Character & Temperament

Despite its impressive size and strong build, the Neapolitan Mastiff is an extremely calm and balanced dog. He radiates a natural serenity and calm that is also transferred to his surroundings. He is not a dog that needs to be constantly in action, but rather enjoys simply being with his family, watching and protecting them. The Neapolitan Mastiff is a very people-oriented dog. He forms a deep bond with his family and is extremely loving and gentle towards them. At first he is often reserved and cautious towards strangers. However, he is not an aggressive dog and usually does not show unjustified aggressive behavior. Rather, he sees his job as protecting and looking after his family. He always behaves calmly and confidently. Despite his attachment to his people, the Neapolitan Mastiff also has an independent character. He is an intelligent dog who can do his tasks independently and does not constantly have to depend on his people. This makes him a pleasant companion who does not constantly demand attention. Since the Neapolitan Mastiff was originally bred as a guard and protection dog, it has a strong protective instinct and strong territorial behavior. This should always be taken into account when keeping this dog. He needs clear structures and consistent but loving training in order to become a pleasant family dog. He is very trainable and with the right training he can learn many different tasks and is an excellent guard and protection dog. Despite its protective instinct, the Neapolitan Mastiff generally does not show strong hunting or prey-catching behavior. He can integrate well into a household with other pets as long as they are viewed as part of his family from the start. Although the Neapolitan Mastiff enjoys being with his family, he can also learn to stay alone for short periods of time. He is not a dog that needs constant entertainment and activity, but can also keep himself busy. However, he should not be left alone all the time as he loves his people very much and needs their company.

What Awaits You

Many Neapolitan Mastiffs suffer from torturous breeding characteristics, e.g.: ectropion with chronically inflamed conjunctiva, problems in the musculoskeletal system and inflammation due to excessive folding of the skin.

Housing & Care

The Neapolitan Mastiff can live well in both a city and the country as long as he gets enough exercise and mental stimulation. He is a very loving and family-oriented dog who gets along well with children, although his size means he is a better fit for families with older children. He also gets along well with other pets as long as he is used to them from an early age.

Training & Education

Raising a Neapolitan Mastiff requires patience and consistency. This breed is intelligent and independent, meaning they can be stubborn at times. However, they respond well to positive reinforcement and reward-based training methods. They don't tend to be "ball junkies" but rather enjoy quieter activities and exercises that challenge them mentally. It is important that you socialize your Neapolitan Mastiff well from the start and teach him to appropriately control his size and strength. He should also learn to tolerate frustration and control his impulses. A well-trained Neapolitan Mastiff makes a wonderful companion and guard dog, defending his home and family vigorously but without aggression.

Nutrition & Care

As a large and active dog, the Neapolitan Mastiff requires a balanced and nutritious diet. A diet high in high-quality protein and healthy fats is ideal. It is important to control portions to avoid obesity, which can lead to health problems. The Neapolitan Mastiff has a short and dense coat that is relatively easy to care for. It has no undercoat, so it is well adapted to the climate in Germany and can cope well in both the warmer and colder months. Regular brushing can help keep his coat clean and healthy and reduce the amount of hair he loses.