Dog Breed

Neapolitan Mastiff

Primary image of Neapolitan Mastiff dog breed
Full Name
Neapolitan Mastiff
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Life Span
8 - 10 years
Weight
110 - 200 pounds
Description

Stubborn, Fearless, Obedient, Dominant, Protective, Trainable

Origin
Italy
Attachments
    Family Considerations
    Child Friendly

    Is the Neapolitan Mastiff good with children?

    Yes, the Neapolitan Mastiff is very friendly with children. We still recommend introductions to children while they are young so they get used to them, but the Neapolitan Mastiff naturally loves children.
    Stranger Friendly

    Is the Neapolitan Mastiff friendly with strangers?

    The Neapolitan Mastiff is not automatically friendly with strangers and we would not recommend for a living situation with frequent guests.
    Dog Friendly

    Is the Neapolitan Mastiff friendly with other dogs?

    The Neapolitan Mastiff is not naturally friendly with other dogs, but with a good amount of early socialization as a puppy they can learn to get along with most breeds of dog. Proper training is required before letting the Neapolitan Mastiff go off-leash or to dog parks.
    Likes to Cuddle

    Does the Neapolitan Mastiff like to cuddle?

    The Neapolitan Mastiff appreciates affection and that includes kisses and snuggles!
    Playfulness

    Does the Neapolitan Mastiff like to play?

    The Neapolitan Mastiff will almost always be ready for play! The Neapolitan Mastiff is great for a family with children, or otherwise, an environment that is always ready for play.
    Service Dog Ability

    Does the Neapolitan Mastiff make a good service dog?

    The Neapolitan Mastiff is not typically used as a service dog. There are always exceptions to the rule, but a service dog has to have many natural traits in addition to the proper training- smart, patient, and obsessed with pleasing their owner.
    Overall Ease of Breed
    Ease for Novice

    Is the Neapolitan Mastiff good for first-time owners?

    The Neapolitan Mastiff would not be the best fit for first-time owners. A breed is only good for first-time owners if it is raised for home companionship, and is open to training and is motivated to please its owner.
    Training Potential

    How well can the Neapolitan Mastiff be trained?

    The Neapolitan Mastiff is about average when it comes to training potential. The Neapolitan Mastiff can be seen in competitions and can have advanced training, but it would require much dedication and oftentimes professional training.
    Amount of Shedding

    Does the Neapolitan Mastiff shed a lot?

    No! The Neapolitan Mastiff does not shed very much, and can be an excellent fit for someone who suffers from dog allergies.
    Ease of Grooming

    Is the Neapolitan Mastiff easy to groom?

    The Neapolitan Mastiff requires some grooming, but less than the average dog breed. Typically you will not need to take the Neapolitan Mastiff to the pet salon, and occasional combing at home should be enough.
    Exercise Need

    Does the Neapolitan Mastiff need a lot of exercise?

    The Neapolitan Mastiff requires an average amount of exercise. You should be ready to dedicate a couple of short walks or a larger dog park session each day for your Neapolitan Mastiff to be happy and fulfilled.
    Personality
    Intelligence

    How smart is the Neapolitan Mastiff?

    The Neapolitan Mastiff is a bit goofy and may not be as intelligent as some other breeds, but that is what people oftentimes love about the Neapolitan Mastiff!
    Amount of Barking

    How much does the Neapolitan Mastiff bark? Does the Neapolitan Mastiff bark too much?

    The Neapolitan Mastiff occasionally barks, but only for specific reasons such as when they need something, for protection, etc.
    Guard Dog Ability

    Is the Neapolitan Mastiff a good guard dog?

    The Neapolitan Mastiff can serve as an excellent guard dog. It is both physically intimidating and also enjoys having a "job" to protect its family and property.
    Tolerates Being Alone

    Is the Neapolitan Mastiff good at staying alone? Is the Neapolitan Mastiff independent?

    The Neapolitan Mastiff does not enjoy being left alone for extended periods. They can do well for a couple of hours alone, but may have anxiety for time beyond that.
    Home and Environment Considerations
    Good for Apartment Living

    Is the Neapolitan Mastiff a good apartment dog?

