Neapolitan Mastiff 101
Top 21 Breed Questions Answered

Neapolitan Mastiffs look like gargoyles standing on a cathedral rooftop with their wrinkled, saggy faces and imposing muscles. But beneath their intimidating visage, Neapolitan Mastiffs are loyal and easy-going dogs. What should you know about this dog is answered in this Neapolitan Mastiff 101 page.

Neapolitan Mastiffs are gentle and loving when around their family but can be aggressive toward other animals and strangers.  Obedience training is a must with these gentle giants. If you can live with a big, clumsy, drooling roommate, Neapolitan Mastiffs are gentle yet protective companions.

If you are interested in Neapolitan Mastiffs, you are in luck. Here are 21 popular questions about Neapolitan Mastiffs with 21 answers.

Pro-tip: Ever try lifting a Neapolitan Mastiff? Their weight can hurt not only your back but their joints when they hop down from cars, sofas or even your bed. To protect your back and theirs check out the best Mastiff ramps on Amazon.com now.

Neapolitan Mastiff 101

Neapolitan Mastiff 101

Top 21 Questions Answered...

Are Neapolitan Mastiffs Good for First Time Owners?

Neapolitan Mastiffs are not good for first-time owners, as they are massive, powerful animals that can become aggressive if provoked. They are best suited for owners with experience dealing with large dominant dogs.  

If you want a Neapolitan Mastiff, make sure you have the upper body strength to deal with a big unruly dog. Saintly patience will also help you cope with Neapolitan stubbornness. 

Are Neapolitan Mastiffs Good Family Dogs?

Neapolitan Mastiffs are gentle giants around children and can become fiercely bonded to the children in your house. But they are also enormous and clumsy and may not be a good fit for families with babies or toddlers.  

Socializing Neapolitans around other children and strangers from an early age will make them more accustomed to company.  

Do Neapolitan Mastiffs Drool?

All mastiffs drool. Neapolitan Mastiffs drool more than most, as they slobber after eating and drinking. They shake their heads and spray saliva at you, and leave puddles too.  

If you’re not ready to clean up dog spittle, Neapolitan Mastiffs are not the dog for you.


Pro-tip: Neapolitan Mastiff anxiety, aggression, destructive chewing, jumping up, fearfulness, and other behaviors can be controlled with the right training program.

Here’s a great course that addresses these issues along with many other dog training basics: Check it out now!

Do Neapolitan Mastiffs Shed a Lot?

Neapolitan Mastiffs are moderate shedders. They lose more hair than a Cane Corso but less than an Old English Sheepdog. You can bring shedding issues under control by weekly brushing and bathing as necessary. You might also want to invest in a good lint roller.

How Much Are Neapolitan Mastiffs?

While a Neapolitan Mastiff puppy will set you back a good amount ($800-$5000 depending upon breeding) you can sometimes find Neapolitan Mastiffs and Neapolitan mixes in shelters.  

Adopting an older Neapolitan Mastiff is a huge responsibility, as your new pet may have behavioral issues and separation anxiety or run up costly veterinary bills. But if you want to do a good deed, these older Neapolitans deserve loving homes. 
 

How Much Do Neapolitan Mastiff Puppies Cost?

Because Neapolitan Mastiffs can inherit a range of conditions ranging from hip dysplasia to eyelid issues, you should buy your Neapolitan Mastiff puppy from the best breeder you can find. 

You can expect to pay between $2,500 and $3,500 for a pet-quality Neapolitan Mastiff puppy, but a show-quality Neapolitan could cost twice as much. 

Neapolitan Mastiffs do not come cheap. And since Neapolitans will eat between six and ten cups of dog food (1.5 - 2.2 kg) a day, your dog may go through a 30-pound (13.5kg) bag of food in less than a week.

Are Neapolitan Mastiffs Easy To Train?

Neapolitan Mastiffs are very smart but also strong-willed, so training them requires time, patience, and consistency. The younger you start training and socializing your Neapolitan Mastiff, the more likely you are to have a well-behaved and obedient dog.

Pro-tip: Neopolitan Mastiff's (and their owners) love dog crates…and for good reasons. Crates keep dogs from mischief while you're away, are perfect for house training, for traveling by car, and provide the dog a place to de-stress. Check out the best Mastiff crates on Amazon.com now.

Are Neapolitan Mastiffs Good With Cats?

Neapolitan Mastiffs get along just fine with familiar cats, but they sometimes have problems with strange felines. They have a strong prey instinct, and when they see a strange cat in the yard, they feel an instinctual call to the chase.  

Obedience training and socialization from puppyhood can discourage Neapolitans from bothering cats. And as they get older, Neapolitans become much less interested in chasing anything. neapolitan mastiff 101

Are Neapolitan Mastiffs Good With Other Dogs?

Neapolitan Mastiffs raised around other dogs see them as part of the family. A Neapolitan Mastiff socialized young in dog runs, sidewalks, and parks will generally be fine around strange dogs. But they have a powerful alpha drive and may challenge other dogs for dominance.

Even Neapolitans that are placid around easy-going dogs may respond to another dog’s challenge, and whoever started the fight, the Neapolitan is likely to finish it.

Is A Neapolitan Mastiff a Good Guard Dog?

A good guard dog responds appropriately in every situation. When you have company over, the Neapolitan Mastiff should remain calm. In case of a genuine threat, the Neapolitan should take action quickly and decisively.  

If properly socialized from an early age, a Neapolitan Mastiff will make an excellent guard dog, as their quick intelligence allows Neapolitans to make snap judgments in dangerous situations. Their generally calm nature makes them less likely to bite somebody who doesn’t deserve it.

How Big Does a Neapolitan Mastiff Get?

The AKC breed standard states that a male Neapolitan Mastiff should be between 26 to 31 inches (66 to 79 cm) and a female between 24 to 29 inches (61 to 74 cm).  

In Great Britain, the UKC breed standard allows Neapolitan Mastiff males between 25.5 to 29.5 inches (65 to 75cm) and females between 23.5 to 26.75 inches (60 to 68 cm). Heights outside this range get marked as very serious faults.

Full grown weights of Neos range from… 
Males: 130-150 lbs. (60-70 kg)   Females: 110-130 lbs. (50-60kg)

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