Neapolitan Mastiff Mix: A Comprehensive Guide to Ownership

The Neapolitan Mastiff Mix is a large and powerful breed that requires careful consideration before bringing one home.

This breed is a result of cross-breeding a Neapolitan Mastiff with another breed, often a Bulldog or an American Bulldog, resulting in a unique combination of characteristics.

Neapolitan Mastiff Mixes are generally gentle giants, known for their loyalty and affection towards their families, but can be wary of strangers.

With proper training and socialization, they can thrive in a variety of living situations, from apartments to homes with yards.

Consider reading: Tibetan Mastiff Mix Breed

The Neapolitan Mastiff is a massive dog with a broad and flat skull that's approximately twice the length of its muzzle. Its skull is generously endowed with wrinkles, which is one of the breed's characteristic traits.

Males typically stand 26 to 30 inches tall, while females stand 24 to 27 inches tall. The coat is short, dense, and coarse, and comes in a variety of colours including grey, black, fawn, brown, blue, and brindle.

The breed's massive frame is heavily boned throughout, with remarkably wide ribs. This requires well-formed limbs with heavy bone stock and generous angulation in the joints to support its weight.

Here are the typical height and weight ranges for Neapolitan Mastiffs:

Neapolitan Mastiffs are a large breed of dog. Males stand 26 to 31 inches at the shoulder. They can weigh anywhere from 150 to 200 pounds.

Females are slightly smaller, reaching heights of 24 to 29 inches. Their weight range is 120 to 175 pounds.

The Neapolitan Mastiff is a massive dog with a powerful head that's generously wrinkled. Its skull is broad and flat, with a well-defined stop between the head and muzzle.

The muzzle is square-shaped, with a large and well-opened nose. The lips are thick and full, hanging loosely to show plenty of flews.

The eyes are round and set wide apart, giving the dog a unique expression. The ears are small and triangular, sitting close to the cheeks.

Take a look at this: Bernese Mountain Dog Great Dane Mix

The Neapolitan Mastiff's massive frame is supported by a long back, broad deep chest, and a relatively level abdomen. Its limbs are well formed, with heavy bone stock and generous angulation in the joints.

The tail is heavy and thick at the base, hanging to around the level of the hock. The dog's gait is slow and ponderous, with a bear-like quality.

The loose, wrinkled skin is a characteristic trait of the breed, forming a thick double dewlap on the neck. The facial wrinkles should not interfere with the eyes or predispose to fold infections.

Here are the recognized coat colors for the Neapolitan Mastiff:

Males typically stand between 65 to 75 cm (26–30 in) tall, while females stand between 60 to 68 cm (24–27 in) tall.

The Neapolitan Mastiff's coat is a short, dense, and coarse one, coming in a variety of colors including gray, black, fawn, brown, blue, and brindle. These colors can be seen in solid or in combination with white patches.

Check this out: Neapolitan Mastiff Colours

Their coat requires regular grooming to stay clean and free of loose or dead hair. Weekly brushing with a bristle brush or hound glove is recommended to keep their coat in good condition.

The Neapolitan Mastiff sheds about as much as the average dog, but their skin folds require more attention. The skin folds, particularly around the face and neck, need to be cleaned and kept dry to prevent infections.

In addition to regular brushing, the Neapolitan Mastiff needs to be bathed as needed, and their skin folds need to be wiped out frequently with a damp cloth. It's essential to immediately dry the skin to prevent bacteria from multiplying in the warm, damp environment.

Here are the recognized coat colors for the Neapolitan Mastiff:

It's worth noting that a white spot on the head is a disqualification for the breed in the show ring, but it doesn't affect their ability to be a loyal companion or guardian.

Your Neapolitan Mastiff mix is a gentle giant, but they do require some special care to stay healthy. They're prone to hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia, so it's essential to have their parents screened for these conditions.

Regular exercise is crucial, but it's also essential to avoid overexerting them, especially during the formative period. Short walks and playtime are best, and stairs can be a hazard, so it's best to carry them up and down.

Dental hygiene is also vital, so brush their teeth at least two to three times a week to remove tartar buildup and bacteria. Daily brushing is even better.

