Neapolitan Mastiff, a friend with a big heart

When we see a person and their dog walking through the park we can observe similarities in their hair, eyes or simply in their behavior. The Neapolitan Mastiff are one of the largest breeds of dogs that we can find, and their appeal goes beyond their striking size, their beautiful coat and the adorable folds of their skin. We cannot say that people who adopt a Neapolitan Mastiff are wrinkled giants, so what kind of person should you be if you want to adopt a Neapolitan Mastiff ? Do you know this wonderful breed of dog ?

• Size : Large/Giant.
• Weight : Between 50 and 70kg.
• Hair type : Very short and straight.
• Character : Protective, Obstinate, Fearless, Obedient, Dominant, Endearing
• Health : Prone to congenital diseases
• Life expectancy : Between 8 and 10 years.

Origin of the Neapolitan Mastiff

As its name indicates, the Neapolitan Mastiff has its origins in beautiful Italy . It is a guard dog that descends from the Roman Molossus , a breed that was once used in combat against lions, elephants, other dogs and even humans, as a form of entertainment; and the Tibetan Mastiff which was used as the main guardian in the mountain temples in Tibet. Over the years, Italian farmers crossed different dog breeds to increase the size of the Neapolitan Mastiff. Some people even say that they did everything possible to increase his wrinkles, so that his guard dog would have such a fierce figure that no one would dare approach his farm. While today the Neapolitan Mastiff is more of a companion dog , it used to be said that while a common guard dog could bite the arm of an intruder, the Neapolitan Mastiff could rip off an intruder's arm. There is no doubt that they sought to feed the idea that this race was truly fierce.

Physical characteristics of the Neapolitan Mastiff

To begin, let's review a little, the word mastiff comes from the Latin massivus , this can be translated as massive. This adjective is given not only to the Neapolitan Mastiff, but to many other equally large dog breeds . The Italian Mastiff, as it is also known, is a dog that impresses when seen, it is muscular and imposing and its body is thick. What stands out the most is his head, it is enormous although well proportioned with the rest of his body, it is covered with thick wrinkles that go from the frame of the forehead to the jowls, and from the eyelids to the lips, forming folds that in Sometimes they can cause some health problems for the dog, such as obstruction of vision. The muzzle of this Mastiff also has a notable feature and that is that it is usually as long as it is wide, which can give it the appearance of being square. The upper lip is large, covering his mouth. Its coat is shiny, short and smooth and very easy to maintain. It can be found in colors such as black, silver grey, sand, brown or mahogany. Its tail is medium-sized and its ears, when not cut, are long and drooping on each side of the face. The Neapolitan Mastiff has a life expectancy of between 8 and 10 years and is considered an adult at 3 three years of age. These dogs are known for their imposing size , their weight ranges from 70 to 95 kilograms. Regarding their height, Neapolitan Mastiffs are usually longer than tall, although they can measure between 60 and 75 centimeters in height. Learn about other types of mastiffs:

• spanish mastiff
• English Mastiff
• Tibetan mastiff
• Italian Mastiff

Behavior and personality

Probably, a dog weighing almost 100 kilograms, with a powerful bark and an unfriendly face, is not a figure we would want to approach. This is the first impression that the Neapolitan Mastiff gives, and precisely for this reason Italian farmers used them to protect their farms , their houses and their livestock. Certainly, they have a fierce and threatening appearance, but in reality this is nothing more than a facade. The Neapolitan Mastiff is one of the most faithful and peaceful companions we can find , they are like giant babies or cute teddy bears. He is a dog like any other and often seeks to gain the attention and affection of everyone at home. He will always look for a place on the sofa to watch television with the family, although sometimes his large size makes it difficult for him to live together at home. When it comes to children, the Neapolitan Mastiff is careful and affectionate , it has a lot of patience, even when sharing with small children. It is not advisable to adopt them when you do not have a large house, with a large and fenced garden or patio, because due to their size they need to be in large spaces. However, as the Mastiff grows older, he will be less interested in spending his time playing outside and will instead find a way to be at home and rest on the couch or in your bed. They are quite sedentary dogs and do not need much exercise, however, the best thing you can do for your Neapolitan Mastiff is to take it for a walk several times a week so that it maintains good physical condition. Although you will not find a very noisy or physically active dog, it is preferable for Neapolitan Mastiffs to be in an open environment or in a large house. Keep in mind that they are guard dogs by nature , so they are very jealous of their territory. If an animal gets too close to what it considers its property, it may become upset and start barking. And if something characterizes him, it is the strength of his barking.

