Neapolitan mastiff: description and recommendations on the content

Each dog breed stands out for its unique exterior features. Among the available variety there are miniature animals, as well as large four-legged pets, which become faithful companions for humans. The Neapolitan mastiff, which stands out among dogs for its impressive size, should be assigned to the latter category.

The most striking distinctive feature of a dog of this breed, which sets it apart from other relatives, is its head. She, like the rest of the varieties of mastiffs, It is very massive and has numerous drooping skin folds. This feature of the exterior is also called “wrinkles”.

Owners and cynologists value one of the largest dogs for the following qualities:

• calm and steady psyche;
• patience;
• devotion towards the owner and members of his family;
• simplicity in leaving and the maintenance;
• dog cleanliness;
• quick wit and intelligence.

Neapolitan Mastiff is a breed that has a long history. Mention of such animals is found in sources related to the period of military campaigns of Alexander the Great. It is this dog that the Indian king presented as a gift to the conqueror.

Now individuals noted in history are ranked among the ancestors of modern Neapolitan.Images of large dogs, similar in appearance to the mastiff, were also found on ancient Persian bas-reliefs. In the Roman Empire, large animals were on a special account, so they were used as fighting dogs, as well as guards of private estates. After the fall of Rome, Neapolitans were still found in various parts of Italy, however, animals very often crossed with Iberian mastino. During the war years, the breed almost died out.

The appearance of dogs in Europe dates back to a new era when four-legged guards were brought to the mainland along with other valuable goods by Phoenician sailors and merchants.

Further formation of the breed, as well as fixing the exterior characteristics took place already on the mainland, wherethe animals underwent some changes in the process of adaptation to the new climate and due to crossbreeding with local breeds.

Work on breeding a stable population of large dogs began much later. Cynologist Piero Skonzane quite a long time selected among the remaining representatives of individuals with homogeneous characters. His attempts were crowned with success, thanks to which in 1949 the first offspring from purebred parents were bred in the nursery. In the same year, the standard for the breed was approved, over time, various changes were made to it.

The characteristics of the breed include several basic criteria, they relate to the exterior and the nature of the animals.

The growth of adult males should be 65-75 centimeters, bitches at the withers should have sizes from 60 to 80 centimeters. The mass of male animals varies between 60-70 kilograms, bitches can weigh 50-60 kilograms.

Consider the hallmarks of dogs.

• Head. The skull and muzzle of the animal are large, most of the skin folds are concentrated on the forehead and cheeks. Also, the exterior of the dog should complement drooping and fleshy lips. The muzzle is similar in shape to a square, but without pronounced sharp corners. The nose, like all other parts of the head, is large, with wide nostrils, and the jaws of the dog are no less impressive.

The bite of the animal is scissor-shaped, medium-sized fangs. Eyes cover thick round eyelids. The color of the iris is mostly dark.As a rule, its color is in harmony with the color of the dog’s coat. But the ears do not stand out for their size, they are quite tight to the cheeks, have a triangular shape with rounded edges.

• Neck. The head goes quite smoothly into the cervical spine. The neck of the mastiff is small, but has pronounced musculature. The skin in this part also folds into wrinkles.

• Back. The trunk and back stand out with a well-visible muscular corset. The length of the back is average, and the width is quite impressive. The loin should protrude slightly.

• Chest. The chest of a purebred dog is long and fairly wide. In an animal that is not obese, the ribs and muscles should be clearly visible, the stomach of a mastiff is taut.

• Croup. This part of the animal’s body has a slight bevel, stands out for its width and well-developed muscles.

• Tail. At the very base, the tail is usually slightly wider than at the end. This form is called saber. In the active state, the tail is at the level of the back or slightly higher.

• Limbs. The legs are straight, they are large and strong, with a well-developed muscular system. The fingers are pressed to each other, so they resemble a dense “lump”.

The coat color features of the Neapolitan mastiffs have some approved standards. The coat of dogs protects animals from external factors, it fits snugly, but the undercoat is not present in dogs.It was noted that in males, the hairs are stiffer. Valid colors for the breed are:

• black and gray;
• brown;
• walnut;
• pale yellow;
• dark red;
• lead silver.

