Does a Neapolitan Mastiff live in your house? If so you must keep in mind that, like any living thing, it needs a series of specific treatments because of its size and its characteristic skin. In general you should know that this dog breed is affectionate, sociable and very protective so it never ceases to be alert, preserving its guard dog instinct. In this OneHowTo article we will give you a few tips that will help you find out how to care for a Neapolitan Mastiff and how to give it the best living conditions.
The Neapolitan Mastiff is a breed of dog that is known for being very loyal and quiet. Contrary to its appearance (they are very large in size, considered a giant breed), it is a very loving and friendly dog, however, it has an innate protective instinct making it an ideal option to protect the house. In addition it is also distrustful of strangers and its first reaction when meeting new people will be reluctant but, as you know, it won't be aggressive.
At first glance it may seem an aggressive animal but it is not at all. It's the perfect dog for living with children and even other animals (although it is not recommended that it is another dominant race as they could clash). What we recommend as OneHowTo is that if your children are very young, be careful when they are playing because, due to their strength, they could accidentally hurt the children.
Now let's address their size. We have already mentioned that it is a giant dog breed and standard measurements are:
- Male mastiff in adulthood: cross height ranging from 65 to 75 cm. They can weigh 60 to 70 kilos
- Mastiff female in adulthood: It is a little smaller and its height is 60 to 68 cm and weight of 50-60 kilos.
This type of dog breed often remains a puppy for longer. Until the animal is three years old it can be considered a puppy as you have to treat it with the specific care that they require when they are smaller.
Due to its large size you should know that this dog will need to frequently go outdoors; in fact, it is not the right breed for apartments or small flats. It is best that it has space at home and, if possible, that it has a garden where it can run or a terrace. Note that, because of their size, the animal will eat large portions of food and will have to use its energy to keep healthy.
You should keep in mind that although they love to be outdoors it is not fast or agile, rather it is a bit clumsy and heavy. So avoid strenuous walks or going jogging with them: let them go at their own pace but ensure that they go on long walks. A perfect activity for the Neapolitan Mastiff is taking them for a swim. This exercise is perfect for their body and allows the dog to feel less weight.
Another aspect to keep in mind is that this breed needs a lot of food to be in good physical condition. Therefore, it is important that, as well as quantity, you give them quality food. When the Neapolitan Mastiff is in adulthood it should eat at least 1 kilo of food a day with meat, rice and bread. This diet is good to strengthen their muscles and stops them from having a flabby figure or from being in bad shape.
To care for a Neapolitan Mastiff bear in mind that their skin requires specific care. The folds that are so characteristic of this dog can also become a problem if you do not care for them and keep them in good levels of hygiene. To avoid any infection it is essential that after the dog eats, you wipe their face and nose area, ensuring it is free of waste.
Similarly, it is also advised that you bathe the dog regularly to keep their folds clean and free of dirt. In fact, it is advised that you bathe them once a month or every six weeks to make sure it's clean. They also moult so it is advisable that you give them a weekly brushing to remove hair that has fallen out and to keep their coat in good condition.
It is very important that you keep your Neapolitan mastiff away from mosquitos, as this breed is more prone than other to be affected by leishmaniasis. Follow our guidelines on preventing leishmaniasis from appearing.
If you want to read similar articles to How to Care for a Neapolitan Mastiff, we recommend you visit our Pets category.