Mastino Neapolitan

This magnificent Italian giant impresses with its size. The menacing appearance is enhanced by the skin folds on the muzzle and withers and the massive jaw. The Neapolitan Mastiff was bred for protection, and its protective instinct is indeed very developed. A dog is a serious threat to thieves.

Calm, balanced, infinitely devoted to the owner, usually not showing unreasonable aggression, this dog is nevertheless suitable only for an owner who is confident in his abilities and has a strong character. He needs extensive socialization, professional training and a firm hand from his owner, otherwise he can become dangerous to strangers.

History of the breed

According to one legend, the ruler of Epirus gave his dog to the Persian king Cyrus II the Great. He immediately put him into the bull ring. But the dog did not attack and Cyrus immediately ordered to kill him. The ruler of Epirus stopped this action and explained that his dog would not attack the weak and was waiting for stronger opponents. This is a legend, but the character is conveyed accurately: strong and capricious. They feel their own strength and feel the fear and weakness of others. The dog was on the verge of extinction during the Second World War, but was rescued by dog breeders in Italy. They were also used by peasants to protect property. In ancient times, they were much lighter, had fewer health problems, and were more resilient. They have now become ponderous giants and have lost their health along with it.

Neapolitan Mastino – breed character, gigantic power, slow and flexible gait. They are calm and non-aggressive dogs, but their attacks are swift and merciless. Many owners highlight reliability and devotion in his character.

Character Mastino Neapolitan

Stubborn
Fearless
Obedient

Dominant
Loyal to his master

The Neapolitan Mastino is a calm and balanced dog, friendly. But this is only if the owner has the same iron character and strong nerves, who can put his pet in his place. Strength and combat skills require constant monitoring. This is a clumsy animal in appearance, but it has instant agility.

Neapolitano is very attached to its owner, because of this, you should not take a puppy if you do not communicate with him, exercise him, and often leave. They do not tolerate separation well and get sick if their owner is absent for a long time.

What conditions make up a dog's character? It is widely believed that the character of a four-legged pet is determined at the genetic level. Also, many people close to cynology argue that character traits are nothing more than the consequences of training and daily upbringing of a puppy. The conditions under which the pet is kept also play an important role. You should not expect your pet to be sociable and friendly towards people if he has been shouted at since childhood, waved at with a leash, or with a newspaper.

Experienced dog breeders will certainly say that if you want to achieve mutual understanding with your own pet, then you must match in temperament and in some character traits. To correctly choose the breed that suits you, first study this issue theoretically: consider the exterior of the dogs you like, read the breed standard, pay attention to the description of the temperament and characteristics of the breed's behavior, ask questions to the real owners of the breed you are interested in. If, in theory, you are satisfied with the breed of your future pet, go to a nursery, or to people engaged in private breeding. A competent breeder who cares about his breed will readily respond to your requests for help in selecting a puppy. It is difficult to say with certainty what kind of character your chosen dog will grow up to be in such a short period of time. There are several simple tests with which you can choose a little friend with the qualities you need.

Character

Despite its impressive and even menacing appearance, the Neapolitan Mastiff, a photo of which you can see in our article, is not such a ferocious animal (with proper training). He is highly trainable and therefore can be controlled.

Taking into account ancient instincts, you can raise your pet to be an ideal guardian. Mastino Neapolitan (owner reviews confirm this) is quite wary of strangers. This must be taken into account when inviting guests to your home.

These beauties treat their owners kindly. These are very loyal creatures, so they experience a change of owner very hard. It should be said that this giant suffers even in the temporary absence of the owner.

Despite the fact that in ancient times these animals were fighters and gladiators, they have a calm disposition - the mastiff is extremely rarely the first to rush into a fight. The reason for the attack may be a situation of increased danger. Before entering and during the fight, the mastiff does not bark, but emits a dull growl. If this dog nevertheless enters the fight, then he will not leave “the battlefield” until the enemy completely surrenders or until he hears the owner’s cry.

