DOG BREED INFORMATION – NEAPOLITAN MASTIFF

• Origin: Italy
• Alternate names: Mastino Napoletano, Mastino, Italian Bulldog, Italian Molosso, Can'E Presa, Neo
• Size: Large to Giant
• Life Span: 7-10 years
• Popularity: Ranked #107 in 2017
• Availability in India: Moderate
• Avg Puppy Price in India: ₹60,000 and above
• Dog Breed Group: Working Group
• Guide Dog: No

Is Neapolitan Mastiff Good for Indians?

The Neapolitan Mastiff or the Mastino Napoletano is a massive canine that hails from Italy. These dogs are quite rare in the Asian countries like China, Japan, India and some others. Mostly, this breed is only available at reputable and large-scale breeders’ places and it is quite expensive to bring a Mastino home. This breed also suffers from their average tolerance to high temperatures and thus they require protection and care from their owners when the environment around them is hot and humid. Keeping them hydrated and inside the house preferably in an air-conditioned room during the hotter months is beneficial for their health. Hence, they are not a very suitable fit for anyone who is looking for a pocket-friendly companion to raise and who will not be able to efficiently care for this pooch, especially in the summer season.

Neapolitan Mastiff Dog Official Breed Standards

The Neapolitan Mastiff is a huge, heavy-boned canine which is easily recognized by the large number of wrinkles or folds of skin present all over his body. They possess a massive overall structure and thus are somewhat intimidating in appearance. Official standards for this breed are as follows:

• Neapolitan Mastiff Height and Weight

This large sized breed is quite hefty and bulky to look at. They also possess a decent stature. The average weight of these Mastiffs is between 50-70 kg with males being closer to the higher end of this range and the females tend to be more on the lower end of the range. Also, their average height is around 24-30 inches (at the shoulders).

• Coat

They have a dense and smooth coat which is even and uniformly spread all over the body and is on the shorter side. The strands of hair are not longer than 1 inch and stand straight off the body. Their coat is mostly present in solid colors with some amount of brindling allowed in all the colors.

• Body

These dogs have a strong and muscular body with a stocky, slightly arched neck which is rather short in length. The chest is quite deep and broad with well-sprung ribs. Their back region is very strong and wide and the tail, at the end of the back, is fairly thick at the root and is slightly tapered. The forelegs and hind legs are heavily built, well-muscled and are in balance with each other.

• Head

The head is relatively quite large when compared to the rest of the body which is already fairly huge. Their head is also characterized by the heavy amount of wrinkling and loose skin. The eyes are set very deep and are almost covered and hidden by the upper eyelids, most of the times. Common eye color for these dogs is brown or amber. Their ears are triangular in shape and are set fairly above the cheekbones.

• Jaws

They have a well-developed jaw area with their mouths closing in scissors or pincer bite. The muzzle is very deep and a bit square-ish in appearance.

• Temperament

The most known and talked about temperamental traits of the Neapolitan Mastiffs are their fearlessness and protective attitude towards their loved ones. These dogs are extremely caring and watchful of their family members and will try their absolute best to protect their close ones from any kind of harm. They are excellent guard dogs and are also quite territorial by nature. They do not mix well with strangers if not properly socialized at a young age. Under the guidance of an experienced trainer/owner, these dogs can be very obedient, but if not trained properly about obedience at an early age, then they can be a bit stubborn when they grow up. Hence, they are not highly recommended to a novice owner. General character traits of the Neapolitan Mastiffs are listed below:

• Fearless
• Protective
• Dominant
• Stubborn
• Watchful
• Trainable
• Obedient

Neapolitan Mastiff Dog Overview

Size and physical characteristics are not the only things that are huge in a Neapolitan Mastiff, but it also possesses an equally big and kind heart. This breed is immensely affectionate and friendly with its family members and is known for its devoted and loyal character.

Bred for centuries as a guard dog, these dogs have natural protective instincts towards the people they care for. They are also very fond and loving to their close ones and are always in the mood to cuddle up with them. They are sometimes called the ‘Biggest Lapdogs’ as they often try to sit in their family members’ lap in spite of their massive size.

