The Neapolitan Mastiff or Mastino Napoletano is an Italian breed of large dog of mastiff type. It descends from the traditional guard dogs of central Italy.[1] It was recognised as a breed by the Ente Nazionale della Cinofilia Italiana in 1949,[2] and accepted by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale in 1956.[3]
| Neapolitan Mastiff | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Other names | Mastino Napoletano | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Origin | Italy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Dog (domestic dog) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
It is closely related to the Cane Corso.
History
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The Neapolitan Mastiff derives from the traditional catch and guard dogs of central Italy. Selection of the breed was begun in 1947 by Piero Scanziani, who had seen one at an exhibition in Naples in 1946.[1][2] He drew up the first standard, which in 1949 was officially recognised by the Ente Nazionale della Cinofilia Italiana.[2] It received full acceptance from the Fédération Cynologique Internationale in 1956.[3]
Characteristics
editThe Neapolitan Mastiff is large and powerful, with a weight in the range 50–70 kg (110–150 lb) and a height at the withers of 60–75 cm (24–30 in)[1] The length of the body is about 15% greater than the height.[1]
The skin is abundant and loose, particularly on the head where it hangs in heavy wrinkles. The preferred coat colours are black, grey and leaden, but mahogany, fawn, fulvous, hazelnut, dove-grey and isabelline are also acceptable; all coats may be brindled, and minor white markings on the toes and chest are tolerated.[1][4]
A Neapolitan Mastiff may be expected to live for up to 10 years.[5]: 92 A 2024 UK study found a life expectancy of 9.3 years for the breed compared to an average of 12.7 for purebreeds and 12 for crossbreeds.[6]
References
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- ^ a b c d e Mastino Napoletano (in Italian). Milano: Ente Nazionale della Cinofilia Italiana. Accessed March 2020.
- ^ a b c Mastino Napoletano: Storia (in Italian). Milano: Ente Nazionale della Cinofilia Italiana. Accessed March 2020.
- ^ a b Mastino Napoletano (197). Fédération Cynologique Internationale. Accessed March 2020.
- ^ Joan Palmer (2006). Dog Breeds. Wellfleet, MA: Wellfleet Press. ISBN 9780785800309.
- ^ [Bruce Fogle] (2013). The Dog Encyclopedia. London; New York: Dorling Kindersley. ISBN 9781465408440.
- ^ McMillan, Kirsten M.; Bielby, Jon; Williams, Carys L.; Upjohn, Melissa M.; Casey, Rachel A.; Christley, Robert M. (2024-02-01). "Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death". Scientific Reports. 14 (1). Springer Science and Business Media LLC. doi:10.1038/s41598-023-50458-w. ISSN 2045-2322. PMC 10834484.