Neapolitan Mastiff

The Neapolitan Mastiff or Mastino Napoletano is an Italian breed of large dog. It descends from the traditional guard dogs of central Italy.[1] It was recognised as a breed by the Ente Nazionale della Cinofilia Italiana in 1949,[2] and accepted by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale in 1956.[3]

Neapolitan Mastiff
Other namesMastino Napoletano
OriginItaly
Traits
Height Dogs 65–75 cm (26–30 in)
Bitches 60–68 cm (24–27 in)
Weight Dogs 60–70 kg (130–150 lb)
Bitches 50–60 kg (110–130 lb)
Coat Short
Colour usually grey, lead grey or black
Life span up to 10 years
Kennel club standards
Ente Nazionale della Cinofilia Italiana standard
FCI standard
Dog (domestic dog)

The breed is closely related to the Cane Corso.

History

The Neapolitan Mastiff derives from the traditional catch and guard dogs of central Italy. Selection of the breed was begun in 1947 by Piero Scanziani, who had seen one at an exhibition in Naples in 1946.[1][2] He drew up the first standard, which in 1949 was officially recognised by the Ente Nazionale della Cinofilia Italiana.[2] It received full acceptance from the Fédération Cynologique Internationale in 1956.[3]

Characteristics
Neapolitan Mastiff head

The Neapolitan Mastiff is large, massive and powerful, with a weight in the range 50–70 kg (110–150 lb) and a height at the withers of 60–75 cm (24–30 in)[1] The length of the body is about 15% greater than the height.[1]

The skin is abundant and loose, particularly on the head where it hangs in heavy wrinkles. The preferred coat colours are black, grey and leaden, but mahogany, fawn, fulvous, hazelnut, dove-grey and isabelline are also acceptable; all coats may be brindled, and minor white markings on the toes and chest are tolerated.[1][4]

A Neapolitan Mastiff may be expected to live for up to 10 years.[5]:92 A survey in the United Kingdom found an average lifespan of 7 years, with some 16% living past the age of 9 years.[6]

References
  1. Mastino Napoletano (in Italian). Milano: Ente Nazionale della Cinofilia Italiana. Accessed March 2020.
  2. Mastino Napoletano: Storia (in Italian). Milano: Ente Nazionale della Cinofilia Italiana. Accessed March 2020.
  3. Mastino Napoletano (197). Fédération Cynologique Internationale. Accessed March 2020.
  4. Joan Palmer (2006). Dog Breeds. Wellfleet, MA: Wellfleet Press. ISBN 9780785800309.
  5. [Bruce Fogle] (2013). The Dog Encyclopedia. London; New York: Dorling Kindersley. ISBN 9781465408440.
  6. Average Age Survey Results - Pie-Charts. The Neapolitan Mastiff Club. Accessed January 2021.


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