Neapolitan Mastiff

• Bathing: Bathe your Neapolitan Mastiff every four to six weeks (unless they happen to take a super dirty spin through the park). They have a lot of folds around their face, so clean those folds every day with a medicated and drying dog wipe that helps prevent moisture from being trapped.  
• Brushing: Brush your Neo with a slicker brush two to three times a week.   
• Ear care: Check their ears every day. If there’s redness, swelling, debris, or an odor, your pup may have an ear infection that needs meds. Talk to your vet about how to clean your dog’s ears if they’re prone to irritation or infection.  
• Dental care: Help keep your pup’s teeth in shape by brushing them daily with a dog toothpaste. It’s a good idea to start when they’re a puppy so they get used to the experience. Get a pro cleaning at your vet once a year. 
• Nail care: These pups need their nails trimmed every few weeks. If nails get too long, it can make it painful to walk. You’ll know it’s time for a trim when you can hear them tapping on hard surfaces.  

When it comes to training, Neapolitan Mastiffs need a confident pup parent who uses positive reinforcement—praise, training treats, and favorite toys. They are eager to please, though, which makes training much easier.  

However, at 100 pounds or so, these giant pups need to be patiently taught how to walk on a leash and come when called.  

You should begin training as soon as you bring your Neapolitan Mastiff puppy home. That’ll probably be around 8 weeks of age, and you can start with basic cues like sit and stay. Consider enrolling in puppy obedience school when they’re 4 months old and fully vaccinated.  

It’s a great way to socialize your dog, as they’ll meet new people and make canine friends.  

If you adopt your dog when they’re older, that’s perfect too. Begin training and socialization based on your vet’s guidance. It’s never too late to start and learn a lot of new tricks.  

Neapolitan Mastiffs are very smart, so if it takes them awhile to get the hang of things, it’s not for lack of intelligence, but more so because they can be a bit independent-minded. They learn best from pet parents who are consistent and patient.   

If you need extra help, consider hiring a certified trainer who uses positive reinforcement.  

Neapolitan Mastiffs typically do well on a high-quality commercial dog food. Choose a diet that’s AAFCO-compliant for your dog’s life stage (puppy, adult, or senior).   

This breed will benefit from a large-breed dog food formula, especially as growing puppies.  

Treat calories count, too, and they’re important for motivating your dog during training. But know when to say when: Treats should never be more than 10% of a dog’s daily calories.  

As a giant dog breed, Neapolitan Mastiffs are susceptible to a life-threatening condition called bloat. It occurs when the stomach gets distended with air and/or food. To avoid this, pet parents can take precautions during mealtimes, including: 

• Offering meals in a slow feeder dog bowl 
• Avoiding elevated food bowls 
• Feeding your dog multiple meals throughout the day instead of one large daily meal 
• Restricting exercise for two hours before and after meals 

Neapolitan Mastiffs are big, but they don’t quite zoom around the way their peers might. That doesn’t mean you and your Mastiff can spend all day zoning out on the couch, though: Your dog still needs long walks, as well as playtime and training for enrichment.  

They’ll enjoy lumbering through the neighborhood, strolling through the park, or walking local nature trails. They don’t do well in the heat, and they need about 30–40 minutes of exercise daily.   

Keep in mind that Neapolitan Mastiff puppies are still growing, and any harsh movement can harm their bones. Therefore, you’ll want to stop them from being too wild (think jumping off furniture) while they’re young.  

A home with enough space for exercising and training your pup is a must. At minimum, you’ll need a backyard with a tall, sturdy fence—or a nearby park where your pup can romp off-leash in an enclosed area.  

But note that some Neapolitan Mastiffs won’t be cut out for playtime with smaller canines at the dog park.   

These pups prefer cooler climates, so when it’s super hot out, keep playtime to the cooler parts of the day in early morning or evening. 

If raised with cats or other small pets from a young age, your Neapolitan Mastiff will probably live happily with housemates. But these dogs often don’t know their own strength, so even well-intentioned play could injure kids and smaller animals, or knock over an unprepared older relative.  

For those reasons, these kind, loyal pups might do best in an adult household where they are the only dog, or in homes with older children who can help with training.