It should firstly be noted that the Standard describes a mature dog. Bitches may be expected to have a mature body at age 3 and dogs by age 4. Dogs younger than these ages will in most cases develop more bone, more body and “wrinkle” will become more obvious with time. Mature body weight comes slowly to this breed. Most youngsters you see should be solid but not fat, with lean muscle naturally grown.

It is important to remember the ancestry of this breed. As a dog used by the Roman legions as a dog of war it was important that the dog could walk all day to go to the battle site and still be able to perform its duties. In later centuries as a guardian of estates in Italy it was necessary for the dog to be able to chase, knock and pin down intruders. These days particularly in Australia the Neapolitan Mastiff is a companion animal, but retains its ancestral memories and should still have the physical capacity to perform those past functions.

 

A typical dog will instinctively guard his master, family and home. However when out and about at shows or in public if the handler is happy and confident the Neapolitan will also be. Should a judge come across an obviously nervous new handler in the show ring it is most important to establish friendly contact with the handler before approaching or touching the dog. If in doubt have the handler run the dog before you physically examine. If things look settled proceed. Young males can react to eye contact and will sometimes try to initiate it, so do be aware and be more aware if you wear glasses.

Most Neapolitans are very sociable and well behaved in the show ring and this sometimes leads one to forget the characteristics of the breed.

This is of course the basic frame of the dog. The standard describes each section well and needs little explanation. When looking at the structure one should look to see that such structure would enable the dog to function. This is a breed that must be able to spring into action from a sleeping position, must therefore have thrust from the rear legs hence the long hocks. Must be able to run faster than a man for at least 200 metres and of course only the correct skeleton will allow this.

 

Perhaps something has been lost in the translation (see different standards below)  of this section or needs further explanation.

At a walk the movement is feline like a lion. That describes adequately – but the section “At a trot or pacing, it is slow and resembles that of a bear” can be misleading. Many people consider a bear to be slow, lumbering and clumsy – an incorrect description but fairly universal. This can result in a judge awarding a dog that can’t move, that trips and stumbles because of structural faults. A slow trot on a correct frame will be catlike and elegant (despite the loose skin rippling and flowing). Do remember when these dogs were used by the Romans as dogs of war no such thing as motor vehicles or dog trailers were in existence – the dogs had to walk or more likely pace. 

 

UK -Gait/Movement
Slow, free, bear-like. Slow trot, long steps covering ground well. Rarely gallops.

 

The ENCI translation is perhaps more correct.

 

Usually in Spring, sometimes in Autumn coat changes can and do occur. This can result in the dog looking somewhat moth eaten and is especially noticeable in young dogs doing their first coat change.