MyDogBreeds
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is originated from France but Neapolitan Mastiff is originated from Italy. Wirehaired Pointing Griffon may grow 10 cm / 3 inches shorter than Neapolitan Mastiff. Wirehaired Pointing Griffon may weigh 52 kg / 114 pounds lesser than Neapolitan Mastiff. Wirehaired Pointing Griffon may live 3 years more than Neapolitan Mastiff. Wirehaired Pointing Griffon may have less litter size than Neapolitan Mastiff. Both Wirehaired Pointing Griffon and Neapolitan Mastiff requires Moderate maintenance.
Known also as the Korthals Griffon, the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is a hunting- and gundog. It was Eduard Karel Korthals who is thought to have brought about this dog breed around 1873.
He was a Dutchman living in France. It is believed that quite a few dog breeds were used to bring about this dog such as the Otterhound, Spniels, Setters and possibly a Pointer. The dog is known as a supreme gundog and it is a very popular dog breed.
Edward Korthals of Holland was looking for an ideal gun dog. It was in 1888 that the first Griffon Club was formed. It was only in 1916 that this dog was officially recognized as the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon in the United States.
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.
The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon or Korthals Griffon is a medium-to-large sized dog standing at between 50 and 60cm both male and female and weighing between 23and 27kg.
He has a wiry, somewhat harsh curly outer coat and a softer undercoat. The head is quite large. He has thick eyebrows and a beard. The eyes are brown with yellow irises.
This is a low-shedding dog. There are a few colors such as white and brown, white and orange but the coat is also steel gray with brown markings.
These dogs are intelligent and independent with a desire to please their owners. He is able to learn tricks and commands easily. They love their human families and want to be around them all the time.
It would be devastating for such a dog to find himself stuck in the backyard with no human contact. He is also not suited to cramped living conditions in the city but is essentially a country dog, especially since he has boundless energy.
As a family pet, he is playful, friendly, loyal, loving and gentle, behaving well with children and other pets. They’re not aggressive dogs but they make excellent watchdogs, barking if someone comes into their property.
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.
The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon has always been a great hunting dog and he doubles as an excellent pet and companion as well.
This dog is extremely loyal to his human family and is friendly, intelligent, loving and affectionate, getting on well with children as well as other pets in the home.
He can reach 14 years of age and doesn’t often get sick, making him an all-round great pet and companion.
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.
To avoid ear problems, a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon's ears should be kept clean and dry. If you do detect redness inside the ear, it could mean he has an infection that will need to be treated.
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.
This dog loves his exercise, and if you live in the country so much the better. He will love to go hiking and swimming with you or running next to you as you go cycling. He also loves all kinds of rope- and ball games in the garden. It’s why this active dog isn’t ideal for life in the city.
Spay or neuter your pet if you don’t want unwanted puppies. Don't do it too early. Speak to your vet about the procedure and about the health benefits that come from spaying and neutering a dog.
These are active dogs and they will require top quality food if they’re to remain healthy and active.
Always check the packaging to see what ingredients are present in your dog’s food. Some of the cheaper, more inferior brands can actually be harmful to your pet with their useless ingredients devoid of vitamins and minerals.
Some home-made food is good and this needs to be plain and free from spicy additives. Dogs have sensitive stomachs and anything unusual can cause them digestive problems.
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.