Mastino Neapolitan: features of the breed

Security . Excellent security qualities. In ancient times, dogs guarded people and property and have remained to this day with very good watchdog qualities. Guarding at the cost of your life is a mastino.
For experienced owners . The dog is not suitable for beginners. It is necessary to work with the dog for up to 2 years and contact specialist dog handlers. The dog needs constant supervision. If you are a consummate leader, the Mastino will be the friendliest, calmest, and most loving dog.
The dog needs constant supervision from a veterinarian . The dog has health problems and it is advisable to see one trusted specialist.
Active and long walks are necessary - the Neapolitan Mastino should leave all its energy outside.
Needs a lot of space . This is a very large dog that needs its own space. The apartment is a small “booth” for him.
One owner dog . He obeys only one owner, but protects and treats all family members “evenly”. Dogs are very jealous and can show aggression towards other family members. Adult dogs are not able to tolerate a change of owner.
Early socialization . These dogs require early socialization, do not neglect or you may end up with a very aggressive animal.
Mastino does not get lost and is always in control of the situation . The Neapolitan Mastino will not run far and will always monitor the owner’s location. Clearly controls the distance between you and your interlocutor. If, in his opinion, the distance is small (usually less than a meter), then he sits down and blocks the path. The owner needs to remember this feature and monitor the behavior and reaction of his pet.
Prone to excessive salivation.
They do not tolerate heat well . Due to its weight and short coat, it does not tolerate heat well.
Difficult birth . Like bulldogs, pedigree puppies with large heads and, in most cases, cannot give birth naturally. Only by caesarean section.

Beneath the external calm of the Neapolitan Mastino, nerves of steel and a strong character are hidden. Mastino is not afraid of anyone or anything.

Breed standard

The Neapolitan Mastiff looks very impressive in the photo. In life, the Italian is also huge, and, as befits large-sized dogs, he is full of dignity and calm as a tank. Males are much larger than females, in addition, they have more folds. With a height of up to 75 cm, they weigh up to 70 kg. The height of females is up to 68 cm, and their weight is up to 60 kilograms.

Dogs' heads are large and covered with deep folds. The lips are fleshy and drooping, and the eyelids also droop. The skull is voluminous and the forehead is flat. The cheeks are dense and the cheekbones are muscular. The bridge of the nose is straight.

Powerful, deep jaws have a strong grip, the teeth are set tightly, closing in a scissor or pincer bite. The wide nose has a regular shape and widely spaced nostrils.

The dog looks at the world with wide-set and deep-set eyes with a wise, calm gaze. Ears can be natural length or cropped. If they are not cut off, they are lowered towards the muzzle in the shape of a triangle with a rounded end.

The strong body is stretched. The muscular neck bends and has a dewlap in the form of two folds. The chest is very voluminous and wide, deep. The powerful croup is sloping at an acute angle, and the groin lines are barely tucked. Thick paws are smooth, muscular, the front paws are perpendicular to the ground. The ends are rounded, gathered into a ball.

Neapolitan Mastiff on a walk

The animal has no undercoat, and the only protection is guard hairs. To the touch, the fur is straight and hard, elastic. Colors range from light and dark gray, blue-gray to deep red, lemon, pink and brindle. White spots on the chest and paws are unacceptable.

Care and maintenance

Up to a year, you need to be very careful about your pet’s nutrition and give vitamins/microelements. Do not overfeed, otherwise joint problems will arise. In addition, many dogs are susceptible to allergies and certain feeding rules must be followed.
Dogs under 6 months of age should not go down stairs.
The eyes are prone to inflammation. Take care of your eyes and ears – clean them daily.
Wipe all folds daily with a damp cloth to avoid the appearance of fungus and skin diseases.
Mastino is a very difficult breed to raise.

