Mastino Napoletano - Neapolitan Mastiff
If you’ve
seen any of the Harry Potter films then you’ll know that Harry’s giant chum Hagrid
has a dog called Fang. In the books Fang is a boarhound, but in the films he is
a Neapolitan mastiff. (Actually four mastiffs. Three were used for the first
three films and then one, Hugo, retired after the Prisoner of Azkaban
and was replaced.) Anyway, the point is, Neapolitan mastiffs are big and fierce-looking
enough to play a giant’s dog!
As is clear
from their name, the dogs originate from the area around Naples in southern
Italy and have long been used as guard dogs. Let’s face it, a growl from one of
these would probably send even the most determined intruder running. As they
are notorious for sneaking up on their prey from behind, the hapless burglar
may not get the chance to run though!
Like the
literary Fang, Neapolitan mastiffs are
big dogs. Measuring between 66 -79 cm at the shoulder and weighing from 70 and
90kg, these are no canine featherweights. The
Neo has a wrinkly appearance, a resistance to pain and a fearless
nature. They were originally fighting dogs used in the Roman wars. They also
fought lions in the Colosseum. Highly intelligent, they will defend their masters
and families without a second thought and are therefore excellent guard dogs.
By the way, they are also known for their tendency to drool!
The breed
was on the verge of extinction when it was saved by a group of Mastino
enthusiasts including Piero Scanziani in the 1940s. They are now quite popular as
gurad dogs, and can also be family dogs if they are socialised early and are
not placed in homes with small children. This is more in case they knock them
over or otherwise hurt them through clumsiness rather than any tendency to
attack them. They are big, big dogs although they are not hyperactive and are
quite happy to sleep at their master’s feet.
Although large, these dogs have a turn of speed, especially when their precious family is under threat. As it says on one Neo website : “Whereas another breed of dog might bite the arm of a perceived assailant, the Neo might leave with the arm.”
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