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.
Constitution
Is this 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.
Things to watch for
What to look out 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
Tolerance to cold and heat
Greek mountains: cold winters, hot summers. Shade and water in summer, dry shelter in winter.
Weight
Prone to weight gain
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.
Everyday care
Good habits to keep your pet healthy
- Split meals.
- Limit jumping until 18-24 months.
- Socialize widely.
- Check eyelids and gait.
Vaccination
Molossus of Epirus vaccinations: schedule
Which vaccines does a Molossus of Epirus need? Like all dogs, Molossus of Epiruss should receive their core vaccines from 8 weeks of age: CHPPi (core vaccine) and Leptospirosis. Puppies receive their initial Molossus of Epirus vaccinations in several shots spaced 4 weeks apart, followed by a first booster at 1 year. Depending on their lifestyle (hunting, hiking, boarding, travel, region), your veterinarian may add vaccines against Rabies, Kennel cough, Piroplasmosis, Lyme disease and Leishmaniasis.
| Vaccine | Primary vaccination | First booster | Then | For whom? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CHPPi (core vaccine)Core Distemper, Rubarth hepatitis, parvovirosis and parainfluenza | 8 weeks · 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | All animals |
LeptospirosisCore Leptospirosis (bacterium transmitted by rodent urine and stagnant water) | 8 weeks · 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | All animals |
RabiesDepending on lifestyle Rabies | 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | Mandatory for travel abroad, categorized dogs, most boarding kennels and shows |
Kennel coughDepending on lifestyle Bordetella bronchiseptica and parainfluenza | 8 weeks | 1 year | every year | Dogs attending boarding kennels, daycares, dog clubs and shows |
PiroplasmosisDepending on lifestyle 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 diseaseDepending on lifestyle Tick-borne borreliosis | 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | Hiking dogs, hunting dogs, forest areas of the East and the Center |
LeishmaniasisDepending on lifestyle 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 Molossus of Epirus booster shots are given annually for leptospirosis and rabies. For distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus, a booster every three years is often enough after the first booster. Your veterinarian will tailor the schedule to your dog's actual risk.
Which boosters does your Molossus of Epirus need?
Enter your companion's age to see which vaccines are due now and when the next boosters are needed.
Choosing well
Adopting a healthy Molossus of Epirus
Hips, elbows, eyelids, heart, growth. Antiparasitics for outdoor life.
This information is for guidance only and doesn't replace advice from a veterinarian. If you have any concerns about your pet's health, consult a professional.
