With his large head, excessive skin folds, droopy look, and massive build, no doubt anyone would think the Neapolitan Mastiff is unsuitable as a family pet. However, this judgment appears to be far from the truth as he, for several decades, has proved himself a valuable and great family companion.
A well-raised Neapolitan Mastiff will grow up unshy to show affection and loyalty toward his loved ones. The misconceptions formed based on his appearance and history as a guard dog will be debunked by this article. We will discuss why this Italian Mastiff could be perfect for your family and learn what things to consider before bringing him home.
How Loving Are Neapolitan Mastiffs Toward the Family?
Neapolitan Mastiffs are so endearing that some would tend to become clingy. They love to receive attention from their favorite humans and if they are not getting any, expect these canines to jump on the sofa or do anything quirky until you turn your head and go in their direction.
His love can be manifested in several ways. One of these is his undying loyalty to guarantee that everyone is safe. He won’t hesitate to protect you from intruders! Even though he doesn’t move the fastest, it’s guaranteed that he’ll persist to be unmovable, especially when it comes to defending you.
Other signs that tell he loves you are the following:
- He licks you.
- He cuddles with you.
- He follows you around.
- He leans on you.
- The tail wag shows once he sees you.
- The soulful puppy eyes!
How Much Family Time Would He Need?
As much as possible. The Neapolitan Mastiff breed feels happy to be around his family and would show great sadness if he’s left alone without anything to do. Interact with him regularly which usually happens around exercise, training, and leisure time.
Generally, your dog shouldn’t be left alone for more than 4 hours. The length of time will vary depending on his age, health, and more.
Getting a dog is a responsibility and at the same time, a blessing. Spend time with your buddy as often as you can, especially that he grows big quite quickly!
Is He Great With Other Pets?
Definitely! It is more ideal to raise them together, but a friendly Neapolitan Mastiff won’t cause concerns should you bring a new pet home. Other families don’t just resort to having one furry friend such as a dog, after all. Other members might ask their parents for a cat or other domestic pets like hamsters or rabbits.
Just ensure that your massive Mastiff has undergone thorough socialization and is not aggressive. Introduce them to each other properly and they will end up either tolerating each other’s presence or mature into an inseparable pair!
Perks of Having a Neapolitan Mastiff at Home
There are countless reasons why many families all over the world go for the Neapolitan Mastiff breed. He is a true help at home and his presence provides a sense of security. For those who are eyeing this breed, you might want to know what the perks are that go along with this interesting canine.
Your Family Will Have an Excellent Guard Dog
The Neapolitan Mastiff is known to have a strong history as a protector. In the past, he was widely used as a guard dog who would constantly patrol properties and estates. His intimidating image can easily scare away anyone who would think about trespassing the territory.
Moreover, he is not the friendliest toward strangers who show suspicious behaviors. The Neapolitan dog is wise enough to identify who is a threat and who isn’t. If your kids got home earlier than you did, you don’t have to be worried about their safety, more so if the dog has been intensively trained to guard.
He’s a Great Stress Reliever
Stress comes in different forms and it can strike you at any time of the day. With the presence of a loving dog such as the Neapolitan Mastiff, your exhaustion from work will be replaced with vigor to keep going! Having this wonderful breed around will help improve your family’s overall health.
His constant display of affection causes your body to release the hormone called “oxytocin” which is also known as the “love hormone”. The warm and fuzzy feelings you’ll feel are then linked to the decrease of stress and anxiety levels.
He’ll Get Your Family Fit and Healthy
The Neapolitan Mastiff may have low exercise requirements, but this can greatly positively affect your lifestyle! Since part of ensuring that he’s healthy is by providing him regular exercise, you also have the opportunity to maintain your good physical condition as long as you always accompany him.
Having a dog around will also encourage your kids to play with him instead of getting glued to their phone screens as well. Who wouldn’t want to spend their time with such a lovely dog? Kids have a lot of energy and they would need several outlets for this. A Neapolitan Mastiff who enjoys playing with your children helps in tiring them out. You know what that means, when kids have done lots during the day, they’ll go to bed in no time at night.
Things to Consider Before Getting a Neapolitan Mastiff for Your Family
Having discussed the major advantages of owning a Neapolitan Mastiff, it is time to see if you are the perfect owner of such a breed. Although he has lots to offer, you should also assess if you would be able to grant him the lifestyle he’d need.
Here are the things you have to put into consideration before heading your way to the adoption home or contacting a reputable breeder:
Your Kids’ Ages
Neapolitan Mastiffs are great for older kids (around 6-8 years old). Not only should they be mature enough to know how to handle him with care, but they also have to be big enough to not be accidentally stepped on by this giant.
His Needs and Demands
Can you commit yourself to providing his basic needs and demands? This dog is prone to certain diseases exclusive to large canines and would need regular vet check-ups. Regular exercise and training are essential as well. Due to his hard-headedness, the Neo would also require a firm and alpha-type owner.
His Size
Having a Toy Poodle is different from owning such a giant dog as the Neapolitan Mastiff. Do you have what it takes to manage someone of his size? He is 24 to 31 inches in height once he reaches adulthood and can weigh up to 150 pounds. He’d need a physically strong owner who can’t be easily dragged into different directions or dominated by this canine.
Your Home Space
Generally, your home should be spacious to accommodate the size of the Neapolitan Mastiff. A yard is also a great feature to have for his exercise needs. Nevertheless, he will do okay in an apartment-style living as long as it’s not too cramped and he’s brought out on a daily basis.