Basic rules for caring for a dog

Dental care. It is enough to examine the teeth and oral cavity of Mastina Neapolitan once a week. As for the care itself, during a thorough examination you should pay attention to: The condition of the gums - if they are red and inflamed, it is recommended to contact a veterinarian who will recommend special medications or remedies;
Teeth color – ideally, it should remain normal, without plaque (you can clean it yourself) and purulent formations. To maintain teeth in good condition, special bones and toothpastes for dogs can be very useful;
Dental health – check for loose or broken teeth. Between them there should also be no food residues, the accumulation of which causes the animal to develop an unpleasant odor from the mouth and subsequently rot;
The presence of tartar - in this case, it is impossible to do without the intervention of a veterinarian and its removal. It should also be noted that an important factor for the health of Mastina Neapolitan - and in particular teeth - is proper balanced nutrition.

Grooming. If fleas are found in the coat of a Neapolitan Mastine, it is important to immediately take the necessary measures to get rid of them as quickly as possible. In order to get rid of them you just need to buy the drug at a pet store. After a couple of weeks, repeat this procedure. However, hair care itself may not be enough if fleas are present. It is also necessary to carry out a general cleaning of the house and, if necessary, use a special anti-flea product: that is, first of all, wipe the pet’s habitat, as well as carpets, floors, baseboards, and wash the bed.

Ear care. The ears of the Mastina Neapolitan are also the object of close attention - dust always accumulates in them, and during walks they can become clogged with dirt. Subsequently, their contamination can contribute to the appearance of diseases such as fungus. As a rule, caring for Mastina Neapolitano ears involves a thorough examination of the ears, cleaning them with cotton swabs or wet wipes, as well as using special liquids or other products sold in pet stores if necessary.

Eye care. Mastine Neapolitan's eyes can also become contaminated with dust or secretions after sleep. All this can serve as a source of infectious inflammation, redness and a number of other problems. Therefore, check your pet's eyes every day.

Paw care. Caring for the Mastina Neapolitan's paws includes washing and brushing them after walks, trimming the hair between the claws, and removing foreign objects or debris. You should also pay attention to the inner surface (cushions) and treat it with a special “vacuum wax” in the winter, when the asphalt is sprinkled with reagents.

Claw care. If the Mastina Neapolitan does not wear down its claws naturally, then it is necessary to cut them once a month. But here everything is not so simple - inside the claw there is a pulp where the blood functions. Therefore, it is important to cut them not too short and correctly so that the animal does not get hurt.

Remember that all dog grooming procedures help to establish a relationship with the dog and train him to be disciplined. Regular checking of the Neapolitan Mastine puppy will develop into a kind of obligatory and pleasant communication procedure. If you notice any changes in behavior or find any unexplained sores or redness, contact your veterinarian.

Health

It is necessary to carefully monitor the health of the mastino. He is susceptible to the following diseases:

hip dysplasia;
elbow dysplasia;
various forms of allergies;
skin diseases;
cardiomyopathy;
obesity.

Preventive measures to protect your Mastine Neapolitan puppy

To keep your Mastine Neapolitan puppy completely safe, you first need to minimize his contacts with unfamiliar dogs, especially homeless ones. Therefore, you should not let your dog off the leash, as in this case it will become impossible to control its behavior and communication with other dogs. Since a dog can easily become infected with distemper from simply touching the nose of a sick animal. This disease can be transmitted to a dog through sniffing. Your dog can become infected with trichophytosis from contact with the lichen-affected fur of a sick dog. Naturally, it is impossible to completely exclude a dog’s communication with other dogs, since it must be socialized. Therefore, try to find friends with dog lovers who look after their animals. By adhering to this rule, you can eliminate the risk of pathogen transmission by 80%.
You should walk your dog in places where there are no landfills. Since garbage very often attracts rodents, which in turn are very often carriers of various infections. Gray rats are especially dangerous because they carry such a serious disease as leptospirosis.
You should not allow your dog to sniff other people's feces, as they are a source of worms.
Monitor the health of Mastina Neapolitan. Pay attention to even the most minor changes in his behavior. For example, your dog may appear lethargic, lose his appetite, or have a dry nose. Or you may notice that the dog begins to shed, and this has nothing to do with seasonal shedding. If hair loss becomes excessive, this is the first symptom indicating health problems in your pet. And only you can help him. Therefore, it is important to take the dog to the veterinary clinic in time, where the disease can be overcome for sure. In no case should you ignore the symptoms, since advanced infections are much more difficult to treat, and sometimes even impossible. If you start treating your dog, the disease can lead to his death or he will develop serious complications that will affect his hearing, vision, limbs and much more.

