Neapolitan Mastiff Dog Breed Profile

by Luke Blaise

AKC Group: Working Group

The Neopolitan Mastiff is a huge black dog with lots of wrinkles. Not a dog for first time dog owners, it requires a lot of room. Although it looks ferocious, it is actually mild mannered with its owners.

History

An old dog, the Neapolitan Mastiff dog's lineage could be tracked back to old Asia, Egypt, Mesopotamia and Persia. It is believed that the Roman military used these dogs. The dog later was used around farms and estates in northern Italy. Breed to be intimidating and used as defender of master and house.

Physical Features

The Neopolitan Mastiff is a heavy, stocky boned dog. Males reach a height of 26 to 31 inches, with females reaching anywhere from 24 to 29 inches. Adults weight up to 150 to 200 pounds.

The coat is dense, short and of uniform smoothness and length all around the body. The hairs are upright and not lengthier than one inch. Strong coats of black, gray, mahogany and tawny are desired.

There could be solid white patches at the throat, chest area, bottom of the body, penile sheath, backs of pasterns, and at the toes. There could also be white hairs behind the wrists.

Personality

The Neapolitan Mastiff is loyal and steady to his master, not intense nor likely to bite with no reason. As a defender of his master and property, he's always watchful and will not tolerate unknown people in his private space. His perspective is relaxed yet suspicious. In the show ring he's powerful and majestic.

Common Health Problems

At risk of cherry eye, hip dysplasia, bloat, pano-ostiosis (joint pain from development can happen at 4 to 18 months in most cases disappears by itself). Neopolitan Mastiff puppies are typically born by caesarian section.

Return to: Complete AKC Dog Breed List

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