Neapolitan Mastiff Care

The Neapolitan Mastiff: huge, loving, and honestly, pretty lazy. These gentle giants--often called "Neos" for short--are easygoing guardians for families everywhere. But one thing about this breed that is not gigantic is the amount of time required to take care of it. Below you'll find plenty of details about Neapolitan Mastiff care: puppy development, exercise needs, diet and nutrition, and more. For answers to all your questions about owning a Neapolitan Mastiff, read on!

It's no surprise that as such a big breed, the typical Neapolitan Mastiff is pretty low-energy, bordering on lazy. Even so, a Neapolitan Mastiff needs exercise every day to not only help it stay in good shape, but to keep the dog from becoming obese from lack of activity and destructive out of sheer boredom. Owners say, though, that one of the difficulties with dogs of this breed is their lack of enthusiasm. If you take a Neo to the yard for a game of fetch, for example, the dog is likely to stare at you while you throw the stick or ball, then lumber over to the nearest shady spot for a nap. Simply put, these dogs will likely need some extra coaxing to join in activities.

And how much exercise will a Neapolitan Mastiff need each day? The typical adult Neo, depending on its age and overall activity level, will do well with 45 minutes of exercise on a daily basis. You can begin exercising a Neo puppy at three months old by taking it on short (5- to 10-minute) walks, then increasing the walks' length and frequency as the puppy grows.

A few things to consider when exercising a Neapolitan Mastiff: first, puppies younger than nine months old shouldn't participate in activities that include a lot of jumping, running, and navigating of stairs, as doing so can injure their still-developing bones and joints. And regardless of age, it's best to keep your Neo leashed when you're in public. Though not aggressive, these dogs are naturally suspicious of and confrontational with other animals (especially other dogs), so a leash will help you control your Neo if it faces off with another (probably smaller!) pet. It's also important not to exercise your Neo in hot weather. Like other Mastiff breeds, the Neapolitan is brachycephalic, meaning its short nose doesn't cool the air it breathes as well as other, longer-nosed breeds. This condition causes the Neo to overheat easily, so exercising these dogs in sweltering temperatures is not a good idea--and make sure they have access to fresh water at all times.

Precautions aside, it's important to exercise your Neapolitan Mastiff every single day. These low-energy dogs have a high tendency for becoming obese if overfed and under-exercised; they also tend to become destructive if they're bored or restless. Consistent exercise, then, is good for the dog's health and happiness--and good for your own peace of mind as well. A few exercise ideas:

• Walking: Two 20-minute walks per day is a good target
• Tug-of-War: Great indoor activity; use a rope or old towel
• Treadmill: With some coaxing, your Neo can learn to walk on a treadmill on hotter days
• Swimming/Wading: Neos love the water, but aren't great swimmers; wading in the shallow end of a pool, pond, or lake is perfect in hot weather
• Hiking: Great bonding activity; bonus if you can find a remote area where the dog can be off-leash

When indoors, it's a good idea to give your Neo access to one or more balls or chew-toys that will allow the dog to burn any excess energy. It's also recommended that you establish a regular exercise schedule for the dog, such as walks in the morning and evening (when the temperatures are cooler) combined with a play period in the afternoon.

In terms of shedding and drooling, care needed for these dogs is moderate overall. Neapolitan Mastiff shedding is year-round, but not very heavy--and Neos drool as much or more than any dog breed known.

Neos have short, smooth coats that shed a bit all the time. Owners say brushing these dogs weekly will keep the shedding under control, but vacuuming the floors and using lint rollers on clothes and furniture will be necessary from time to time.

And the Neapolitan Mastiff will drool--heavily!--in anticipation of food, when especially excited, after drinking water, and when hot and panting. Owners of this breed will need to keep old rags or towels handy (in every room of the house, if possible) to clean up excess slobber. It's also a good idea to tie a bandanna or towel around your Neo's neck to keep the dog's neck and chest from becoming dirty and stinky from all the drooling.

The Neapolitan Mastiff diet, just as with its size, is expectantly huge. These dogs will need balanced amounts of animal proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and omega fatty acids--and a great deal of all those nutrients--to keep healthy and long-living. Though opinions differ, the most popular Neapolitan Mastiff food is premium dry kibble, particularly the kind made for large breeds; Blue Buffalo Large Breed and Wellness Large Breed are two recommended brands. Some owners say they mix in fresh bread, pasta, and fresh meat with their Neo's meals for added nutrients.

Two precautions concerning the Neo's diet need mentioning: first, this breed is highly susceptible to bloat, an often-fatal condition caused by a dog's stomach filling with excess air when the dog gulps its food. The condition occurs more frequently if a dog eats just before or after exercising, so owners are strongly advised not to feed their Neos for an hour before or two hours after an exercise session. Also, Neapolitan Mastiff puppies should not be fed puppy formula, as it usually contains too much protein for their developing bodies. It's best, veterinarians say, to begin feeding a Neo pup adult formula from the beginning.

And how much food will a Neapolitan Mastiff need each day? As expected, a great deal. The typical adult Neo, depending on its age, size, and activity level, will require at least five cups of dry food per day, divided into two meals. A Neo pup, again depending on its age, will need a little less: about 3½ cups per day, divided into three meals (not two) until six months of age. For further details on feeding these dogs from puppyhood through maturity, here's a Neapolitan Mastiff feeding guide:

Try to stick to the above-listed portions if possible. Though your Neo can probably eat a lot more, these amounts are ample enough--and a Neapolitan Mastiff that's constantly overfed will quickly become overweight, leading to breathing, joint, and digestive problems, not to mention an even shorter lifespan. You can help control your Neo's weight by having consistent feeding and exercise schedules, by not feeding the dog table scraps, and by not leaving food in the dog's bowl all the time, thereby allowing it to eat anytime it wants. It's better to put your Neo's bowl down only at mealtimes, then pick it up 20-30 minutes after the dog begins eating.

If you're worried your Neapolitan Mastiff is overweight, it probably won't be hard to tell. You can give the dog this test: run a hand along its side, and if you can't feel any ribs beneath all that loose skin, it's time for a diet. Reduce the dog's daily food consumption by one-fourth, and add an extra walk or play period to its daily exercise schedule.