Neapolitan Mastiff vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison

Neapolitan Mastiff vs American Staghound - Breed ComparisonNeapolitan Mastiff is originated from Italy but American Staghound is originated from United States. Neapolitan Mastiff may grow 7 cm / 2 inches shorter than American Staghound. Neapolitan Mastiff may weigh 38 kg / 84 pounds more than American Staghound. Neapolitan Mastiff may live 5 years less than American Staghound. Neapolitan Mastiff may have more litter size than American Staghound. Neapolitan Mastiff requires Moderate maintenance. But American Staghound requires Low maintenance

History

neapolitan mastiff - historyAn ancient breed, the Neapolitan Mastiffs are massive dogs with a history of protecting their family and their property. The breed has deep rooted protective instincts and they are very frightening in appearance. The Neapolitan is of the Molosser group of dogs, all of whom probably came from the same line. It is known that all the mastiffs in Europe are descendants of the Tibetan Mastiff. The Tibetan Mastiff is considered the most ancient of all canines.

The Asian Mastiffs came from India to Greece around 300 BC with Alexander the Great. Then the breed was brought to the Romans by the Greeks and then introduced them in their circus in fights. Another possibility is that around 500 BC the mastiffs came to Britain from the Phoenicians. Either way the Roman Molossus is the ancestor of the Neapolitan Mastiff.

The Romans crossed the breed with the English Mastiff around 55 BC and developed a premiere war dog that was called a Mastini.

The breed eventually became extinct in Europe with the exception of Campania. The breed was recognized in 1946 with the standard accepted in 1949. However, it is believed that the Neapolitan Mastiff has been continuously present in Campania for over two thousand years. The breed was initially developed as war dogs and for the Roman coliseum spectacles.

In 1946 Dr. Piero Scanziani established a program to breed them in Italy. He wrote the breed standard in 1949.

Today the Neo is a farm dog, an army dog, a police dog and a guard dog. They were shown in Italy for the first time in 1946 but only in 2004 was the breed recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC). It was 1973 when the Neapolitan Mastiff Club of America was born and 1996 when the standard was approved by the AKC. They are still a rare breed in the United States.

american staghound - historyThe American Staghound is hunting dog and type of sighthound that is not recognized as a separate breed. They have historically been bred to hunt coyotes and then other game. Even though they are not considered a separate breed some of their breeding lines have existed much longer than some officially recognized breeds. The American Staghound is a cross between the Greyhound and the Scottish Deerhound. There was probably some Borzoi mixed in as well. The Staghound is believed to have traveled with General Custer across the American West. The breed is a long-legged running dog with the speed of a Greyhound, the sighting ability of sight hounds and more endurance than any running breed. They are incredible athletes with amazing agility and have been bred to course game – coyotes mostly – and therefore are bred with a very intense prey drive. In the past they chased stags and deer and today they chase coyotes and hare. Coyotes are much faster than wolves and fight just as hard. The American Staghound is the only breed fast enough to track down the coyote. However, the breed is not recognized by the AKC. Hunting with an American Staghound today is not very different from hunting with them in medieval times. Strict breeding practices and the non-commercialization of the breed has led to the almost perfect preservation of this hunting breed. They have not changed very much over the centuries. They have been breeding Staghound to Staghound since the early 1800’s. At times very, good hunting dogs from Greyhound and Deerhound stock are added to the mix. For hundreds of years now the closed breeding has led to what might be the finest coyote chasing sighthound possible.

Basic Information

Group:
Molosser dogs
Hound dog
Origin:
Italy
United States
Height Male:
60 - 70 cm
23 - 28 inches
67 - 77 cm
26 - 31 inches
Height Female:
50 - 60 cm
19 - 24 inches
63 - 75 cm
24 - 30 inches
Weight Male:
61 - 79 kg
134 - 175 pounds
25 - 41 kg
55 - 91 pounds
Weight Female:
51 - 69 kg
112 - 153 pounds
22 - 39 kg
48 - 86 pounds
Life Span:
7 - 9 Years
12 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
6 - 12
3 - 5
Size:
Giant dog
Giant dog
Other Names:
Can'e presa • Italian Mastiff • Italian Molosso • Mastino • Mastino - Mastini plural • Mastino Napoletano • Neo
AS
Colors Available:
black, mahogany and tawny, blue, chocolate, gray
Any
Coat:
straight, dense, short
Shag, Slick or Broken
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Alert, Courageous, Independent, Intelligent, Loyal, Protective, Quiet, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Courageous, Energetic, Gentle, Intelligent, Loving, Stubborn
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Hard
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
No
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
No

Description

neapolitan mastiff puppy - descriptionThe Neapolitan Mastiff is a massive dog , so powerful and very intimidating in his looks. With an incredibly large head and hanging folds and wrinkles, the Neo is an impressive animal. His inner nobility and dignity is evident in his stance and the way he holds himself. He is relaxed, calm, quiet yet imposing none the less. His coat is dark whether black, tawny, gray or mahogany. He is muscular beyond imagination. The Neo is 10-15% longer than he is tall.

On his massive head his eyes are deep set and covered by his eye lids that droop. His eyes are blue as puppies then dark and coordinated with his coat. and his nose is large and the color of his coat. Ears are natural or can be cropped, and they carry their tail straight and curving back. The Neo has round paws and arched toes.

american staghound puppy - descriptionWhen you look at the American Staghound you can clearly see the Scottish Deerhound and the Greyhound lines. They have strong running muscles in their long legs and deep chest. He is of course a sight hound, so his vision is acute. His running endurance is second to none. It is this endurance in running all day that makes the American Staghound difference from the Scottish Deerhound and the Greyhound. Yes, both the Deerhound are greyhound are great runners, but the American Staghound runs just as fast with an endurance level ten times that of the other hounds. His heavy bones structure and thick skin are also different from the other racing fast sight hounds.

