Neapolitan Mastiff

Italian breed of dog

Dog breed

Neapolitan Mastiff

Other names| Mastino Napoletano
Origin| Italy
| Traits

Height|  Males|  65–75 cm (26–30 in)
|  Females|  60–68 cm (24–27 in)
Weight|  Males|  60–70 kg (130–150 lb)
|  Females|  50–60 kg (110–130 lb)
Coat|  Short
Colour|  usually grey, lead grey or black
| Kennel club standards

Ente Nazionale della Cinofilia Italiana|  standard
Fédération Cynologique Internationale|  standard
Dog (domestic dog)

The Neapolitan Mastiff or Mastino Napoletano is an Italian breed of large dog of mastiff type. It was recognised as a breed by the Ente Nazionale della Cinofilia Italiana in 1949,[1] and accepted by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale in 1956.[2]

It descends from the traditional guard dogs of central Italy,[3] and is closely related to the Cane Corso.

## History

[edit]

Scanziani's dog Siento, photographed in the 1950s

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.[3][1] He drew up the first standard, which in 1949 was officially recognised by the Ente Nazionale della Cinofilia Italiana.[1] It received full acceptance from the Fédération Cynologique Internationale in 1956.[2]

## Characteristics

[edit]

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 some 60–75 cm (24–30 in)[3] The length of the body is about 15% greater than the height.[3]

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.[3][4]

The dogs may be expected to live for up to 10 years.[5]: 92  Median lifespan is reported to be 9.3 years, much lower the median for all dogs, 12.5 years.[6]

## References

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Neapolitan Mastiff.

1. ^ a b c Mastino Napoletano: Storia (in Italian). Milano: Ente Nazionale della Cinofilia Italiana. Accessed March 2020.
2. ^ a b Mastino Napoletano (197). Fédération Cynologique Internationale. Accessed March 2020.
3. ^ a b c d e Mastino Napoletano (in Italian). Milano: Ente Nazionale della Cinofilia Italiana. 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. ^ Kirsten M. McMillan, Jon Bielby, Carys L. Williams, Melissa M. Upjohn, Rachel A. Casey, Robert M. Christley (2024). Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death. Scientific Reports. 14 (1): 531. doi:10.1038/s41598-023-50458-w. .

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Dog breeds of Italy

Hounds|

* Cirneco dell'Etna
* Italian Greyhound
* Levriero Sardo
* Segugio dell'Appennino
* Segugio Italiano
* Segugio Maremmano

Gundogs|

* Bracco Italiano
* Lagotto Romagnolo
* Spinone Italiano

Pastoral dogs|

* Bergamasco Shepherd
* Cane di Oropa
* Cane Lupino del Gigante
* Cane Paratore
* Maremmano-Abruzzese Sheepdog
* Pastore della Lessinia e del Lagorai
* Pastore Fonnese
* Spino degli Iblei

Mastiffs|

* Cane Corso
* Dogo Sardesco
* Neapolitan Mastiff

Miscellaneous|

* Bolognese
* Lupo Italiano
* Maltese
* Volpino Italiano

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Mastiffs

Extant breeds|

* Alano Español
* Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog
* American Bulldog
* Boerboel
* Boxer
* Broholmer
* Bulldog
* Bullmastiff
* Bully Kutta
* Campeiro Bulldog
* Cane Corso
* Cão Fila de São Miguel
* Chongqing dog
* Cimarrón Uruguayo
* Continental Bulldog
* Dogo Argentino
* Dogue Brasileiro
* Dogue de Bordeaux
* English Mastiff
* Fila Brasileiro
* French Bulldog
* Great Dane
* Kurdish Mastiff
* Neapolitan Mastiff
* Olde English Bulldogge
* Perro de Presa Mallorquin
* Presa Canario
* Rottweiler
* Saint Louis Vincent Mastiff
* Serrano Bulldog
* Tosa

Extinct breeds|

* Alaunt
* Bullenbeisser
* Córdoba fighting dog
* Dogo Cubano
* Fila da Terceira
* Molossus
* Old English Bulldog
* Toy Bulldog

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