Dog Breeds <Back to Breed Profiles

		Select the dog breed you are interested in from the list below. Alphabetical Search: A - E F - J K - O P - T U - Z or Select A Breed

Neapolitan Mastiff

General
Other Names		Mastino Neapolitano, Italian Mastiff, Mastino
Dog Group Kennel Club		Working
Breed Classification		The Neapolitan Mastiff belongs to the working group. They are today used as watchdogs, family pets and seen in the show ring.
Cost of Ownership
Average Food Cost		>£15 per week
Feeding Requirements		The feeding will cost around £15 per week and, to ensure the well-being of the dog, the diet should include around 24% protein.
		Try Royal Canin Breed Specific Dog Food
Other Expenses		Puppies will vary in price from around £1000 upwards, but do be prepared to spend a lot more if you are looking for a show quality puppy.
Average Puppy Price		>£800
Lifespan		9 - 15 years Mastinos have a relatively short lifespan of around 10 years.
Average Litter Size		7 The average number of puppies in a litter is between 6 and 8.
General Physical Description		A truly impressive dog! These large-boned, massive dogs certainly make their presence known! It is not unknown for them to weigh in at 16 stone! The breed’s large head, intelligent expression and abundant loose skin give them a very distinctive profile. All gaits are bear-like and done slowly, but they do cover the ground well in a trot. Rarely will you see them in a gallop.
Height Min Max Bitch 62cm (24") 72cm (28") Dog 65cm (26") 75cm (30") Weight Min Max Bitch 48kg (106lbs) 68kg (150lbs) Dog 50kg (110lbs) 70kg (154lbs)
Size Category		Giant
Weight Height Range		Dogs normally measure between 65 - 75cms and weigh between 50 – 70 kgs. Bitches will be somewhat less.
Ailments		The main worries in the breed are Hip & Elbow Dysplacia, OCD and Arthritis. Near-sightedness is known in the breed and they can be sensitive to anesthetics and tranquillisers. They do not suffer heat well and should be kept in the shade and given plenty of water on a hot day.
Common Ailments
Susceptibility To Illness		Medium
Other
History		The Breed is thought to be a descendant of the ancient molossian breeds that were transported by the Romans to fight in the arenas as they, the Romans, were so taken with their size and bravery. After the Romans left England, the dogs were kept to guard farms and stock against bears and wolves, being known also as Bandogs. By 1800 the bull, bear and lion baiting had vastly reduced and so the Mastiff breed declined, almost to the point of extinction. However, thanks to Commissioner Thompson of Haifax’s love of the breed, this was reversed and all of today’s Mastiffs can be traced back to his breeding. The first Neos entered the showing in 1946 and were seen by Piero Scanziani who became an avid breeder and only three years later started a breeding programme with the most outstanding stock from Italy which perfected the Neos and proved instrumental in the acceptance of the Breed in the Italian Kennel Club.
Intelligence		Because of the very size of the Mastino, training must be started from a very early age and should be done in a consistent and well-balanced way. The Mastino is a very intelligent breed of dog and learns his commands very quickly. They do listen to the command but seem to obey it in there own time!
Show Characteristics		The head should be large with a broad short skull and a well pronounced definite stop. The rounded eyes should be set forward and well apart, the rim pigmentation to tone in with the colour of the nose, which should be large with well opened nostrils. The muzzle should be deep showing flews with full and heavy lips. The triangular ears should be small for the size of the head, set forward high on the head and well apart. The mouth should be strong with well developed jaws and a scissor bite, although a level one is tolerated. The neck should be short, stocky and very muscular. The dewflap from the lower jaw should reach the mid-point of the neck. The body should be longer than the height at the withers, with a broad, well-muscled chest. The shoulder should be long, slightly sloping and be well developed and muscular. The elbows should not be too close to the body to allow very free action. The front legs should be straight when viewed from the front and the hind quarters rounded with well developed muscle. The thighs should be long and broad with powerful hocks. Dewclaws should be removed. The feet should be oval with closed arched toes, the pads thick, hard and dark coloured. The nails should be curved, strong and dark. The hindfeet being slightly smaller than the front. The tail is customarily docked by a 1/3, thick at the root and set on lower than the topline, tapering towards the tip. It should be carried level with the topline when moving. If undocked the criteria are the same.
Country Of Origin		Italy
Famous Examples
Records Held
Characteristics
Energy		Medium
Overall Exercise		40 - 60 minutes per day. As young puppies, exercise must be supervised as damage can be very easily inflicted on these loose joints. Curtail free running and do not allow any high impact activities. Do not allow access to stairs either. Once mature, after 2 years of age, Mastinos have an average demand for exercise.
Distress Caused if Left Alone		Medium
Personal Protection		High
Suitability As Guard Dog		High
Risk of Sheep Worrying		Low
Tendency to Bark		Low
Ease of Transportation		Low
Level of Aggression		Low
Compatibility With Other Animals		Medium
Suitable For Children		High
General Character And Temperament		This is an extremely affectionate and loyal breed and one which craves human companionship. They are generally very good with children and other household pets provided they have been socialised with them early on in life. They can become dominant with other dogs so early socialisation is important.
Grooming
Coat Length		Short/Smooth
Grooming Requirement		Once a week
Trimming		None
Requires Professional Groomer
Grooming		As with all short haired breeds a good brushing during moulting is necessary to remove dead and loose hairs. However considerable attention should be paid on hygiene. Mastinos are sloppy eaters and excessive droolers and owners must wipe their mouths after every meal. The breeds loose skin also needs looked after carefully to prevent irritations. Their ears also need inspected regularly and kept clean and dry.
Colour		These dogs come in black, blue, all shades of grey, from fawn through to red, all colours can be seen with or without brindling. Small white markings can be seen on the chest and the toes.
Shedding		Little
Suffers From Allergies
Tendency to Cause Allergies

Breed results: K-O
Keeshond Kerry Blue Terrier King Charles Spaniel Komondor Kooikerhoundje Labradoodle Labrador Retriever Laekenois Lakeland Terrier Lancashire Heeler Leonberger Lhasa Apso Lowchen (Little Lion Dog) Malinois Maltese Manchester Terrier	Maremma Sheepdog Mastiff Mexican Hairless Mixed Breed Munsterlander (Large & Small) Munsterlander (Large and Small) Neapolitan Mastiff Newfoundland Norfolk Terrier Norwegian Buhund Norwegian Lundehund Norwich Terrier Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Old English Sheepdog Otterhound