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Neapolitan Mastiff Information
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When the Romans conquered Greece, they adopted the Molossus dogs and used them in battle, for hunting as well as in the arena. The Roman invasion of England gave them access to the even larger giant Mastiff, which the Romans crossed with their own war dogs. The several different breeds that descended from these dogs are large powerful animals, who are devoted to their owners, and superior defenders of people and property.
The Romans, who delighted in gladiatorial fights and wild animal fights, also used these dogs in the arena. Even though this occurred, these dogs were used mostly as guard dogs, which is what they were best at.
The "Neo", as they are commonly called among fanciers and owners, continued to be used as a guard dog on estates, mostly in southern Italy. The breed remained relatively unknown elsewhere. It wasn't until the dark days of World War II when a lot of the breeds of dogs in Europe nearly became extinct- this is when the popularity of the Neo began to grow. In 1942, the first standard for the Neapolitan Mastiff was drawn up, and the dogs began to show up in dog shows. The Neapolitan Mastiff was given full recognition with the American Kennel Club in 2004, and the first Neo was shown at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show in February of 2005.
Males should be 26-31 inches and weigh up to 150 pounds. Females 24-29 inches tall, and weigh up to 110 pounds. Their coat is short, dense and of uniform length and smoothness all over the body. The hairs are straight and no longer than one inch. Solid coats of gray (blue), black, mahogany and tawny, and the lighter and darker shades of these colors are allowed.
Health issues in the breed include entropion, Panosteitis,Hip Dysplasia and bloat.
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