Head

This is the main feature of the dog, which is called the Neapolitan Mastiff. It is very massive, with excess skin, which forms peculiar wrinkles.

Powerful jaws with a full set of teeth are a mandatory requirement of the standard. Ears, which previously had to be cropped with a triangle, today, in accordance with changes in the standard, are recommended to be left in their natural form.

The eyes are a little sunken. Their color must match the suit. The neck is powerful.

Training and education

We definitely educate! Only after adopting a Mastino puppy do we begin to raise him. Otherwise, we will end up with an owner dangling on a leash at best, and problems with others at worst.

The Neapolitan Mastino is highly trainable. But training should be in the form of games, praise and treats, but not harsh violence. Violence can have the opposite effect. If the dog does not consider you a leader, then he sits down and turns his head away, thereby making it clear that you are “nobody for him”! The course of training and education of a Mastino (not training!) consists mainly of teaching the owner to control his dog.

These are freedom-loving animals and you will not achieve unquestioning obedience. You must accept them as they are.

Submitting a dog doesn't always work. The principle of complete submission of the Neapolitan Mastina to the owner is an outdated method. This theory was formulated based on observations of packs of wild wolves, but they were kept in captivity and, of course, experienced stress. The stress condition forced wolves to show aggression towards each other, but in the wild they do not show aggression to each other - they live together and interact with each other. You need to perceive yourself as a more experienced and mature member of the pack, who is responsible for guiding the new member (Mastina Neapolitan puppy) and teaching him good behavior, as well as correcting him if necessary. It is important to remember that Mastine Neapolitan puppies learn a lot on their own. They are very inquisitive, love to explore new territories and, of course, experiment. Puppies tend to repeat actions they enjoy (like playing with a toy). They do not repeat actions that cause them pain (for example, destroying a nest and getting bitten). If your Mastine Neapolitan puppy misbehaves, ignore him and praise him when he does everything right. Reward your puppy for following commands and good behavior. Do not neglect these tips. After all, constantly hearing “you can’t” all day long is unbearable. This is a small child who wants to know everything and get his portion of treats as a reward for not eating your favorite rug, going to the toilet outside, bringing you a ball, and so on.

Set rules and monitor their implementation

It is worth enrolling your Mastine Neapolitan puppy in obedience training classes. These classes will allow you to understand exactly what actions will allow you to control your dog’s behavior. You will be able to spend more time with your puppy, establish contact and socialize around other dogs.

Adviсe

Training a Neapolitan Mastine puppy should be done with the help of positive motivation; watch carefully special films about this technique. The Canine Translator film series from National Geographic is suitable.
If you need to leave your puppy at home alone for 2 hours or more, then ask someone to come to him.
Be sure to schedule your Mastine Neapolitan puppy an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible. The doctor will carefully examine him and give him vaccinations that will protect him from dangerous diseases.

Socialization, education, training

Such a dog, in order to prevent its excessive suspicion, needs to be among people from a very early age. There are usually no problems outside the home, but care must be taken to ensure that strangers do not gesticulate too much.

When a guest comes to the house, the mastiff becomes wary, but as soon as he is convinced that the stranger does not pose a danger to the owner, he stops noticing him. The guest should take the same position - ignore the dog and not try to pet it. Mastino reserves its tenderness only for its owner and his family. He cannot stand being treated with familiarity.

This is an intelligent, simple-minded, reserved and observant dog. She has an excellent memory and strives in every possible way to earn the trust of her owner.

Do not hit the dog under any circumstances or even swing at it. To make it clear that you are unhappy with your pet's behavior, you only need to raise your voice.

