The Neapolitan Mastiff is confident, naturally gentle, and powerful. It protects its belongings and family, is intelligent, dignified, and has a noble air. It is very gentle and loyal, friendly towards children, dominant towards other dogs, and cautious towards strangers. It can be terrifying when provoked, so it requires consistent training from an early age.
From the Greek era to the Roman era, people have been breeding them. The ancestor of this dog breed is the war and sport dog. Its ancestors may be ancient Roman gladiators. It was kept as a ranch and farm dog in southern Italy. In 1946, the painter Piero Scanziani began to take measures to save this breed. He established a dog breeding club to help its survival and reproduction. It was not until 1949 that pure breeding began. A few years ago, the media called this breed the "Roman war chariot" and believed that they were the most reliable protectors and alert alarms. This kind of report immediately aroused the interest of some people who happened to need an intimidating dog. Business breeders took advantage of this mentality and bred some wrinkle-faced and fierce-looking monsters that were considered disabled from an anatomical perspective. These dogs were sold in large numbers on the market. However, this phenomenon changed shortly after, and the breeding trend gradually developed in the right direction.
The Neapolitan Mastiff has a natural sense of protection, which needs to be restrained and not indulged. From a young age, they should learn how to interact with humans. They are quiet and comforting companions, and although they do not require a lot of running, they need space for activities. They especially like children and are very obedient when they are with their "owners". This confident dog rarely starts trouble, and once there is a dispute, they will not back down. Even a well-trained and educated dog will not become a completely submissive one. Considering this situation, the Neapolitan Mastiff can only belong to rational and responsible dog owners, and they must have a certain understanding of dog behavior and the ability to train. They often drool and require considerable expenses for nurturing.
1. Heart disease
Dog heart disease is often related to obesity and old age. When dogs have heart disease, they mainly show symptoms of fatigue and shortness of breath. Dog heart disease is difficult to detect, and by the time the owner notices it, the dog is already seriously ill.
2. Infectious diseases
Canine distemper and canine parvovirus are common malignant infectious diseases in dogs with high mortality rates. Dogs that have not been vaccinated in a timely manner are prone to these two infectious diseases. Once they get sick, they will show symptoms such as depression, loss of appetite, fever, vomiting, and diarrhea.
3. Kidney disease
When it comes to common diseases and symptoms in dogs, kidney disease cannot be ignored. The terrifying thing about dog kidney disease is the unconscious progression of the disease. By the time the owner discovers it, damage to the dog's kidney cells often exceeds 75%. When dogs have problems, the typical symptoms are blood in urine, abnormal urine color, and changes in urination habits.
4. Parasites
Intestinal worms such as roundworms, hookworms, and heartworms are common parasites in dogs. When dogs are infected with gastrointestinal parasites, the main symptoms are thinness, depression, diarrhea, presence of worms in the stool, and pale gums. Heartworm is a parasite that lives in the dog's heart. After dogs are infected, they will experience symptoms such as poor vitality, coughing, anemia, asthma, and ascites.
5. Canine pneumonia
Pneumonia is also a common disease in dogs, but canine pneumonia is a complication of other diseases. It often occurs in dogs with abnormalities in the upper respiratory tract, bacterial infections, canine distemper virus infection, viral flu, impaired lung function, and heartworm infection. Coughing, nasal congestion, and increased body temperature are the main symptoms of canine pneumonia.
Newborn period: The newborn period is when the puppy is born, mainly relying on mother's milk for survival. The body cannot regulate body temperature and needs the mother to provide heat. There is no hearing or vision in the first day, only relying on weak touch to find the nipple. Around day 13, the eyes open, around day 15, they develop hearing, and around day 20, they start teething. From day 21-28, the amount of mother's milk is not enough, and the transition from liquid food to semi-solid food is necessary. At this time, it is easy to have diarrhea and constipation, so be sure to feed lactase, probiotics, or give them goat milk powder/pet milk powder. If constipation occurs when consuming milk powder, a small amount of vegetable oil can be fed and massaging the abdomen can help with defecation. Deworming starts at 14-28 days.
Puppyhood: 1 month - 2 months old. The puppy's digestive system is not fully developed yet, so it needs careful attention from the owner. Usually, it is fed at least 3 times a day, with small meals based on the puppy's condition. Soak the dog food in warm water or goat milk powder and feed it little by little. Do not overfeed, otherwise, the puppy may have trouble digesting. It is important to give the puppy plain water and remember not to feed milk, as it can cause diarrhea. Probiotics can be given daily to regulate the digestive system. During this time, the puppy's resistance to viruses and bacteria is weak, so it should not be taken outside or come into contact with people with colds to avoid illness. Vaccination starts at 6-7 weeks old and ends at 3 months old. It is best to bathe the puppy after vaccination. In the early stages, dry shampoo can be used. Teeth start to grow between 19-28 days, and all milk teeth grow by 2 months. They have certain learning ability and can start toilet training.
