NEAPOLITAN MASTIFFS
by Linda Janse van Rensburg, Picasso Neapolitan Mastiffs.
http://www.neapolitan.co.za/
To improve your knowledge on the breed we have included an article related to their health * behaviour
* Health and Neapolitan Mastiffs.
*Neapolitan Mastiffs - General Behavior
http://www.neapolitan.co.za/
To improve your knowledge on the breed we have included an article related to their health * behaviour
* Health and Neapolitan Mastiffs.
*Neapolitan Mastiffs - General Behavior
Bacchus
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One of Livea's pups
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Bessi
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breed prolife
S.A. Champion Fulmine del Gheno of DelPicasso
1. Personality
Despite the beastly and vicious appearance, the Neapolitan Mastiff is a peaceful and steady dog. It is serious, calm and quiet, unless provoked. The breed sleeps a lot, but can get on its feet incredibly fast. It is highly protective and fearless, but affectionate and devoted to its family and family’s friends. This breed rarely causes trouble by excessive barking…in fact, the most of the time, when they do bark….there will be a good reason. To be with their owner means more to them than anything in the world. They are incredibly desirous of companionship.
The most important quality in these dogs is that they are guards, and do not permit anyone onto their property, and if they are provoked, they will defend and fight with vigor and tenacity. We believe Neapolitan Mastiffs make great companions for those adults who are animal orientated and can control as well as care for a very powerful animal whose basic instincts are to guard, defend and attack if necessary. Away from their territory, they are normally very sweet when introduced to strangers. They should never be aggressive, but only protective.
2. Is this the correct pup for you, which is the best home and why?
Puppies should be rather equal in size and in temperament in a litter. Be careful to pick the shy puppy. Shy is already a bit of a risk, but if you get a nervous pup, it’s not an option for a family setup, especially if there are kids around. Outgoing, friendly, happy puppies are the best option for a family. The very bossy, dominant Neapolitan puppy can be a real issue for first time owners. They need early correction to avoid serious problems at a later stage. A neglected, unsocial Neapolitan is not pleasant to see, and due to its size, it can get dangerous.
The best home is where the puppy will be able to spend time with the family, also inside the home. They don’t need a lot of space, but they do want to be with their family, all the time! They love travelling, if trained early, and are excellent companions to take with on a vacation, as they are very docile. People that want a laid back, docile, quiet dog and who can tolerate messy eating, lots of slobber and snoring, will love this breed. If you don’t consider bringing the dog inside, and you constantly worry about the possibility of slobber all over, this is not the breed for you. Neapolitan’s also having more health issues than most other breeds, so the new owner must be able to afford sometimes large vet bills. Study your lifestyle, your family, your dog experience and your bank account. If your lifestyle includes jogging, cycling or hiking and you want your dog to accompany you – choose another breed.
This breed stands well apart from other breeds, he is for experienced dog owners only.
3. Does this breed tolerate children well?
Most Neapolitans are fond of their human children and would not purposely hurt them, but, because of their large size, they could knock over a small child and step on them per accident. Most Neapolitans are very gentle with children and will probably only drool on a kid. Children are very excitable and they love to run and yell. This might cause most dogs to become excited as well. They should never be unsupervised around very small children, and children must handle a Neo with respect. Neapolitans by nature are dominant alpha dogs and must be handled accordingly. It is important that every member in the family, including the children must outrank the Neapolitan in pack member status.
4. Where do I get my pup from?
Always buy from a KUSA registered breeder. A breeder that is involved with the breed for a long time will have more experience with the breed and will be able to help selecting to more suitable puppy for a client. As most trainers and vets are not familiar with this breed, you will need a lot of assistance from the breeder. This breed have several health issues, therefor It is very important to make sure that the breeder do certain health tests prior to breeding, to eliminate cases of heart, hip & elbow problems. Tested dogs get a written certification to proof its fit for breeding. A responsible breeder will also make sure that he only breeds with dogs that have sound temperaments. This is crucial, as an adult Neapolitan can be very dangerous, and due to its size, many trainers don’t want to end up with a huge, dangerous animal. Importing is very expensive, and finding a reliable breeder that breed healthy dogs, is almost impossible.
5. Which other breeds are most compatible with your breeds?
Most other Mastiff breeds are suitable. Any other breed that is calm, quiet, not so active, like Bulldogs, will also be ok. In certain situations the Neapolitan will cope with a very active & noisy companion, but if they get annoyed, they might not handle the other dog well, which can end up in a tragedy. If you choose another dominant breed like a Rottweiler, Bull Terrier, Pit Bull Terrier etc, you must not keep matured dogs of the same sex together, as they will definitely end up fighting.
6. Is it wise to have two or more of the same breed? Pro’s & Con’s
As long as they are not the same sex, it won’t be a problem. We found so many times that if you keep two or more neo’s of the same sex together, once the dogs reaches puberty stage, they start fighting. Once they started, it’s very difficult to control or stop it. It is in fact a fighting breed.
