The Neapolitan Mastiff is an ancient breed of dog that was rediscovered in Italy in the 1940s.  A massive and imposing breed, the Neapolitan Mastiff has been a guard dog for centuries.



A large dog, the Neapolitan Mastiff stands between 26-29 inches and weighs in at 110-150 pounds, or more.  They have a short coat, and their skin is loose, causing prominent wrinkles on their heads, face, and neck.  Traditionally their ears were cropped back short and their tails were docked, however this is becoming increasingly less common.  Coat colors include blue, black, mahogany, and tawny.  Neapolitan Mastiffs may be solid or brindled, small amounts of white are allowed on their chest and toes.


It is generally accepted that the Neapolitan Mastiff descended from the Roman war and gladiator dogs, the Molossus.  These dogs may have originated in Tibet (perhaps very close to today’s Tibetan Mastiff) and brought to Greece by Alexander the Great in 300 B.C.  Another possibility is that they were brought to Britain by Phoenician traders some 200 years later, and then spread to the rest of Europe.  While the Molossus died out elsewhere, a small pocket of them continued to thrive in Campania, Italy.  After WWII the Italians began to promote the breed, led by Dr. Piero Scanziani, and the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI) recognized the Neapolitan Mastiff by 1949.


Neapolitan Mastiffs are natural born guard dogs, and need little training at this task.  They are not recommended for the inexperienced owner, and need obedience training and socialization at an early age.  Most do not get along with other dogs, but generally do well with non-canine pets they have been raised with.  Generally Neapolitan Mastiffs do well with children.


The average lifespan of a Neapolitan Mastiff is 9-11 years.  They tend to be a hardy breed, however, as with all breed they are prone to certain diseases.  The most common is Cherry Eye.  Other health concerns with the Neapolitan Mastiff include hip and elbow dysplasia, bloating, and pano-ositosis. 

As they are large, Neapolitan Mastiffs are not recommended for apartment life.  They need at least an average sized yard to keep them happy.  Neapolitan Mastiffs require a lot of exercise, ideally at least two long walks daily.

The short coat of a Neapolitan Mastiff requires little care, and they are average shedders.