MyDogBreeds
Shiloh Shepherd is originated from United States but Neapolitan Mastiff is originated from Italy. Shiloh Shepherd may grow 40 cm / 15 inches shorter than Neapolitan Mastiff. Shiloh Shepherd may weigh 14 kg / 30 pounds lesser than Neapolitan Mastiff. Shiloh Shepherd may live 5 years more than Neapolitan Mastiff. Both Shiloh Shepherd and Neapolitan Mastiff has same litter size. Shiloh Shepherd requires High maintenance. But Neapolitan Mastiff requires Moderate maintenance
The Shiloh Shepherd is currently a hybrid that breeders are attempting to develop into a new breed. New York breeder, Tina Barber, out of Shiloh Shepherds kennel developed dogs when in 1974, she attempted to develop a German Shepherd line. She wanted a GSD that was more like the ones she remembered from her childhood.
Tina took her foundation stock out of the AKC and got the FIC (Federation of International Canines) to recognize the Shiloh Shepherd as a separate breed. The FIC is not the same as the FCI or Federation Cynoloquque Internationale. In 1991 the Shiloh Shepherd Dog Club of America was formed, and the shepherd was recognized by the American Rare Breed Association.
Official recordkeeping on the breed began in 1993. The computer system TCCP maintains breed records and the Shiloh Shepherd has at least 9 generations in the system. Tina Barber was president of the Shiloh Shepherd Dog Club of America and oversaw the international club as well. She was responsible for the breed. After her death in 2011, her daughter took her place in working with the breed.
The Shiloh and the German Shepherd were then crossed to develop the King Shepherd.
An 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.
Shiloh Shepherds are giant dogs, much larger than the usual German Shepherd Dog. The Shiloh had been bred to be a companion animal and not a guardian or herder. The Shiloh looks more like a wolf than either the German or the King Shepherd Dog. Their back is straighter than the GSD and they are larger, more stable and more intelligent. They were bred to show a complimentary balance between strength and elegance.
They have slightly domed, broad heads with a muzzle that gradually tapers, strong cheekbones and black lips. Their ears are triangles, well cupped and firm. The Shiloh Shepherds eyes are either brown or very dark. They have a straight back which is muscular and broad. Their chests deep and their tails plush, long and curved.
They have a very “heavy” appearance compared with other shepherds. They are well muscled in both the lower and upper thighs. Their coat is plush, and they have a dense undercoat. Their hair is harsh to the touch. There is both a smooth coat and a plush coat with the plush coat being more prevalent.
The 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.
1.Children friendliness – yes, they are good with children. They are large however and have to be monitored with small children
Older children in their family. No toddlers or strangers.
Protective yet quiet, calm, relaxed
No they won’t adapt well to apartment living or to strangers.
They are intelligent and trainable but must be socialized and know the human is the alpha or they will take over.
The Shiloh Shepherd has some health issues to deal with. These include: They seem to have very sensitive stomachs and intestinal issues.
• Bloat – gastric dilatca ation volvulus – twisted stomach or intestines. Needs immediate veterinary care.
• Small intestine bacterial overgrowth – diarrhea, difficulty absorbing nutrients, abdominal pain.
The Neapolitan Mastiff is prone to many of the same issues as any massive, extra large breed. The most common of these is Cherry Eye.
1.Feeding the puppy -Due to the breed’s sensitive stomach and intestinal issues, it is important to feed the puppy a high quality large or extra-large breed of dog food. Feed at least 3 meals per day.
2.Feeding the adult- You will still want to feed a high quality large or extra-large breed dog food two times a day. However, if you feed the pup well and keep the intestinal issues under control, the adult should have an easier time.
4. Games and Exercises Be careful of the puppies’ exercise levels. Their bones grow slower than most so avoid a lot of jumping or strenuous exercise until they are adults. This means that even though they will be very good at agility or flyball and they will love playing them, do not start them when they are puppies. Wait until they are mature. The do well in herding trials, agility and search and rescue. Many make great therapy dogs.
Neapolitans grow fast and so don’t overfeed when they are young. Lower protein and higher fat content.
Don’t overfeed the adult as they can become obese.
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.