Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Neapolitan Mastiff
| Neapolitan Mastiff | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| Country of origin | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Italy | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| Neo | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Classification and breed standards | |||||||||||||||||||||
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The Neapolitan Mastiff is a large, ancient breed of dog that can be traced back to about 100 BC. This dog is a massive, awe-inspiring dog breed often used as a guard and defender of owner and property.
Appearance
Neapolitan Mastiff are characterized by loose skin over their entire bodies; abundant, hanging wrinkles and folds on the head; and a voluminous dewlap. The Neapolitan has a characteristic beastial appearance, with a huge head and imposing size and attitude.
History
The Neapolitan Mastiff is descendant of the Molussus , the mammoth war dogs of the Middle East, and was frequently used in the Roman arenas pitted against lions, bears, and gladiators for entertainment. As dogs of war, they fought alongside the Roman legions, and in this way they were spread throughout Europe. Eventually the descendants of the Roman Molossian splintered into several different Mastiff breeds: English Mastiff, Dogue de Bordeaux , Spanish Mastiff , St. Bernard, and Rottweiler.
In the 1940s, this breed was rediscovered near Naples in Italy, and is now beginning to make a comeback. A Neapolitan Mastiff was featured in the Harry Potter movies as Hagrid's dog Fang.
References
- American Kennel Club. (May 1, 2004). The Neapolotan Mastiff: Judge's Guide. Accessed 1 December 2004.
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