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Neapolitan Mastiff Puppies for Sale
Neapolitan Mastiff
(Mastino
Napoletano) (Italian Mastiff) (Mastino)
Photo Courtesy of Maximum
Mastiffs
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Pronunciation |
Neapolitan
Mastiff |
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Description |
The Neapolitan Mastiff is a serious, powerful,
looking dog. It is muscular with a rather rectangular body, massive head, and
wrinkled face. The facial wrinkles continue under the chin and down the neck to
form a prominent dewlap. The skull is broad and flat on top, and the nose is
large. The teeth meet in a scissors or level bite. A tradition
was established when the dogs were used in combat to crop the ears short
and dock the very thick tail by one third. Many owners opt out of docking and
cropping, preferring the natural look, as it is painful for the dog. The short, harsh coat is dense and smooth. The most common coat color
is blue, though black is the next most common color. Chocolate dogs are rare.
The Neo can be either solid or brindle. The dark colors and brindles help the
Neo blend into the night shadows as he waits for the unsuspecting prowler. A
little white is permitted on the chest and toes. No white should be on the face.
Puppies begin life with blue eyes, which later darken. Adult Neo eyes vary with
the color of their coat. Dewclaws should be removed. The Neapolitan Mastiff has
a loose, rolling, cat-like gait. |
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Temperament |
Despite the beastly and even vicious appearance,
the Neapolitan Mastiff is a peaceful and steady dog. It was developed to look
and act fearsome when needed, but is affectionate with his family and the
family's friends. Highly protective and fearless. It is extremely intelligent
and somewhat willful. It does not require repetitious training. Neo's are very
attuned to his master's wishes. This breed rarely gives trouble by excessive
barking. They are serious, calm and quiet unless provoked. The breed is very
wary of strangers. Males can be much more aggressive and dominant than females.
The Female makes a better family pet, as she is more submissive to her master
and better with children. These dogs are, however, usually very loving with
children, provided they do not tease them. Males do not get along with other
males, but the Neo can get along well with non-canine pets if raised with them
from puppyhood. The Neapolitan Mastiff is not a breed for everyone. They must
have a dominant owner capable of controlling him properly. Owner dominance
should be firmly established while the dog is young. Children should be taught
to respect these dogs. Neapolitan Mastiffs should be well socialized at an early
age to avoid over-protectiveness. They will be quite protective even with
extensive socialization. Additional protection training is unnecessary because
they are naturally guard dogs. Thorough obedience training is highly
recommended. Be sure you are consistent in approach and do not keep repeating
commands it has failed to obey. These are not dogs for beginners but it is an
exaggeration to describe them as difficult in their association with others. A
calm handler with natural leadership will achieve the best results. With
thorough training and an experienced, dominant owner, the Neapolitan Mastiff can
be a good family dog. The Neo is generally very tolerant of pain due to the
breed's early fighting background. Males often drool quite heavily. They tend to
drool more in hot weather or after drinking water. Adult Neo's eat about 8-10
cups of dog food a day. If you are planing on showing your dog, be sure to
select a puppy that has a good temperament so he can accept handling by
strangers. |
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Height, Weight |
Height: Dogs 26-30 inches (65-75 cm.) Bitches
24-28 inches (60-70 cm.)
Weight: Up to 165 pounds (74 kg.)
The largest male Neapolitans may be nearly 200 pounds (90 kg.) |
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Health Problems |
Prone to hip dysplasia, pano-ostiosis (growing
pains), a condition which may occur when the dog is 4-18 months old and
generally disappears on its own. Also prone to "cherry eye." The eye
tissue protrudes more than normal and becomes red and inflamed. This condition
is completely cured with minor surgery. |
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Living Conditions |
The Neo will do okay in an apartment if it is
sufficiently exercised. They are relatively inactive indoors and a small yard
will do. A solid doghouse with lots of bedding is usually enough to ensure
winter comfort. Neos need a dry place to sleep, which must be soft to prevent
pressure markings. In warm weather this breed needs plenty of shade and fresh
water. |
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Exercise |
Do not let the young, Neapolitan Mastiff run and
play too much. Although it does need to be taken on a daily walk, limit its exercise, because it must on no account be over-tired.
Avoid rough games in the growing stage and ensure that all its energy is
available to make healthy bones and muscles. Adult Neapolitan Mastiffs need a
great deal of exercise. He should be taken on daily,
long walks twice daily. |
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Life Expectancy |
Short, up to 10 years. |
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Grooming |
These giant, short-haired dogs are easy to groom.
Remove loose, dead hair with a rubber brush. This breed is an average shedder. |
| Origin |
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
around 300 B.C. The Greeks introduced the dogs to the Romans, who adopted them
enthusiastically and used them in circus combats. The word "Mastiff"
derives from the Latin word: masssivus, meaning massive. English experts,
however, have another theory. They contend that the mastiff was brought to
Britain by the Phoenicians in about 500 B.C. and spread from there to the rest
of Europe. In any case the Neapolitan Mastiff is a direct descendant of the
Roman Molossus. While the breed became extinct throughout 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 Campania for two
thousand years, even though it was not officially recognized until 1946, and its
standard was not set until 1949. The Neapolitan Mastiff was bred for use in war
and in bloody Roman arena spectacles. Today this powerful breed has a
well-deserved reputation as a formidable guard dog. Neos have been used by the
Italian police and army and by that country's farmers, business establishment,
and estate owners to protect people and property. Though the Neapolitan Mastiff
was first shown in Italy in 1946, the breed is still quite rare in the United
States. |
| Group |
Mastiff |
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Recognition |
CKC, FCI, KCGB, NKC, NZKC, USNMC, APRI, ACR |
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CKC = Continental
Kennel Club
FCI = Fédération
Cynologique Internationale
KCGB = Kennel
Club of Great Britain
NKC = National
Kennel Club
NZKC = New Zealand
Kennel Club
USNMC = United
States Neapolitan Mastiff Club
APRI = American Pet Registry
Inc.
ACR = American Canine Registry |
Attention Neapolitan Mastiff Owners
The United States Neapolitan Mastiff Health Committee is requesting samples from Neapolitan Mastiff owners for a Leishmaniasis Study. If you own a Neapolitan Mastiff, and would like to participate in the study, you will find instructions on the following PDF forum, which you can download and print. Leishmaniasis and The Neapolitan Mastiff |
This is Russell
Two Neapolitan Mastiff puppies, Posh is up and Argus
is lying down.
Neapolitan Mastiff
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