Future Mastino owners need to know that this is not a lap dog. He needs space, the opportunity to move, to bask in the sun. Commands must be given without anger, but in a firm tone. Having given a command, ensure that it is executed. Otherwise, the dog will decide that it can disobey you with complete impunity. Don't scold her when the dog barks. She does this very rarely, and even then only to warn the owner about something.

Some dog breeders from Naples teach their pets to rush at strangers using a special signal. This could be any “code” word inserted into a conversation, or a discreet touch to the animal’s side. But you should think carefully about whether you need to use such techniques.

A young Mastino pulls quite hard on the leash while walking. A special tightening collar in the form of a chain with a metal ring will very quickly wean the puppy from this habit. Then you should replace this device with a regular collar.

The Neapolitan Mastiff should not be chained in the yard. This will embitter and insult the dog, depriving it of the freedom of movement that it really needs. The requirements and behavior of all family members should be the same. It is unacceptable that one of the owners prohibits something, and the other cancels these prohibitions.

Attitude towards children and pets

Aggression towards other dogs . There are often individuals that are very aggressive towards other dogs. This behavior must be corrected through training and preferably at an early age.

He is calm about children's pranks, but only if the owner is an undisputed leader and has set guidelines for behavior towards children. Leaving one child with a dog is not recommended and it is necessary to explain to the child how to communicate with the dog.

It is not recommended to have a Mastino if there are pets and small children under 12 years old in the house. From 2 to 6 months, all family members need to have constant contact with the animal, exercise and educate. Otherwise he may become aggressive.

Where to buy a Mastine Neapolitan puppy?

A specialized nursery is the best place to buy a good Neapolitan Mastine puppy. If pedigree and thoroughbred are important, then it is better to hire an experienced dog breeder to help. If not, then you can trust your heart. On nursery websites, there are customer reviews that will help you navigate. A little secret or life hack: visit a dog show where the desired breed will be presented. Chat with the owners of the breed, ask about the nuances, find out where they purchased the puppies. True dog breeders live for their pets, so they will be happy to answer any question and give valuable advice. Typically, nurseries send their representatives to exhibitions, where there is a chance to meet in person and take a business card.

How to choose a strong and healthy Mastine Neapolitan puppy

The day has come to go to the nursery for a cute puppy. Babies should be kept in a clean enclosure, without a specific unpleasant odor, which is very important. First of all, the breeder will demonstrate the numerous awards that his pets have received. Listen carefully, but don’t be easily fooled by all the big titles and championship accolades. If possible, you need to look at the parents of the future pet. The main 10 signs that will help you choose a healthy Mastine Neapolitan puppy:

shiny and moist nose;
clean ears, pink;
lively, clear look;
clean eyes, without any discharge;
healthy skin, without parasites, sores and acne;
silky, shiny coat;
lymph nodes of normal size;
tail without creases;
no bloating.

A good proof that the animal is healthy is a written document of purchase and sale. If a Mastine Neapolitan puppy develops abnormalities over time, according to the contract, the pet can be returned. Having “insurance” with the buyer will reduce the risk that the seller will slip in a problem animal.

Age for adoption

Professional Russian dog breeders advise buying 8-10 week old puppies. At this age, the baby should already be vaccinated, toilet trained, and receive basic education.
An important point: it is not recommended to take a puppy home immediately after separation from its mother. Until 9 weeks of age, the baby learns dog language and learns to communicate with its own kind. He needs to spend several weeks in a doggy daycare.
A professional breeder knows that a Mastine Neapolitan puppy less than 6 weeks old cannot be given away. A very small puppy can only be given to an experienced owner who knows how to raise it correctly. This option is not suitable for a beginner.
Depending on the breed, the puppy can be picked up earlier or later than 10 weeks of age. Large dogs grow more slowly, so it is recommended to remove them from kennels at the age of 3 months. Puppies of such breeds should gradually build up bone and muscle tissue, without sudden jumps, in order to avoid problems with the musculoskeletal system.
For Mastine Neapolitan puppies of show or breeding class, the age of “adoption” can only be 6-9 months. This is a mandatory condition, because it is at this age that the makings of a champion and the distinctive signs of thoroughbred are revealed. You need to have patience to get a future titled champion.

