Neapolitan Mastiff: photo, breed description, character, reviews

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

A big proud dog with a melancholy look and a muzzle that seems to melt and flow down makes a very ambiguous impression. On the one hand, she seems somehow lethargic, aloof, as if everything that happens does not bother her in any way. On the other hand, it inspires danger. After all, if you spend a certain time with her, it may suddenly seem that she is following every movement and step. And if you do something that she thinks is wrong, she will rush and tear you to shreds.

The Neapolitan Mastiff has a lot of fans, namely this dog will be discussed in the article. And to buy a puppy of this breed, you will have to pay from forty to one hundred thousand rubles. However, any animal is not a toy. But this is precisely what is more comparable with a weapon than with a good-natured animal. For this reason, many people, thinking about what kind of four-legged friend to settle in the house, do not dare to introduce a mastiff into their family.

But is the beast as scary as it is painted? Perhaps behind a frightening appearance lies a big kind heart? And in fact we make the mistake of obeying our ownfears?

To find out the answers to these and many other questions, let's study the breed in more detail. And find out what he is - a Neapolitan mastiff.

Mastiff in Ancient Rome

It is believed that fighting dog breeds are descendants of canines that lived on Earth long before the appearance of man. Many researchers claim that in the old days, these animals, along with dinosaurs, ran around our planet, not even suspecting that they would someday become domesticated. But then their history is lost for centuries. And in the times of our era, we have many dogs, united by common ancestors, but significantly different in appearance.

For example, the Neapolitan Mastiff studied in the article, or Mastino Neapolitano, according to some sources, is a direct descendant of the Tibetan Mastiff. The first mention of it in history dates back to the reign of Alexander the Great. After all, it was for his protection that giant dogs were brought from India itself.

The further history of the breed takes place in rather harsh conditions. Indeed, under Julius Caesar, they serve in the legions and fight like real fighters. Wearing special armor, mastiffs go to the battlefield with the rest of the legionnaires to win or die. But even in peacetime, these dogs do not rest. They amuse Caesar and other nobles by fighting again. But now, like gladiators, to the last breath. With huge elephants and ferocious lions.

History of the breed after the fall of the Roman Empire

Then for many years the majestic and formidable mastiffs were used in extremely brutal dog fights,where everyone who owned the amount of money needed to bet could watch the animals bite into each other, fighting for their lives to the end.

But a particularly difficult period in the history of the breed falls on the nineteenth century. Mostly because of World War II. After all, all over the world, with the exception of Naples and the areas around it, these animals were destroyed. In the very city of the former Roman Empire, they mated with Iberian mastiffs, which looked like Neapolitan ones.

As a result, there were practically no purebred dogs of the breed studied in the article in the post-war years. The gene pool has eroded. And only thanks to the breeder Pietro Scanziani, in whose kennel there were eight dogs that most closely matched the description of the Neapolitan mastiff, through a long and careful selection, it was possible to breed a dog, from which a new branch of the history of this breed began. It was from him that in 1949 the reference characteristics of the mastiff, which are relevant to this day, were written off.

Features of the body structure of the Mastiff

Every person, even not particularly versed in the mandatory features of the breed, knows for sure that the Neapolitan Mastiff is distinguished by its huge size and an abundance of folds throughout the body. However, experts know more than that.

According to breed standards, mastiffs have small triangular ears with slightly rounded tips. They are lowered down and fit snugly to the cheeks, which, like the forehead, are covered with folds. The eyes are round, large, protected by heavy eyelids and located on onelines. The color of the iris is slightly darker than the color of the dog. The nose is large, with wide nostrils, its lobe should strictly correspond to the color of the coat.

As you can see in the photo, Neapolitan Mastiff puppies are significantly different from adults. Thick lips and long cheeks will appear a little later.