Characteristics

Children friendliness

neapolitan mastiff dog - characteristicsOlder children in their family. No toddlers or strangers.

Special talents

Protective yet quiet, calm, relaxed

Adaptability

No they won’t adapt well to apartment living or to strangers.

Learning ability

They are intelligent and trainable but must be socialized and know the human is the alpha or they will take over.

american staghound dog - characteristicsThis dog was bred to run fast and long after something it sees. They are not considered hyperactive but won’t live well in a confined space such as an apartment or condo. You will need a single-family house with a large yard. Though they are affectionate, family dogs, they are not cut out to be guard dogs. They are not especially protective or territorial, though they may bark at what they can see in the distance. They are calm in their homes if exercised enough and great with children. They are often gentle and loving. They are pack oriented and accept other dogs, but they are not welcoming toward cats or other prey sized animals. Be careful with the AS around small children as he might knock them down or see them as prey as well. They consider anything smaller that runs to be prey. When chasing prey, they are not only fast and enduring, they are tenacious and courageous. Remember that this is a breed that has been bred true in order to hunt and only in order to hunt. Their hunting instincts will override almost any other. Over the centuries only the best hunters were allowed to be bred so that only the best hunters would be born.

Health Problems

neapolitan mastiff puppies - health problemsThe Neapolitan Mastiff is prone to many of the same issues as any massive, extra large breed. The most common of these is Cherry Eye.

Other issues include:

  • Hypothyroidism – treated with medication
  • Elbow Dysplasia – can cause lameness or arthritis
  • Hip Dysplasia – can cause lameness or arthritis
  • Cardiomyopathy – heart issues
  • Bloat or Gastric Dilation Volvulus – can be fatal, needs immediate attention
  • Sensitivity to Anesthetics

american staghound puppies - health problemsThe American Staghound has been bred so consistently within the breed and true that they exhibit very few health problems. All running dogs are susceptible to joint issues, but the Staghound has less than most. Two issues they do face more often are a problem with anesthesia if they ever need it and the propensity to be vulnerable to bloat. Since they are a centuries old hybrid there are no real health issues born of genetics.

Caring The Pet

Feeding the puppy

neapolitan mastiff dogs - caringNeapolitans grow fast and so don’t overfeed when they are young. Lower protein and higher fat content.

Feeding the adult

Don’t overfeed the adult as they can become obese.

Games and Exercises

This big hearty breed needs exercise but not too much. They overheat easily. The puppy will push himself, so you have to make sure he doesn’t over do it. No tug of war games. They need a long walk twice every day.

Feeding

american staghound dogs - caringIt is important that you don’t ever over feed you American Staghound as they are thin and bred to run. Even though they are heavier boned than their closest relatives, they are still very susceptible to obesity if overfed. The adult AS should be fed about 4-6 cups of dry food every day in at least 2 meals but 3 of more would be better. This will prevent bloat.

Health issues

As previously mentioned there are no genetic issues with the health of the American Staghound. Bred for one reason and one reason alone for many centuries has led to this healthy state. Also, as stated previously they can have issues with bloat and anesthesia. The issue with anesthesia comes from the fact that the American Staghound has very little body fat to muscle ration. The issue with bloat or torsion can be avoided with many smaller meals and not running your Staghound right after they eat a large meal.

Exercise and games

Of course, the American Staghound loves to run and if you are not going to hunt with her, you will have to find another source of vigorous physical activity. Every day from puppyhood on the AS must be stimulated mentally and physically in order to grow and mature correctly. He must have a home where the freedom to run is an everyday experience, not a dog park once a week. If you ride bikes, race walk or run on a daily basis this might be the dog for you. They obviously excel at games like lure coursing and can be good at agility.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Neapolitan Mastiff vs English Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  2. Neapolitan Mastiff vs American Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  3. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Gaddi Kutta - Breed Comparison
  4. Neapolitan Mastiff vs American Molossus - Breed Comparison
  5. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Cao de Gado Transmontano - Breed Comparison
  6. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Broholmer - Breed Comparison
  7. Nebolish Mastiff vs Neapolitan Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  8. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Great Dane - Breed Comparison
  9. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Bernese Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  10. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Newfoundland Dog - Breed Comparison
  11. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Anatolian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  12. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Leonberger - Breed Comparison
  13. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Alaunt - Breed Comparison
  14. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Bully Kutta - Breed Comparison
  15. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Irish Wolfhound - Breed Comparison
  16. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Alangu Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  17. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Francais Blanc et Orange - Breed Comparison
  18. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Mountain Burmese - Breed Comparison
  19. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Billy - Breed Comparison
  20. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Pyrenean Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  21. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Bisben - Breed Comparison
  22. Irish Wolfhound vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  23. Francais Blanc et Orange vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  24. Billy vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  25. Scottish Deerhound vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  26. Great Dane vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  27. Bernese Mountain Dog vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  28. English Mastiff vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  29. Newfoundland Dog vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  30. Neapolitan Mastiff vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  31. Anatolian Shepherd vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  32. Leonberger vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  33. Alaunt vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  34. Bully Kutta vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  35. Alangu Mastiff vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  36. Mountain Burmese vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  37. Gaddi Kutta vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  38. Pyrenean Mastiff vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  39. Bisben vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  40. American Staghound vs American Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  41. American Staghound vs American Molossus - Breed Comparison
  42. Moscow Watchdog vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  43. Nebolish Mastiff vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds