Smooth Collie vs American Molossus - Breed Comparison

American Molossus is originated from United States but Smooth Collie is originated from United Kingdom. American Molossus may grow 10 cm / 4 inches higher than Smooth Collie. American Molossus may weigh 18 kg / 40 pounds more than Smooth Collie. Both American Molossus and Smooth Collie has almost same life span. American Molossus may have less litter size than Smooth Collie. Both American Molossus and Smooth Collie requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Molosser dogs
Herding dogs
undefined
United States
United Kingdom
Height Male:
56 - 66 cm
22 - 26 inches
51 - 56 cm
20 - 23 inches
Height Female:
51 - 60 cm
20 - 24 inches
51 - 56 cm
20 - 23 inches
Weight Male:
38 - 48 kg
83 - 106 pounds
18 - 30 kg
39 - 67 pounds
Weight Female:
32 - 43 kg
70 - 95 pounds
18 - 30 kg
39 - 67 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 14 Years
13 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
6 - 8
8 - 12
Size:
Giant
Medium
Other Names:
American Molosser • American Brabanter • American Bullenbeisser
Collie
Colors Available:
Colors are black, black brindle with some white
Light gold, deep mahogany and grey, tricolour of white, black, tan
Coat:
coat type coarse, dense, smooth and long
Short, dense
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate, Seasonal
Temperament:
Alert, Courageous, Independent, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Protective, Quiet, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Moderate 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.

smooth collieWhen you see the Smooth Collie you just assume that you’re looking at a long-haired Lassie-type Collie that was sent to the groomers.

The Smooth Collie has always been used for herding purposes and is a short haired version of the Rough Collie. The early history of this dog is unknown and there are quite a few stories surrounding its history.

It seems as though the dog’s history started during the reign of Queen Victoria who is believed to have owned these dogs.

In some countries it is thought that the smooth- and rough collie are one and the same while in other countries they are classified as separate breeds. The dog hails from the United Kingdom and they classify the Smooth Collie as a separate breed from the Rough Collie.

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.

smooth collie puppy - descriptionThe Smooth Collie is a medium to large sized dog, ranging in size from 51–56cm and weighing anything from 18kg to 30kg.

The Smooth Collie is slightly longer than it is tall and he has a deep chest. Most people are very familiar with the sweet, gentle expression of the Collie dogs.

The dog also has the long slender head, the semi-erect ears and a long tail. The coat of the Smooth Collie is dense and long with the outer hair being straight and harsh. The Smooth Collie comes in different colors – fawn, reddish brown, white,grey, black and tan.

Temperament:

The Smooth Collie is generally an amicable dog, sociable and friendly. He loves his human family and wants to be constantly with them, showing signs of separation anxiety when left for long periods on his own.

He is intelligent too so that he is easily trained. He is totally non-aggressive but that doesn’t stop him from being an excellent watchdog and he’ll alert you to strangers approaching you or your home.

They’re also energetic dogs and will require regular exercise. Although these Smooth Collies make splendid family pets, they are still used for herding purposes.

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.

The Smooth Collie ticks all the right boxes for making a splendid pet.

smooth collie dog - characteristicsNot only is he intelligent, he is playful and energetic too, making a good pet for children and tolerating other pets too.

Add to that the fact that he is a a good watchdog and wants to protect his family. Sweet and gentle, the Smooth Collie is guaranteed to make a wonderful addition to your family.

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.

smooth collie puppies - health problemsYour gentle smooth haired collie can live to be 12 to 14 years of age if he enjoys a good life, but like with other dog breeds, they can also be susceptible to certain common dog illnesses.

Collie Eye Anomaly:

This is when the chromosomes that determine how the eyes develop are mutated, so that the blood vessels that nourish the retina and absorb scattered light are underdeveloped. When this mutation occurs it is in both eyes, but one eye could be more severely affected than the other.

Your vet will do a complete examination of your dog’s eyes to find out what the extent of the defect is.

Bloat or Gastric Dilatation Volvulus:

This is a life threatening problem where the stomach twists. It is more prevalent in deep chested dogs. It can help by feeding your dog two smaller meals a day instead of one larger one which he gobbles up quickly.

Cyclic Neutropenia:

Also known as Gray Collie Syndrome, this rare disease affects the neutrophils of a dog, which are an important part of the immune system. Bacterial infections and a shortened lifespan are your dog’s lot with this illness.

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.

Diet:

smooth collie dogs - caringYour Smooth Collie deserves the very best food there is because of the wonderful companionship he provides you with. You want him to enjoy good health and a long life with you.

If you buy one of the commercially manufactured dog foods, make sure it is one of the best – packed with vitamins and minerals and good, natural ingredients.

Follow the instructions on the packaging for portion sizes. Also include some plain, wholesome dog food made at home. The perfect example of this is boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and sweet potatoes, spinach and carrots all chopped up and added to your dog’s dry kibble as a treat twice a week. No need to add in exotic spices. Avoid onions.

Try and include some raw meat into the diet once in a while too. Make sure your Smooth Collie has a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Spay or Neuter:

This is one of the best things you can do for your Collie, eliminating the possibility of your pet becoming a parent of unwanted puppies.

Grooming:

Brush your Smooth Collie twice a week. He is a moderate shedder but has a couple of heavier shedding periods.

While brushing your pet, check inside the ears for signs of infection, check that his eyes are still bright and alert and check inside his mouth for bad teeth. He can’t tell you about a rotting tooth and this can cause a host of other problems for your dog.

Comparison with other breeds

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