The Neapolitan Mastiff is an ancient dog dating to about 100 BC. This imposing breed originated in Italy as a guard, military, and fighting dog. The ancestry may extend back to the Molossus breed of Roman times. In 1946 steps were taken by painter Piero Scanziani to safeguard the Neapolitan Mastiff's future. He established a kennel for the breed and did much to promote its survival.

Appearance
Neapolitan Mastiffs are characterised by loose skin over their entire bodies; abundant, hanging wrinkles and folds on the head; and a voluminous dewlap. Ears usually are half pricked and can be cropped. It has a large blocky head and a rolling gait. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC) standards, male Neapolitan Mastiffs should measure 26-31 inches at the withers, weighing approximately 150 lbs, whilst females should be 24-29 inches and weigh around 110 lbs. Body length should be 10-15% more than that of the height. As long as proportion is maintained, larger weights are preferred, and smaller Neapolitan Mastiffs may be heavily penalized, even disqualified.

Character
The Neapolitan Mastiff is a fearless protector when it needs to be but is affectionate with its family and the family's friends; as a guarding breed it is quite wary around strangers but relaxes once it gets to know the person. The Neapolitan Mastiff does not bark excessively and indeed only barks when something provokes it. As a breed the Neapolitan Mastiff can be stubborn, but it does not require repetitive training. Once it understands what its master wants, it obeys. The Neapolitan Mastiff has a dominant attitude and must be taught from puppyhood that its master is the boss, not the other way around. Males can be much more aggressive and dominant than females. A female works best in a home with a family, as she is a bit more docile and better with children. These dogs are, however, usually very loving with children. Males do not get along with other males, but the Neapolitan Mastiff can get along well with non-canine pets if raised with them from puppyhood. The Neapolitan Mastiff is not a breed for everyone and not a dog for beginners. Children should be taught to respect these dogs. The Neapolitan Mastiff does not enjoy hot weather. It can live outdoors in temperate or cool weather, but it does not do well in warm weather.
 

Temperament
Neapolitan Mastiffs should be well socialized at an early age to avoid over-protectiveness. The Neapolitan Mastiffs will be quite protective even with extensive socialization. Additional protection training is unnecessary because they are natural guard dogs and have been for ages. Obedience training is very important in this breed. The Neapolitan Mastiff is generally very tolerant of pain due to the breed's early fighting background. Males often drool quite heavily. They tend to drool more in hot weather or after drinking water.

Exercise/Training
Don't let the Neapolitan Mastiff's size or laid back look fool you, they have bursts of energy like any other dog especially while young so they need to have room to run and play. The adult Neapolitan Mastiff needs daily moderate exercise, consisting of either a good walk or game. When it comes to exercise, Neapolitan Mastiffs are not a jogging breed as their energy tends to be short lived and their weight causes stress to their joints when excessive. Playing and obedience are very good types of mental exercise. 15 minutes obedience and playing with your Neapolitan Mastiff will be more useful for the dogs exercise then an hour walk on the leash can provide.

Color
The coat color of the Neapolitan Mastiff can be grey (blue), black, tawny and mahogany, each colour may also come with reverse brindling . The Neapolitan Mastiffs can sometimes also have white on the chest or feet.

Grooming
Due to the extensive wrinkle and large body mass Neapolitan Mastiffs do require extra care and maintenance for bathing, cleaning the face and body. Neapolitan Mastiffs also drool while excited, while eating and also drinking and they do make a mess. People that own or have owned a drooling breed have ample supplies of drool rags or towels that are not only around the home and kennel but carried with them at all times as well. If the wrinkles are not cared for properly the Neapolitan Mastiff will smell, can form acne due to the infections. A Neapolitan Mastiff's face and wrinkles should be kept as dry as possible in order to prevent such infections from forming.
The coat of the Neapolitan Mastiff needs only a very little grooming and coat maintenance. A good nutrition and regular brushing keeps the proper coat shine and the skin healthy. Bathing doesn’t harm the coat of the Neapolitan Mastiff as long as you use a good quality shampoo that doesn't dry the skin and coat and is formulated for a canine coat. The ears of the Neapolitan Mastiff should be kept clean and regularly inspected as well.

Any breed described as "good with children", the dog must be accustomed to children. Any dog that is not well socialized with children will not behave predictably around them. As with all dogs, they should never be left alone with young children.