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Neapolitan Mastiff

The Neapolitan Mastiff descends from Roman-era molosser war dogs and was refined in southern Italy as an estate guardian.

Calculate Neapolitan Mastiff age
Lifespan9.3 yrrange 8–11
SizeGiantWorking Group
Weight110–150 lb49.9–68 kg
Senior at5 yrgeriatric at 8

Gallery (3)

About

About the Neapolitan Mastiff

The Neapolitan Mastiff descends from Roman-era molosser war dogs and was refined in southern Italy as an estate guardian. The heavy skin fold pattern — defining show type — creates chronic dermatologic and ocular problems that shape the breed's welfare profile.

Aging

How Neapolitan Mastiffs age

RVC VetCompass gives a median 9.3 years (n=577). Cherry eye, chronic pyoderma in skin folds, and entropion/ectropion are the defining welfare concerns; elbow dysplasia (OFA high prevalence) and cardiac disease round out late-life findings.

Lifespan deep-diveAvg 9.3 yr · range 8–11Senior careSenior at 5 · geriatric at 8Common health issues4 tracked conditions
Physical

Physical characteristics

Weight
110–150 lb(49.9–68 kg)
Height
24–31 in(61–78.7 cm)
Coat type
Short
Colors
BlueBlackMahoganyTawny
Temperament

Temperament

How Neapolitan Mastiffs tend to show up around their people, other dogs, and the world.

watchfuldignifiedloyalsteady
  • Energy
  • Trainability
  • Good with kids
  • Good with other dogs
  • Shedding
Health

Common health issues

Full health profile
  • High prevalencetypical onset ~2 yr

    Elbow Dysplasia

    Description and veterinary guidance for Elbow Dysplasia land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.

  • Moderatetypical onset ~7 yr

    Cataracts

    Description and veterinary guidance for Cataracts land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.

  • Low prevalencetypical onset ~1 yr

    Congenital Cardiac Defect

    Description and veterinary guidance for Congenital Cardiac Defect land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.

Exercise
30min
per day

Neapolitan Mastiffs are satisfied by around 30 minutes of daily activity (energy level 2/5). Short, regular outings beat one long session.

Related

Related breeds

Breeds with a similar size and group profile, for readers comparing options.

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References

Sources

Lifespan and health figures on this page are drawn from the peer-reviewed and organizational sources below.

  1. AKC breed standardAmerican Kennel Club breed page

    Breed size, weight range, height, AKC group, origin, coat type, and temperament baseline.

  2. RVC VetCompassRoyal Veterinary College VetCompass life-table research (McMillan et al. 2024)

    UK primary-care records; source for the median-lifespan and mortality figures.