Neapolitan Mastiff

The Neapolitan Mastiff does well on a high-quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared under your veterinarian's supervision and approval. Match the diet to your dog's life stage: puppy, adult, or senior. A formula made for large-breed dogs suits the breed, since it supports slow, steady growth.

Experienced breeders suggest food slightly higher in fat and lower in protein, especially while the dog is young and growing fast. Do not supplement with calcium. Keep clean, fresh water available at all times.

Feeding amounts depend on your dog's health, weight, activity level, and size, so use the portion instructions on the food bag as a starting point and consult your veterinarian if you are unsure. A few feeding habits matter for this breed:

• Feed adults two meals a day, and feed puppies three or four meals a day on a regular schedule.
• Do not free-feed. A bowl left out all day can lead to overeating and obesity.
• Feed from a bowl on the floor, not an elevated one, because the breed can develop bloat.
• If your dog eats too fast, slow it down with a slow-feeding bowl.

Measure portions and count treats toward daily calories. Treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog's calories. A Neapolitan Mastiff on a balanced diet should not need supplements, though omega-3 supplements such as fish oil may help keep the loose skin healthy and a joint supplement may support the joints. Check with your vet about weight, diet, or any supplements.

The Neapolitan Mastiff has a short, smooth coat, so a bath now and again handles most of the work. The breed has sensitive, oily skin and needs a bath once or twice a month, and more often if your dog has skin allergies. Get your puppy used to frequent baths early, and keep tools such as lick mats, dog shampoos, and coat conditioners on hand.

Despite the short coat, brush gently a few times a week, since brushing too harshly can damage the sensitive skin. Like many dogs, the breed sheds more in spring and fall and needs more frequent brushing in those seasons. Keep the nails short with regular trims.

Check and gently clean the eyes and ears whenever needed. Inspect the ears for cuts, dirt, and excess wax, clean them with a dog-specific ear cleaner, and talk to your veterinarian if you notice any changes. Because the breed is prone to cherry eye, watch the eyes and consult your veterinarian about any changes.

This breed drools, so be prepared. Keep a towel handy to dry the face and lips, especially after your dog eats or drinks.

The Neapolitan Mastiff's exercise needs are low. A short walk of 15 to 30 minutes a day is usually enough, with leisurely hikes or brief games of catch or chase added in. These dogs are almost cat-like and will happily spend the day lying around and napping in the sun.

Every dog should get to run and romp, but do not emphasize running and quick turns, since the joints damage easily. This is a big, heavily built breed that overheats fast, so take care in warm weather. A puppy may want to play past its limit, so it is up to you to stop before it gets too tired.

Be careful on stairs, since many an exuberant puppy's knee has been hurt by a leap off a porch or a jump down the last few steps. Skip heavy tug-of-war and rough wrestling, because a growing Mastino quickly learns it is stronger than its smaller human.

Even lazy as they are, these dogs need room to move and mental engagement. In an apartment, plan to walk your dog several times a day and set aside space just for it, including a large orthopedic bed to cushion its joints. They enjoy the outdoors but will not want to be out all day, so a backyard is helpful but not essential.

Most adult Neapolitan Mastiffs are calm animals that sleep a lot, but puppies are active, curious, and cuddly, and the adolescent Neo is energetic and strong when awake. Start training while it is young, so the right structure is in place before the strong, stubborn teenage stage. By age 3 or 4, most settle into a laidback adult temperament.

This breed does not respond well to harsh training. It needs an encouraging, rewarding atmosphere, so be patient and consistent. Stubborn as they are, they thrive on praise and positive reinforcement, and healthy treats such as chopped carrots and apple slices help avoid weight gain. Bred to work independently, their strong-willed nature makes training a real practice in patience.

Socialization is the other half of the job. Introduce your puppy to a wide range of people, animals, and situations early and consistently, using the same positive-reinforcement approach, so it grows up settled and confident rather than aloof.

This is not a breed for a novice owner, given the attention and discipline it needs. For someone experienced with dominant, strong-willed dogs, it can be a good fit. Training one is a lifelong commitment that takes real dedication and patience.