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title: "Neapolitan Mastiff - temperament, price, health | Pedibase"
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> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://www.pedibase.com/llms.txt)
+7
Dogs
# The Neapolitan Mastiff: temperament, price, health, and breeders
Italy
An imposing Italian mastiff, loyal and naturally protective.
Size GiantLife expectancy 8–10 yearsBudget ≈ €195/monthPuppy €1,500 – €2,000
[Find a breeder 7](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-neapolitan-mastiff) [ Compare with other breeds](https://www.pedibase.com/en/compare-dog-breeds?races=neapolitan-mastiff)
The right choice?
## Is this breed right for you?
[Find your ideal breed with our online quiz!](https://www.pedibase.com/en/choose-your-dog)
Families and children Very good
Daily exercise needs Moderate
Apartment living Fair
First-time owners Limited
Other pets Fair
Tolerance of being alone Fair
Guarding instinct Very good
Strengths and weaknesses
- Deterrent guard: Its impressive physique and natural vigilance make it an excellent guard dog.
- Loyal to its family: It is very attached to its owner and protective of its household.
- Calm temperament: Despite its size, it generally remains composed and not very noisy on a daily basis.
- Demanding training: Its assertive temperament and its power require an experienced and consistent owner.
- Health to monitor: Its joints, its eyes, its skin and its digestive system require regular vigilance.
- Not well suited to small spaces: Its very large size makes apartment living not very comfortable.
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- Experienced owners: It is better suited to people capable of handling a powerful and self-confident molosser.
- House with space: A spacious home with a fenced garden better meets its needs for movement.
- Households looking for a calm guardian: It combines a deterrent presence, loyalty and a rather calm temperament.
Not recommended for
- Beginners: The breed does not forgive training mistakes well and requires good canine experience.
- Living exclusively in an apartment: Its giant size and its need for space make this lifestyle poorly suited.
- People with little time for follow-up: Its upkeep, its socialization and its health monitoring require regularity.
Meet the breed
## What does it look like?
1,75 mHuman
68 cmNeapolitan Mastiff
- Height at the withers
- 60–75 cm
- Weight
- 50–70 kg
- Coat
- Short, dense and harsh
- FCI group
- 2
- Origin
- Italy
- Grooming
- Moderate grooming needs
## Photos and videos
See the Neapolitan Mastiff in photos and videos: coat colors, size, and distinctive expressions.
Origins
## Where does it come from?
Originally from southern Italy, the Neapolitan Mastiff descends from the large molossers used by the Roman legions as fighting and guard dogs. Over time, it was also used to watch over farms, homes and herds. The breed experienced a marked decline in the 19th century before being revived after the Second World War, notably thanks to the selective breeding work of Piero Scanziani. The FCI recognized it definitively in 1956.
Appearance
## What does it look like?
The Neapolitan Mastiff is a giant dog, massive and stocky, with a heavy bone structure and a powerful body. Its head is broad, short and marked by very supple skin forming abundant folds. Its coat is short, dense, harsh to the touch and without fringes. Its slow and heavy gait, often compared to that of the lion, contributes to its very characteristic appearance.
Temperament
## Temperament and personality
The Neapolitan Mastiff is a loyal, vigilant dog and very attached to its owner. Naturally wary of strangers, it has a strong protective instinct without being aggressive when it is well socialized. Its assertive temperament requires a clear framework, but it is generally gentle with its family and rather patient with children.
Affectionate Sociable Protective
Living together
## Living with children and other pets
On a daily basis, the Neapolitan Mastiff is rather calm and not very noisy. It is not the most athletic of dogs, but it needs regular outings and a spacious environment to remain balanced. It can be dominant with dogs of the same sex and prefers stable routines to frequent changes.
Training
## Training and socialization
Its training must be early, consistent and firm without brutality. Because of its size and assertive personality, bad habits must not be allowed to take hold during growth. Serious socialization and an experienced owner are essential to obtain a stable, reliable and well-controlled dog.
Budget
## Price and budget for the Neapolitan Mastiff
The Neapolitan Mastiff is a rare and imposing breed whose purchase cost depends in particular on the lineage, the quality of the breeding and the health monitoring offered. Its maintenance budget is also substantial given its size.
[See cost breakdown](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/neapolitan-mastiff/price)
Health
## Health at a glance
The Neapolitan Mastiff is a powerful breed but one that requires real health vigilance, especially due to its large size and its wrinkled skin. Its growth must be managed with care and regular veterinary monitoring helps prevent several classic conditions of the breed.
[Prevention and things to watch for](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/neapolitan-mastiff/health)
Nutrition
## Feeding your pet well
The diet of the Neapolitan Mastiff must support slow and steady growth, then maintain its muscle mass without promoting excess weight. The quality of the ration is essential throughout its life.
[Our feeding advice](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/neapolitan-mastiff/food)
Did you know?
## Fun facts and popularity
The Neapolitan Mastiff is one of the most emblematic large Italian molossers. Its impressive appearance and very pronounced folds give it an immediately recognizable silhouette, while its slow gait reinforces its look of a powerful and deterrent guardian.
FAQ
## Frequently asked questions about the Neapolitan Mastiff
Answers to common questions from future owners before their new companion arrives.
### Is the Neapolitan Mastiff a good family dog?
Yes, if it is well trained and properly socialized, it can be gentle and protective with its family, including with children. Its size nevertheless requires supervision and a clear framework.
### Can the Neapolitan Mastiff live in an apartment?
This is generally not the most suitable setting. Even if it is rather calm, its very large size and its need for space make life in a house with a garden much more comfortable.
### Is the Neapolitan Mastiff suitable as a first dog?
No, this breed is rather reserved for experienced owners capable of handling a powerful, assertive dog that is not very tolerant of training mistakes.
## Find a Neapolitan Mastiff breeder
The areas where Pedibase lists the most Neapolitan Mastiff breeders, along with their litters and typical prices.
### Neapolitan Mastiff breeders by country
[37 breeders of Neapolitan Mastiff in Italy](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-neapolitan-mastiff/italy) [9 breeders of Neapolitan Mastiff in Germany](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-neapolitan-mastiff/germany) [7 breeders of Neapolitan Mastiff in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-neapolitan-mastiff) [5 breeders of Neapolitan Mastiff in Austria](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-neapolitan-mastiff/austria) [1 breeder of Neapolitan Mastiff in Denmark](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-neapolitan-mastiff/denmark) [1 breeder of Neapolitan Mastiff in the Netherlands](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-neapolitan-mastiff/netherlands) [1 breeder of Neapolitan Mastiff in Spain](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-neapolitan-mastiff/spain) [1 breeder of Neapolitan Mastiff in the United Kingdom](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-neapolitan-mastiff/united-kingdom)
[All breeders of Neapolitan Mastiff in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-neapolitan-mastiff)
## Ready to welcome a Neapolitan Mastiff?
Find a registered, verified breeder near you and meet your future companion with confidence.
[View breeders](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-neapolitan-mastiff)
## Discover other breeds
[Pyrenean Mastiff
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/pyrenean-mastiff)
[Spanish Mastiff
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/spanish-mastiff)
[Alentejo Mastiff
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/alentejo-mastiff)
[Cane Corso
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/cane-corso)
[Anatolian Shepherd Dog
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/anatolian-shepherd-dog)
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