A massiff was a reptilian dog-like creature that was found on Outer Rim planets such as Geonosis and Tatooine, though its actual homeworld was unknown. Though ordinarily savage beasts, massiffs could be, and often were, tamed and used for guard and search dogs. The Geonosians used them as both signs of authority, and as exterminators for their hives. Several massiffs were owned by the Ohnaka Gang during the Clone Wars, also used as guards as well as pets.
A group of massiffs was utilized by the Republic's Coruscant Guard to search the streets for fugitives, such as Ahsoka Tano at the Republic Military Base on Coruscant.