Neapolitan Mastiff: temperament, size, care and health

About the Neapolitan Mastiff

The Neapolitan Mastiff is a huge, heavy dog whose most striking feature is its loose, abundant skin, which hangs in folds and wrinkles on the head and body and forms a dewlap under the throat. Adults stand about 24 to 31 inches tall, and the body is longer than it is tall and carries great weight. The short coat is dull and hard, in black, blue, mahogany or tawny, often with brindle.

The breed was developed in southern Italy as a guardian of homes and estates, valued as much for its intimidating appearance as its action. Modern owners keep it as a house guard and companion, drawn to its unusual look and its quiet, serious character.

Temperament and family life

The Neapolitan is typically calm, watchful and devoted to its family. It is not a fidgety dog, and it spends much of the day lying down. Its guarding instinct is strong: it is wary of outsiders, and its response to a perceived threat can be firm, so owners must take care when guests visit.

Many are good with the children of their own family, but their mass and clumsiness can cause accidents, and supervision is necessary. Dominance toward other dogs is common. The breed drools, snores and slobbers heavily, particularly after drinking, and wrinkles and jowls spread the mess. It depends on human company and does not do well in a kennel.

Exercise and training

Exercise needs are low: a couple of short, unhurried walks and some quiet time in a yard. The dog overheats easily and should never be pushed in warm weather. Puppies grow rapidly and should avoid jumping, stairs and long walks that stress soft bones.

Training requires an early start and a firm but gentle hand. The Neapolitan is intelligent but strong-willed and can be stubborn, and it responds poorly to harsh handling. Basic obedience, handling for grooming and veterinary visits, and broad socialization to strangers in a controlled way are valuable. A fully grown Neapolitan is difficult to move if it chooses not to cooperate.

Grooming and shedding

The coat needs a weekly brushing with a rubber mitt or bristle brush. Shedding is moderate. The challenge lies in the skin: wipe the facial folds daily and dry them thoroughly, since moisture and food collect there and can cause infection and odor. Wipe the lips and chin after meals and drinks.

Check the ears and eyes, which can be affected by loose lids, trim the nails and brush teeth. Many owners keep a supply of towels near the water bowl and the favorite sofa.

Health

The Neapolitan Mastiff has a short lifespan, often 7 to 9 years. Eye problems, including prolapsed third eyelid (cherry eye) and entropion or ectropion, are frequent. Hip and elbow dysplasia, heart disease such as cardiomyopathy, bloat and skin-fold dermatitis are also seen. Breeders typically screen joints and hearts. Weight management is important, and heat is a danger. This is only general information, and a veterinarian is the person to ask about a particular dog.

History

The breed is generally traced to the traditional guard and catch dogs of southern Italy. Its modern form is credited to Piero Scanziani, who saw dogs at an exhibition in Naples in 1946, began selecting the breed in 1947 and wrote the first standard. Interest spread across Europe and to North America, and the American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 2004.

Is the Neapolitan Mastiff right for you?

The breed suits a quiet household with a person home much of the day, a cool climate, a tolerance for drool and the experience to handle an enormous guardian. It is a poor fit for hot regions, for owners with limited strength or for homes with many guests. Those who want a mastiff with a smoother face may consider the Mastiff or the Bullmastiff. The French Dogue de Bordeaux is another wrinkled giant with a similar shortened life.