    The Neapolitan Mastiff is not a good dog for apartment living for several reasons. It is still possible to make it work if the owner is dedicated to plenty of training and daily exercise, but it may be challenging.
    Size

    How big is the Neapolitan Mastiff?

    The Neapolitan Mastiff is one of the biggest dog breeds in the world. In the "giant" category!
    Tolerates Heat

    How much does the Neapolitan Mastiff tolerate hot weather? When is it too hot for a Neapolitan Mastiff?

    The Neapolitan Mastiff does not tolerate hot weather very well, and we would not recommend having a Neapolitan Mastiff if you live in a very hot weather climate. At the minimum, they would need a home with air conditioning.
    Tolerates Cold

    How much does the Neapolitan Mastiff tolerate cold weather? When is it too cold for a Neapolitan Mastiff?

    The Neapolitan Mastiff can tolerate cold weather well. Play time in the snow or on particularly cold evenings may need to be limited, but overall they can do well in cold climates.
    Potential to Run Away

    Does the Neapolitan Mastiff try to run away?

    The Neapolitan Mastiff is very unlikely to run away. Of course, precautions should always be taken, and every dog is unique, but with a Neapolitan Mastiff it is very likely they will naturally follow you, even when they are off-leash.
    Physical Characteristics
    General Health

    Is the Neapolitan Mastiff a healthy dog? The health of a Neapolitan Mastiff should be measured not just by how many years they live, but also by how many health issues they've had. It is important to know which health conditions your breed is prone to- hip problems, eye problems, bloating, and arthritis are all common dog health problems.

    The Neapolitan Mastiff has many health problems that should be considered. The Neapolitan Mastiff can still live a perfectly healthy life, but it's important to consider all of these health risks ahead of time.
    Energy Level

    How energetic is the Neapolitan Mastiff?

    The Neapolitan Mastiff has some energy and requires daily walks, but overall the Neapolitan Mastiff has less energy than average.
    Amount of Drooling

    How much does the Neapolitan Mastiff drool?

    The Neapolitan Mastiff is one of the dog breeds that drools the most. It may not be the most important factor, but something to consider if you live in a home where that may bother you.
    Prey Drive

    Does the Neapolitan Mastiff have a large prey drive? Does the Neapolitan Mastiff like to chase birds, cats, and other small animals?

    The Neapolitan Mastiff does not have a large prey drive towards birds or even cats, and can typically do very well living in the same home as them.
    Athleticism

    Is the Neapolitan Mastiff atheltic?

    The Neapolitan Mastiff can have athletic moments, and bursts of speed, but does not have the endurance as other highly athletic dog breeds. They would do great for occasional jogs, but probably not the best for long-distance runs or anything more athletic than that.
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  1. Working
  2. Mastiff
  3. Neapolitan Mastiff
The Neapolitan Mastiff is a purebred dog that belongs to the Mastiff sub group, which falls under the larger Working dog breed group.
Working group: Working dogs encompass a wide range of different breeds- but they all were bred to assist people, so they are used to working hard. It is important for them to feel they have a "job" as their roles traditionally have varied from rescuing people to pulling sleds. Because of their large size and intensity, they may be a handful for first time dog owners. On the other side, they can be trained well, so any owner who can exercise and dedicate to training their working dog, will be well rewarded. A common misconception may be that the working dog's jobs are only in physically challenging jobs; actually working dogs can also make excellent service dogs, since they are also kind and attentive to their owners.
Mastiff sub-group: Masttiff breeds are the world's ancient and giant breed. They are thought to have originated from from Tibet and China, although there is evidence that they have been throughout Europe- the Roman Empire and Greece for thousands of years as well. They were used as big game hunters and noble guard dogs. Mastiffs are not particularly high endurance or energy, but quiet intense in short bursts, which is perfect for protection and property protection. Through the years the mastiff has become more friendly and suitable for families, and their calm and composed temperament can actually be more suitable for a house (or even apartment) than it may seem.

Neapolitan Mastiffs for adoption

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