The ‘Neo’ as it is often called, is a massive breed of dog, native to Italy who is primarily used as a guard dog and protector due to its somewhat intimidating appearance.
This breed was large enough to be used effectively in a battle situation and has its roots, like many other Molosser type dogs, in ancient Europe and were documented to be a common dog used by the Romans. They were prolific general utility dogs being used to guard, pull carts, hunt, herd, bull and bear baiting and on occasion, kill intruders. They remained a popular dog breed for these purposes until the 20th century when, after both the World Wars, many were killed for food and populations suffered dramatic losses. After the war, an Italian painter Piero Scanziani established a breeding kennel to turn the mastiff-type dogs of Italy into a formal breed which was then named the Neapolitan Mastiff. The distinctive look of this dog has ensure it has become a favorite to use in films, with the most notable recent role being in the hugely successful ‘Harry Potter’ series of films, where the dog named ‘Fang’ belonging to Hagrid was played by a Neo.
Average height to withers: Males 26-31 inches with females smaller at 24-29 inches.
Average weight: Males can weigh up to a hefty 70kg, with females lighter slightly at up to 60kg.
With its massive size and somewhat alarming appearance, the Neapolitan Mastiff has been making intruders think again about their target since the breed came into existence! The most defining and distinct feature of this dog is the large head which is broad and profusely wrinkled, with drooping lips and a characteristic dewlap. Because of this, the Neo has one of the most expressive faces of all dog breeds. The muzzle is square and very broad with a nose which is large and matches the coat in colour. Ears are set at the cheekbone are, and are pendulous and heavy looking. The dog’s body overall is stocky and thick with loose skin covered by a short, hard coat. The neck is short and muscled and in proportion to the broad, strong back. The legs are of heavy bone and must be strong to support the sheer weight and mass of this animal. The coat is short and smooth all over it’s’ body, and in colour it can be solid blue, black, gray, mahogany, tan or brindle with white marks on the chest or underbelly.
The Neapolitan Mastiff is not a suitable dog for everyone and it is definitely not for the first time or inexperienced dog owner. Neapolitans require attention, discipline and a firm, consistent pack leader who it can respect and look up to. This dog is capable of being the Alpha in the family pack if the owner lest it, but this must be controlled as it could lead to potentially confrontational situations. A Neo is a large, powerful, vocal and messy animal and this takes patience and understanding on the part of the owner.
The Neapolitan Mastiff was primarily bred to guard and protect, and it is exceptionally good at its job. The Neapolitan Mastiff is likely to any visitors uneasy given its large size and appearance but they can be very amiable dogs when they get to know people outside their family. Proper and thorough socialisation from a young age is absolutely necessary with this breed; otherwise, overly aggressive behaviour may develop. The Neo is extremely loyal to its master and will guard its family with its life.
While the Neo is as affectionate and loving with its family as it is distrusting and menacing with outsiders. Neapolitans love children and are capable of displaying a patience which does not rest with their outward appearance, but their lack of playfulness and scary appearance often make them unpopular with younger children.
Like many large breeds the Neo has quite a short lifespan of 8-10 years if it enjoys good health. This dog can be prone to a number of illnesses and hereditary conditions. Eye conditions such as Entropion (when the lower lid of the eye folds inwards), and Cherry Eye, (a gland prolaspe of the third eyelid), are commonplace, as are joint issues due to the strain sometimes placed upon the dog’s skeleton and joints. Heart defects such as dilated cardio myopathy are also an issue, being a congenital defect present at birth, and often being fatal.
It can also suffer from bloat which can affect many large and deep chested breeds. Bloat is a serious emergency medical condition caused by a build up of gases in the stomach causing gastric torsion. The risks of this can be minimised by feeding smaller meals more often, offering water on an elevated platform so the dog does not have to bend its head to drink and avoiding exercise for an hour after eating.
This dog can also suffer from skin complains mainly due to the profuse folds of skin present over its whole body. Bacterial infections can build up within these folds and daily attention and care are a must to ensure they are kept clean, dry and free of detritus.
Care must be taken when exercising the Neo in hot weather as due to its sheer size it does not do well in extreme heat. During the hottest part of the day, it is better for the dog to be rested and offered shade and copious amounts of water. This dog does not need excessive exercise anyway, but it is a fine balance between food and exercise as it can be prone to weight gain if this is not regulated.
The short hair requires minimal grooming, but the owner must be prepared to clean within the folds of skin with a clean and lint free cloth to ensure no dirt is trapped under them as this could lead to a bacterial build up and subsequent infection.
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