7. Do they get on well with other animals?
They are excellent with most other animals, as long as they are introduced at an early age. However, we had a five year old female that was never introduced to cats, and since her first meeting with a cat, she was playful with him, and acted perfectly at all times. But this is more an exception.
8. Training requirements & Grooming
Neapolitans are very intelligent. If you consider having one just as a pet, early puppy socialization is a must. You also have to learn the pup to travel in a vehicle. If you don’t start this training early, you will have huge problems getting an adult to travel. Apart from this, they don’t need specific training. If they spend enough time with the family, they pick up the necessary commands very quickly. We do not believe to do attack training with this breed. Again, due to the size, if they attack, it can be very dangerous. From the beginning the puppy must respect that your judgment is correct and your word is law.
They need very little grooming. A brush now and then to get loose hair out (if any). They have a very short coat and requires very little grooming. We only bath them for shows. It’s also not necessary to clean between the wrinkles and folds. You have to clean the eyes twice a day with a damp cloth.
9. Health concerns & Behavior concerns
* Heart problems, mainly DCM.
* Eye problems – Cherry eye, Ectropion, Entropion
* Hip- & Elbow Dysplasia
* Bloat
* Behavior concerns – Neapolitans must not be nervous or aggressive.
“In today’s age, with the rising cost of veterinary care, it really is a wise decision to consider medical insurance for your pets. Depending on the plan you choose, you can ensure that if your pet does develop one of the health issues the breed is prone too, that you will be covered –additionally, just knowing that any accident your pet may have will be covered, will out-weigh the monthly insurance fee for most pet owners. Our own personal choice is Genricpet as they have a ‘no limit’ policy and their rates are comparable to the rest of the industry. To find out the questions and things to look for in a Medical Insurance, please just follow this link”
10. Life expectancy
* 8 – 10 years – if it’s a healthy dog.
11. Do’s and don’ts of this breed
Do’s:-
1. Study the breed properly, before you decide on the breed.
2. Start right by buying a good quality puppy from a reputable breeder.
3. Do early socialization.
4. Do early travel training.
5. Make sure your Neo have a comfortable, soft, bed.
6. Train your Neo indoors in your home.
Don’ts
1. Do not over exercise your Neo
2. Do not over feed your Neo
3. Never exercise or play after a meal – risk of bloat!
4. Never walk straight towards an unknown Neo.
5. Do not breed Neo’s younger than 18 months of age. The best age is 2 years.
6. Never leave a very small child unattended with them.
7. Never walk straight up to another unknown dog with your Neo. Your dog will attack.
8. Don’t breed just to have puppies.
I also just want to mention:
When breeding Neapolitan’s, the first thing that you easily loose is the huge bone structure and the very loose skin. This is what the breed is about. Never breed with a Neo that already lack these two very important aspects, as, once you have lost it, you won’t breed it back. With every generation it will decrease, creating lots of dogs that do not appear to be of any standard.
Written by: Linda Janse van Rensburg, Picasso Neapolitan Mastiffs.
Despite the beastly and vicious appearance, the Neapolitan Mastiff is a peaceful and steady dog. It is serious, calm and quiet, unless provoked. The breed sleeps a lot, but can get on its feet incredibly fast. It is highly protective and fearless, but affectionate and devoted to its family and family’s friends. This breed rarely causes trouble by excessive barking…in fact, the most of the time, when they do bark….there will be a good reason. To be with their owner means more to them than anything in the world. They are incredibly desirous of companionship.
The most important quality in these dogs is that they are guards, and do not permit anyone onto their property, and if they are provoked, they will defend and fight with vigor and tenacity. We believe Neapolitan Mastiffs make great companions for those adults who are animal orientated and can control as well as care for a very powerful animal whose basic instincts are to guard, defend and attack if necessary. Away from their territory, they are normally very sweet when introduced to strangers. They should never be aggressive, but only protective.
2. Is this the correct pup for you, which is the best home and why?
Puppies should be rather equal in size and in temperament in a litter. Be careful to pick the shy puppy. Shy is already a bit of a risk, but if you get a nervous pup, it’s not an option for a family setup, especially if there are kids around. Outgoing, friendly, happy puppies are the best option for a family. The very bossy, dominant Neapolitan puppy can be a real issue for first time owners. They need early correction to avoid serious problems at a later stage. A neglected, unsocial Neapolitan is not pleasant to see, and due to its size, it can get dangerous.
The best home is where the puppy will be able to spend time with the family, also inside the home. They don’t need a lot of space, but they do want to be with their family, all the time! They love travelling, if trained early, and are excellent companions to take with on a vacation, as they are very docile. People that want a laid back, docile, quiet dog and who can tolerate messy eating, lots of slobber and snoring, will love this breed. If you don’t consider bringing the dog inside, and you constantly worry about the possibility of slobber all over, this is not the breed for you. Neapolitan’s also having more health issues than most other breeds, so the new owner must be able to afford sometimes large vet bills. Study your lifestyle, your family, your dog experience and your bank account. If your lifestyle includes jogging, cycling or hiking and you want your dog to accompany you – choose another breed.
This breed stands well apart from other breeds, he is for experienced dog owners only.