Adolescence: 3 months - 6 months. At this time, the puppy can gradually transition from soaked dog food to dry dog food. Adjust the puppy's eating schedule slowly, preferably having regular meal times. The puppy still eats dog food and drinks plain water. However, during this time, the puppy's bones and muscles grow rapidly, requiring a large amount of protein and calcium. The coat gradually changes to adult coat, which is the key period for beautiful fur but may also appear awkward. The puppy starts to assert dominance and establish its territory, trying to dominate the owner. Destructive behavior increases. The body grows rapidly, losing baby fat, so it needs regular exercise to maintain body development.
Sexual maturity: 8 months - 14 months. At this time, the puppy enters sexual maturity and experiences its first heat. The first heat can easily cause hormonal imbalances and disordered estrus. Continual estrus, non-estrus, or false pregnancy can result in low fertility and high difficulty in giving birth. Nutrients that promote reproduction should be supplemented: vitamin E, organic chromium, folic acid, etc. Note that the first heat should not be used for breeding, and hygiene during heat should be maintained to prevent infection. If not intending to breed, spaying can be performed after the heat ends.
Adolescence: 6 months - 10 months, 6 months - 18 months. At this time, the puppy can eat dry dog food completely and can be occasionally fed with meat to enrich its nutrition, such as cooked beef and chicken. However, it should be noted that the puppy should not be given chicken or duck bones, as it can lead to poor bone development. If necessary (poor nutrition, weak and sickly, picky eater, etc.), some nutritional supplements can be fed appropriately. Depending on the actual situation of the puppy, choose to supplement vitamins, calcium, protein, or nourishing fur nutritional supplements. Do not overdo it. Do not give a large amount of nutritional supplements at once due to pity for the puppy. It needs gradual adjustment. At this time, the puppy's bones and muscles grow rapidly, requiring a large amount of protein and calcium. It is curious, has strong cognitive abilities, and has a good memory. It is the best period for learning.
Adult: Dogs aged 1 year - 6 years. A dog is considered an adult at 1 year old, and it will have reached its mature size. There are no specific restrictions in diet at this stage, but it is still important to supplement nutrients appropriately. Avoid feeding chicken or duck bones, and avoid salty and spicy foods, raw food, and animal fat. If the dog has a cold or gets sick, it should be taken to a veterinarian in a timely manner. Avoid self-diagnosis and blind medication unless you are a veterinarian. Take responsibility for your beloved pet.
Old age: 8 years - 18 years. A dog over 8 years old is equivalent to over 50 years old in human age and should enter the "old age" stage of its life. At this time, the functions of various organs in the dog's body decline, and old-age diseases such as diabetes, weakened liver and kidney function, and skeletal and joint diseases can occur. It becomes more prone to diseases such as diabetes, liver and kidney diseases, hypertension, fracture, and arthritis. Therefore, it is especially important to supplement calcium. You can choose to eat more soy products and cartilage, or use calcium supplements available on the market. Spend more time in the sun and take short walks. Pay attention to hygiene in daily life. Believe that the time you spend with your dog will be longer.
1. Can't bathe frequently
When bathing a dog, of course, it cannot be done too frequently. The frequency of bathing a dog depends on the dog's hygiene condition. In hot weather, it can be bathed one or two more times, while in winter, it can be reduced by one or two times. But overall, it should not exceed 5 times. Otherwise, it will damage its fur and skin!
2. Brush regularly
Dogs shed hair almost every day, especially in spring and autumn when seasonal shedding is more severe. To make the coat grow well, regular brushing is an important step. Pet owners can use a pet-specific brush to help the dog clean naturally shed hair and avoid tangling. Brushing once in the morning and once in the evening for about five minutes each time is sufficient.
3. Sunbathing
Sunbathing is beneficial to the growth of a dog's coat. Besides making the coat more shiny, letting the dog sunbathe can also help kill bacteria. While sunbathing, pet owners can let the dog exercise a bit, which can help improve the dog's physical fitness, promote blood circulation, and help grow healthier fur.
4. Deworming
Poor fur condition is closely related to parasites. Parasites will absorb a large amount of nutrients from the dog's body, depriving it of nutrition. Therefore, deworming is essential. It is recommended to do internal and external deworming together. Also, deworming drugs can cause great harm to the dog's intestines and stomach, so it is advisable to feed probiotics regularly to relieve gastrointestinal discomfort.
5. Pay attention to diet
In order for the dog to have a beautiful coat, it must have a good nutritional foundation and pay attention to daily diet. On the one hand, feed the dog with nutritious and healthy dog food, choose a brand that is suitable for the dog and has sufficient nutrition to meet the dog's needs. On the other hand, you can also give the dog a moderate amount of lean meat, cooked egg yolk, and vegetable oil, etc.
Pet Encyclopedia