When buying a Neapolitan Mastiff, it's crucial to check the dog's family history in great detail to avoid substantial veterinary bills. This ensures breeders are encouraged to look after their dogs' wellbeing by breeding only from the healthiest individuals.

Neapolitan Mastiffs are prone to health problems, including elbow dysplasia, which can cause hindlimb lameness in young dogs. Their parents should be screened for this condition.

Related reading: Dogs Water Mix

Hybrid dogs are typically, but not always, healthier than purebreds. However, Cane Corso Neapolitan Mastiffs can still be at risk of health conditions their parents are prone to.

Some common health issues in Cane Corso Neapolitan Mastiffs include demodectic mange, eyelid abnormalities, skin allergies, cherry eye, hip dysplasia, bloat, heart disease, obesity, and idiopathic epilepsy.

To keep your Cane Corso Neapolitan Mastiff healthy, feed them an Association of American Feed Control Officials-approved diet specifically formulated for large or giant dog breeds. This can help slow their growth rate and lower their risk of developmental orthopedic diseases.

A large breed-specific diet contains unique ingredients like joint supplements and lower calcium levels than regular food. This is essential to prevent conditions like bloat and Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV).

To prevent bloat and GDV, feed your Cane Corso Neapolitan Mastiff smaller meals throughout the day and portion their meals carefully. You should also avoid letting your dog eat just before or after exercising.

Neapolitan Mastiffs have physical limitations that need to be understood and respected. Exercise them in a controlled manner, especially during the formative period, to prevent stress on their bones and joints.

You might enjoy: Black Mastiffs

Some specific precautions to take with Neapolitan Mastiff puppies include short periods of free running and play, short walks on leash only, and avoiding stairs. They can easily fall and hurt themselves, so carry them up and down the stairs for as long as possible.

As your Neapolitan Mastiff grows, they'll benefit from short to moderate daily walks. Schedule these for cool mornings and evenings to prevent overheating, and ensure they always have a cool place to rest and plenty of fresh water.

To keep your Neapolitan Mastiff's teeth clean, brush them at least two or three times a week to remove tartar buildup and bacteria. Daily brushing is even better!

Trim your Neapolitan Mastiff's nails once or twice a month, as needed. If you can hear the nail clicking on the floor, they're too long and need to be shortened.

Here are some common health issues to watch out for in Cane Corso Neapolitan Mastiffs:

Grooming is a crucial part of caring for your Neapolitan Mastiff. The breed sheds reasonably heavily, given its short coat, and should be brushed two to three times per week.

Their short coat also means they're not particularly suited for extreme weather, so you may need to provide extra care in the winter with a coat, and dog sunscreen in the summer months to protect sensitive areas.

To keep their skin folds clean, frequent baths are necessary to remove any accumulations of grease or dirt. These should be wiped out frequently with a damp cloth, but it's vital to immediately dry the skin to prevent bacteria multiplying in the warm, damp environment.

Introducing your Neo to being brushed and examined from an early age can make grooming a positive experience, filled with praise and rewards. This will lay the groundwork for easy veterinary exams and other handling when they're an adult.

Feeding your Neapolitan Mastiff twice a day rather than leaving food out all the time can help prevent overeating and weight gain.

The quality of dog food you buy makes a significant difference in your dog's overall health, and a high-quality food will go further in nourishing your dog.

Neapolitan Mastiffs have a high tendency to gain weight, so monitoring their food intake and exercise levels is crucial.

To check if your dog is overweight, look for a visible waistline and feel their ribs without having to press hard.

The recommended daily amount of food for an adult Neapolitan Mastiff is 4 to 6 or more cups of high-quality dog food daily, divided into two meals.

Feeding your Neapolitan Mastiff smaller meals throughout the day can also help prevent bloat and Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV).

It's essential to consult with your vet to determine the best diet for your individual dog, as they can provide personalized advice based on your dog's size, age, build, and metabolism.

Worth a look: English Mastiff Bernese Mountain Dog Mix

A high-quality dog food specifically formulated for large or giant dog breeds can help slow down your Cane Corso Neapolitan Mastiff's growth rate and reduce the risk of developmental orthopedic diseases.

You can also consider using a subscription-based service that tailors recipes to your dog's needs, cutting out the time-consuming work of replacing dog food.

