Breed library

Neapolitan Mastiff

Also known as Italian Mastiff.

Neapolitan Mastiff photograph.
5 Year old male in Napoli Stance (2).jpg - Philip Thompson. CC BY-SA 3.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:5_Year_old_male_in_Napoli_Stance_(2).jpg. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0. License: CC BY-SA 3.0.

Breed overview

The Neapolitan Mastiff or Mastino Napoletano is an Italian breed of large dog of mastiff type. It was recognised as a breed by the Ente Nazionale della Cinofilia Italiana in 1949, and accepted by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale in 1956. It descends from the traditional guard dogs of Southern Italy, and is closely related to the Cane Corso.

  • Breed type: dog breedBreed reference breed kind.
  • Country of origin: Ancient RomeBreed reference country of origin.

Breed facts

  • The Neapolitan Mastiff derives from the traditional catch and guard dogs of Southern Italy.
  • Selection of the breed was begun in 1947 by Piero Scanziani, who had seen one at an exhibition in Naples in 1946.
  • He drew up the first standard, which in 1949 was officially recognised by the Ente Nazionale della Cinofilia Italiana.
  • The Neapolitan Mastiff or Mastino Napoletano is an Italian breed of large dog of mastiff type.
  • 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.

Size and appearance

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. The dogs may be expected to live for up to 10 years. Median lifespan is reported to be 9.3 years, much lower the median for all dogs, 12.5 years.

  • Body mass reference: 50 - 60 kgAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 50 - 60 kg. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Body mass reference: 50 kg or moreBreed reference body mass. female, minimum.
  • Body mass reference: Up to 60 kgBreed reference body mass. female, maximum.
  • Body mass reference: 60 - 70 kgAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 60 - 70 kg. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Body mass reference: Up to 70 kgBreed reference body mass. male, maximum.
  • Body mass reference: 60 kg or moreBreed reference body mass. male, minimum.
  • Height reference: 60 - 68 cmAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 60 - 68 cm. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Height reference: Up to 68 cmBreed reference height. female, maximum.
  • Height reference: 60 cm or moreBreed reference height. female, minimum.
  • Height reference: 65 - 75 cmAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 65 - 75 cm. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Height reference: Up to 75 cmBreed reference height. male, maximum.
  • Height reference: 65 cm or moreBreed reference height. male, minimum.
  • Coat length: short
  • Height category: tall
  • Height category: very_tall
  • Weight category: giant

Personality and behavior

Care planning: record what your dog enjoys, how they greet visitors, and how they respond to new places. Add notes after walks and training so you can see their habits over time. Where this profile includes behavior research, use the same named measures when comparing your shortlist.

Exercise and activities

Care planning: build a weekly routine with walks, play and time to explore. Enter the minutes and sessions that work for your dog, then compare the weekly total with your available time. Keep notes about the activities your dog enjoys and adjust the routine together.

Training and enrichment

Care planning: choose one everyday skill to practice and keep a record of each session. Note the cue, the reward your dog enjoys and what went well. Rotate familiar games and new activities, and use your notes to choose the next small step.

Coat and grooming

Care planning: use the coat details above to discuss a grooming routine with your groomer. Record brushing sessions, baths and appointments in the app. Add the tools you use and your preferred schedule so the whole household can follow the same routine.

  • Coat length: short

Health and lifespan

Care planning: keep your dog's veterinary records, health-check dates and agreed care plan together. Add reminders for appointments and record changes you want to discuss at the next visit. Use the linked breed organizations and original references to explore their current health resources.

Living with this breed

Care planning: compare this profile's adult dimensions, coat care and available activity information with your household's routine. Make a shortlist, plan who will handle daily care and save the questions you want to ask a breed club, rescue or breeder.

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Breed history

The Neapolitan Mastiff derives from the traditional catch and guard dogs of Southern Italy. Selection of the breed was begun in 1947 by Piero Scanziani, who had seen one at an exhibition in Naples in 1946. He drew up the first standard, which in 1949 was officially recognised by the Ente Nazionale della Cinofilia Italiana. It received full acceptance from the Fédération Cynologique Internationale in 1956.

Clubs and further reading

Sources

  1. Neapolitan Mastiff - WikipediaWikipedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted excerpts from Wikipedia contributors, Neapolitan Mastiff, revision 1378040129. CC BY-SA 4.0. Formatting, citations and selection changed. Source history: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Neapolitan_Mastiff&action=history
  2. Wikidata structured breed dataWikimedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC0 1.0. Wikidata contributors (CC0).
  3. National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.PLOS ONE / Figshare Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY 4.0. Bohland, Kyle R.; Lilly, Meghan Leanne; Herron, Meghan E.; Arruda, Andréia G.; O’Quin, Jeanette M. (2023). National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.. PLOS ONE. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0289356.s003 CC BY 4.0. Selected rows and field names adapted; values unchanged.
  4. File:5 Year old male in Napoli Stance (2).jpgWikimedia Commons Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 3.0. 5 Year old male in Napoli Stance (2).jpg - Philip Thompson. CC BY-SA 3.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:5_Year_old_male_in_Napoli_Stance_(2).jpg. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0.
  5. Palipaws everyday care planningPalipaws Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Palipaws original factual summaries. Palipaws. Original care-planning text, separate from breed measurements and licensed article summaries.
  6. AKC national parent club directoryAmerican Kennel Club Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Factual reference only. Names and verified external links only. No source descriptions, logos or endorsement reused.