Neapolitan Mastiff

The Neapolitan Mastiff or Mastino Napoletano is an Italian breed of large guard dog. It descends from the traditional guard dogs of central Italy.[1] It was recognised as a breed by the Ente Nazionale della Cinofilia Italiana in 1949,[2] and accepted by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale in 1956.[3]

Neapolitan Mastiff
Other names
  • Mastino Napoletano
  • Italian Molosso
OriginItaly
Traits
Weight Male 60–70 kg (130–150 lb)[1]
Female 50–60 kg (110–130 lb)[1]
Height Male 65–75 cm (26–30 in)[1]
Female 60–68 cm (24–27 in)[1]
Classification / standards
FCI Group 2, Section 2.1 Molossian: Mastiff type #197 standard
AKC Working standard
ANKC Group 6 (Utility) standard
CKC working standard
The CKC Miscellaneous List is for breeds working towards full CKC recognition.
KC (UK) Working standard
NZKC Utility standard
UKC Guardian Dog standard
Other Ente Nazionale della Cinofilia Italiana
Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

History
Adult Neapolitan Mastiff, 1950s

The Neapolitan Mastiff derives from the traditional guard dogs of central Italy. Selection of the breed was begun in 1947 by Piero Scanziani, who had seen one at an exhibition in Naples in 1946.[1][2] He drew up the first standard for the breed, which in 1949 was officially recognised by the Ente Nazionale della Cinofilia Italiana.[2] It received full acceptance from the Fédération Cynologique Internationale in 1956.[3]

Characteristics

The Neapolitan Mastiff is large, massive and powerful, with a weight in the range 50–70 kg (110–150 lb) and a height at the withers of 60–75 cm (24–30 in)[1] The length of the body is about 15% greater than the height.[1]

The skin is abundant and loose, particularly on the head where it hangs in heavy wrinkles. The preferred coat colours are black, grey and leaden, but mahogany, fawn, fulvous, hazelnut, dove-grey and isabelline are also acceptable; all coats may be brindled, and minor white markings on the toes and chest are tolerated.[1][4]

Neapolitan Mastiff head
Neapolitan Mastiff

Like most giant breeds, the Neapolitan Mastiff has a relatively short life expectancy. UK breed club surveys puts the average at 7 years, with 1 in 6 living to 9 years or more.[5]

Five-month-old bitch puppy
  • Neapolitan Mastiff
  • Neapolitan Mastiff profile
  • Male Neapolitan Mastiff 1998
  • A "blue" Neo puppy
  • Female Neapolitan Mastiff

References
  1. Mastino Napoletano (in Italian). Milano: Ente Nazionale della Cinofilia Italiana. Accessed March 2020.
  2. Mastino Napoletano: Storia (in Italian). Milano: Ente Nazionale della Cinofilia Italiana. Accessed March 2020.
  3. Mastino Napoletano (197). Fédération Cynologique Internationale. Accessed March 2020.
  4. Palmer, Joan (February 2006). Dog Breeds. Wellfleet, MA: Wellfleet Press. p. 157. ISBN 978-0785800309.
  5. "Average Age Survey Results". The Neapolitan Mastiff Club. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
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