Neapolitan Mastiff Origin and History

Neapolitan Mastiff Origin and History

Neapolitan mastiffs were bred in Italy. The breed has existed since ancient times, and the name of the breed derives from Neapolis, which is modern day Naples.

 This dog was used as a war dog, to defend estates and help in hunting wild animals. In modern times, this dog is still used for hunting lions and other animals in Africa.

The Neapolitan Mastiff is descended from central Italy’s ancient capture and guard dogs. Piero Scanziani began breeding the species in 1947 after seeing one at a show in Naples in 1946.

The Neapolitan Mastiff was named the official breed of the city of Naples in 1980 and became popular in the United States. The Neapolitan Mastiff is also known as the Italian Mastiff, although it is not a member of that species.

The Neapolitan mastiff is a giant dog, with males weighing or more and females. They are tall, with both sexes reaching.

They have loose skin and often appear to be floating rather than standing up. Their heads are broad with a wrinkled forehead and muzzle.

Neapolitan Mastiff Characteristics.

The Neapolitan mastiff is a very large breed of dog. This breed has loose skin, which makes it appear to be larger than it really is.

The skin also acts as an intimidation factor. This dog breed is so intimidating that most people will not even attempt to mess with this dog’s family, and they will avoid attacking this dog in any way.

The Neapolitan Mastiff is a very protective dog that has been known to hurt itself or others during its attempts to protect its family and property.

This dog has a superior ability to see in the dark and attack intruders before they are aware of this dog’s presence.

The Neapolitan Mastiff also has a high tolerance for heat, which can make it appear to float in mid-air. This is due to the fact that this dog has very little body fat, and it uses its loose skin as an air-conditioning system. This dog’s loose skin also allows it to stay cool.

Neapolitan Mastiff Breed Uses.

The Neapolitan Mastiff is often used as a guard dog. This dog is very intimidating, and it will bark and let everyone know that something is wrong. This dog breed will not stand for disrespect or disobedience from anyone it feels should be following the rules.

This dog is especially protective of women and children, but it may even get upset if other dogs are allowed to misbehave.

The Neapolitan mastiff is most popular as a family dog and protector. This dog has become quite famous in recent years, and Americans have begun breeding it in larger numbers.

Neapolitan Mastiff Temperament.

The Neapolitan Mastiff is a highly protective dog that does not tolerate people disrespecting it, either by attacking or by disobeying its owner’s rules.

This breed of dog also has a great amount of intelligence and is highly trainable. This dog breed will thus easily be trained to accept strangers on their territory and will bark only if they feel suspicious.

This dog is very assertive, but it cannot become aggressive unless provoked by a stranger or someone who assaults its family. This breed of dog will try to protect its family at all costs.

As the Neapolitan Mastiff is a very large dog breed, it can easily become stubborn and aggressive toward other dogs if it does not feel that other dogs are being treated appropriately. This dog gives off an air of confidence, which works in its favor when it is on guard duty.

Neapolitan Mastiff Grooming.

Brush or comb your pet every day to remove dead hair and keep the skin and coat healthy. An additional benefit is that the process of brushing or combing can be a bonding experience for you and your pet, as well as provide daily exercise for both of you.

If your pet is showing some shedding, especially in the spring and fall seasons, then try brushing a few times a week to help prevent shedding. You should also brush or comb your Neapolitan Mastiff regularly to keep its coat shiny and healthy looking.

Neapolitan Mastiff Care.

The Neapolitan Mastiff does require regular bathing and grooming, which are highly recommended. It is important to take care of your pup so they stay healthy, happy, and well-mannered.

You should brush or comb your dog’s coat at least once a day to help remove any loose fur and skin, as well as to check for any possible ticks.

In addition to brushing, you should bathe your pet about once per month to keep the fur looking great. If you notice that your dog is starting to smell, it needs a bath! Also watch out for fleas and ticks on your Neapolitan Mastiff and make sure they are treated if they appear.

 

Neapolitan Mastiff Training.

Neapolitan Mastiffs are usually easygoing and good-natured, but they’re not pushovers to raise and train. They can be aggressive or timid, depending on their training and socialization.

They need a firm, confident trainer who can be in charge without becoming a dictator.

