|
|
Custom Search
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
PullDoggies.com Weight Pull Dogs Information Beginning Weight Pull Training Message Boards, Forums and Blog's Equipment Weight Pull Shirts, Hats and Gifts PullDoggies Amazon Store -Clothing, Navigation, Camera's, Books & More How to Make Other Stuff Organizations All Pulling Organizations and related Registry's International Weight Pull Association American Dog Breeders Association
|
Neapolitan Mastiff
Pictured Above: "Cairo" Owned by Dave Heil General:
This is an ancient breed restored in
Italy after WWII. the Neo is a large heavy-boned massive awe
inspiring dog. bred for use as a guard and defender of owner and
property. He is characterized by a body of loose skin abundant and
hanging wrinkles and folds on the head. Today the Neapolitan is
described as a bestial appearance astounding head and imposing size and
attitude. to what may be the dismay of the Neo "Due
to his massive structure, his characteristic movement is rolling and
lumbering, not elegant or showy" we believe this description can be
misunderstood to allow for bad hip and elbows in this breed, Hopefully
breeders who truly understand the Neo will be wise only using stable and
structurally sound dogs.
History: The Neo is commonly related other mastiff breeds such as the French, English and Tibetan types among others. the Neapolitan Mastiff supposedly has a unique history beliving to originally have been bred to fight in Roman wars and in the Coliseum. In modern times these dogs have guarded the estates of their Italian owners. As the name implies, the Neo lived for many centuries around Naples and in the Vesuvian estates. After WWII they were on the brink of extinction and the Neapolitan Mastiff was reconstructed in the 1940's by Piero Scanziani and other lovers of the Mastini using mainly the English and French mastiff's along with a few remaining Neapolitan Mastiff's. The breed was then later introduced into America by many nameless Italian immigrants and by the late Mr. Michael Sotille, Sr. Temperament: Bred to be a guard dog is protective by nature. The Neo has to be socialized early! These dogs are generally not hyperactive and are usually content to lie at the owner's feet . Do not think of the Neo as slow. When its owner or self is threatened the Neo can move with alarming speed and energy! Because of its size and demeanor the Neo will not just bite the arm of the bad guy but try to remove it.
Size: 150-200 lbs on average. Today's Uses: Sadly the Neapolitan Mastiff is becoming a show ring designer breed. There is hope though many breeders and fanciers still use the Neo for its original purpose and are keeping health and temperament a priority in this breed. Some have begun to try and start to compete in weight pull with solid tempered dogs and could make a splash in the larger classes.
|
Copyright 2008 © Any use of Information or Photo's without consent will be prosecuted by law.