About the Neapolitan Mastiff The
Neapolitan Mastiff is a direct descendant of the ancient molosser war
dog and can be traced back as far as 5000yrs.They fought along side the
Romans in war and were left at home to protect family and property. They
were used in the Roman arenas to be pitted against lions, bears, and
gladiators for entertainment. When the Roman Empire broke up and
countries formed the descendants of the Roman Molossian evolved into
different mastiff breeds and took on new names and characteristics from
the country it stayed in such as your English Mastiff, French Mastiff
(Dogue de Bordeaux), Spanish Mastiff, the Swiss St. Bernard, the German
Rottweiler. It is the Italian Molossian that remained the same since
Roman times. It has survived in the Italian countryside practically
unchanged in appearance and personality. In 1949 Piero Scanziani
reintroduced this living relic with the help of Dr. Ruggero Soldati and
a few others and it was named Mastino Napoletano in honor of those in
Naples who were responsible for maintaining this ancient dog over the
centuries.
The standard many people today read has
been written 50 years ago.The standard has been revised several times
since then bringing us to the standard written in 1991. Height at the
withers in males is 26-30 inches. In Females it is 24-27 inches. In show
you are allowed a 2cm tolerance either way. Now the average weights in
males today are 155lbs + and have been known to tip the scales at as
much as 200 lbs. The females average weight today is 120 lbs.+ and have
been known to tip the scales at 175 lbs, although the standard on
weights is still written as it was 50 years ago. Today's Mastinos are
much more massive than they were back then so the averages have become
much greater.
Neapolitans have very loose connective tissue on the body and forms
wrinkles and folds on the head and a large dewlap under the neck. The
coat is short, stiff, hard, and dense but smooth. No fringes. They
should have long, copious lips and a wide flat skull. Muzzles should be
wide and the length should be equal to 1/3 of the total length of the
head. The length of the body is 10% greater than the height at the
withers. Their bones are massive and their feet are tight and round
and could span up to 6 inches across.1/3 of their tail is cropped and
should not come over the back. Their ears are normally cropped close to
the head although you have the choice to leave them natural. They have
four colors which is blue, black, mahogany, and tawny. Brindling is
allowed. They can have white on their chest and the tips of their
toes only. Nose and lip color matches the coat. Eye colors are different
shades of green to grey or brown depending on the coat color. Absolutely
no blue eyes are permitted. An important thing to remember is that they
should be proportionate with their size (harmonious). It takes 3 yrs.
for these dogs to mature. There is a huge difference between 2 and 3
yrs.
Neapolitans are the only dog that walks like a cat and trots like a
bear. They are completely devoted to their family and great with
children when raised with them. The Neapolitan needs to be socialized.
They will still do their job. You can't breed centuries of guarding out
of them. As with all Neapolitans, they have a dominate nature and they
need an owner that is firm. This breed is not for the novice dog owner.
They are fiercely loyal and are content just to lay at your feet. Little
exercise is needed; remember, these dogs aren't runners or joggers and
they don't do well on long walks. A short walk a day is all that is
needed to keep up their muscle tone. With that in mind they don't need
acreage to live on. They are bred to stay put, as centenary guard dogs
do. They were built that way. The Neapolitan Mastiff is an awesome breed
and unlike any other breed of dog in character, looks and personality. |
