Other Name(s): Mastino Napoletano, Italian Mastiff
History of the Breed: Artifacts have dated this ancient breed to 3000 years before Christ. Alexander the Great was known
to have crossed the giant Macedonian and Epirian war dogs with the shorthaired "Indian" dogs to create the Molossus. The
Molossus is a dog characterized by having a wide, short muzzle, and a heavy dewlap. These dogs were used to fight wild animals and men
in battle and they were the forefather of the Neapolitan Mastiff. When the Romans conquered Greece, they used these Molossus Dogs in
battle. When the Romans invaded England they found other giant Mastiff dogs and these were also crossed and added to the blood line.
Overtime, breeders from southern Italy (Neapolitan), bred guard dogs for protecting property and estates. They bred a giant size,
loose skinned, intimidating looking Mastiff, that was ideally suited for eliminating intruders from the property. This is the dog we know today as the Neapolitan Mastiff.
General Appearance: Large, heavy boned, powerful breed. The head is large in comparison to the body with extensive wrinkling
and pendulous lips which blend into an ample dewlap. The face is made up of heavy wrinkles and folds. The breed provides a very intimidating
expression when alert. The brown eyes are set deep and almost hidden under drooping upper lids. Lower lids droop to reveal haw.
The ears are set well above the cheekbones and usually cropped to an equilateral triangle for health reasons. The skull is wide and flat
between the ears, slightly arched at the frontal part, and covered with wrinkled skin. The width of the cranium between the cheekbones
is approximately equal to its length from occiput stop. The brow is very developed. The large nose has large opened nostrils, and the
nose color is determined by the coat color. The muzzle is 1/3 the length of the whole head and is as broad as it is long. Viewed from
the front, the muzzle is very deep and appears square. The lips are heavy, thick, and long, the upper lips join beneath the nostrils
to form an inverted "V". The upper lips form the lower, outer borders of the muzzle, and the lowest part of these borders is made by the
corners of the lips. The corners turn outward to reveal the flews, and are in line with the outside corners of the eyes. The neck is short,
well muscled and slightly arched. The voluminous and well-divided dewlap extends from the lower jaw to the lower neck. The body is longer
that tall. The depth of the ribcage is equal to half the total height of the dog. Ribs are long and well sprung. The chest is broad and
deep and well muscled. The back is wide and strong. The loin is well-muscled. The tail is wide and thick at the root, tapering gradually
toward the tip. It is docked by 1/3. When in action, the tail is raised to the horizontal or a little higher than the back. The short
dense coat can be gray, black, mahogany or tawny
Coat: The coat is short and dense and of uniform length and smoothness.
Color: Gray, black, mahogany and tawny or shades of these colors always solid colored
Grooming needs: Low
Temperament of Breed: Neapolitan Mastiffs should be well socialized at an early age to avoid over-protectiveness.
Obedience training is strongly recommended.
Friendly with children: Yes, if properly socialized starting at an early age
Friendly with other dogs: Yes, if properly socialized starting at an early age
Suitability as a watchdog: Yes
Exercise Level: Medium, adult dogs should be walked every day.
Health Issues with the Breed: Major: Hip dysplasia, entropion, hypothyroidism, immune issues, heart problems
Minor: Cherry eye, eye problems
ACR -American Canine Registry
AKC -American Kennel Club
ANKC -Australian National Kennel Club
APRI -American Pet Registry Inc.
CKC -Continental Kennel Club
CKC -Canadian Kennel Club
FCI -Fédération Cynologique Internationale
KCGB -Kennel Club of Great Britain
NKC -National Kennel Club
NZKC -New Zealand Kennel Club
UKC -United Kennel Club
USNMC -United States Neapolitan Mastiff Club
