Overview
The Neapolitan Mastiff dog is very steady and intensely loyal. This is a breed that can be quite intimidating and, therefore, makes an ideal watchdog. They're also very wary and suspicious of strangers, which can make them even more intimidating.
Activity
Neapolitan Mastiffs must always be exercised regularly. This means that they need at least 2 long walks each day to stay active and healthy. They're a large breed and need at least an average size yard to run and play in. These dogs aren't recommended for apartment or city living.
Care
Neapolitan Mastiff dogs are quite simple to care for when it comes to grooming. Use a rubber brush for occasional brushing to remove loose or dead hair. These dogs are average shedders.
Character
Neapolitan Mastiffs are very loyal guard dogs and protect their family as well as their territory. These are powerful and large dogs and shouldn't be left around small babies unsupervised. They are, however, quite affectionate.
Coat
The coat of a Neapolitan Mastiff is unique and well known for the wrinkles it has as well as being a dense and short coat. This coat should be the same length all over their body. The hair should be straight without any fringe.
Temperament
It doesn't matter how large or intimidating the Neapolitan Mastiff may appear, they're not aggressive dogs. In fact, they're quite affectionate and even gentle. They do, however, carry a very strong protective drive that makes them ideal as watch dogs or guard dogs. They're a very powerful breed but they get on well with older children and with other pets as long as they've been trained and socialized properly.
Training
Training of Neapolitan Mastiffs needs to be started when they're quite young so any dominance issues can be avoided. Their handler must always be consistent and firm. They can become over-protective so a firm hand should always be used in training them.