The Neapolitan Mastiff mix is a loyal and protective breed, always on the lookout for potential threats to their family and home.

They're not typically clingy or high-strung, but they do require attention and interaction to prevent boredom and frustration, which can lead to destructive behavior.

A Neapolitan Mastiff mix will fiercely defend their property against strangers, but they're also happy to welcome familiar faces with open arms.

Early socialization is crucial to help them develop good manners and avoid aggression towards other dogs and people.

They're intelligent and can learn a wide range of commands and tricks with patience and consistent training.

However, they can be stubborn at times, making them a challenging breed for first-time owners to manage.

Establishing a clear pecking order and hierarchy is essential to prevent behavioral problems and ensure a harmonious household.

A firm but gentle hand is necessary when training a Neapolitan Mastiff mix, using positive reinforcement techniques to encourage good behavior.

With proper training and care, a Neapolitan Mastiff mix will make a wonderful and loyal companion, always ready to defend and protect their family.

The Neapolitan Mastiff Mix can be a wonderful addition to a family, but it's essential to consider their size and energy level. They're not suitable for families with toddlers, as they can easily knock them over or step on them.

Always supervise playtime between children and your Neapolitan Mastiff Mix, and teach children how to approach and touch dogs gently. This will prevent any biting or ear or tail pulling on either party.

To ensure a harmonious household, establish a pecking order and hierarchy with your dog. This can be challenging, especially for first-time owners, but it's crucial for maintaining a calm and respectful environment.

Here are some essential tips for living with a Neapolitan Mastiff Mix:

Living with a Neapolitan Mastiff Mix requires careful consideration of how to integrate children and pets into your household.

The Neo is suitable for families with older children, but they can be too big and clumsy to spend much time around toddlers.

Always supervise play so that your dog knows you're in charge, as they may feel the need to protect their children from other kids.

Teach children how to approach and touch dogs, and supervise any interactions between dogs and young children to prevent any biting or ear or tail pulling.

No dog, no matter how good-natured, should ever be left unsupervised with a child.

The Neo is not fond of dogs they don't know, although they can learn to get along with those they're raised with.

Teach your child to never approach any dog while they're sleeping or eating or try to take the dog's food away.

Living with a Neapolitan Mastiff Mix requires careful consideration of their exercise and activity needs. Neapolitan Mastiffs, even as puppies, do not need a lot of vigorous activity.

Daily walks of 20 to 30 minutes on a lead are sufficient to keep them happy and healthy. It's best to take them for a walk away from other dogs to avoid inter-dog conflict.

A securely fenced outdoor area is essential to prevent escape and protect passers-by from being misconstrued as intruders.

If you're considering bringing a Cane Corso Neapolitan Mastiff mix into your family, be prepared for a significant upfront cost, which can range from $500 to $800.

These hybrids are considered mixed breeds, so they don't have AKC backing, and you'll need to be cautious when purchasing from a breeder, as they may not be licensed.

Backyard breeding practices can lead to mental and physical health issues in the dogs, so it's essential to research reputable breeders or consider adopting from a rescue or shelter.

Cane Corso Neapolitan Mastiff mixes can thrive in a loving home, and their calm and loyal nature makes them perfect family protectors.

However, they can be challenging for first-time owners, requiring patience and consistency to establish a proper pecking order and hierarchy.

Most dogs from shelters come fully vetted and ready for adoption, which can save you money on upfront vet costs.

Neapolitan Mastiffs are occasionally used to introduce their protective qualities into cross-bred offspring, resulting in unique and fascinating breeds.

One example is the English Neo Bull, a cross between a Neapolitan Mastiff and a Bulldog, which combines the loyalty of a Neapolitan Mastiff with the tenacity of a Bulldog.

The Neodaniff, a cross between a Neapolitan Mastiff and a Great Dane, inherits the Neapolitan Mastiff's protective nature and the Great Dane's gentle giant reputation.

The Neahond, a cross between a Neapolitan Mastiff and a Keeshond, brings together the Neapolitan Mastiff's guarding instincts with the Keeshond's friendly and outgoing personality.

Some other cross-breeds that result from combining a Neapolitan Mastiff with other breeds include:

These cross-breeds can make wonderful pets for the right owner, but it's essential to research and understand their unique needs and characteristics before making a decision.