Feeding the Neapolitan Mastiff

The food we give our pets is a primary factor; it helps them grow big, strong and healthy when they are puppies. In addition, they obtain all the vitamins they need to stay in good health. All the food we give to our pet is reflected on the outside, the strength it shows, the shine and softness of its hair, is due to the type of food we give to our Neapolitan Mastiff, this breed needs a diet rich in essential oils and low in fat . Puppies that grow as big as the Neapolitan Mastiff grow more slowly than other dogs. That is why they are only considered adults when they have reached 3 years of age. Because of this, they need a low-fat diet, since fat provides energy, and since they are rather slow dogs, this can lead them to obesity. The Neapolitan Mastiff can be fed a natural diet or large dog food available in the supermarket. If you decide on the latter, it is important that you select a complete product for large breeds, low in fat and high in protein, of the light type, or products that help control weight. With natural diets, the most recommended is to feed it with fish, chicken or turkey, due to its low fat content and excellent protein content. Some people accompany their food with pasta or bread to ensure that along with the protein the dog also receives a good portion of carbohydrates. Large dog breeds (such as Saint Bernard dogs) have a tendency to develop obesity if they are not fed properly. This, in itself, is something quite serious, but it can also lead to other health problems at the bone level, in the joints, at the cardiovascular level, among other problems. It is important that your dog maintains a balanced diet, high in protein and low in fat, also rich in fatty acids, so you can guarantee the good health of the great pet of the house.

Neapolitan Mastiff Puppies

When the female Neapolitan Mastiff becomes pregnant, pregnancy lasts from 58 to 63 days. What is really particular about their pregnancy is the number of puppies they can give birth to . Being such a large breed, the number of dogs will be numerous. They can have 10 to 14 puppies at a time, so births tend to be extremely long, especially if the dog is a first-time dog. Before the dog begins labor, she will stop eating and look for a comfortable place to bring the puppies into the world. It is essential that we help them in this regard and try to give them the most comfortable place we have at home so they can go through this stage, remembering that, sometimes, labor can last up to 36 hours. It is advisable to have a veterinarian at the time of delivery, the estimated time for the expulsion of the puppies is approximately 30 minutes, if the time exceeds 90 minutes the puppy could be in danger of suffocation. In these cases, having our veterinarian's number on hand, or the doctor himself on site, could save both the puppies and our dog from suffering complications.

Health and care

• As with every pet, we must take it to the vet periodically . This in order to detect any condition they may be suffering from, as well as to keep their vaccination up to date.
• Their coat is really beautiful, however, it needs care to keep it healthy and shiny. It does not need frequent baths, receiving a monthly bath will be enough. However, its wrinkles should be cleaned daily with a damp cloth and dried properly, especially after each meal, as it could accumulate between the wrinkles and cause infections or illnesses.
• Their ears should be cleaned with a piece of cotton, never clean their ear canal with a cotton swab, it could damage them.
• You need to clean your teeth at least once a week to prevent tartar buildup. Likewise, their nails also need to be properly cared for and trimmed monthly.
• Remember to take care of your diet with excellent quality food that is low in fat and rich in protein.
• With age, Neapolitan Mastiffs can become sedentary . They go from puppies who enjoy playing in the yard all day to adults who prefer to lie on the couch or in bed for much of the day. It is important that we take them outside for walks a couple of times a day, so that they can exercise their muscles and joints, burn energy and prevent illnesses.

To consider

Although the slow walk of the Neapolitan Mastiff may resemble the walk of a lion, this enormous friend is nothing more than a sheep disguised as a big bad wolf. The Mastiff is a faithful and loyal companion that will protect all members of the family no matter what, because this is what its instinct dictates. Their nature is to be guard dogs, although more and more families are adopting them as companion dogs. They are dogs that need special care to stay safe and healthy. They need large spaces and large yards to play while they are puppies. They also require us to be very careful with their wrinkles, as these can be their greatest weakness. It is vital that we give them all our affection, since they love attention and company, even if they do not demand it. The Neapolitan Mastiff is a loving creature, especially with small children , he is patient and willing to leave his place on the couch just to give the little ones space. As we have seen, this beautiful breed has gone through great changes over the years, first being a fierce and fearsome guard dog on the farms of old Italy, where its particular appearance kept intruders away from the properties. Soon, the farmers themselves noticed that they were faithful and reliable creatures and little by little they gave them the space that they still maintain today within the home. Today, the Neapolitan Mastiff is an indispensable member of many families who have opened the doors to them and have found one of the best friends they could imagine . If you are the companion of a Neapolitan Mastiff, and if the premise that owners resemble their dogs is true, there is no doubt that you are someone who is truly friendly and affectionate, despite that tough facade you carry.