The head of the dog is large, with a wide skull, the muzzle is square. The jaws are powerful, with a scissor or level bite. The neck is short and powerful, all in folds that run from the withers to the chin. The line of the back is straight, covered with muscles, the loin is slightly arched. The chest is long and wide, with perfectly visible muscles. The abdomen is tucked up. The paws are large and straight, as massive as the entire body of the animal. The fingers are tightly pressed to each other. The tail is similar to a saber: wide at the base, tapering towards the tip. The whole body is very large and muscular.

Dog appearance

In addition, it should be noted that the ears and tail of the Neapolitan Mastiff, whose breed description we are studying, can be docked. Then the first ones take the form of an isosceles triangle, and the second one - a process equal to a third of the original length.

The dog's coat is hard and very thick, the same length all over the body. Typical colors are black, gray, brown (yellowish and chocolate shades), brindle. White markings are also acceptable, which are located on the chest and fingertips of the Mastiff. Males reach a weight of almost 70 kg, height at the withers - up to 75 cm, females are slightly smaller. Their settings are60 kg and 70 cm.

Many people are perplexed by the presence of a large number of folds on the body of the Neapolitan mastiff, whose weight sometimes exceeds that of a human. However, it is this feature that allows the animal to survive in fierce fights. Without her, the short coat would not have been able to protect the mastiff from serious injury.

Character

Many breeders are parents. That is why the paramount condition that determines whether they will get a dog or not is its accommodating with children.

Even as a puppy, the Neapolitan Mastiff is quite reserved, calm. However, he still needs training and a powerful owner who will become an authority for him. Otherwise, it will be simply impossible to control a huge adult animal. And this is fraught with various troubles.

Training should begin when the dog reaches six months of age. Until then, it must develop independently, in everyday situations and various games. But the task of the owner is not to teach the animal all the existing commands, but to achieve the unquestioning execution of the basic ones.

At puberty, the nature of the Neapolitan Mastiff becomes quarrelsome and harsh, he tends to dominate. But in the adult state, the animal again - the very calmness and prudence.

Relationships with children

The dog studied in the article will be devoted to the family in which it lives until the end of its days. This applies not only to people, but also animals living with her. By the way, she gets along well with them. Mastiffs simply adore children, and easily replace a nanny: they canput the baby to sleep or follow him during a walk. Not to mention that, in which case, they will protect and even amuse the child.

However, before buying a Neapolitan Mastiff puppy, it is important to clearly understand that he is a descendant of the majestic Molossians. This dog needs space. Therefore, it is strongly not recommended to keep the animal in the apartment. In addition, his physical activity should be controlled. It should be moderate. This will help prevent joint pain and heart failure.

It is also extremely necessary to note once again: in order to raise a great friend, you must definitely engage in his upbringing - training. After all, if a cute puppy, having matured over the years, turns into a huge uncontrollable beast, whose ancestors fought in bloody battles, even an adult and strong man will not be able to cope with him. The most important thing in classes and everyday communication is in no case to use brute physical force. Because Mastino Neapolitano dogs have an excellent memory.

Mastiff care

The Neapolitan Mastiff, the photo of which is presented in this article, is a very sociable dog. Although this can not be said from his distant and rather melancholic look. Therefore, experienced breeders recommend taking the animal to specially equipped sites or to ordinary parks. On which it will be able to play enough, and spend time with its brothers.

However, consideringa considerable size, the mastiff, even being in the shade in hot weather, can get a sunstroke. As a result, it is important to reschedule walks for mornings and evenings, when the heat is not so strong.

After returning home, it is recommended that the pet wipe its paws. Representatives of the Neapolitan Mastiff breed are dogs that do not smell, it is for this reason that they should not be bathed too often. In addition, allergies, itching, irritation and dandruff may occur. Nevertheless, the studied animal belongs to the breeds that love to drool. And in this it is not to blame, mastiffs just cannot control it. Therefore, it is important to stock up on wet wipes for dogs and constantly wipe his chin. Otherwise, a real hotbed of various infections is formed around the mouth, dangerous for humans as well.