3. Does this breed tolerate children well?
Most Neapolitans are fond of their human children and would not purposely hurt them, but, because of their large size, they could knock over a small child and step on them per accident. Most Neapolitans are very gentle with children and will probably only drool on a kid. Children are very excitable and they love to run and yell. This might cause most dogs to become excited as well. They should never be unsupervised around very small children, and children must handle a Neo with respect. Neapolitans by nature are dominant alpha dogs and must be handled accordingly. It is important that every member in the family, including the children must outrank the Neapolitan in pack member status.
4. Where do I get my pup from?
Always buy from a KUSA registered breeder. A breeder that is involved with the breed for a long time will have more experience with the breed and will be able to help selecting to more suitable puppy for a client. As most trainers and vets are not familiar with this breed, you will need a lot of assistance from the breeder. This breed have several health issues, therefor It is very important to make sure that the breeder do certain health tests prior to breeding, to eliminate cases of heart, hip & elbow problems. Tested dogs get a written certification to proof its fit for breeding. A responsible breeder will also make sure that he only breeds with dogs that have sound temperaments. This is crucial, as an adult Neapolitan can be very dangerous, and due to its size, many trainers don’t want to end up with a huge, dangerous animal. Importing is very expensive, and finding a reliable breeder that breed healthy dogs, is almost impossible.
5. Which other breeds are most compatible with your breeds?
Most other Mastiff breeds are suitable. Any other breed that is calm, quiet, not so active, like Bulldogs, will also be ok. In certain situations the Neapolitan will cope with a very active & noisy companion, but if they get annoyed, they might not handle the other dog well, which can end up in a tragedy. If you choose another dominant breed like a Rottweiler, Bull Terrier, Pit Bull Terrier etc, you must not keep matured dogs of the same sex together, as they will definitely end up fighting.
6. Is it wise to have two or more of the same breed? Pro’s & Con’s
As long as they are not the same sex, it won’t be a problem. We found so many times that if you keep two or more neo’s of the same sex together, once the dogs reaches puberty stage, they start fighting. Once they started, it’s very difficult to control or stop it. It is in fact a fighting breed.
7. Do they get on well with other animals?
They are excellent with most other animals, as long as they are introduced at an early age. However, we had a five year old female that was never introduced to cats, and since her first meeting with a cat, she was playful with him, and acted perfectly at all times. But this is more an exception.
8. Training requirements & Grooming
Neapolitans are very intelligent. If you consider having one just as a pet, early puppy socialization is a must. You also have to learn the pup to travel in a vehicle. If you don’t start this training early, you will have huge problems getting an adult to travel. Apart from this, they don’t need specific training. If they spend enough time with the family, they pick up the necessary commands very quickly. We do not believe to do attack training with this breed. Again, due to the size, if they attack, it can be very dangerous. From the beginning the puppy must respect that your judgment is correct and your word is law.
They need very little grooming. A brush now and then to get loose hair out (if any). They have a very short coat and requires very little grooming. We only bath them for shows. It’s also not necessary to clean between the wrinkles and folds. You have to clean the eyes twice a day with a damp cloth.
9. Health concerns & Behavior concerns
* Heart problems, mainly DCM.
* Eye problems – Cherry eye, Ectropion, Entropion
* Hip- & Elbow Dysplasia
* Bloat
* Behavior concerns – Neapolitans must not be nervous or aggressive.
“In today’s age, with the rising cost of veterinary care, it really is a wise decision to consider medical insurance for your pets. Depending on the plan you choose, you can ensure that if your pet does develop one of the health issues the breed is prone too, that you will be covered –additionally, just knowing that any accident your pet may have will be covered, will out-weigh the monthly insurance fee for most pet owners. Our own personal choice is Genricpet as they have a ‘no limit’ policy and their rates are comparable to the rest of the industry. To find out the questions and things to look for in a Medical Insurance, please just follow this link”
10. Life expectancy
* 8 – 10 years – if it’s a healthy dog.
11. Do’s and don’ts of this breed
Do’s:-
1. Study the breed properly, before you decide on the breed.
2. Start right by buying a good quality puppy from a reputable breeder.
3. Do early socialization.
4. Do early travel training.
5. Make sure your Neo have a comfortable, soft, bed.
6. Train your Neo indoors in your home.
Don’ts
1. Do not over exercise your Neo
2. Do not over feed your Neo
3. Never exercise or play after a meal – risk of bloat!
4. Never walk straight towards an unknown Neo.
5. Do not breed Neo’s younger than 18 months of age. The best age is 2 years.
6. Never leave a very small child unattended with them.
7. Never walk straight up to another unknown dog with your Neo. Your dog will attack.
8. Don’t breed just to have puppies.
I also just want to mention:
When breeding Neapolitan’s, the first thing that you easily loose is the huge bone structure and the very loose skin. This is what the breed is about. Never breed with a Neo that already lack these two very important aspects, as, once you have lost it, you won’t breed it back. With every generation it will decrease, creating lots of dogs that do not appear to be of any standard.
Written by: Linda Janse van Rensburg, Picasso Neapolitan Mastiffs.