Instructions
Look at the general appearance of this ancient breed. The Neapolitan mastiff is quite heavy in bone structure, making it a huge dog. Its skin hangs loose around its entire body and it has a big dewlap. This breed forms a rectangular shape, with the length being about 12 percent longer than it is high. Males measure 26 to 31 inches at the withers and weigh about 150 pounds, while females measure 26 to 31 inches at the withers and weigh about 110 pounds. Both may weigh more than that, as long as they are not overweight.
Make sure the head is huge compared to the rest of the body. Its lips actually blend into the dewlap, but it may be difficult to see due to the excessive wrinkles, including wrinkles in the face. While the Neapolitan mastiff may look plaintive while at rest, he will look quite intimidating when alert with a penetrating stare. The eyes are deep set, making them barely seen under the drooping lids. They should be amber or brown. The ears may be cropped or natural. They are normally cropped to a triangle shape for health reasons. The natural ears are also triangle-shaped and lay against the cheek. The muzzle is only one-third the length of the entire head and just as wide.
Check that the short, stocky neck is muscled and arches slightly into the well-muscled shoulders. The well-muscled chest should be wide and deep. The legs have thick bone and are also well-muscled. Front dewclaws should not be removed. The feet are round and lead to arched toes. The rear thighs are broad and muscular, with thick, heavy bones. Rear dewclaws should be removed. The rear feet are a bit smaller than the front feet, but are rounded and have large, arched toes, as do the front. The last one-third of the tail is usually docked. The tail will hang straight, but when the Neapolitan mastiff is in action, the tail raises but only to a horizontal point with the back, or slightly above, but never straight up or curled over the back.
Pet the short, dense coat. The straight hairs should not be longer than 1 inch. The coat may be black, mahogany and tawny or blue (gray). It may have what looks like two colors, but will be two different shades of the same color. Some Neapolitan mastiffs may have brindle in them, but it must be tan. Some dogs may sport solid white markings, but they should only be on the chest, underside of the throat, under the body, the backs of the pasterns and sometimes on the toes.
How to Identify a Neapolitan Mastiff
The slow and ponderous Neapolitan mastiff, with its long fluid strides, show great loyalty to its family. It is not an aggressive breed and therefore will only bite if given a reason. It is wary of strangers, though. Males tend to be more dominant than females and will show more aggression, making the female better for families with children. They will not tolerate teasing. If socialized properly as a puppy, it will get along with other animals, but does tend to be dog aggressive. They may become overly protective, so a very dominant owner is a must. They should also attend obedience classes at an early age.