Also, some attention must be paid to the eyes and ears of the dog. They need to be cleaned about twice a week. And claws that are not worn out in natural conditions should be cut on their own or in a veterinary clinic with a special nail cutter. Animal teeth also need to be controlled. Especially if he has a straight bite, and part of the teeth does not take part in chewing food.

Dog he alth

According to statistics, as well as numerous reviews, the Neapolitan Mastiff suffers from a number of ailments, such as:

1. A hereditary joint disease that can cause a dog to stop walking. There is no cure, but the situation can be alleviated surgically by performing a reconstruction operation. In order not to acquire a sick animal,it is important to ask for a certificate of passing a special examination by the parents of the puppy.
2. In addition, the studied dog is prone to dermatitis, rashes and other types of allergies.
3. More problems with the joints, heart and other organs can occur when overeating. Therefore, the owner must definitely control the balance of the diet.

Due to the physiological characteristics of the breed, the huge load on the heart and other organs, the animal has a very short lifespan. On average, they live up to eight or ten years, but some leave much earlier.

What should I feed a Mastiff?

According to numerous photographs and descriptions of breed standards, the Neapolitan Mastiff is a huge animal. Therefore, many people do not dare to start it for the reason that they are afraid not to feed it. And in fact, such an option is quite possible. Because the mastiff eats a lot. For example, one of the representatives of the breed, the dog Hercules (we will talk about him a little later), ate one and a half kilograms of dry food and one meat a day.

However, the peculiarity of feeding the studied dog is that it can be kept both on industrial food and on natural food. The only nuance for the first method of feeding will be that dry or wet food must certainly belong to the “premium” class, while for the second, the presence of meat must be at least forty percent.

If the choice fell on foodnatural, Neapolitan Mastiff dog needs to be introduced into the diet of vitamins. It is also important to control the weight of the animal.

What is important for a breeder to know

Of course, every person who brings a four-legged friend to his house dreams that he will become a full-fledged member of the family. However, for this, the following recommendations must be observed:

1. It is important to take a pet from its mother strictly after it reaches the age of two months.
2. Mastiff puppies are very suspicious, which often manifests itself in aggression. Therefore, you should be engaged in raising an animal from the moment he comes to the house.
3. To prevent the development of joint diseases, you need to provide him with soft bedding.
4. Avoid swimming during the first year of life, and then you should not abuse it.
5. It is also important to protect your puppy from bloodsuckers: fleas, ticks and other insects. Since even the slightest bite can easily provoke the development of a severe form of allergy, which may well lead to death.

The most famous representative of the breed

A lot has been said about the fact that the dog studied in the article is huge. Although this is already known to almost everyone. Nevertheless, one of the representatives of the breed - Hercules - has grown so much that in 2001 he was included in the famous Guinness Book of Records as the largest dog in the world.

And it happened almost by accident. The boy who lived next door to the owner of the mastiff, Joe Flynn, learned from the Internet that the current holder of the title had died. Then he decided to invite a neighbor and his pet to apply. Flynn thought the idea was funny, but he decided to try his luck anyway. And after a very short time, the mighty Hercules was awarded the title - the largest dog in the world.

And this title is well deserved. Because this Neapolitan Mastiff, the photo of which is presented below, was twice the size of the standards of its breed. The girth of the neck was a little less than a meter, and the paws were the size of a tennis ball. The weight of the huge animal was one hundred and twenty-eight kilograms. And this figure is truly frightening!

But it is especially interesting that, as the owner of the dog claimed, he did not feed Hercules with any special supplements or diets. In general, he could not even think that the acquired animal would glorify him so much. After all, Flynn and his wife just bought a puppy that was supposed to grow larger than their previous pet. And who knew that Hercules would reach such a grandiose size!

On the other hand, Joe Flynn himself is a powerful athlete, whose weight is slightly less than that of his pet. It is equal to one hundred twenty-two kilograms. Above is a photo of a Neapolitan Mastiff with a human owner. Perhaps this is their "family"?