Neapolitan Mastiffs that aren’t properly trained and socialized may be aggressive, making them unsafe companions. These dogs need early socialization and training to help prevent them from becoming overly protective or aggressive.

The Neapolitan Mastiff is very intelligent and obedient, with the ability to easily be trained. They can be trained in obedience and protection. This dog is easily trained to respond to commands, especially if its handler treats it with a small treat after it has responded correctly.

The Neapolitan Mastiff should be trained to accept strangers on its territory. This dog will bark if it feels there are intruders on its person or property. This dog does not like being overly punished and will respond with a whine or a cry. This breed of dog is most commonly trained to accept strangers on their property.

This breed of dog can be trained to alert its handler if it detects any intruders, which will help its handler protect the home. The Neapolitan Mastiff can also learn to obey simple commands to perform tricks or do things, such as fetching a ball or jumping through a hoop.

Neapolitan Mastiff Socialization.

The best way to make sure that your Neapolitan Mastiff is well adjusted is to introduce them to various stimuli, make new introductions positive, and attend classes.

Your dog will build confidence and become a better-behaved member of society. The more you socialize a puppy, the more laid-back they will be when they grow up.

Neapolitan Mastiffs are usually easygoing and good-natured, but they’re not pushovers to raise and train. They can be aggressive or timid, depending on their training and socialization. They need a firm, confident trainer who can be in charge without becoming a dictator.

Neapolitan Mastiffs that aren’t properly trained and socialized may be aggressive, making them unsafe companions. These dogs need early socialization and training to help prevent them from becoming overly protective or aggressive

Neapolitan Mastiff Activities and Exercise.

Experts agree that the best exercise for a Neapolitan Mastiff is a daily walk. These dogs are known for having very short legs so it can be difficult to keep up with them when they’re out for walks or jogs.

The same way that you’d do with a large breed puppy, take your dog out to socialize and burn off energy.

Fetch is great game for these dogs as they’re known to be very active and love to run around.

Take your pup to the beach or a park where they can play fetch in a large open space.

Bring them to the park on a well-fenced in-line so that they can play off leash.

They’ll love being able to run and play with their smaller dog friends.

If you have a large yard, even better! Neapolitan Mastiff’s are known to have short legs which makes potty training a little bit more challenging, so make sure your yard is completely fenced in.

Neapolitan Mastiff Nutrition and Diet.

Neapolitan Mastiff diet should consist of biologically appropriate proteins, healthy fats, ground bones and vegetables. These ingredients are what the Neapolitan Mastiff is biologically equipped to digest.

The best food for a Neapolitan Mastiff is the dry kibble. The only time that you should give your dog table food is if you are preparing them for obedience trials or other competitions that require it.

If you give your dog a moist diet, you will have to feed them more often because their bones will get too heavy for their short legs to support.

Dry food should be fed twice daily and at least once more on the weekends and during other training sessions.

You should give them small meals of kibble so that they are not overwork and strain themselves.

The Neapolitan Mastiff needs to have a balanced diet that not only includes the necessary protein and calcium but also the fat and carbohydrates.

The Neapolitan Mastiff should be fed twice a day so that they do not get too heavy.

Here is an example of a high quality kibble for the Neapolitan Mastiff. This food is made by Pets Best.

Neapolitan Mastiff Health Issues.

The Neapolitan Mastiff is susceptible to major health issues such as canine hip dysplasia demodicosis, cardiomyopathy, and mast cell tumor and minor concerns like “cherry eye” and elbow dysplasia.

With the large size of the Neapolitan Mastiff, there is just no escaping these common health issues. As long as you keep them clean and healthy, these common health concerns should not be an issue.

Many times, these health concerns in puppies can be avoided and it is normal to see your puppy get bigger and taller almost by the time they are full grown adults. The genes can be passed down from generation to generation.

Neapolitan Mastiff Lifespan.

The average lifespan of the Neapolitan Mastiff is between 8 and 10 years.

Good health practices and maintenance will extend the life of your dog and help them live longer.

Neapolitan Mastiffs are such large dogs that they need ample exercise, food, and care to prevent common issues like weight challenges, joint problems, and dangerous health concerns.