Neapolitan Mastiff Puppies Blog

Mastiffs are large dogs that have similarities in appearance and build but have their own uniqueness. There are several varieties of the Mastiff, mainly the English, Neapolitan, Bull, French and Tibetan. Many people have asked the common question of which is bigger between the first two types. The English Mastiff have short coats, with a squarish muzzle and floppy ears.

Neapolitan’s unique trait is the loose skin that forms wrinkles over the entire body. However, the English Mastiff weighs considerably heavier than the Neapolitan Mastiff. They can well be over 200 pounds while the Neapolitan can weigh anywhere between 120 to 200 pounds. The English Mastiff’s body also looks sturdier and a bit stockier which also adds to the bigger appearance and the other has its weight distributed differently. There is also a difference in height where the Neapolitan is between 26 to 30 inches and the English is already at the 30 inch mark.

Neapolitan Mastiffs are massive dogs with a broad and huge head and are known for their wrinkled face and droopy looking eyes. They are a mild mannered breed but were bred with guard dog instincts that may give an aggression factor. These dogs would be good indoors as long as exercise is provided for them when needed.

Generally they are not for owners who do not want their space all used up by a pet, to have a heavy dog pounce or lie on their laps, release gas, snort and most of all, a pet that can be aggressive towards people and other animals if not socialized.  These dogs are very pricey, with a price tag of $2500 to $3000 range. It is said that the breed delivers by Caesarean section due to mating problems of heavy males. It also costs a lot due to the reputation and quality of the breeder.

Avoid unnecessary vet bills! Do your dog’s basic health check!

Although one sees gray and black Neas most often, the accepted colors of a Neapolitan Mastiff are: black, gray, blue, brown, and brindle according to the breed standard.

The History of the Neapolitan Mastiff (also called: Mastino Napoletano, Mastino and Italian Mastiff) has a “tail” reaching as far back as 168 BC! It is a wonder, that even after more than 2000 years, the breed has stayed as unusual and special as it is. Originating from a now extinct breed, called the Mollosus, the Neapolitan was used in Ancient Rome to fight in arenas against lions, bears, and gladiators for entertainment. How did they spread through Europe? Well being dogs of war, they followed the Roman Legions, fighting alongside them. It became the favorite breed of Alexander the Great as well. For a long time after that the breed “disappeared” and many branches of the Mastiff developed in Europe. However in the 1940’s, the Neapolitan Mastiff was yet again discovered and sadly it was seen that – as with a lot of breeds – World War II, didn’t help with the perpetuation of the gene-pool of the Neapolitan. It almost became extinct but luckily it made a comeback and only in the 1980’s was it introduced into the USA. With a widespreading history, the Neapolitan Mastiff is cited as one of the most Ancient dog breeds.