Thinking of a Neapolitan Mastiff?

If you are considering looking for a Neapolitan Mastiff, there are definitely pros and cons that you should know about. Neapolitan Mastiffs are beautiful large dogs. They are very large, weighing up to 170 pounds, have large flat heads and a box-shaped body. They have flabby and wrinkled skin around their face and neck. Some have cropped ears and tails, but more and more owners are choosing to keep them in their natural state. They come in blue, black, or brown and have short, dense coats. They spill more than you think for such a short haired dog. Neapolitan Mastiffs can be very good companions, but there are many things to consider before purchasing one.

The Neapolitan Mastiff must be trained very consistently from when he is a puppy. They are very smart and stubborn. Obedience and mastery of the owner must be instilled from a very young age. You should not waver in your approach to training and should probably seek professional advice. The Neapolitan Mastiff’s need to socialize early and often. They are generally intolerant of other dogs. Males tolerate other males worse than females. Females tend to be a bit more tolerant in general. Neapolitan Mastiffs make very good watchdogs. Her nature is to be protective and cautious around strangers. Socialization is very important with these dogs. They need to be able to recognize who is being friendly. If they are not socialized properly, they can become a great responsibility.

If you have children in your home, then you should do your research carefully before bringing in a Neapolitan Mastiff. If the dog was raised with children, then they can be good to them. This dog needs to be constantly exposed to many children to teach them to be tolerant. They do not tolerate teasing or joking. Serious injury or death can result. Remember that the Neapolitan Mastiff is very protective of his family. If you raise him alone with his own children, he may try to protect his children from his friends and family, resulting in a real tragedy. Neapolitan Mastiffs are generally not recommended for households with children, mainly because children can be unpredictable.

Neapolitan Mastiffs can be very calm in nature once they reach adulthood. They are mostly quiet on the inside and can bark a lot outside. They have the instinct to chase and trap other animals, so proper inclusion is necessary. They need moderate exercise, such as regular walking and occasional running. Intense exercise can seriously damage this great dog’s joints.

Neapolitan Mastiffs are susceptible to hip and elbow dysplasia. This risk increases if you exercise your dog too much or encourage him to jump from high places, especially when he is a puppy. Eye problems are also common and include progressive retinal atrophy and cherry eye. Cherry eye is very common. It occurs when the third eyelid, responsible for the production of tears, becomes prolapsed, visible, inflamed and red. The usual treatment for cherry eye is surgical removal of the gland. Usually it will happen early on, during the puppy stage. If your Neapolitan Mastiff needs to have this gland removed, prepare yourself for a lifetime by administering eye drops.

Once all things have been considered, you should be able to decide if the Neapolitan Mastiff is the right breed for you.

Leave a Reply