meet the...Neapolitan Mastiff
Breed Summary
Breed Group Group 3: Molossoids and Mastiffs Breeds
Sub-group :
Origin Country Italy
Weight Males: 132-154 pounds. Females: 110-132 pounds.
Height Males: 25-31 inches. Females: 23-29 inches.
Other Name(s) Italian Mastiff, Mastino Napoletano, Mastino Neapoletano
Breed Type Pure
click here for FULL BREED STANDARD
Origins
The Canis Pugnax, or Roman Molossian, was a once popular dog used for guarding, hunting, and farm work for centuries throughout Italy. These dogs were used to catch wild hogs, domesticated cattle, and swine and participated in bloody gladiator sports such as bear fighting. The Neapolitan and the Cane Corso are believed to be direct descendants of the Roman Molossian and share similar ancestry. Mostly, Neapolitan and Cane Corso's ancestors were used as all-around farm dogs throughout Italy. However, the line between the two breeds was blurred for centuries, as the dogs’ ancestors existed in Italy for about 2,000 years, well before breeds and breed types were established. Eventually, as life in Italy changed, the farm dogs became less popular, but some of the larger guarding-type dogs remained fairly prevalent in parts of Southern Italy around Naples.
The breed wasn’t officially recognized until 1946. The development of the breed is credited to one man, Piero Scanziani, who began collecting dogs for his kennel and standardizing the breed. He helped to develop and refine the breed standard, which was established in 1949.
Today, the Neapolitan Mastiff has been bred to such extremes that many suffer from skin, eye, and joint problems. CKC’s breed standard is written to guide dog judges and breeders toward producing healthy dogs and puppies with fewer health issues.Breed Characteristics
Head: Somewhat mesaticephalic to slightly brachycephalic skull type, moderate in size, and in proportion to the rest of the body. The length of the head, from the occiput to the tip of the nose, is approximately 3/10 the height measured at the withers. The skull is broad and substantial, with the width (measured from one side to the other just in front of the ears) being equal to or slightly greater than the length (measured from occiput to stop). The head is overall substantial, with strong bones and smooth muscle. Viewed from the front or in profile, the topskull is broad and slightly flat. Minimal loose skin on the head is permissible but without excess, deep wrinkles or folds associated with skin infections, entropion, and ectropion. Slight wrinkling may be visible when the dog is alerted, but it should never be profuse. A median furrow starting at the stop and disappearing toward the occiput may be present. The head is clean-cut and without excess skin or wrinkles.
Eyes: Moderate in size, oval, almond, or lemon-shaped, and may range from amber or green to dark brown in color. The eye rims are well-fitted and well-pigmented. The eyes are never bulging. There should be sufficient bone in the surrounding orbital sockets to protect the eyes. Haw or whites should not be visible when the dog is looking forward. Any signs of entropion or ectropion are incorrect for this breed.
Ears: Small to medium in size, set high on the skull above the zygomatic arches/cheekbones, wide apart, triangular in shape, dropped, and hanging close to the head, with tips falling close to the cheeks. The ears are never long and never extend beyond the lower jawbone. The ears may also be cropped short into equilateral triangles.
Muzzle: Square and somewhat short. It is broad, deep, and full. The chin is set directly below the nose, forming a straight perpendicular line from one to the other. The upper and lower jaws have good bone substance, are strong and well-developed, and never appear snipey or weak. The skin on the head and muzzle should never obstruct the squared outline of the muzzle.
Nose: The nose is well-pigmented, black, or self-colored, according to the coat in diluted colors such as blues, greys, or blue or grey fawns. The nostrils are large and well-opened. The nose lies directly above the chin and does not exceed nor recede beyond the point of the chin.
Neck: Rather thick, of a moderate length to allow for proud head carriage, and powerfully muscled with a slight arch. The neck tapers smoothly from the deeper and broader body toward the head. The neck may be clean, with only slightly loose skin at the throat area (preferred), or it may have a very slight dewlap.
Chest: Deep and broad but never wider than deep. The brisket extends to the point of the elbows. The forechest is well-developed but not prominent.
Body: Deep, solid, and substantial, yet athletic. The body is never racy or refined. The width at the forequarters is approximately equal to the width at the hindquarters.
Feet: Oval to round and compact, with well-arched toes and tough pads.
Tail: Set neither high nor low on the croup but as a natural extension of the topline. It is thick at the base and tapering slightly toward the tip. The tail is carried in accordance with the dog’s mood and energy level but never tucked or carried up over the back. The tail may be left natural (preferred) or docked. Natural tails are of a medium length, with the tip of the last vertebrae extending to the hock joints when held down. The tail may be straight or gently curved. Docked tails are cut to 2/3 of their original length.
Movement: Smooth, flowing, effortless trot with powerful and agile action, the characteristics of a healthy structure are evident. When moving away, the forelegs and rear pasterns should remain parallel to one another. When viewing movement from the front, the forelegs should remain parallel, with elbows and paws moving neither in nor out. From the rear, the back pads should be visible when the rear legs are extended. As speed increases, the forelimbs and hindlimbs will converge to the centerline of gravity. From the side, the topline should remain firm and level. Good reach of movement in the front allows the forepaw to extend out in line with the nose. When extended, the width between the forefeet should be approximately equal to the width between the hindfeet when extended, indicating balance, good reach, and good drive. Dogs that exhibit any sign of breathing or locomotive difficulty shall be disqualified from the show ring.
Temperament: The Neapolitan Mastiff is a noble and majestic breed. Originally developed as a protector, hunter, catch dog, and drover, they are confident, self-composed, and well aware of their own capabilities. Although very keen, they are also known to be a bit stubborn, which makes training somewhat difficult. However, with proper motivation and patience, they are capable of learning many disciplines. They are watchful, responsive, loyal, and affectionate to their family and people but can be somewhat stand-offish or indifferent towards strangers. Any unprovoked aggressive or fearful behavior toward people is incorrect for this breed.
Breed Standard
BREED GROUP 3: Molossoids and Mastiffs Breeds
Proportions: The body is somewhat rectangular in proportion, with the length of the body measured from the point of the forechest to the point of the rump, being slightly greater than the height at the withers. The ideal body length is 5:4. The body is well put together, with sturdy substance, strong bone, and lean, powerful muscling. The Neapolitan Mastiff is capable of great strength and agility. Males should appear masculine, being more substantial in size and mass, while females should appear more feminine and slightly less substantial. Neither should lack overall type. The weight of males or females is always in proportion to height.
Head
General Appearance: Somewhat mesaticephalic to slightly brachycephalic skull type, moderate in size, and in proportion to the rest of the body. The length of the head, from the occiput to the tip of the nose, is approximately 3/10 the height measured at the withers. The skull is broad and substantial, with the width (measured from one side to the other just in front of the ears) being equal to or slightly greater than the length (measured from occiput to stop). The head is overall substantial, with strong bones and smooth muscle. Viewed from the front or in profile, the topskull is broad and slightly flat. Minimal loose skin on the head is permissible but without excess, deep wrinkles or folds associated with skin infections, entropion, and ectropion. Slight wrinkling may be visible when the dog is alerted, but it should never be profuse. A median furrow starting at the stop and disappearing toward the occiput may be present. The head is clean-cut and without excess skin or wrinkles.
Expression: Noble, courageous, bold, attentive, watchful, and intelligent.
Stop: The stop is definite.
Skull: The ideal muzzle-to-skull ratio is 2:1, with the topskull being longer than the muzzle.
The ideal muzzle-to-skull axis is parallel.
Muzzle: Square and somewhat short. It is broad, deep, and full. The chin is set directly below the nose, forming a straight perpendicular line from one to the other. The upper and lower jaws have good bone substance, are strong and well-developed, and never appear snipey or weak. The skin on the head and muzzle should never obstruct the squared outline of the muzzle.
Lips or Flews: The upper lips are moderately thick and slightly loose, just covering the lower jawline and creating the line of the underjaw that runs parallel to the plane of the muzzle when viewed in profile. They should never be pendulous or hang well below the line of the underjaw.
Nose: The nose is well-pigmented, black, or self-colored, according to the coat in diluted colors such as blues, greys, or blue or grey fawns. The nostrils are large and well-opened. The nose lies directly above the chin and does not exceed nor recede beyond the point of the chin.
Cheeks: Powerfully filled with smooth, strong muscles. The cheeks should not appear chiseled or coarse.
Dentition and Bite: Forty-two strong, clean, and white teeth. The bite may be level, scissor, or reverse-scissor. Contact must be made between the top and bottom incisors. Missing or broken teeth due to routine work are not to be penalized.
Eyes: Moderate in size, oval, almond, or lemon-shaped, and may range from amber or green to dark brown in color. The eye rims are well-fitted and well-pigmented. The eyes are never bulging. There should be sufficient bone in the surrounding orbital sockets to protect the eyes. Haw or whites should not be visible when the dog is looking forward. Any signs of entropion or ectropion are incorrect for this breed.
Ears: Small to medium in size, set high on the skull above the zygomatic arches/cheekbones, wide apart, triangular in shape, dropped, and hanging close to the head, with tips falling close to the cheeks. The ears are never long and never extend beyond the lower jawbone. The ears may also be cropped short into equilateral triangles.
Body and Tail
General Description: Deep, solid, and substantial, yet athletic. The body is never racy or refined. The width at the forequarters is approximately equal to the width at the hindquarters.
Neck: Rather thick, of a moderate length to allow for proud head carriage, and powerfully muscled with a slight arch. The neck tapers smoothly from the deeper and broader body toward the head. The neck may be clean, with only slightly loose skin at the throat area (preferred), or it may have a very slight dewlap.
Chest: Deep and broad but never wider than deep. The brisket extends to the point of the elbows. The forechest is well-developed but not prominent.
Topline: Straight and level from slightly prominent withers to croup. The back is broad, strongly muscled, and straight, yet supple. The loin is taut, flat, level, or slightly arched, yet supportive. The back is never swayed or roached.
Croup: Broad, long, and gently sloped.
Underline: A slight tuck-up is present or the underline may run parallel to the topline. The underline is taut and firm, without any indication of sagging or excess weight.
Ribs: Long, well-sprung, well-laid-back, and oval-shaped, never barrel-chested or slab-sided.
Tail: Set neither high nor low on the croup but as a natural extension of the topline. It is thick at the base and tapering slightly toward the tip. The tail is carried in accordance with the dog’s mood and energy level but never tucked or carried up over the back. The tail may be left natural (preferred) or docked. Natural tails are of a medium length, with the tip of the last vertebrae extending to the hock joints when held down. The tail may be straight or gently curved. Docked tails are cut to 2/3 of their original length.
Forequarters and Hindquarters
Forequarters: The forequarters are always in balance with the hindquarters and well-angulated with well-laid-back shoulder blades. The shoulder blades are approximately equal in length to the upper arm and forearm.
Elbows: The elbows are close to the body. The point of the elbows is approximately half the dog’s height at the withers.
Forelegs: Frontal View: Straight, of good muscle, of solid bone, and parallel to one another.
Side View: The forelimbs appear straight with strong pasterns.
Pasterns: Never weak or broken.
Hindquarters: The upper and lower thighs are equal in length, strong, sturdy, of solid bone, and well-muscled.
Rear View: When viewed from the rear, the rear pasterns are parallel to one another.
Side View: Good angulation will allow the rear toes to align with the point of the rump or within one to two paw-lengths behind the point of the rump, with the rear pasterns remaining perpendicular to the ground and parallel to one another.
Stifle Joint: Well-angulated with a good bend to well-let-down rear pasterns.
Angulations: The angulation of the hindquarters is always in balance with the angulation of the forequarters.
Feet: Oval to round and compact, with well-arched toes and tough pads.
Coat
Skin: Well-fitted, thick, elastic, and supple. It is never copious or obstructing the outline of the dog.
Coat Type: The coat is a short, stiff, shiny, very dense outer coat with a soft, light undercoat. The coat density is subject to the season and climate, with thicker coats sported in winter and less-dense coats sported in warmer climates and seasons.
Coat Color or Pattern: CKC recognizes two coat color varieties of the Neapolitan Mastiff: the standard and the nonstandard.
Standard Coat Color Variety: Solid colors in black, gray (also called lead), blue, liver (called mahogany or brown), Isabella (called tawny, fawn, or dove), silver, or brindles, all with or without a corresponding melanistic mask.
Nonstandard Coat Color Variety: Cream (fallow) or any of the standard colors with white markings, known as pied.
Movement
Smooth, flowing, effortless trot with powerful and agile action, the characteristics of a healthy structure are evident. When moving away, the forelegs and rear pasterns should remain parallel to one another. When viewing movement from the front, the forelegs should remain parallel, with elbows and paws moving neither in nor out. From the rear, the back pads should be visible when the rear legs are extended. As speed increases, the forelimbs and hindlimbs will converge to the centerline of gravity. From the side, the topline should remain firm and level. Good reach of movement in the front allows the forepaw to extend out in line with the nose. When extended, the width between the forefeet should be approximately equal to the width between the hindfeet when extended, indicating balance, good reach, and good drive. Dogs that exhibit any sign of breathing or locomotive difficulty shall be disqualified from the show ring.
Temperament
The Neapolitan Mastiff is a noble and majestic breed. Originally developed as a protector, hunter, catch dog, and drover, they are confident, self-composed, and well aware of their own capabilities. Although very keen, they are also known to be a bit stubborn, which makes training somewhat difficult. However, with proper motivation and patience, they are capable of learning many disciplines. They are watchful, responsive, loyal, and affectionate to their family and people but can be somewhat stand-offish or indifferent towards strangers. Any unprovoked aggressive or fearful behavior toward people is incorrect for this breed.
Faults
All dogs should be in proper healthy condition, free from disease or defect. Any departure from this description is considered a fault. Unless altered, all male dogs should have two fully descended testicles.
