Although it may seem a little slow to walk due to its giant size, the Neapolitan Mastiff is actually a nimble and speedy dog, capable of reaching anyone in just an instant.
Affectionate, protective and very intelligent, this type of Molossian Mastiff knows how to differentiate perfectly when he must act to defend his family and when he must observe. Do you want to know more about this breed? We will tell you 🙂
Index of contents
- 1 Breed history
- 2 What is the character of a Neapolitan Mastiff?
- 3 Physical characteristics of the Mastiff of Naples
- 3.1 What is your hair like and what care do you need?
- 4 Education and training
- 4.1 Socialization
- 5 How is the health of a Neapolitan Mastiff?
- 5.1 Recommended care
Breed history
The Neapolitan Mastiff is a breed with a long history, as it descends from the ancient Tibetan Mastiff. In ancient Rome this dog was used in circus shows, fighting both gladiators and other animals, and also as defense dog to protect houses against bandit attacks.
The breed was on the verge of extinction in the mid-20th century but was able to survive thanks to the efforts of several breeders from southern Italy For this reason, he was baptized with the name that we all know today.
What is the character of a Neapolitan Mastiff?
Appearances are deceiving, this large and majestic dog may seem heavy and awkward at first glance, but in reality it is very agile and it has a powerful stride.
With his family he is loving, respectful and protective. He is a calm dog at all levels, although this does not mean that he is not alert, how good a watchdog he is.
He is always alert and attentive, even when he appears to be relaxed and absent. He will only bark if he has a good reason to do so.
This mighty-looking powerful guardian effectively deter intruders : You will never allow someone who has not been invited to set foot at home.
Instead, he will accept it without a problem with a simple gesture on our part, although he will remain distant. And it is that the Neapolitan Mastiff reserves expressions of affection for his family and no one else.
Physical characteristics of the Mastiff of Naples
The Naples Mastiff is a huge dog, with a height at the withers that ranges from 50 to 70 cm and a weight that can easily exceed 70 kg. Females are somewhat smaller.
His body is muscular and robust, with abundant loose skin. His head has numerous wrinkles and folds. Beneath it hangs a great double chin.
The face is characterized by its expressive and penetrating eyes and by its triangular ears, well attached to the cheeks.
The average life span of the Neapolitan Mastiff is around 10-12 years.
What is your hair like and what care do you need?
The Neapolitan Mastiff’s hair is short, coarse and hard. The most common colors are black, gray, brown and reddish, with the possibility that it exists tabby drawing.
Many specimens have white tufts on the chest and legs. The color of the nose always matches that of its coat.
The Mastiff changes its hair during the spring and fall. It is then when more care must be put in the daily brushing with a bristle brush or dog glove to keep their coat clean and free of loose hair.
Education and training
As is common in large dog breeds, the Neapolitan Mastiff takes a long time to mature and exhibits typical behavior of a puppy or young dog during its first years of life.
This logically presents certain difficulties for their training, although they are not an insurmountable obstacle.
Training should be based on positive reinforcement, without resorting to physical punishment, no matter how slight. Thanks to their obedient nature, short sessions of 5 or 10 minutes and intelligence games usually give very good results with this breed.
Socialization
In addition to training, it is important to socialize our Neapolitan Mastiff as a puppy, habituating it to the presence of other people and animals in order to prevent it from developing destructive behaviors or aggressive in the future.
Until the Mastiff fully matures it is advisable to avoid playing with children, who can harm unwittingly due to its large size and strength.
How is the health of a Neapolitan Mastiff?
At general levels, it is a strong breed with few health problems, although due to its size we must be cautious and always monitor its joints closely to prevent it from developing dysplasia.
Keeping up-to-date on vaccinations (started as a puppy) and giving him a good diet is usually enough to keep him healthy and growing properly. Given its size and growth rate, a extra chondroprotectors they will never go wrong.
Recommended care
The most suitable environment for a Neapolitan Mastiff is a house with a well-fenced patio or garden, although it is not a dog prone to escape from home: as a good watchdog, its main mission is to protect its territory.
Does not tolerate heat well So in summer you need a cool place to rest and plenty of water.
It is not the best dog to accompany us for a run or a bike ride. The Mastino is somewhat lazy and prefers to stay at home quietly. However, it is necessary for his physical condition and balance to force him to take one or two walks a day, not too long. Although it is difficult to get moving, once the Neapolitan Mastiff cheers up, he enjoys exercising outdoors a lot.
It is also important to clean the folds of the face well after each meal, since the accumulated remains can be a focus of infections and fungi.