Also, dogs with Isabella coat color are sometimes found. In the color of mastiffs, several colors may prevail with a smooth transition from one to another. Spot abnormalities in the thoracic region and paws are not considered.

The Neapolitan mastiff was originally positioned as a watchdog, and he retained such instincts today. therefore the animal has pronounced makings of a guard, which are manifested in relation to its territory and the owner / family members. At the same time, even with puppies, dogs are strongly attached to their breeder, maintaining this cordial habit until old age. They are friendly to familiar people, willingly take part in active games.

Dogs will be suspicious of strangers, but in the absence of a clear threat, a four-legged friend may simply not notice a new person. It gets along very hard with other animals, as it is jealous of its breeder, which inevitably leads to conflict.

The dog is distinguished by highly developed intellectual abilities, therefore it lends itself well to training, however, until 2 years old, it will try to dominate, therefore Needs regular training and education. Mastiffs have an excellent memory, therefore, enemies will be remembered for a very long time, but revenge is not inherent in them.

This dog will not bark in vain. Mastiffs quickly adapt to new conditions, are distinguished by stress resistance. Alone and in a confined space, a pet can get bored and become depressed.

An important point in the maintenance of a large dog is a well-composed diet that will ensure the health, activity and longevity of the animal. As a rule, in addition to mother's milk, the puppy's body will need additional feeding no earlier than 20 weeks of life. During this period, dogs are actively gaining weight, and also the process of teething of the first teeth begins, which makes the feeding process less pleasant for mom.

A bitch may spew undigested food from time to time, which becomes a milk replacer for younger offspring. During this period, the breeder will need to offer puppies milk formula, which have a similar chemical composition as breast milk.

Dogs are weaned at the age of 4 months. Then the puppy must be fed at least 4 times a day. It is recommended to introduce raw liver, sour-milk products, fish oil, yeast and eggs into the diet of a young dog. By 6 months, you can reduce the number of meals up to 3 times. An adult dog is considered after a year, then the breeder must feed her twice a day - in the morning and in the evening.

Owners of the Neapolitan mastiff can facilitate the process of feeding it, if you buy ready-made industrial dog food. However, it is important to choose the right product option from the range offered in the store. The composition of the feed must necessarily contain a meat component, as well as the maximum amount of nutrient components.

If the dog will eat natural food, then the following foods should be in her diet:

• meat and offal - rabbit, beef, turkey, chicken;
• cereals - hercules, rice, buckwheat;
• vegetables (excluding potatoes);
• eggs
• dairy products;
• sea ​​fish.

Under the ban for the introduction of mastiff into the diet will be bones from fish and chicken, pickles, smoked meats and spices, confectionery. The animal should always have water in the public domain.

The average life expectancy of a four-legged pet is 10-15 years, but these figures largely depend on proper care. Since the breed has such features as deep skin folds in which dirt will clog, the dog will need regular hair care in the area of ​​skin wrinkles. Also, in the process of caring for the mastiff, the breeder will need to regularly carry out such activities.

• The animal needs to be massagedto disperse blood under the skin. Such actions will help to establish blood flow that nourishes the dog’s coat. In addition, regular procedures will be an excellent prevention of eczema. You can do massage with your hands without the use of additional devices.

Some breeders use a stiff mitt or brush made of silicone. Massage is needed in all parts of the dog's body except the muzzle.

