Neapolitan Mastiff: Origins, Character, Adoption

The Neapolitan Mastiff is a massive dog that certainly doesn't go unnoticed. It's imposing, courageous, affectionate with its owners, and an excellent watchdog. It tends to be less friendly with strangers, which is why it's important to train it from an early age. puppy, getting him used to socializing. the napoletan mast It has an imposing appearance, is muscular, and has a particularly massive head. Energetic, courageous, and athletic, it is a sweet dog with its owners but aggressive towards strangers, especially if perceived as enemies.

Index of topics

Origins

The Neapolitan Mastiff descends from the Roman Molosser, a fighting dog used to guard legionary camps. This breed, derived from the war dogs of the Sumerian and Mesapotamic populations, and from Alexander the Great's Assyrians, can in turn be traced back to the Tibetan Mastiff. It belongs to the Molossoid family and the breed originates from the rustic Molossers common in the countryside of various southern Italian regions. Over time, it dispersed until it was officially recognized in 1949, when it was entered in the Italian Book of Origins of Guaglione I. Piero Scanziani fought for its recognition and developed the first breed standard.

Appearance

We said it's a powerful and massive breed, characterized by unmistakable skin folds around the head. Here are other physical characteristics:

Brachycephalic head, very short, broad and massive, flat between the ears, with plenty of folds and wrinkles.
The neck is slightly convex in the upper profile, short and truncated cone-shaped, very muscular. The lower part is covered in loose skin.
Wrinkled skin
Oval, dark eyes
Small, high and hanging ears
Height at the withers for males: 65 to 76 cm, for females: 60 to 68 cm. Weight for males: 60 to 70 kg, for females: 50 to 60 kg.
Tail large and robust
Smooth, uniform coat of black, blue or lead, grey, mahogany or fawn in colour, sometimes with light patches or brindle markings.
Jaws strong, with robust branches and matching dental arches. Mandible well developed in its width, teeth regularly aligned and complete in number.

Character

Courageous and energetic, he loves large spaces and is absolutely not suited to apartment living. He is territorial and protective, gentle with his owner but less so with strangers, whom he tends to attack silently. For this reason, it is advisable to subject him to proper training from an early age, in order to tone down his aggressiveness. Overall, The Neapolitan Mastiff can be considered a balanced and peaceful dog and, knowing his strength, he never feels threatened. But it is essential to ensure that he socializes and educates him properly..

How to treat it

The Neapolitan Mastiff has a short coat that doesn't require much maintenance. However, its mouth needs to be cleaned frequently due to the drool it leaves around, even indoors. The same goes for its face, ears, and eyes. Another important aspect of mastiff care is grooming.dental care, and checking their ears and nails. Finally, due to the specific characteristics of this breed and the Neapolitan Mastiff's physique, it's important to ensure they get at least one hour of exercise a day. If properly trained, the Neapolitan Mastiff can accompany its owner on walks, bike rides, or even swimming.

What does he eat?

The Neapolitan Mastiff's voracious appetite must be somehow contained and controlled, otherwise the dog risks gastric torsion, a condition to which the breed is predisposed. There are two secrets to minimizing the risks. The first: a good balance of vitamins and minerals to cover all the needs of joints and cartilage. The second: smaller, more frequent meals.

Illnesses

Among the diseases that can affect it are:

stomach torsion
hip dysplasia
elbow dysplasia
breathing problems due to brachycephalic syndrome.
arthritis
hereditary eye diseases
entropion, if the wrinkles are excessive and weigh on the eyelid
ectropion, always linked to an anomaly of the eyelid

In the absence of serious illnesses, the Neapolitan Mastiff has a life expectancy of no less than ten years.

Cost

The price of a Neapolitan Mastiff varies from 800 to 1200 eurosBut to this initial cost, while significant, we must also add the costs of maintaining a dog that, as we've seen, has many needs. And not all of them are affordable. In any case, we advise against purchasing, or even adopting, a Neapolitan Mastiff in a home with children and limited space.

How to adopt

Looking to adopt a Neapolitan Mastiff? You can find listings for puppies and adult dogs on the Facebook page.Rescue Center Italia Neapolitan Mastiff".