Dachshund vs American Molossus - Breed Comparison

American Molossus is originated from United States but Dachshund is originated from Germany. American Molossus may grow 38 cm / 15 inches higher than Dachshund. American Molossus may weigh 33 kg / 73 pounds more than Dachshund. Both American Molossus and Dachshund has almost same life span. Both American Molossus and Dachshund has same litter size. American Molossus requires Moderate Maintenance. But Dachshund requires Low Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Molosser dogs
Hound dog
undefined
United States
Germany
Height Male:
56 - 66 cm
22 - 26 inches
21 - 28 cm
8 - 12 inches
Height Female:
51 - 60 cm
20 - 24 inches
20 - 25 cm
7 - 10 inches
Weight Male:
38 - 48 kg
83 - 106 pounds
6 - 15 kg
13 - 34 pounds
Weight Female:
32 - 43 kg
70 - 95 pounds
6 - 15 kg
13 - 34 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 14 Years
10 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
6 - 8
4 - 8
Size:
Giant
Small
Other Names:
American Molosser • American Brabanter • American Bullenbeisser
Badger Dogs, Sausage Dogs or Doxies
Colors Available:
Colors are black, black brindle with some white
Brown, black, tan, red
Coat:
coat type coarse, dense, smooth and long
Short and smooth - also long- and wire-haired
Shedding:
Minimal
Minimal
Temperament:
Alert, Courageous, Independent, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Protective, Quiet, Territorial
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Detached, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
Yes

History

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.

dachshundThe Dachshund originated in Germany. He was used as a hunting dog with his origins starting way back in the 15th century already. The small dog was developed to hunt for animals that buried themselves deep underground such as badgers. The shape of the dog and his courage and bravery allowed him to take on the badger.

There has been a lot of debate as to whether the Dachshund is a hound or terrier, and it was decided that the Dachshund is a hound that became a terrier, and which displays some of the best qualities of both.

It was in 1881 that the Dachshund Club of England was formed and the German Deutscher Teckelklub was formed in 1888. The small dog gained popularity in America and the Dachshund Club of America was founded in 1895.

Description

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.

dachshund puppy - descriptionKnown as Badger Dogs, Sausage Dogs or Doxies, the Dachshund is known for his long body, his sharp, pointed face and the short legs with the large front paws.

He stands at about 21-28 cm while the female may be 20-25 cm and weighing 6 to 15kg. He is the smallest of the hound dogs, with the standard size dachshund being developed to scent and chase badgers and other animals.

There are different Dachshund coat varieties – the smooth coat, the long-haired Dachshund and the wire-haired dachshund. They also come in a number of solid colors such as brown, red, tan, chocolate and black.

Temperament:

The dachshund is an energetic,social little dog with a loving personality. He’ll love to lie as close as possible to you on the couch and be with you wherever you are. Training and socialization is important so he doesn’t become too protective so that he wants to go for anyone who comes near.

He can be stubborn but he is also protective of his human family. Dachshunds are known for their tendency to bark but training and socialization can help tremendously to make him obedient and relaxed around humans and pets.

He is small enough to be a great pet in the city or in the country. He loves to spend time indoors- as well as outdoors. He can become a loving companion and gets on well with children and pets in the house. In spite of his small size, he makes a good watchdog.

Characteristics

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.

dachshund dog - characteristicsThe Dachshund may be small but he is courageous, brave and loyal. He gets on well with children and pets in the home but care needs to be taken because of his long back.These dogs are prone to disk problems so you have to be careful with rough and tumble from children.

Dog experts say that the different kinds of Dachshunds produce different personalities and that the longer-coated one is more amicable than the short-coat variety. Whichever variety you choose, they are guaranteed to entertain and delight you and be a loyal, loving companion.

Health Problems

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.

dachshund puppies - health problemsThe life expectancy of the Dachshund is 12 to 16 years. With good care which includes good nutrition he can reach mature years. However there are always some dog diseases that are worth knowing about so that you can steer your pet away from them.

One of these is obesity, and the Dachshund is prone to developing obesity. Never overfeed him and ensure he gets his regular exercise which can be walks and ball games. Check with your vet if you’re unsure about how to feed him. Essentially, the amount of food you give a dog depends on the size of your dog, his age and his activity levels.

Be sure to provide high-quality food and monitor his intake. Your vet is always there to advise on the correct food and amount that can help him remain healthy.

Back Problems:

Unfortunately, this dog’s shape – the long back – makes the dog more prone to disc herniation. With some Dachshunds having a gene that creates mineral deposits in the discs in the spine, the risk of herniation is higher.

A large percentage of dachshunds have intervertebral disc disease. Encourage your Dachshund not to jump down off a bed or couch, but rather provide some steps for him to get to out of reach places.

Caring The Pet

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.

dachshund dogs - caringThe Dachshund is a medium shedder and if you choose the short haired dog, you’re going to have a low maintenance pet.

The long haired Dachshund will require more regular brushing but the short-haired Dachshund is a low maintenance dog that will require a brush once a week.

While brushing him, you can be checking his ears and nails at the same time. All dogs with floppy ears need to have them checked for ear infections. Also, maintain good oral hygiene with your Dachshund by brushing his teeth 2 or 3 times a week.

Comparison with other breeds

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