Neapolitan Mastiff

At first sight the Neapolitan Mastiff often causes a feeling of awe. A true molossian, the Neapolitan Mastiff retains all the characteristics of the ancient dog. They are a massive dog with a large wrinkled head and dewlaps. Powerfully built, with loose abundant skin and heavy boned, they are immensely strong and capable of explosive power, leaping head high from the ground. They are also as fast as some sight hounds, over short distances. An ever evolving ‘masterpiece,’ Neapolitan Mastiffs have distinct development stages: Baby, Toddler, Child, Adolescent, Young Adult and Mature Adult, to put it in human terms.

The Neapolitan Mastiff is directly descended from the ancient Molossian, with a heritage extending back two to four thousand years, making them one of the oldest recognisable dogs. The Neapolitan Mastiffs of today are “MADE IN ITALY”. Having suffered from the deprivations of World War II, the breed was restored in Naples in 1947, thanks to the efforts of Pierre Scanzio and others, who gathered Mastini from all over Italy and introduced the breed to the show ring. Neapolitan Mastiffs first arrived in Australia in the late 1980s, with the first litter born on Australian shores on 26 November 1992, under the Galesha prefix.

Neapolitan Mastiffs are highly intelligent, loyal dogs, who are affectionate and gentle with family, steady, calm and very willing to please their owners. Protective instincts are fully intact and they will protect home and family. Being ‘alpha’ dogs, owners must develop a relationship of mutual respect, trust and love. A Neapolitan Mastiff will not be bribed and must be trained by his owner personally to develop the correct relationship.

Large, heavy and massive dog with a bulky appearance. The length of body to exceed the height at the withers.

Important Proportions: The length of the body is 15% more than the height at the withers. The ratio skull-muzzle is as 2 to 1. Length of head is about 3.8/10 of the height at the withers. Neck is rather short. The circumference of the thorax is ample.

As with all giant breeds, Hearts, Hips and Elbows may be issues. Puppies purchased from breeders who have health screened their breeding stock, raised and exercised correctly, will need nothing more than annual veterinary checks to have a healthy life, living to approximately 8 years of age. They are born at birth weights of 500 to 700grams, and will grow to about 60 kilograms in their first year.

A short-coated breed, so in general a bath now and again is about all you need. The eyes and ears should be checked and gently cleaned whenever necessary with a damp cloth or paper towel. You will find that you will need to keep a towel handy to dry the face and lips (and yourself!), especially after the dog eats or drinks. Nails should be kept short.