The famous plaster cast of a dog found in the ruins of Pompeii is widely identified as a "Molossian" (or Molossus). This ancient breed was a versatile working dog used by Greeks and Romans for guarding livestock, protecting homes, and sometimes for hunting. While the Molossian is now extinct in its original form, it is considered the primary ancestor of modern-day Mastiff-type breeds, as well as the Cane Corso and Rottweiler. The specific dog found in the House of Vesonius Primus (often called "Victim 8") was a large watchdog discovered chained to a post, frozen in a contorted position as it tried to escape the falling ash and pumice. Modern forensic analysis and CT scans of the cast have shown that the dog was wearing a leather collar with bronze rings, confirming its role as a domestic guardian. While researchers note that "Canis Catenarius" (the chained dog) was a functional category rather than a modern "pedigree," the morphological features preserved in the plaster—such as the sturdy build and broad muzzle—strongly align with the Molossian type described in ancient Roman literature by poets like Virgil.