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Mastiffs => Neapolitan Mastiff Discussions & Pictures => : starrsdcct November 18, 2006, 04:14:31 PM

: Great places to learn about Neapolitan Mastiffs
: starrsdcct November 18, 2006, 04:14:31 PM
Hi, I have been reading through all the topics. I want to give everyone the chance to learn more about this beautiful breed. There is a couple of message boards that you can learn anything you want to know with this breed. Here are the links.
http://www.neapolitan.org/phpBB/index.php
http://neapolitanworld.com/community/index.php
I am a breeder of AKC registered Neapolitan Mastiffs and I also have a forum on health issues. Here is the link.
http://starrsdcctneapolitanmastiffs.bravehost.com/
Here are a couple good examples of the breed...
This is AKC CH FDA Zorba owned by myself
(http://neapolitanworld.com/community/modules/coppermine/albums/userpics/10016/zorba5.jpg)
(http://neapolitanworld.com/community/modules/coppermine/albums/userpics/10016/zorba1.jpg)
Here is what a good quality puppy should look like...
(http://neapolitanworld.com/community/modules/coppermine/albums/userpics/10016/Chimera.JPG)
(http://www.neapolitan.org/phpBB/files/morganawe.jpg)
All the above dogs are owned by me. Sometimes going with a cheaper breeder you end up with dogs that do not look anything like a Neapolitan Mastiff should. I hope you all enjoy the Mastino Message boards that I have linked you to.
: Re: Great places to learn about Neapolitan Mastiffs
: The Brindle Pack November 18, 2006, 07:16:25 PM
What a great looking dog.  Thanks for sharing.
: Re: Great places to learn about Neapolitan Mastiffs
: starrsdcct November 18, 2006, 07:33:23 PM
Thank you for the comments on Zorba! I really just wanted people to see what they are really supposed to look like. And give the ones seeking answers to many questions a more informative place to get great breed related answers from experts in the breed.
: Re: Great places to learn about Neapolitan Mastiffs
: sarnewfie November 19, 2006, 01:45:50 AM
Education is key! what cool dogs, but oh so wrinkly! LOL
 :D
: Re: Great places to learn about Neapolitan Mastiffs
: schelmischekitty November 19, 2006, 02:38:18 AM
thanks so much for the links!  they are so neat!  i look forward to learning more about them!
: Re: Great places to learn about Neapolitan Mastiffs
: schelmischekitty November 19, 2006, 02:46:23 AM
ok, so i went to some of the links, and maybe i'm just impatient but i wanted to ask.  some of them have floppy ears, and some you can't see, are these cropped?  if so, is there a reason in their history that the ears are cropped SO short?
: Re: Great places to learn about Neapolitan Mastiffs
: starrsdcct November 19, 2006, 07:30:03 AM
Yes some are cropped, some are left natural.There are a lot of dogs from the UK on those sites too. The Neapolitan Mastiff world is very small. In the UK it is against the law to crop. In the USA it is personal choice. It is done just for the look. Most show dog people do crop, the Neapolitan was only recently admitted to the AKC,in 2004. And most of the judges are use to cropped look. But it is only preference no disqualificati on in the ring for ears, now the tail to be too short is another story. If the tail is to short it is a disqualificati on in the ring.
: Re: Great places to learn about Neapolitan Mastiffs
: MommaBear November 19, 2006, 08:45:58 AM
Zorba is incredible! I have seen one Neo in real life -- unfortunately at the humane society and was amazed by its stature and enormous head. thanks for the neo info
: Re: Great places to learn about Neapolitan Mastiffs
: starrsdcct November 19, 2006, 03:06:25 PM
Thanks Mommabear! I just try to get the correct information out there, so we don't have so many end up in the rescues! They are very unique dogs, and because of this may not be suited for every one.
: Re: Great places to learn about Neapolitan Mastiffs
: starrsdcct November 22, 2006, 02:44:53 PM
Thought this would be cute to show what the cute little pups turn into. This is my female Chimera De La Bahia. Here is her puppy picture,then what she looks like now at only 14 months old.
