Longevity
Life expectancy
With attentive care, a suitable diet and good medical follow-up, the Molosse d'Épire can live from 10 to 13 years. Longevity depends on the quality of the breeding, the lifestyle and hereditary predispositions.
Build
A robust breed?
Made for mountain nights with shelter. Good in the cold, to be spared in intense heat. Hardiness does not rule out gastric emergencies.
Watch points
What to watch for
Dilatation-torsion, lameness, possible entropion, weight gain. Any abdominal distension is an emergency.
Gastric dilatation-volvulus : Classic emergency in deep-chested mastiffs.
Dysplasia : Hips and elbows must be spared during growth.
Heavy eyelids : Some individuals may present entropion or irritation.
Poorly socialized guard : Without habituation, protection becomes aggression.
Climate
Cold and heat tolerance
Greek mountains: cold winters, hot summers. Shade and water in summer, dry shelter in winter.
Weight
Tendency to gain weight
The Molosse d'Épire must maintain a silhouette adapted to its morphology, with palpable ribs without excess. The ration must follow the actual activity, age and sterilization. Regular weighing avoids overly significant variations.
Daily life
Good habits to keep it healthy
- Split meals.
- Limit jumping until 18-24 months.
- Socialize widely.
- Check eyelids and gait.
Vaccination
Molosse d'Épire vaccines: vaccination schedule
Which vaccines for a Molosse d'Épire? Like all dogs, the Molosse d'Épire receives essential vaccines from 8 weeks old: CHPPi (core vaccine) and Leptospirosis. The puppy primary vaccination for Molosse d'Épire is given in several injections 4 weeks apart, followed by a first booster at 1 year. Depending on its lifestyle (hunting, hiking, boarding, travel, region), your veterinarian may complete the protocol with vaccines against Rabies, Kennel cough, Piroplasmosis, Lyme disease and Leishmaniasis.
| Vaccine | Primary series | First booster | Then | Who for? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CHPPi (core vaccine)Core Distemper, Rubarth hepatitis, parvovirosis and parainfluenza | 8 weeks · 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | All pets |
LeptospirosisCore Leptospirosis (bacterium transmitted by rodent urine and stagnant water) | 8 weeks · 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | All pets |
RabiesLifestyle-based Rabies | 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | Mandatory for travel abroad, categorized dogs, most boarding kennels and shows |
Kennel coughLifestyle-based Bordetella bronchiseptica and parainfluenza | 8 weeks | 1 year | every year | Dogs attending boarding kennels, daycares, dog clubs and shows |
PiroplasmosisLifestyle-based Tick-borne babesiosis | 5 months · 6 months | 1 year | every year | Hunting dogs, dogs living in rural or wooded areas, dogs highly exposed to ticks |
Lyme diseaseLifestyle-based Tick-borne borreliosis | 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | Hiking dogs, hunting dogs, forest areas of the East and the Center |
LeishmaniasisLifestyle-based Leishmaniasis transmitted by sandflies | 6 months | 1 year and 6 months | every year | Dogs living or staying in the South of France, Corsica and the Mediterranean basin |
Adult Molosse d'Épire vaccine boosters are annual for leptospirosis and rabies; for distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus, a booster every three years is often sufficient after the first booster. Your veterinarian will adjust the schedule to your dog’s actual risk.
Which boosters for your Molosse d'Épire?
Enter your companion’s age: we list the vaccines to do now and the next boosters.
Adopting well
Adopting a healthy Molosse d'Épire
Hips, elbows, eyelids, heart, growth. Antiparasitics for outdoor life.
This information is provided for guidance only and does not replace a veterinarian’s advice. If you have any concerns about your pet’s health, consult a professional.
