The Abruzzese Mastiff is a breed related to but distinct from the Maremmano-Abruzzese from the Italian region of the Abruzzi. The Mastino Abruzzese represents the original Abruzzese strain and is characterized by its larger size some male dogs reportedly exceeding 100 kg (220 lbs) in size. Some of these dogs have been successfully employed as livestock guardian dogs in the United States and in Norway where reportedly they were effective in deterring predation by bears..