Want To Improve Your Pet’s Health & Well-being? Try Pet Bounce - All Natural & Proven Multivitamin Chewable Wafer. Click Here to Claim Your Free Trial Bottle!

Neopolitan Mastiff - Breed Introduction

Also known as the “Mastino Napoletano” in it’s native Italian, the Neapolitan Mastiff considered the most “bestial-looking” breed in existence, but is a sweet dog loved by families across Europe.

Easy to care for, the Neopolitan Mastiff is calm and quiet, needs moderate exercise, and is an imposing watchdog while still mild-mannered with his family and guests.

A stocky dog, he Neapolitan Mastiff measures 26 to 30 inches (65 to 75 cm) at the shoulder; and weigh up to 155 pounds (70 kg).

History of the Breed

All European Mastiffs are descended from the Tibetan Mastiff, the most ancient member of the canine species. The first Asian Mastiffs were probably brought to Greece from India by Alexander the Great about 300 BC. The Greeks introduced the dogs to the Romans who adopted them and used them in circus combats.

The world “Mastiff” derives from the Latin word massivus, meaning massive. Another theory is the Mastiff was brought to Britain by the Phoenicians in about 500 BC and spread from there to the rest of Europe.

The Neopolitan Mastiff is a direct descendant of the Roman Molossus. While the breed became extinct through the rest of Europe, it continued to survive in Campania despite the perils of weather and war. One can therefore say that the Neapolitan Mastiff has existed in Campani for two thousand years even though it was not rediscovered in Italy until the 1940s.

In the course of history, the Neapolitan Mastiff and its ancestors have used in war, as fighting dogs in the circus, as collaborators to criminals and aides to the police, as draft animals, companions and bodyguards.

Color and Coat

The Neopolitan Mastiff’s coat is short and dense. No longer than one inch, the hair lies closely to the body, and is smooth. There is no fringe on this breed.

Their coat is typically solid colors: gray (blue), black, mahogany and tawny, all in lighter or darker colors. Some brindling is allowable in all colors, but must be tan (reverse brindle). Solid white markings are allowed on the chest, throat area from chin to chest, underside of the body, penis sheath, backs of the pasterns, and on the toes.

Personality and Temperament

Despite the churlishness or even ferocity of its appearance, the Neapolitan Mastiff is a peaceful, steady dog. Sweet and affectionate with it’s master, it’s also good with friends of the family. It is a very brave animal and will endure physical pain stoically.

In the show ring, the Neapolitan Mastiff is majestic and powerful, with a calm and commanding attitude.

Properly trained, the Neapolitan Mastiff makes an excellent guard for both person and property. De to it’s size, the Neapolitan Mastiff needs moderate exercise. It is adaptable to living in a house with a yard, or even in a apartment as long as there is a strong person willing to take it on long walks twice a day.

Show Characteristics

As he enters the show ring, the Neopolitan Mastiff should have an astounding and imposing presence, while his movement is rolling and lumbering, not elegant or showy. His bestial appearance characterized by loose skin all over his body, and an enormous head and massive body, makes him a one-of-kind in the show ring.

The head is large in comparison to the dog’s body, and has extensive wrinkling with pendulous lips. His calm demeanor makes his expression even more intimidating. His eyes, set deep and hidden beneath drooping upper lids, shield the penetrating stare that sends some people running when they first see a Neopolitan Mastiff. The eyes are amber or brown, and when set against the cooler coat colors, they appear “sinister”, lending more to the dog’s bestial appearance.

The ears are well set above the cheekbones, not right on top of the head. They may be cropped or uncropped. In the show ring, cropped is preferred. Again, this contributes to the dog’s sinister look. Its muzzle should be ½ of the length of the whole head and as wide as it is long, giving the head its massiveness and squared appearance.

The Neopolitan Mastiff’s body is 10 to 15 percent greater than the height of the dog measured from the highest point of the shoulder to the ground. It’s neck is short, stocky and well muscled, fitting into a broad and deep chest.

Its back is wide and strong; loin well muscled; croup, wide and strong; and the tail is set lower than the topline. Its forequarters and hindquarters are heavily built, muscular and balanced. The legs are covered with loose skin.

Typical Health Concerns

A lot of the health concerns of a Neopolitan Mastiff is due to its large size. That includes hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and patellar luxation. As for their eyes, they suffer from entropian, ectropian and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) which causes blindness. There now is a DNA test for PRA to help breeders cull out the carriers out of their breeding programs.

They also suffer from hypothyroidism, cardiomyopathy, von Willebrand’s disease (a bleeding disorder), cystinuria, various cancers (lymphoma, osteocarcinoma), epilepsy and bloat. Bloat is caused by gulping down food, forcing gas into the stomach.

The stomach then knots up and the dog is in serious–if not deadly–trouble. The best way to control any chance of your dog getting bloat, is to feed them smaller, more numerous meals to keep their appetite down.

Grooming

This is an easy dog to take care of! It requires minimal grooming. A weekly brushing with a bristle brush and shammy will work. To get out the dead hairs when he’s shedding, get a rubber brush - or curry comb - to get them out.

Always check the folds and wrinkles after bathing them or if they’re out in the rain, to make sure they’re dry. Otherwise they could have eczema or sores. Also check their ears, eyes, nose and clip their toenails regularly if they don’t get outside to wear them down.

Average Life Span

The average life span for a Neapolitan Mastiff is 9 to 11 years.