Neapolitan Mastiff

Neapolitan Mastiffs love being lapdogs, though they have a hard time grasping that they aren’t as small as they were as puppies.

These dogs are highly protective of their owners’ families, giving very strong and fearless stares. Neapolitan Mastiffs are often available in shelters and rescues at a lower price, although they can also be adopted from breeders.

History and Origin

This huge breed dates back to the early Roman years, when the legionnaires and civilians used them as guard dogs, catch dogs, war dogs, and even as gladiators. The Neapolitan Mastiffs were used throughout central Italy. There is little doubt that they were bred and developed to create an intimidating look that would scare would-be adversaries.

Piero Scanziani first drew up the standard for this mammoth breed in the late 1940s and helped bring this dog into the global spotlight.

3 Pros and Cons of Ownership

Before adding a Neapolitan Mastiff to the family, get a better understanding of what is in store. Here’s an unbiased look at the pros and cons before finally settling on a decision.

Size and Weight

Neapolitan Mastiff dogs are giant dogs. The females are about 24 to 29 inches in size, while the males are 26 to 31 inches. Regarding their weight, females reach 120 to 175 pounds while males weigh around 150 to 200 pounds.

Common Health Issues

Like many other animals, these dogs also suffer from a variety of health issues. Many of the common ailments they face are typical amongst long-legged dogs. They often face elbow and hip dysplasia, which is caused by abnormal growth and development in the socket.

Cherry eye is another concern amongst these dogs. The condition, which also impacts the tissue around their eye, can cause irritation and pain. Often, the pink tissue below the eyelid will protrude.

The eyes are a great source of health issues for these dogs – they can also suffer from entropion and progressive retinal atrophy. Entropion means that the eyelids start to roll inward, causing scratching and irritation as the eyelashes scratch the eyeball. Progressive retinal atrophy, on the other hand, causes the eyes to waste away, which can take a long time to show symptoms.

A heart condition called cardiomyopathy can occur in Neapolitan Mastiffs. This disease impacts the muscles within the heart, causing them to be rigid and enlarged. Some of these dogs suffer from autoimmune thyroiditis, preventing their body from creating the hormones from their thyroid gland.

Temperament

The temperament of these dogs is both quiet and affectionate, so it should be no surprise that any threat to their owners is met with protective aggression. They won’t go out of their way to be violent, but they will do what they have to for the safety of their family.

These dogs love being around other pets and bonding well with other animals in the home. Found with breeders and animal rescues, they quickly find their place within the home amongst their housemates with a mellow demeanor. They are relatively easygoing.

Strangers don’t always feel the welcoming personality of the Neapolitan Mastiff, as the dog may be worried about threats to their family. They can also become rather aggressive towards dogs outside of their home that they are unfamiliar with.

They are very closely connected to the people they live with, struggling with separation anxiety when left alone.

How to Take Care of One

The first thing that you would know before you take in any pets would be how to properly take care of them. From training to food to exercise, everything plays an important role. Here are a few things that you would need to know before you start living with a Neapolitan Mastiff:

The Best Dog Food for Them

You can offer a variety of options in your dog’s diet. Though kibble and other dry dog food are necessary to keep the teeth clean and fill the majority of their diet, some human foods are safe with the right preparation.

In particular, this dog enjoys cooked turkey and chicken, though they will also indulge in tuna on occasion. Some owners will use pasta as a way to regulate their digestive system when experiencing diarrhea.

Especially since this breed can end up with cardiomyopathy, owners should be careful to pick legume-free food. That’s because legumes in dog food have been linked to heart failure.

Maintenance and Grooming

While these dogs do not require an extensive amount of grooming, they will need regular baths to eliminate any buildup of bacteria in their folds. Most dogs don’t become very messy, only needing a bath every six to eight weeks. Bathing also eliminates excess hair that they’ve shed.

Between baths, make sure to wipe their wrinkles with a damp cloth. Nails should be trimmed once every few weeks, while their teeth need to be brushed as well. Many treats on the market automatically break down plaque that can accumulate, but it doesn’t replace the need to use dog-friendly toothpaste and a brush.

Since earwax can build up, it’s important to clean the ears as well.

Training

While it is not very difficult to train these dogs, they can sometimes be stubborn and resistant to training if they are constantly pushed or strictly led.

Start training your puppy early on, keeping them nearby as you work to pick up a sense of motivation. Puppies have an open and pure mind, offering a foundation that is relatively responsive to commands.

Exercise

These dogs do not require a lot of exercise. The best exercise for these dogs is usually a daily walk, though they are also happy with a little extra space within the home to mosey around.

Daily walks are very important for Neapolitan Mastiff puppies, as they have much more energy.

Puppies

Neapolitan puppies are taken care of pretty much the same way as you would take care of an adult Neapolitan Mastiff dog. However, you should start training the puppy early on to help them develop good habits and get used to the usual tasks. They may be independent, but they learn quickly and enjoy pleasing their owner.

As said above, Neapolitan Mastiff puppies need regular walks to get out their energy and maintain their mental health.

With Children

Neapolitan Mastiffs are known to be great with children, just as they are with the other family members — protective and affectionate. However, you’d always want to supervise a Neapolitan Mastiff around toddlers, as the dog can be too large for them and can knock over the babies without intending to.

The Neapolitan Mastiffs are excellent watchdogs, and their stature makes them impressively intimidating.

Similar Dogs

As wonderful a dog as the Neapolitan Mastiff may be, they aren’t for everyone. Here are some dogs that are similar to the Neapolitan Mastiffs:

• American Bulldog: This one belongs to the Mastiff family but has a shorter and coarser coat. It is also known to be far more aggressive than the Neapolitan Mastiff, making it better suited to a child-free home.
• Bull Mastiff: Another from the Mastiff family, the Bull Mastiffs are known to be loyal and affectionate. Like the Neapolitan Mastiffs, they are also very protective.
• Pug: Just like the Neapolitan Mastiff dogs, these dogs also require little grooming and are prone to several health problems. They are much smaller than the Neapolitan Mastiff, making them better suited to apartments and small homes.