• After walking, it is necessary to carefully examine the limbs of the fourth pet. This is due to the likelihood of damage to the pads on the paws due to the fact that Neapolitan has a fairly sweeping gait. Having discovered any abrasions or wounds, the owner needs to treat them with a disinfectant.
• In light of the absence of undercoat in dogs of this breed, in “wrinkles” skin parasites can multiply, especially in the summer. Therefore, in addition to examination and purification, it will be necessary to treat the folds with compounds against blood-sucking pests.
• The ears of the dog will need weekly cleaning. For these purposes, you can use a cotton pad soaked in plain water or with the addition of an antiseptic. As a prevention of ear mites, it is recommended to use specialized drops for animals that are sold in a veterinary pharmacy.
• A dog is usually bathed in the warm season. For hygienic procedures, you can use a hypoallergenic shampoo intended for children or animals. The rest of the time it will be enough to cleanse the limbs, chest and abdomen using conventional rinsing. After bathing, the dog should not be dried with a hairdryer, it will be enough to wipe the animal with a cotton towel. Frequent water procedures are not recommended for the dog, as they remove the natural protective fat layer on the skin of the animal.
• Claws need to be trimmed as they growAs a rule, such events are carried out monthly, using a special guillotine claw cutter. Only dead hollow tissue at the end of the nail should be removed. Cutting off a living area can provoke blood poisoning, so you can not disturb the claw under the plate.

When kept in an apartment, the dog must be allocated separate sleeping place, as well as a feeding area. Litter or rug should be cleaned regularly; no residues should accumulate in dishes after eating.

Puppies of this breed can suffer from viral and bacterial ailments, so it is important for the breeder to vaccinate the animal up to 3 months. Usually a dog is vaccinated against hepatitis, plague, leptospirosis and parvovirosis. Up to 12 months of age, vaccination against rabies is mandatory. Further vaccinations are done every year. The best time for this procedure is spring.

Based on its physiology, the Neapolitan mastiff is prone to such ailments:

• intestinal inversion, which is most common in adult dogs;
• cardiopulmonary filariasis, which is transmitted through the bite of blood-sucking parasites.

In general, Neapolitano is distinguished by strong immunity, so it rarely gets sick. The most vulnerable dog will be in the first year of life, so it is recommended that the breeder pay maximum attention to the pet.

In the process of training and work on education Neapolitan rude attitude to the animal and the manifestation of physical strength are prohibited. Enhancing the owner’s voice will be enough for the pet to understand its mistake. The maximum punishment for him could be a slap on the back with a folded newspaper. Animals quickly realize their mistake, but do not take offense, but try to make amends.

Dogs need room to be able to move, as well as constantly learn something new. therefore animals kept in the apartment will require long walks and outdoor training.

During training, all commands to dogs must be given in a firm voice, but without aggression or anger, phrases should consist of one word. Everything that the breeder says in the process of training must be done, otherwise the dog does not recognize the authority of the person.

A mastiff, which is used to protect private possessions, can be taught to rush at strangers using a specific command, and this word can be any one inserted into a conversation. Also a similar signal will be an inconspicuous touch on the animal.

First of all, a puppy should be taught to walk on a leash next to the owner. At first, the dog will tear in different directions, so for large dogs it is recommended to purchase a tightening collar in the form of a chain. Such a device will quickly wean the pet from disobedience. It is forbidden to keep a mastiff in the yard on a chain, since such a lifestyle will make the dog aggressive, and problems with the psyche of the animal are also possible.

Training and training recommended starting from 1.5 months of age. First, the pet must learn to respond to its nickname. Training should be regular. If the dog begins to respond, it must be encouraged.

Up to 3 months, a mastiff can be raised at home, after which a growing dog should be recorded for training, if the breeder has minimal experience in raising four-legged dogs. Dogs that will subsequently be on guard duty should be raised under the guidance of an experienced dog handler. The animal may need to go special courses.

Attendance at additional classes will teach the dog:

• walk next to the owner without a leash;
• understand the breeder not only with voice commands, but also with the movements of the hands and even the eyes;
• the animal will know its place;
• learns basic commands;
• will be trained with various shells.

In healthy dogs of the Neapolitan breed, the first estrus should pass in the interval from 6 months to a year. Deviations from this value will indicate possible problems or pathologies in the development of genital organs. In the first heat, it is not recommended to knit. Dog handlers and veterinarians advise you to wait until the dog is as strong as possible. Therefore, the second or third estrus will be the best time for mating.

A suitable pair for the dog needs to be watched in advance, it will also be more correct to immediately discuss the rights to future offspring. Usually mating is carried out after long walks with the animal.

See more about breed features in the next video.