Description: The Neapolitan Mastiff is a very strong dog, whose height is from 26 to 30 inches in the dog and from 24 to 28 inches in the female; this breed can weigh up to 165 pounds, with the largest male on record weighing just under 200 pounds. The body is large and stocky with lots of fur on the head and a heavy dewlap. The head is flat and quite broad and appears larger than the rest of the body. The snout is one-third the length of the head and is as wide as it is long. With a large nose that has open nostrils, and the color matches the fur.
The Neapolitan Mastiff’s teeth can meet in a light bite, a pinch bite, or a scissor bite. They have deep-set eyes that are almost hidden by drooping upper eyelids; the color of the eyes is amber or brown depending on the color of the fur. The ears of the Neapolitan Mastiff can be cropped, in countries that do not allow it, they are left natural. The tail is carried up and rounded on the back. With sturdy legs, this dog has rounded feet with well-arched toes. Its coat is smooth, very dense and short-haired. The colors that come with this breed are; black, blue, fawn gray and mahogany and very rarely chocolate. A little white on the chest and toes is allowed, but there should never be any white on the face. This breed has a short life expectancy of up to 10 years.
History: This breed descends from the Tibetan Mastiff, like all European mastiffs. It is generally believed to be the oldest member of the canine species. Being seen in Greece, around 300 BC, and was brought from India by Alexander the Great. The Greeks went on to introduce the dog to the Romans. Who uses these dogs in circus combat. Another thought of how this breed started is that the Phoenicians brought this dog to Britain in 500 BC.
The Neapolitan mastiff is a direct descendant of the Roman molosser. The breed became extinct in the rest of Europe and survived only in Campania, which is why it is said that the Neapolitan Mastiff has existed in Campania for 2000 years. This dog has been used in war, and blood sports, which the Romans liked so much. This dog has a deserved reputation as a guard dog. This dog was first shown in Italy in 1946 and its standards were established in 1949. This is a rare dog in America and was recognized by the AKC in 2004.
