The Neapolitan Mastiff is a massive dog that was bred to guard. These dogs weigh an astonishing 120-200 pounds and can stand as tall as 31 inches at the shoulder! While these dogs are intimidating and can be aggressive if they feel as though their family is being threatened, they are gentle giants at heart and have very loving personalities.
This giant breed was developed in Southern Italy, and their ancestors date all the way back to 3000 BCE. Mastiff-type dogs have been used for guarding as well as for war for thousands of years, and the Neapolitan certainly inherited this protective instinct. This breed may seem intimidating to strangers, but they are big softies and the affection that they display to their family resembles that of an oversized lapdog.
Often referred to as “Neo” or “Mastino”, these animals are not fit for a clean freak. Their size alone will make them inadvertently knock over objects in the house, and you can be sure that if they come into the house dirty, they will track dirt just about everywhere. They also have a tendency to drool and are notorious for passing gas…let’s just say having them around will take some getting used to!
While the Neo is energetic as a puppy, they calm down as they grow older and typically prefer to lounge around the house than to exert themselves physically. They will not run around the house, but having more space is ideal for this dog purely because of its large size. If you are prepared to get over a bit of drool, the Neapolitan Mastiff will make the most wonderful family dog. They love being around all of the members of their family and will be as loyal and protective as they come.
