The Neapolitan Mastiff is a giant dog, with an imposing posture that can be frightening at first, mainly because of its grandeur. The breed is one of the oldest in the world and the Mastiff is very popular in Italy, its country of origin. Although its physical size is somewhat intimidating, many guardians are surprised by the Mastiff's temperament and personalityPuppy or adult, a dog is always a pleasant companion that will bring good times to the family.

If you're thinking of opening your home to a Mastiff puppy, it's important to get to know this breed in more depth, so the Paws of the House has prepared a guide with everything you should know about the Neapolitan Mastiff: price, care, characteristics and several other important curiosities. Come with us!

The origin story of the Neapolitan Mastiff

The Neapolitan Mastiff emerged in southern Italy, near the Naples region - that's where the breed's name comes from - and is considered one of the oldest dogs in the world. It is believed that he has been alongside humans since 100 BC, as archaeological records indicate that the Neapolitan dog has existed since Ancient Rome. That is, it would be at least more than 2 thousand years of the dog walking around ...there!

Even so, the species suffered a major blow with the Second World War. The Neapolitan Mastiff only did not go extinct because in 1947 some breeders decided to invest in the breed and dedicated themselves to breeding new specimens. In 1956, the breed was officially recognized by the International Cynological Federation (FCI).

Over the years, the Mastiff has performed different functions: it is an excellent guard dog, but it has also helped police forces and army troops during wars. In addition, being a giant dog, the animal also participated in fights, which are now banned.

The Mastiff dog has an imposing posture

The Neapolitan Mastiff is not just a big dog: he is a giant. With a robust, muscular and heavy appearance, the little dog does not go unnoticed in places. He, like the English Bulldog, has the entire length of his body full of folds, especially on the belly and back. Physically, he is also very strong, agile, with a sturdy jaw and a large head. The Mastiff dogcan weigh between 50 and 70 kg; and reach a height of between 60 and 75 kg.

The coat of the dog is short, dense and shiny, with a uniform length throughout the body of no more than 1.5 cm. There can be no fringe of any kind. The colors of the Neapolitan Mastiff accepted are grey, black, mahogany and fawn, all of which can be brindled or not. In addition, the presence of small white spots on the chest and fingertips are also allowed.

Personality of the Neapolitan Mastiff is marked by loyalty and a protective instinct

• Coexistence

The Neapolitan Mastiff is a very loyal dog and has a calm temperament. He is not reactive and does not act aggressively without need, but he is a protective dog who spares no effort to defend those he loves or the property where he lives. For this reason, it is an excellent animal to take care of the house, since it is always alert to strange situations.

With his family, the Mastiff is very docile and gentle. The little dog clings and shows all his fidelity, but he can also be a little stubborn from time to time. To train him and turn him into an obedient dog, dog training is essential.

Even though it is a huge animal, the energy level of the Neapolitan Mastiff dog breed is quite moderate. It is not a super agitated dog, but it needs adequate space to live. In addition, it should be encouraged to move around with walks and walks, especially to avoid overweight pictures.

Despite not being a destructive animal, the Mastiff likes to bite and has a powerful jaw. Therefore, choosing dog toys made of more resistant materials and nippers is the best way to direct this need to the right accessories.

• Socialization

Because it has a very keen protective instinct and because of its past as a guard dog, the Neapolitan Mastiff is not very receptive to strangers. He is in a constant state of vigilance, and can adopt a more aggressive posture with those he does not know. To prevent this from happening and to transform the pet into a friendlier animal, the socialization of the Mastiff dog is indispensable.

The relationship with children, on the other hand, is very calm. The Neapolitan Mastiff dog breed is patient, gentle and tolerant with the smallest. It has no brutal or aggressive reactions, but being a very large dog, it is important to supervise these interactions. The Mastiff can also adapt with other animals, but for this it is important that the Neapolitan Mastiff puppy learns from an early age toliving with other pets.

• Training

Training a Mastiff puppy is not one of the most difficult tasks, but it requires patience and positive stimuli. The animal learns best when it is rewarded with treats, toys, praise and affection. It is important to work on the obedience of the puppy in the first years of life, even to show the hierarchy of the house. Despite being a quiet dog, the Neapolitan Mastiff must notbe encouraged to be aggressive, which can end up happening with negative reinforcement - that is, with punishments - so the type of dog training is something that counts a lot at these times.

