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The Neapolitan Mastiff Shop

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Neapolitan Mastiff Breed Summary

Gentle, Adoring, Loyal, Obedient and Protective

Neapolitan Mastiffs are one of the oldest breeds that we know of that are native to Italy. They have a very imposing and confident appearance and though they make impressive watchdogs, they are actually very loving and kind by nature! They also have lots of loose skin that hangs around their faces and necks, ultimately adding to their forbidding appearance!

So long as they receive lots of socialization and training, they are one of the most loyal and loving dogs you could ever own! However, their size does mean they're not the best breed for first time owners and they really need to be placed with someone who has experience with the breed.

Fun Fact: They are thought to be over 5,000 years old!

Kennel Club Group Working
Lifespan 8 - 10 Years
Height (at the withers) Males 26in - 31in, Females 24in - 29in
Weight Males 150lb, Females 110lb
Coat Coats are Short, Dense and Fine. They are Hard to the Touch and have a Natural Sheen
Color Black, Blonde, Blue, Blue Brindle, Brindle, Fawn, Gray, Gray Blue, Mahogany, Red
Eye color Dark
Common health issues Hip dysplasia, Entropion ( Eyelids Folding Inwards ), Ectropion ( Eyelids Roll Outwards ) , Cherry eye, Heart problems, Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), Skin problems, Arthritis, A sensitivity to anesthetics and sedatives, Bloat
Other Names Mastini, Mastino, Mastino Napoletano, Italian Molosso, Can'e presa, Mastino Neapolitano, Italian Mastiff

Although these dogs are huge, they are actually just gentle giants and only want to be around their families as they love humans. They absolutely love to be in a home environment getting lots of attention off of their families. Because of this they don't like to be left on their own as this can result in them developing separation anxiety, where they may start to behave destructively. Their huge size means that they're not necessarily the greatest choice for first time owners, and would do better in a home with owners who have a good understanding and experience with the breed. They are incredibly loyal doggies and have the potential to make lovely family pets.

If Mastinos look like strange visitors from antiquity, it’s because that’s exactly what they are. The breed might go back as far as 700 b.c., with artifacts from several ancient civilizations depicting Mastino-like canines. In the Roman Empire, they found employment as war dogs, gladiators, and guardians whose bestial looks and huge frame were calculated to throw the fear of Jove into their adversaries. Today, those attributes are still terrifying enough to send an ill-willed intruder running for the hills.