so large, it is recommended that the puppy be socialized and trained professionally. It takes a strong owner to handle this breed. They need to know the rules and have the rules consistently applied. The owner must be the pack leader.

Health Problems

toy poodle puppies - health problemsGood food and exercise keep the Toy Poodle as healthy as possible, but like other dogs, the Toy Poodle can also get sick. Cancer, bloat, ear infections, and obesity are common dog ailments.

Too many dog owners don’t realize the importance of healthy teeth. You need to look into the mouth of your pet regularly to make sure there are no rotting teeth. These problematic teeth can jeopardize the health of your pet.

Infection of teeth and gums can cause a host of other problems such as kidney and heart disease.

Check your Toy Poodle for parasites – fleas, ticks, worms as these can take a toll on your pet’s health. Your pet can become lethargic and the coat becomes listless, thin and dull. Your pet will also lose weight. Speak to your vet about treatments that can prevent these infestations.

Like all Mastiffs the American Molossus faces a variety of potential illnesses, some brought on by its size, some not.

Spondylosis

This could easily be a function of its massive size. It is a degenerative disease and can cause the dog to become lame. In many cases the vertebrae can fuse, or severe pain can result. This is mostly seen in older members of the breed.

Cystinuria

Male Molossus can contract this inherited metabolic disease primarily. It can be life threatening and very serious as it affects the kidney and the bladder.

Wobblers Syndrome

This is essentially Cervical Vertebral Instability (CVI) and is caused by the pressure of the nerves in the neck and cervical spinal cord. This compression can cause deformity, pain and abnormal stance/gait. IT has been attributed to the nutrition needs and rapid growth of the Mastiff breeds.

Like all giant Mastiff breeds the Molossus can have skin issues from the wrinkles, dysplasia in the joints which we will address below.

Caring The Pet

toy poodle dogs - caringMake sure to exercise your Toy Poodle every day. If you’re lucky to have a garden, play ball games with him, play hide and seek and take him for walks.

Brush your Toy Poodle twice a week. His curly coat can become a source of concern for you and then you can have his coat clipped short.

Provide your pet with training and socialization and get him used to walking on a leash.

Take your Toy Poodle for regular visits to the vet. There are some serious canine diseases that can kill your pet.

Provide your pet with a nice dry, peaceful sleeping area. He needs his own water and food bowls. Wash these regularly.

Provide your Toy Poodle with the best dog food there is. Try and go for natural foods free from colorants and fillers. Try and also give him some home-made food such as boiled chicken, brown rice, sweet potatoes, and spinach. Dogs like the same good foods which are simple and nutritious.

Feeding

Remembering that this is a very, very large dog you need to be careful about nutrition and how fast your puppy will grow. American Molossus puppies need four meals a day until 12 weeks old. Then until they are 6 months old feed then 3 times a day. Finally, from 6-month-old puppy to adult – feed them twice in 24 hours.

At one year either feed them once or two small meals.

Many people feed their Molossus eggs, vegetables, fruit, and cottage cheese as ten 5 of the total for the day but avoid other table foods. The Molossus can become very picky about what he eats if you feed him too many table scraps.

Health issues

In addition to the health problems listed above, the American Molossus is also susceptible to: Ditichiasis – Eyelashes that are in the margin of the eyelids and can cause eye irritation. May require surgery to correct.

Cataract

Could cause blindness if not removed. Ectropian/Entropion: Eversion and inversion of eyelids which cause ocular irritation.

PRA or Progressive Retinal Atrophy

This is a degenerative disease which causes the dog to go blind. It is a disease the affects the retinal visual cells, first causing night blindness then day blindness. A DNA test is available for detecting PRA in all Mastiff breeds.

Dysplasia of the Elbow or/and the Hip

Common in large breeds and especially in giant breeds like the Molossus. Multiple forms and causes but all can cause pain and lameness.

Skin issues

Do to wrinkles and loose skin – check often for moisture and infections.

Panosteitis or Wandering Lameness

The is a problem based on a variety of possible causes. It happens when the puppy is between 6-16 months of age. Lameness occurs over time in one limb or in all. It can be intermittent and might be caused by diet, genetics, stress, autoimmune or metabolic issues or infection.

HOD or Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy

This issue is developmental as the dog’s toes turn either inward or outward, then as the condition advances the dog suffers fever, pain in all joints, lethargy and the inability to stand. This happens when the dog consumes too many calories for his activity level in the development times.

Exercise and games

The American Molossus is not a couch potato. He needs to be walked at least twice a day and loves to play fetch. He will be greatly benefited by obedience training. Do not overdo it with exercise but make sure they don’t just lay around.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Toy Poodle vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  2. Toy Poodle vs Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  3. Toy Poodle vs Morkie - Breed Comparison
  4. Toy Poodle vs Havanese - Breed Comparison
  5. Toy Poodle vs Chorkie - Breed Comparison
  6. Toy Poodle vs Pekingese - Breed Comparison
  7. Toy Poodle vs Chinese Crested Dog - Breed Comparison
  8. Toy Poodle vs Chiweenie - Breed Comparison
  9. Toy Poodle vs Chug - Breed Comparison
  10. Toy Poodle vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  11. Toy Poodle vs Brussels Griffon - Breed Comparison
  12. Toy Poodle vs Chipoo - Breed Comparison
  13. Toy Poodle vs Chiapom - Breed Comparison
  14. Toy Poodle vs English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan) - Breed Comparison
  15. Toy Poodle vs Long Haired Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  16. Toy Poodle vs Bichon Bolognese - Breed Comparison
  17. Toy Poodle vs Russian Toy Terrier - Breed Comparison
  18. Toy Poodle vs Franzuskaya Bolonka - Breed Comparison
  19. Toy Poodle vs Phalene - Breed Comparison
  20. Toy Poodle vs Bugg - Breed Comparison
  21. Toy Poodle vs Cockachon - Breed Comparison
  22. Toy Poodle vs Shih Tzu - Breed Comparison
  23. Toy Poodle vs Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  24. Toy Poodle vs Snorkie - Breed Comparison
  25. Toy Poodle vs Toy Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  26. English Mastiff vs American Molossus - Breed Comparison
  27. Neapolitan Mastiff vs American Molossus - Breed Comparison
  28. American Mastiff vs American Molossus - Breed Comparison
  29. Gaddi Kutta vs American Molossus - Breed Comparison
  30. Nebolish Mastiff vs American Molossus - Breed Comparison
  31. Cao de Gado Transmontano vs American Molossus - Breed Comparison
  32. Broholmer vs American Molossus - Breed Comparison
  33. Great Dane vs American Molossus - Breed Comparison
  34. Bernese Mountain Dog vs American Molossus - Breed Comparison
  35. Newfoundland Dog vs American Molossus - Breed Comparison
  36. Anatolian Shepherd vs American Molossus - Breed Comparison
  37. Leonberger vs American Molossus - Breed Comparison
  38. Alaunt vs American Molossus - Breed Comparison
  39. Bully Kutta vs American Molossus - Breed Comparison
  40. Irish Wolfhound vs American Molossus - Breed Comparison
  41. Alangu Mastiff vs American Molossus - Breed Comparison
  42. Francais Blanc et Orange vs American Molossus - Breed Comparison
  43. Mountain Burmese vs American Molossus - Breed Comparison
  44. Billy vs American Molossus - Breed Comparison
  45. Pyrenean Mastiff vs American Molossus - Breed Comparison
  46. Bisben vs American Molossus - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds