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Nochex email for donations: barkbm@yahoo.co.uk Bullmastiff rescue uk home |
B.A.R.K. Bullmastiff & Neapolitan Rescue UK Introduction to the Neapolitan MastiffOne of the earliest descriptions found of the ancestors
of the Neapolitan Mastiff is by a Latin author of the first century
AD, Lucio Giunio Mederato Columella. In his work, De Re Rustica, Columella
states that the house guard dog, which was the Roman Mastiff of that time,
should be black, because a black dog has a more terrifying appearance; and
during the day, a prowler can see him and be frightened by his appearance.
When night falls, the dog, lost in the shadows, can attack without being
seen. He describes the dog as; the head is so massive, the ears fall
toward the front, the brilliant and penetrating eyes are black or grey,
the chest is deep and hairy, the shoulder wide, the legs thick, the tail
short, the hind legs powerful, the toenails strong and great. In the past 50 years the Neapolitan Mastiff has evolved from a few concerned individuals preserved in the Italian countryside to a breed recognised and sought after all over the world. Not surprisingly each country is moulding the Italian “Napoletano Mastino” dog to its own standards of what constitutes a canine. As such, the Neapolitan Mastiff is taking on a different body type and character in each country, in accordance with the standards placed upon this magnificant dog by the people in each different country. Hidden during more recent times in the Italian countryside, and almost unchanged in appearance and personality the Italian Mastiff is a living relic of a time when man had to rely on only himself for his needs and his safety. The Neapolitan Mastiff is not a suitable dog for
everyone, it is definitely not for the first-time dog owner, and the
prospective owner thinking of purchasing this breed of dog, should have
some experience with dominant alpha dogs. It takes a person who has an
innate understanding and interest of animals and an ability to communicate
on the animal’s level to be able to successfully own a Neo. Neapolitans
need and require attention, discipline and human companionship. A Neo is a
large, powerful, vocal and messy animal. The Neo’s world revolves Around his owner, he forms an intensely strong attachment to his owner and his home. He is not a wanderer from the property because his reason for living is the property. He does not want to associate with strangers. As a steady, loyal companion the Neo is second to none. He goes where his master goes, and when his master stops, he lies down at his feet until that master moves again. The Neo waits for his master to tell him what to do. His master is everything, and he would rather be with him than do anything else.. In the last decade interest in the Neapolitan Mastiff
has burgeoned worldwide. Each country will stamp its societal
characteristics on the Mastino. A good Mastino must exude romanticism. By viewing bits and pieces of sculptures, etchings, and
writings scattered across the lands it is evident that the Neapolitan
Mastiff of today has changed only slightly from the dog of ancient times. In the lands that were conquered and re-conquered by different peoples we find the ancestors of the Neapolitan Mastiff. They were called by many names: Macedonian Dog, Assyrian Dog, Sumerian Molossians, Bandogs, Dogues, and the Roman Molossus. The names were different, but all were of the same basic type: heavy bodied, enormous heads, short muzzles, dewlaps, wrinkled foreheads, cropped ears, and heavy legs. Of the many Mastiff type dogs now extinct some were saved such as the Old English Mastiff and Saint Bernard. These dogs were most likely descendants of the Macedonian dogs, as they were called at the time of Alexander the Great around 350 BC, because his homeland was Macedonia. Alexander probably obtained the ancestors of these dogs from the peoples he had encountered in his many conquests of the lands stretching from India to Macedonia. The dogs he brought back were called Indian Dogs or Assyrian Dogs, in accordance with the names of the peoples who inhabited these lands at the time. When Alexander died, and Macedonia and Eastern Europe fell to the Romans, the great war dogs were seized and propagated by the Romans. During the first century BC, Julius Caesar met with dogs of huge structure and ferocity that he called “Pugnaces Brittaniae” during his campaign in the British Isles. He was so taken with these enormous dogs that he took several back to Rome. In Rome these dogs were used as weapons of war and in the Coliseums where they fought other animals such as lions and bulls. Handlers and Mastiffs fought other handlers and Mastiffs. Roman villas were protected by these enormous, fearless, and noble dogs, while the men were off to war fighting in other lands in the knowledge they could rest assured that their family and property were safe. Hence the development of the Roman house guard dog. As the Roman empire broke up, the peoples of Europe organised their lands into separate countries, descendants of the Roman Molossian evolved into the different Mastiff breeds of today. Each breed acquired its name and its characteristics from the country in which it remained. There is the French Dogue-De-Bordeaux, the English
Mastiff, the Swiss Saint Bernard, the Tibetan Mastiff and the Spanish
Mastiff. But it was the Italian Molosian that still today remains
practically the same as described by Columella during the Roman empire, it
has survived the ages along with the Colosseum and all the history and
feelings and remains of the mighty Roman Empire. It was in the region of Naples and the surrounding
countryside of Mt. Vesuvius that certain dogs fitting the description of
the Roman house guard dogs were conserved and bred. These dogs were highly
prized by the people who owned them, whether they were wealthy landowners
or poor farmers. They were so highly prized that they were not openly
traded or publicly marketed. They were something special, a relic of the
past to be treasured, as if to be kept a secret on purpose. Although quite obscure at the time the Neapolitan Mastiff was immediately recognized by Piero Scanziani, He wrote, "I recognized it instantly, it was one of the hundred that Paolo Emilio, the Macedonian, had brought to Rome in his triumph. It was the great dog of Epirus from the height of his centuries, he stared at me imperturbable; his eyes were not hostile, yet not kind. It was a gaze that does not give, yet does not ask anything, it simply contemplates". Piero Scanziani became Known as "The farther of the breed". He then went about in the late 1940s promoting the
breed and aided by his efforts to reconstruct the breed by Dr Ruggero
Soldati and other dog fanciers. They publicised the breed, wrote a
standard to which the dogs should be bred, and christened it with the name
Mastino Napoletano, and made it a recognised breed. The dog became
officially recognized by the Italian kennel club, the ENCI (Ente Nazionale
della Cinofilia Italiana) and adopted by the FCI (Federation Cynologique
Internationale) which is the international organization that the ENCI is a
member. The official name became the Mastino Napoletano and just referred
to as the Mastino in Italy and nicknamed the "Neo" in the United states.
Piero Scanziani purchased a few specimens of this profound breed and
“Guaglione1” went on to become the first Italian Champion Neapolitan
Mastiff. Toscano was small in size and not much to look at, but he sired more champions than any other Italian Neapolitan Mastiff to date. From 1949 to the early 1960s Mastino breeding in Italy, other than for Mario Querci, was fairly sporadic. It was during that time that the breed type was being set, but then the dogs looked quite different from the Mastini of today. By the late 1970s, mastino Breeding had reached an apogee in Italy. It was at this time when the best remembered dogs were born. Also then that some of the best known Mastinari of
today were engaged in conscientious Mastino breeding. Mastinaro is the
Italian term for a breeder of Neapolitan Mastiffs who has undertaken
insurmountable amounts of work for the sheer passion for this breed of
dog. This is not a name applied lightly to any would-be breeder of
Neapolitans. Mastinaro is only reserved for those dedicated artists and
connoisseurs of Mastini who have paid their dues in time spent,
tribulations, disappointments, and loss of money, and yet have persisted
in bringing to creation that astounding relic of a by-gone age. The 1980s saw a large exodus of puppies and older stock go out of Italy to foreign countries as Neapolitan Mastiff fever started spreading. In the 1990s we saw a hiatus in Italy in the breeding of sufficient numbers of exceptional individuals. The Italians are so successful in producing awesome - looking Mastini because they are concerned with creating a dog that evokes an emotion. Dog breeders and owners in many countries are often more concerned with producing dogs that conform with that particular country and also purely for structural soundness, for which they can attach lifetime guarantees against congenital defects. Rather than breeding Neapolitans purely for the purpose of selling them, the Italian breeders (Mastinari) breed to create the most aesthetic looking dog so that someone will want to purchase their dogs. Breeding Mastini is the ultimate challenge, each
individual breeder has his own secrets that allow him to be successful.
People in Italy who buy Mastini are usually knowledgeable as to what the
breed is about. The Neapolitan Mastiff was introduced primarily by a Michael Sottile and Jane Pampalone. Around 1973 the Neapolitan Mastiff Club of America (NMCA) was formed by Michael A. Sottile, Sr. . Mr. Sottile and his family imported Neapolitan Mastiffs, bred many wonderful dogs, and converted many people into lovers of the Neapolitan Mastiff as well as educated many new fans of this breed. The NMCA also ran a registry of pedigrees for the Neapolitan Mastiff in the United States, and kept pedigrees, lineage, and ownership information for most, if not virtually all Neapolitans in the country at that time. Many of the offspring of some of the excellent Italian dogs born in the 1980s did get brought over to the United States. Since the importation in the 1980s of numbers of Neapolitan Mastiffs into the USA, general awareness has increased dramatically. With the greater popularity of the breed has come an enormous increase in breeding of the dogs. there are a number of individuals who are really trying to breed quality dogs in the United States. Whether any one of them will earn the name of Mastinaro is to early to say, but at least they are starting out with the idea of making a mark in the breed. Around 1990 there were several movements across the country to form alternative clubs and registries to the NMCA. In late 1990 the United States Neapolitan Mastiff Club (USMNC)was formed and began operations as both a breed club and registry. The USNMC was officially incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1991. The USNMC also drafted a breed standard to reflect the
standard of the country of origin. The standard was approved By the AKC
(American Kennel Club) and the Neapolitan Mastiff entered into the AKC -
FSS (foundation stock service) for pedigree record keeping in 1996.
Sometime in 1990, the American Neapolitan Mastiff Association (ANMA) was
also formed but has ceased its registry operations as of January 1, 1999.
His muscular development would cause a game or herding
dog to fail at its chores but for the Neapolitan Mastiff this is a trade
off he assumed when he chose to be a guardian. His bones are not unlike
the trunk of a century old oak tree; thick, Strong and necessary or they
would surely splinter causing the massive structure they support to crash
to the earth. However the Neapolitan Mastiff of today shows marked improvements in body and overall squaring of the head, all due to selective breeding. He has a captivating and almost intimidating stare, such an imposing sight, one that would make a burglar turn and flee for sure! When the Neo, it's master, or property is threatened,
this dog can move with alarming speed and agility! Whereas another breed
of dog might simply just bite the arm of a perceived intruder, the Neo
might leave with the arm! Do not confuse our Neapolitan Mastiff with a fighting
breed. If you are considering purchasing one with this thought in mind you
will find him far too humble for he would rather spend his time patrolling
the property, or by your side pleasing you. Though the family dog would not purposely injure a
child, the Neapolitan Mastiff could easily knock one down. Just the weight
of the paws on a sensitive part of the body could permanently injure a
young child. The above text is with kind permision of Robert Gravel Colours of the Neapolitan?
Often not reaching their adult weight until around
three-and-a-half years of age and sometimes older than this. Then secondly, they are decendants of a small gene pool used in their "reconstruction". Hypothyroidism does occur in this and many other breed
of dogs. Some feel that this defect is "part and parcel" of the Neo body
type. This may be their way of excusing a genetic defect in their lines of
Neapolitan Mastiffs. Many of the most "typey" Neos alive in the United
Kingdom today have healthy thyroid function and have no need of thyroxine
supplimentation. HOWEVER- buyer beware! Do not construe the above
statements to excuse those breeders that knowingly breed dysplastic or
hypothyroid dogs! Many Neos across the United Kingdom and the USA are very
typey yet have very good hips and normal thyroid function! Buyers should
ask the breeders if the puppies' parents have been tested and demand to
see the written results. Panosteitis can occur in these rapidly growing pups.
With a good diet (pref. that of Dr. Billinghurst's B.A.R.F. diet), rest,
and tincture of time, many pups cease to show symptoms of this "wandering
lameness" by their 15th month. The Neapolitan Mastiff does not tolerate hot weather as
well as one might imagine in that it originates from a Mediterranean
country. Each summer some of the best "typey" specimens are lost to heat
stroke. The proceedure is best done under general anesthesia by
a Vet using Isoflurane gas rather than the less costly but poorly
tolerated Halothane gas. Many Vets, totally unfamiliar with this breed,
will insist upon "tacking" the gland back inside the lower eyelid. In
general, this does not last long and another surgery to remove the gland
must be done. Removal of the gland is very successful and the post
operative recovery is usually uneventful. As with all pendulous eared dogs, Neos which have
intact ears are more susceptible to ear infection. So the golden rule is
to clean your dogs ears out weekly, with disposable wipes (available from
your pet suppliers). The Neapolitan does not require a great deal of
specialized care. Once he is mature, the Neo is actually hardier then many
other breeds of dogs. He is easy to take care of because he is very little
inclined to wander. When he is with you, he is most content to stay by
your side. When you are away, he is happy to wait for your return. The Neapolitan Mastiff goes from 2 pounds to 150 plus
pounds in two years. Some dogs weigh 90 pounds at six months of age. Every
breeder and Book on Mastiffs that you read will differ on what to feed the
dogs. The goal in feeding giant breed dogs is to allow them to grow to
their maximum genetic potential without making them grow too heavy too
fast. This is difficult, since every dog is an individual and has
different nutritional requirements. Clean fresh water must be available to him at all times. When they drink, they also seem to wash their mouth out in the bowl. As soon as the water becomes slightly slimy they do not want it anymore, so you need to change the water often each day. A good idea is to have 3 large bowls of fresh water available for your dog to drink from and change these twice per day. With the eating and drinking comes the “Drool”, all Neo’s drool to some extent, some more than others. Which is a heavy thick white saliva, so have a towel at hand or disposable wet wipes, to mop his dewlap and mouth up after his feasting. The plan is to feed your puppy the correct amount of Vitamins, Minerals and Protein for proper bone and muscle development, and give him enough calories in the form of carbohydrates and fat, so that he grows. In Italy the dogs are much stockier and have more
massive bone, and have heavier thicker skin in general than the dogs in
the UK and the United States. They are fed lots of Pasta, Bread, Parboiled
chickens and raw or cooked organ meats and scraps. The Mastiff dogs in
Italy were raised on this diet for thousands of years, it is the diet
which has most contributed to creating their breed type. Other foods to mix with your complete dry food and fresh chicken are potatoes yoghurt, cheese, and as an alternative to fresh chickens, I use freshly cooked minced meat. You can tailor this to your dogs particular
requirements. There is a lot of recent research that demonstrates
that a low but adequate protein diet that is fresh and mostly raw does
enable the body to rid itself of painful metabolites that exacerbate the
pain from osteoarthritis. Vegetables are vital, these must be raw, or lightly
steamed, fresh or frozen and thawed. Like the following; Vegetables play an important part as they contain live enzymes, vitamins, minerals and some fibre. Veggies should contribute 40-50% by volume of your dogs meal. Your dog can have fruit as well. One or two serves of
fruit per day is an excellent source of enzymes and vitamins. Do not give
whole fruits that have pits or large seeds such as peaches or avocados, as
these can cause digestive blockages. Garlic is loved by most dogs and enhances the
palatability of the diet. Two - three cloves crushed for a large dog daily
in their meal. Brewers yeast is also popular with most dogs and is a great
source of B vitamins, a quarter to one teaspoon daily is good. The emphasis placed on recognising that Neos have dominant personalities is not a criticism of the breed. It is telling it how it is. Those breeders and people who say they have never had a problem with Their Mastino also know how to act around them and handle their dogs. We all know that dogs have to be watched around children, but all animals bite. Little dogs bite, and big dogs bite bigger. The fact is that people do not understand this, and that is why accidents happen. This is not a criticism; it is a fact. These people may have a problem dealing with Neapolitan Mastiffs. The blame for any problems will then be put on the dog. This shows what these dogs can become when they are handled by those who have not had experience with them. Neapolitans are “cool” and majestic looking. Everyone who sees a good specimen comes away wanting one, so impressed and infatuated. Many people immediately want one. This may be good, but all I can say is, know the breed, and yourself and your family situation before you rush into buying one. Avoid buying on impulse. Already Neapolitans are ending up in rescue centres all over the United Kingdom and this is a sad situation for a breed that has been relatively unknown and sold for high prices.
No they do not. In fact as adults they prefer to lounge
around the house or garden most of the time. Although they do not need
large acres of property to run around, a small apartment or flat is not
suited for a Neapolitan Mastiff. They require enough room to comfortably
move around. They can reach near 190 lbs in weight and can clear coffee
tables and move furniture if they are not provided enough room. Neapolitans have very short coats which require very
little care. They do not shed very much. They do, however, go through a
major shedding period in the spring and again in the Autumn. Neapolitan Mastiffs love the outdoors and will enjoy it
all year round. They can tolerate temperatures as low as 0 degrees F
provided they have an insulated dog house, and below 0 degrees if the dog
house is heated. Because they are a brachycephalic (short-nosed) breed,
they can have much more trouble with hot weather. They must be provided
with shade and have lots of clean fresh water available. In extremely hot
weather, it is advisable to move them into the basement or some cooler
place. Every year many otherwise healthy dogs die suddenly due to heat
intolerance. Owners must be extremely sensitive to this issue and must be
very cautious. Most Neapolitan Mastiffs are extremely good with
children they know and would never hurt them purposely. It is paramount to
remember that they are a giant breed and have great strength. This can
result in a them unintentionally knocking a child down and stepping on
them especially if the child runs away. They should never be unsupervised
around small children. Yes! So beware if you are a very light sleeper as some
have been known to be heard throughout the entire house snoring. The adult Neapolitan Mastiff has a large appetite and
can consume up to a gallon of food a day. It is not recommended to
overfeed or over supplement your dog, especially puppies or young adults.
Too much weight can actually cause damage to your dog's tendons, ligaments
and skeletal structure. Does a bear....? The Neo has the well renowned
reputation of being the King of droolers! However lovers of the breed have
been heard to refer to this as Nea Nectar rather than drool. The problem
arises mostly at feeding time, along when they feel nervous, in hot
weather, and after exercise. When at shows in the ring most handlers carry
a cloth with them in their pocket with which to respond to those drippy
lips. Like most giant breeds, sadly, their life span is not a long one. Eight to ten years old is the normal lifespan.
To date, although Kennel Club recognition has not been
granted, The Neapolitan Mastiff Club was formed in November 1998,
following a great increase and interest in the breed. It now has some 170
members and membership continues to rise. You can join the Neapolitan Mastiff Club ( fee £5
single, £7.50 joint ) by e mailing for an application form or
alternatively, contacting Ms Vicki Roach on: No they are not fully recognised. They are recognised
by almost every other country in the world and so far have been accepted
into the AKC-FSS for record keeping and effective September 1, 2001, they
will be allowed to compete in AKC Miscellaneous Class. There are people
who feel full recognition will be bad for the breed and those who are
working to get the breed fully recognised. Neapolitan Mastiffs are slow to mature and do not
completely mature until about 3 years of age. Most of their growth will be
done at 1 year old but they will continue to gain mass if their genetics
allow up to the age of 3 years, and sometimes older. Good quality Neapolitan Mastiffs tend to be rather expensive, for a number of reasons. They are extremely difficult to breed and produce, generally they are able to deliver only by Caesarean and usually need to be artificially inseminated because of the weight of the males. All of this tends to keep their prices rather high. Please ensure that if you find one that seems to be a bargain price that it wasn't by virtue of their care or quality being skimped on. This always depends a lot on the age, quality, breeding, and colour of the pup under consideration. A pup of "pet" quality can cost £700-£850. Perhaps an unwanted spot of colour, a poorly altered tail, or some other minor fault, prevents this dog from official show competition. This doesn't mean it can't win your heart and that of
your family! A show quality Kennel Club registered pup can cost £900 and
up (and I do mean UP!) A pup of show quality and of a rare colour -i.e.
mahogany can start at £1,000 plus. Always suspect Neapolitan puppies that
are being sold cheaply. Do they have hip dysplasia or some other problems?
Do they come from a puppy farm? Can you see the parents of the pups in the
home environment? Again- BUYER BEWARE! B.A.R.K. Rescue UK rescue
and rehome throughout the UK. |
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