Note : even the most expensive Mastine Neapolitan puppy cannot with a 100% guarantee become a champion. The breeder’s job is to assess the potential and make a forecast. Next, you need to raise the puppy and train it for a long time in order to realize the makings of a champion.

Documentation

A Mastine Neapolitan puppy has a mark in the groin area or it may be on the ear, as well as a puppy card (metric). The codes on the card and on the stamp must be identical.
Metrica is the primary document that is issued for a puppy when it reaches the age of 45 days. Next, a qualified dog handler examines the babies and notes any defects found. The owner of the dog, if desired, can change the metric to a new document, pedigree, at the age of 6-15 months. This document will allow the pet to participate in breeding.
Another document for the puppy is a veterinary passport, with mandatory vaccination and deworming notes.

When to buy a puppy

If you decide that this is exactly the dog you need, you need to listen to the advice of experienced dog breeders and dog handlers. We hope you have already realized that this is not an ordinary dog - a Neapolitan Mastiff. Its price is now quite high, since in recent years the breed has not been very widespread in our country.

It is necessary to purchase such a dog from well-established breeders, or even better, from a specialized nursery. We do not recommend purchasing a puppy at a poultry market. In this case, you run the risk of acquiring an unhealthy animal with an unstable psyche, which could grow into a very dangerous and uncontrollable dog.

Before choosing a puppy, it is necessary to “get to know” its parents in order to be sure of their health and the absence of serious defects. It is necessary to study the pedigree of the animal and familiarize yourself with the schedule of preventive vaccinations.

It is preferable to take the puppy away from its mother after two months. Consult the breeder about feeding your baby.

Interesting facts about the Neapolitan Mastiff

The Neapolitan Mastiff is not only one of the largest dog breeds, but also an ancient one.
This is the favorite breed of Alexander the Great.
Clumsy, destroys everything in his path.

If you decide to get a dog, then get ready for the following: you will often have to clean up little mistakes after your puppy; investments will be required in annual vaccinations, feeding, toys, ammunition, etc.; any animal requires attention and communication, so if you don’t have time, then there will be no mutual understanding with a Mastine Neapolitan puppy. Big changes are coming in your life. If you can handle this, you will find a loyal friend for life. Character of Mastino Neapolitan: who is better to take a bitch or a dog

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Nutrition

As with any other breed, this breed's diet must be balanced and nutritious. A Neapolitan Mastiff puppy should receive food in more frequent and smaller portions, and in the first year of life he needs an increased level of calcium, which forms the skeletal system.

Therefore, you need to give him more fermented milk products than an adult dog - yogurt, kefir, low-fat cottage cheese, and sometimes milk. Another important vitamin for the formation of the body is B. This is worth considering when trying to diversify your pet’s diet.

In addition, a young dog needs specialized mineral supplements appropriate to its age. They must be purchased separately if we are talking about a natural type of feeding. If the animal is fed factory dry food, then these additives are already included in the food.

The convenience of purchased products is that the dosages and volume are pre-calculated for a certain age and weight of dogs. Despite the size of the dog, the portion sizes should not be gigantic - no more than 1.5-2 liters. The basis of the diet is proteins, animal proteins. These include meat and fish.

However, it is worth understanding that river fish varieties are not recommended for any breed. The best option is marine and oceanic rocks. Pork should be completely excluded from meat - its fat is not digestible by the dog at all. By the way, meat and offal should make up half of the total daily diet.

The remaining 50% is divided between cereals (rice, buckwheat), vegetables, dairy products, and fruits. Vegetables and fruits should be seasonal. But it is better to avoid citrus and overseas fruits. Many breeds can be given mixed nutrition - dry food combined with natural food. Such a trick will not work in a mastiff. This type of feeding is not recommended for dogs.

It is worth excluding bones from the diet, and not just tubular ones, since their nutritional value is questionable. They just clog your stomach. There is no need to talk about sweets, saltiness and smoked foods. This food is harmful not only to animals, but also to people.