4 curiosities about the Neapolitan Mastiff dog

1) The Mastiff is that dog that drools a lot! Therefore, it is important to have a towel or handkerchief always nearby.

2) Besides drooling, this is a dog that snores, but it's not something to worry about (in most cases).

3) Some people cut off the ears of the Neapolitan Mastiff, a practice known as conchectomy. In Brazil, this is prohibited and falls under a crime of mistreatment of animals.

4) For those who like dog movies, the Neapolitan Mastiff participated in the Harry Potter saga. In the films, the dog was called Canine and belonged to the rabbi Hagrid.

Neapolitan Mastiff puppy: what to expect and how to take care of the puppy?

The Neapolitan Mastiff puppy is just like any other puppy, always curious, active and playful. This is the phase when he is getting to know and discover the world, so don't be alarmed by the agitation of the puppy in the first years of life. Being a giant dog, the Neapolitan Mastiff takes about 18 to 24 months to reach adulthood, so it's a very prolonged period of one year.little puppy running around the house.

In addition to caring for the puppy's food, the guardian should plan to buy some basic items to accommodate the puppy. This includes a bed, hygienic mats, feeder, drinker, food, toys and have a little money set aside for veterinary consultations. In the first few months, it is already recommended to apply all the necessary puppy vaccines,The same goes for dewormers. If in doubt, talk to a veterinarian for further clarification.

Main care routine for the Neapolitan Mastiff

• Brushing The Neapolitan Mastiff does not shed much hair, so maintenance does not need to be as frequent. A weekly brushing session is sufficient.

• Bath Bathing: as they drool a lot, dirt can accumulate more easily on the Mastiff's body, so bathing should be more frequent, about once a week or every fortnight.

• Teeth : the best way not to allow plaque buildup - and, of course, tartar in dogs - is to brush your Neapolitan dog's teeth at least three times a week.

• Nails It is important to know how to cut a Mastiff dog's nail, and to do it at least once or twice a month (depending on the animal's needs). Ideally, the nail should never be too long.

• Heat The Neapolitan Mastiff has a low tolerance for heat, it thrives best in regions with mild temperatures, and during the summer it is important to take extra care of it.

What do you need to know about the health of the Mastiff breed?

Although a strong and healthy dog most of the time, the Neapolitan puppy requires special attention to the folds scattered around the body and other health conditions. The folds (or wrinkles) can accumulate a lot of moisture and facilitate the appearance of dermatological problems such as allergies and fungi, so they should be inspected regularly and the guardian should clean them with a certain amount of care.frequency.

In addition, the Neapolitan Mastiff tends to suffer from hip dysplasia in dogs, a very common condition in large or giant-sized animals. The condition is characterized by the improper fit of the femur to the articular surface (acetabulum). This compromises the animal's mobility, causing discomfort and pain. Other problems that can be frequent are calcium deficiency and cherry eyein dog.

For these reasons, the Neapolitan Mastiff, both puppy and adult, should visit the vet with a certain regularity. The earlier the diagnosis of one of these problems, the better the prognosis. Finally, do not forget to keep the puppy vaccinations always up to date, as well as the deworming and deworming of the animal.

Neapolitan Mastiff: price can reach R $ 6 thousand

If you are determined to have a Mastiff puppy, you should look for a reliable kennel to exercise the purchase. Prices range from R $ 3500 to R $ 5 thousand for males, and from R $ 4500 to R $ 6 thousand for females (may be a little more or less than that). In addition to gender, other characteristics that contribute to the price difference are the genetic lineage of the animal and coat colors.If the puppy has already been vaccinated and wormed, it can also cost more.

We remind you that if the idea is to have a breed dog, such as the Neapolitan Mastiff, it is essential to request all the pet's documentation (i.e. the dog's pedigree). This is what will ensure that the animal is really purebred, and not derived from a mixture. It is also important to make sure that the chosen kennel is committed to the welfare of animals, has good references and takes care of the waysure of the parents and the puppies.

Neapolitan Mastiff puppy x-ray

• Source: Italy
• Coat: short, dense and shiny
• Colors: gray, black, mahogany, fawn, brindle
• Personality: brave, protective, determined, loyal and territorialist
• Height: 60 to 75 cm
• Weight: 50 to 70 kg
• Life expectancy: from 8 to 10 years