The Neapolitan Mastiff is also known under the names «Italian Mastiff» or «Neapolitan Mastiff» known.
He impresses from afar with his size and his imposing appearance.
In this article you will not only learn everything about the Characteristics of the Neapolitan Mastiff, but also everything about his temperamentpossible Diseases and his Life expectancy.
Neapolitan Mastiff wanted poster
Size Male: 65 to 75 cm, female: 60 to 68 cmWeightMale: 60 to 70 kg, female: 50 to 60 kgColorsBlack, Brindle, Tawny, Mahogany, BlueLife expectancy8 to 10 yearsOriginItalycharacter/temperamentStubborn, Fearless, Territorial, Obedient, Dominant, Protective, TrainableFCI groupGroup 2: Pinschers and Schnauzers, Molossoids – Swiss Mountain Dogs, Section 2: Molossoids – Mastiff-type dogs, without working trial
Look
The Neapolitan Mastiff is one of those large dog breedswho not only shows his imposing appearance, but also his massive and muscular physique owes.
He has a very large, almost massive head. That will be through his strong jaw and the close-fitting triangular ears stressed.
The skin of the Neapolitan Mastiff lfits loosely. are there Wrinkles in the neck area No rarity.
Danger:
The loose skin and isolated formation of wrinkles is often a smooth transition to the torment breeding.
The dogs are given additional wrinkles on the head or on the forehead by dubious breeders to give the animal an even better look aggressive appearance to rent.
The fur of the Italian mastiff short and hard. The coat of hair is in evenly and about 1.5cm long.
The coat colors approved and preferred by the FCI are Gray, lead grey and black,
but also brown, fawn and intense fawn (deer red).
Gray and lead gray are controversial because they are actually too Blue to count. According to some experts, blue is not a color but a genetic defect.
The shades hazel, dove grey and isabelle are also tolerated in Neapolitan Mastiffs.
Small white spots on chest and/or toes are allowed in all colors.
Likewise, all colors brindle be.
The lips of the Neapolitan Mastiff fleshy and thick.
The Eyes have an almost round shape and are general darker than the coat color. In lighter dogs, the eyes can also be lighter. The same goes for the Nose.
The male italian mastiff will be between 65 and 75 cm big and 60 to 70 kg difficult.
female dogs have a height at the withers between 60 and 68 cm and weigh about 10 kg less than a male.
History & origin of the Neapolitan Mastiff
The ancestors of the Neapolitan Mastiff were probably the Ancient Roman fighting dogs.
With the Roman legions, the dogs spread throughout Europe and are considered to be Ancestor of many mastiff-like dog breeds.
The «Ancient tanks” could be considered in southern Italy Shepherd, farm and farm dogs continue to receive.
The purebred of the Neapolitan Mastiff to its current appearance began between 1947 and 1949although the breed is still not considered to have been bred to this day.
Nature and character of the Neapolitan Mastiff
Uninvited guests the Neapolitan Mastiff keeps them away with its impressive and stately appearance.
This hardly upsets him and he responds with an almost stoic composure.
He has a very high stimulus threshold. In case of danger, however, he will not hesitate, house, yard and his people reliable and consequent To defend.
The Neapolitan Mastiff has a lamb-pious mind and is from home not aggressive.
The potential danger of the Molosser is fixed in terms of breeding controllability anchored.
A strong dog, his force uncontrolled used was never desired.
Especially since the Neapolitan Mastiff has also been bred as a companion dog, these opposite poles still have in breeding gained more importance.
The mastino is considered less complicated, extremely easy to train and more obedient Dog. But sometimes he can do something stubborn be.
children opposite he is through his calm and serene Temperament a loyal and friendly companion who forgives everything.
Strange opposite he is first waiting. When threatened, it places its body between the danger and its humans, but does not attack further.
The Neapolitan Mastiff is no barker. He protects and guards his surroundings quietly and quietly.
attitude & upbringing
As already described, the ancestors of the Mastino were Neapolitan real fighting and war dogsbut not much has been left of their aggressiveness for centuries.
However, the mastino has a very strong innate protective instinctwho should be slowed down rather than encouraged in education.
Mastino puppies should learn how to be friendly with people at an early age, although the breed is not inherently aggressive.
The same goes for the socialization towards other animals. They often react rather hostile to strange dogs.
Due to its size, the Neapolitan Mastiff is not suitable for keeping in a city apartment. Added to this is his pronounced territorial behavior.
He makes no special claims in terms of outlet and movementbut needs a corresponding territory that it can claim, guard and protect.
A house with a large fenced plot therefore offers this dog breed optimal conditions.
With its task of guarding the house and garden, you can also use this four-legged friend unconcerned leave alone for a few hours.
Nevertheless, the Neapolitan Mastiff surrounds itself happy with his people.
The mastino only belongs in the hands sensible and responsible dog ownerthat already Experiences or. expertise in the training and keeping of dogs.
Also you should have the necessary physical strength to be able to lead this dog safely even in possible critical situations.
In some federal states the Neapolitan Mastiff is considered list dog. Here, you as the owner can also be required to provide proof of competence.
Health & Care
Thanks to the short fur, the Mastino is Neapolitan not very maintenance intensive. Brushing here and there is enough.
However, this large dog needed lots and quality foodwhich means a cost factor that should not be ignored.
The mastino is not an exercise junkie. Too much can even cause serious problems due to its weight. Hip or joint dysplasia are a common consequence.
One gastric torsion is also fairly common in this breed.
Overall, the mastino is due to partial overbreeding prone to many diseases.
While the Neapolitan Mastiff initially had an average life expectancy of up to 12 years, this is now only around 8 to 10 years.
Is the Neapolitan Mastiff right for me?
As the owner of a Mastino, you don’t have to be very active in sports and can take it easy. Lots of space in a house with a garden is much more important to him.
He loves spending time with a reference person to spend. Therefore it is also suitable for single people.
With appropriate upbringing, an attitude as family dog of course also possible.
Still you should Experience in dealing with and training such a dog.
Fun facts about the Neapolitan Mastiff
In the 1980s, the Mastino Napoetano was referred to by the press as safest protection or living alarm system hyped.
That immediately appealed to people who dangerous dog needed for self-affirmation.
Enterprising and unscrupulous breeders took advantage of this trend. This is how increasingly wrinkled, terribly dangerous monsters were marketed.
This trend is fortunate strongly declining and one has largely thought about a serious and species-appropriate breeding.
Nevertheless, good breeders are rarely represented in Germany. are correspondingly long Puppy waiting lists and the prices are relatively high.
What is your experience with the Neapolitan Mastiff? We look forward to your story as comment.