Neapolitan Mastiff Male Vs. Female

Temperament

• The Neapolitan mastiff is a fearless protector but is affectionate with family and family friends. This breed is wary around strangers, so it is important to socialize this dog often and at a very young age. The mastiff does not bark excessively, only when it is provoked. It is stubborn and does require repetitive training, from puppyhood on, and must learn that his master is the boss. Males tend to be more aggressive and dominant, especially to other male dogs. Females work best in a home with a family and are more docile and better with children. The mastiff can get along with non-canine pets better than other dogs, as long as they are raised together from puppyhood. The Neo is not a breed for beginner dog owners.

  Children should be taught to respect this dog, and their friends should be introduced when the dog is young. The Neo can be calm by nature when it reaches adulthood. The mastiff can be destructive if left alone for a long time or gets bored. Apartment living is not recommended for this breed, as it is large and needs plenty of space. The mastiff is a natural-born watch dog.

Appearance

• The Neapolitan mastiff is characterized by loose skin over their entire bodies and abundant hanging wrinkles and folds on the head. They have a voluminous dewlap, which is a flap of skin below the chin. They have a short, dense coat that sheds and a rugged, muscular build. Their coloring can be gray (blue), black, tawny and mahogany with some reverse brindling, which is the dominant striping on the dog's body. Sometimes, they have white feet and chest. The ears are usually half-pricked and can be cropped, as well as their tail, but most owners like the natural look. They have a blocky head and a loping gait. Of course, the most obvious difference between male and female Neos is the genitals, which are more evident in the males than the females.

Size

• The size differences between the sexes is distinguishable to the eye. A male can reach 26 to 31 inches at the withers, and a female can reach 24 to 29 inches. The female can weigh around 110 lbs.; the male can weigh approximately 150 lbs. Their body length should be 10 to 15 percent more than that of the length. Their size alone indicates that they are not suited for apartment life. They need a fenced-in, secure yard.

Care

• The Neapolitan mastiff does require a lot of care. The dog must be bathed frequently. The owner will need to keep the face and body clean and dry because this breed of dog drools more than most. The use of lots of drool towels will be necessary. If the wrinkles on the dog are not cared for properly, then they can form acne which can then lead to skin infections. The dog also snores often and loudly, so if you are a light sleeper, then this is not the dog for you. Moderate exercise is all that is needed as it can develop serious health problems if it has too much exercise.

  A female Neo requires more care when she is whelping (pregnant). She needs to have full trust in her master, and if there are any signs of aggression toward the owner, then there is a lack of trust. As her owner, you will need to devote a lot of attention to her during her pregnancy, especially from the sixth week onward. Massage her growing tummy and teats and even touch lightly around her vaginal area, so she will become used to your touch. Allow her to lick your hand to resemble the licking of the newborn puppies. Have the whelping box ready early, so she can get used to it but only when you are able to be present with her. The whelping box needs to have ample room for her and the newborn puppies. You will know she is about to whelp when she begins to dig or burrow in the box and there will be an increased restlessness interchanged with panting. You must keep calm at birth. Strangers should not be allowed to come into the whelping quarters during this time. The birthing process can take up to 12 hours, and it is necessary to make sure to keep the distractions to a minimum.

Health Issues

• The mastiff, being a large dog, only has the lifespan of about nine to 11 years and can develop many health issues. One main issue for this breed is hip dysplasia, a loose and unstable hip joint. Another serious problem for this dog is cherry eye, which is when the third eyelid, which is responsible for tear production, becomes prolapsed, visible, inflamed and red. Treatment for this is removal of the gland, which will cause you to need to administer eye drops for the rest of the dog's life. Some other health issues are OCD, gassiness, sensitivity to chemicals and drugs, ectropion (where the lower eyelid turns outward), entropion (where the lower eyelid turns inward), elbow dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, bloat, hypothyroidism, cardiomyopathy and skin infections. They are also prone to heat strokes. There really are no differences in health issues for male and female. Hip dysplasia may be more evident in males, however, since they are a little bigger.