And, although they might appear to be a bit domineering and daunting, these dogs never show any signs of aggression unless provoked by a stranger. They are not known to be unnecessarily vocal and only barks on rare occasions.

Also, their large size doesn’t stop them from being playful and active and they are fond of playing various games with their loved ones inside or outside the house. This breed proves to be a decent option for the people who are looking for a big but warm and friendly dog who is able to protect them and their house and is intimidating to the strangers but tender and caring to the loved ones.

Popular Neapolitan Mastiff Types and Colors

The Neapolitan Mastiffs are divided into different types on the basis of the various coat colors that they possess. They mostly are available in solid colors with a fair amount of brindling in each color. Common colors are:

• Black
• Mahogany
• Tawny
• Blue

Neapolitan Mastiff Dog Breed Characteristics

Neapolitan Mastiff Maintenance and Care

• Feeding

Good-quality feeding material which is suitable for a dog’s health is an absolute necessity for any dog breed and the same is the case with the Neapolitan Mastiff. Their feeding material can be prepared at home or purchased from a store but it should be beneficial for their overall body. Experienced breeders recommend that the food given to these dogs should be slightly higher in fat and lower in protein. If someone is unsure about the feeding requirements of their big companion, then the advice and suggestions of a skilled vet can be very helpful.

• Exercise

It is important not to stress these dogs when they are at the puppy stage as their bones and joints are still developing. Also, it should be noted that vigorous exercise schedule should be avoided in the summer season as these dogs do overheat quite easily. Hence, less stressful exercise regime and that too in a pleasant weather is the best way to fulfill their exercise needs.

• Training

It is highly crucial to train these Mastiffs at a young age. They are more open to learn new things and listen to their trainers when they are young. If the training process is delayed, then these pooches can become quite stubborn and independent and training them will be a very tiring and difficult process for the owner. These dogs as adults can be quite laid-back if not properly trained at an early age. Hence, start teaching them stuff as a puppy so that they turn out to be less stubborn when they grow up. Also, harsh methods while training them are not recommended.

• Grooming and Shedding

Their grooming requirements are very low and short amount of brushing on an occasional basis is more than enough for them. Their bathing needs are also quite minimal as once a month bath is good for keeping them clean and tidy. But, their eyes, ears, and mouth should be checked and cleaned regularly.

The shedding potential of these dogs is also fairly average as they shed infrequently in small amounts.

• Health Issues

Most common health problems in the Neapolitan Mastiffs are related to their eyes. A condition called “cherry eye” in which corner of the eyes becomes inflamed and red occurs quite often in these dogs. Also, “Bloat”, a condition in which stomach twists or rotates on its axis is quite common in the Neos. Other health-related issues that are frequently seen in these dogs are as follows:

• Hip Dysplasia
• Elbow Dysplasia
• Sebaceous adenitis
• Progressive retinal atrophy
• Ectropion
• Entropion
• Hypothyroidism
• Cardiomyopathy

• Visits to the Vet

The Neapolitan Mastiffs require frequent visits to the vet’s clinic for regular inspection and check-ups.

Neapolitan Mastiff History and Background

The Molussus is considered to be the direct ancestor of the Neapolitan Mastiff. This breed was bred for guarding purposes and to be used in battles and wars. Their natural tendency to protect the people they loved was highly useful in developing their guarding and watchdog abilities.

These dogs originated in Naples, Italy which was the inspiration behind their name as the term ‘ Neapolitan’ translates to ‘of Naples’. And apart from being excellent guard dogs, these pooches also proved to be highly useful in other activities like herding, carting, hunting, protecting the flock et cetera.

After the second World War, this breed saw a huge decline in its numbers and was very close to extinction. But, because of keen interest of an Italian painter named Piero Scanziani in this breed, they saw a gradual renaissance over many years. Piero started a kennel for these dogs which helped in their eventual revival and also made them quite popular in various parts of Europe. And, after many years of existence, this breed was ultimately registered by the AKC in 2004.