If you are looking for a large but loving pooch to bring into your household, you want to look at the Neapolitan Mastiff. This canine is a gentle giant and they are going to love to spend time with their family.
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
Before you adopt any breed of dog, it is essential to learn about what they need. This is going to ensure that you have the best experience when you get a dog. So, let’s learn about the Neapolitan Mastiff.
What Can I Expect from the Neapolitan Mastiff?
The Neapolitan Mastiff is a big canine that was first bred in southern Italy. They have been used as a guard dog, particularly for families due to their size and demeanor. But looks can be deceiving. This furry friend also makes a great family dog.
As you would expect from a Mastiff breed, this pooch is large and heavy. They can weigh around 120 to 200 pounds and reach a height of 24 to 31 inches. They are a powerful pooch and they have a strong stride when they walk. Due to their size, they are best suited for larger homes that have a yard. This allows your canine to have space. Indeed, they can be clumsy canines.
There are some common colors for the Neapolitan Mastiff. This includes gray and black, as well as mahogany and tan brindle. If your canine has a white spot present on their head, this means that they will only be suitable for a pet and not for a show dog.
Do They have a Good Temperament?
A lot of people are intimidated by the Neapolitan Mastiff. However, you should not be scared of this big pooch. Instead, know that they are very affectionate and sweet towards their owners. While they can make a good watchdog, they are not going to be anything other than loving towards their family. They are very loyal and love to spend time with you. The Neapolitan Mastiff is the definition of a gentle giant.
You should be aware that the Neapolitan Mastiff has some bad habits that you may not enjoy. This can include drooling and slobbering. They can also make a lot of grunting and snorting noises. Their bark can be deep, which is a great deterrent.
When the Neapolitan Mastiff is young, they are very playful. You can have a lot of fun with this pooch but it is important to remember their size. It is recommended that you do not roughhouse with your Neapolitan Mastiff. This is going to ensure that nobody gets hurt. In addition, they can be boisterous when they are young. Thus, you may have to be careful if you have young children as this is a dog that is not aware of their size.
Review symptoms, medications & behavior to keep your pets healthy with a Vet Online in just minutes.
Ask a Vet Live NowDo They Need a lot of Exercise?
Some people assume that the Neapolitan Mastiff needs a lot of exercise due to their size. However, this is not true. This is a large pooch that will be happy with several small walks during the day. This allows them to explore their environment and stretch their legs without any strenuous exercise on their bones and joints.
One thing to realize about the Neapolitan Mastiff is that they are not able to cope with temperature changes very well. In particular, they are not going to do well with keeping cool in warm temperatures. Therefore, it will be best to exercise your Neapolitan Mastiff during cooler times of the day, such as in the morning and evening. In addition, make sure that fresh water is available at all times.
Do They Need a lot of Grooming?
The Neapolitan Mastiff is a canine that is going to shed the same amount as other short haired breeds. Therefore, this is not going to be a lot but enough to mean that you have to vacuum on a regular basis. Your furry friend is going to benefit from being brushed a few times a week. This can be an enjoyable activity for you and your pooch to enjoy.
One thing that you will have to do for your Neapolitan Mastiff is clean their wrinkles and the skin folds that they have. You want to ensure that the skin is dry so that it does not become uncomfortable for your canine and to avoid infections.
Where can I Find a Neapolitan Mastiff?
The Neapolitan Mastiff is a big canine that can make your life complete. Of course, you have to make sure that you can meet their needs. If you have decided that you love the Neapolitan Mastiff and they are right for your family, you will want to know where you can find one. There are several options and your circumstances are going to dictate the right path to choose.
First of all, a lot of people looking for a dog will head to their local animal shelter. Indeed, this is one of the most rewarding ways you can add a pooch to your family. There are a lot of dogs here that are looking for a new home after being surrendered. It may be difficult to find a Neapolitan Mastiff at the shelter. But it is not impossible. It may just take some time.
There are also rescues and charities online that may be able to locate a Neapolitan Mastiff for you to adopt. Owners can advertise their dogs privately that they want to rehome too. The best thing you can do is both situations is to ask a lot of questions so that you can learn more about the dog before adopting them. You want to ensure that you can meet their needs and offer them the home they are looking for.
If you want to raise your canine from a puppy, you can contact a Neapolitan Mastiff breeder. The most important thing is that you find a breeder that has a lot of experience and a good reputation. Often, this means paying more money for your pooch. Always ask to see the parents of your Neapolitan Mastiff puppy to ensure they are looked after and healthy.
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
Kim
Kim is a talented author, who loves animals especially dogs. She engaged in writing books and articles relating to animals a decade ago. Kim resides in Chicago with her husband and son. The family is the proud owner of a dog and a parrot (Jack and Lily). Kim wanted more than these two pets, but her husband put his foot down... She often visits elementary schools to talk to the kids about what she learned about pets and how they could learn from them.
Review symptoms, medications & behavior to keep your pets healthy with a Vet Online in just minutes.
Ask a Vet Live Now