Neapolitan Mastiff

Like every breed, the Neapolitan Mastiff is not the right fit for every home. Based on the breed’s typical traits:

• Use positive, reward-based methods.
• Keep training short and build it into everyday life rather than long sessions.
• Focus on socialisation and polite manners around people and other animals.
• Teach good lead walking early, so you can control a large, strong dog.

• Children

  Usually better with older, calmer children.

• Other dogs

  Can be selective about other dogs.

• Cats and small pets

  Varies with the individual dog.

• Flats and smaller homes

  Usually needs a roomy home.

• Garden

  A garden is helpful.

• Being left alone

  Usually copes only with short periods alone.

• First-time owners

  Best with an experienced owner.

Not yet reviewed by a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice: speak to your vet about your own dog’s health.

• Hip and elbow dysplasia

  Painful joint conditions that can lead to mobility problems. The Royal Kennel Club recommends hip and elbow testing under the BVA/KC schemes before breeding.

• Eye conditions

  The breed can suffer from hereditary eye disorders, and the Royal Kennel Club recommends eye testing under the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme. Excess facial skin can cause entropion and ectropion, where the eyelids turn in or droop out and irritate the eye. Cherry eye, where the gland of the third eyelid pops out, and eye ulcers can also occur.

• Skin fold infections

  Skin inside the folds can become sore and infected, which is why daily cleaning matters.

• Breathing problems

  Purina UK describes the Neo as a brachycephalic breed that can be affected by brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, where breathing is obstructed.

• Gastric dilatation volvulus (bloat)

  In large, deep-chested dogs the stomach can fill with gas and twist, often after eating. It needs urgent veterinary attention.

• Dilated cardiomyopathy

  The heart muscle weakens and pumps less effectively, and the onset can be sudden. Purina UK notes breed club heart testing.

• Wobbler syndrome and back problems

  Instability of the neck bones can compress the spinal cord and weaken the hind legs. Degenerative disc disease can cause back pain and paralysis.

• Hypothyroidism, epilepsy and cancer

  Neos can be more prone to an underactive thyroid, to seizures caused by epilepsy, and to some cancers, including bone tumours.

Responsible breeders and rescues are happy to talk about health, and any pressure to decide quickly is a reason to walk away. Before taking a Neapolitan Mastiff home, it is reasonable to ask about:

• Health testing of the parents. Ask which health tests the parents have had for conditions known in the breed, and to see the results.
• Veterinary and vaccination records. Puppies should have had a first vaccination and a vet check, with records you can take home.
• Microchip information. In England, Scotland and Wales puppies must be microchipped and registered by eight weeks old. Ask who the chip is registered to and how the transfer works.
• Registration paperwork. Registration papers, where they apply, record pedigree. They do not by themselves prove health or how a puppy was raised.

There are two costs: bringing a Neapolitan Mastiff home, and looking after one well. Puppy prices depend on the breeder, health testing and demand; the adverts below show what sellers are asking today.

Ongoing costs are the ones new owners most often underestimate: food, insurance (which usually rises with age), routine vet care, vaccinations and parasite treatment, dental care, grooming, training, bedding and equipment, and boarding or a sitter for holidays. Budget for the whole of the dog’s life, typically up to 10 years, not just the first year.

If you have decided the Neapolitan Mastiff suits your life, take the same care choosing where your dog comes from. Meet the puppy in person, see it with its mother, and look at how the litter is raised.

• Check who you are dealing with: every Mypetzilla advert shows the seller type and what we have checked.
• Ask about health testing, vaccinations and the microchip before you commit.
• Take your time. Do not be rushed by deposits or "last one left" stories.
• Meet in person before paying anything, and keep conversations on Mypetzilla.

Neapolitan Mastiffs do come up for adoption, through rescue organisations, breed rescues and private rehoming, often because an owner’s circumstances have changed rather than any fault of the dog. An adult dog arrives as a known quantity: its size, coat and character are already on show.

Rescues will usually talk you through the dog’s history, any medical care, and the home it needs, including children, other animals and time alone. Be honest about your circumstances: a good rescue would rather place a dog once, well.