(http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k306/starrsdcct/chi2.jpg)
(http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k306/starrsdcct/Chimera14mths.jpg)
(http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k306/starrsdcct/Chimerafront11-1.jpg)
(http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k306/starrsdcct/CHimeradark.jpg)
: Re: Great places to learn about Neapolitan Mastiffs
: LibbyP November 23, 2006, 12:33:45 AM
Question: Are there prefered "types" with the Neo? Yours are all VERY nice looking, compact and jowly due to the wrinkles but I have seen many which are not overall as compact or wrinkly. Perhaps these have been badly bred? Or a different prefered look? I know many breeds i read about these days seem to have a difference of opinion among breeders as what is typey so i was just wondering. Thanks, Ann.

Good question I was wondering that as well, but I have another to add to that one, When they are puppies can you tell if they are going to have tight eyes? Do you have health concerns (eyelash turning in, prone to infection etc...) ~ Kim
: Re: Great places to learn about Neapolitan Mastiffs
: starrsdcct November 23, 2006, 08:18:16 PM
You want all the wrinkle, but you can have too much wrinkle. My dogs are pretty much standard. You do not want less wrinkle. The standard was written so everyone could remember it and it has this easy to remember formula in it. WHAM= Wrinkle-Head-And-Mass. Now they can be prone to entropian, and you can not tell as a puppy if they will have it. Chimera is still changing,but we will be breeding her to a less typey male. But she is a very hard to come by type, she has a lot of wrinkle and yet she is not lymphatic.So this is a good thing!Now you will find breeders who are breeding Neos that have no wrinkle and look like cane corso's or pitbuls and they are saying we are breeding more athletic or working neos, this is all lies they just don't have the money or have been turned down for breeding quality from real breeders,so they get cheap pups that don't look much like a neo should and breed.Now these non wrinkled dogs can have just as many health issues as typey neos and most of the time more. I hope this answered the questions. That is a good thing asking quetions!!!!
: Re: Great places to learn about Neapolitan Mastiffs
: Lyn November 23, 2006, 08:51:34 PM
Chimera is gorgeous!! I so love the Neo expression. :) The wrinkles and the loose jowls make them look so unique.
: Re: Great places to learn about Neapolitan Mastiffs
: Imani's Mom November 24, 2006, 06:35:17 AM
Awesome looking dogs! I have a question though -what color is Chimera? And did her color change as she grew up, or does it look different due to the lighting?
: Re: Great places to learn about Neapolitan Mastiffs
: starrsdcct November 25, 2006, 06:11:33 PM
Chimera is a dark blue, which is a dark grey color. The pups are lighter and as they grow they get darker. But it is different camera's and they did have a different hue.
: Re: Great places to learn about Neapolitan Mastiffs
: starrsdcct December 09, 2006, 08:40:07 AM
A couple of sweet pictures.
(http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k306/starrsdcct/2-1.jpg)
(http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k306/starrsdcct/1-3.jpg)
: Re: Great places to learn about Neapolitan Mastiffs
: starrsdcct December 10, 2006, 07:27:32 AM
Oh yes, He said I kissed you now you scratch me lol. :)
: Re: Great places to learn about Neapolitan Mastiffs
: Imani's Mom December 10, 2006, 07:36:53 PM
He can come to my house any time he wants to- I will give him scratches! What a great looking pup!
: Re: Great places to learn about Neapolitan Mastiffs
: starrsdcct December 11, 2006, 09:04:27 AM
LOL He would love to come to your house then!!! Thanks
: Re: Great places to learn about Neapolitan Mastiffs
: lorim2 December 27, 2006, 04:40:44 PM
Hey there...Just stopping by to comment on your beautiful babies!  Those are incredible babies...some of the best looking neos I have ever seen.  I would love to grab those cheeks for a big kiss!!  haha...Theres nothing like a mastiff and your neos are totally awesome!
: Re: Great places to learn about Neapolitan Mastiffs
: starrsdcct January 05, 2007, 09:08:07 AM
LOL You are so right!!! There is nothing like the Mastiff breeds!!! Thanks for the comments!!! :)
: Re: Great places to learn about Neapolitan Mastiffs
: fila4me January 05, 2007, 09:14:39 AM
Your babies are awesome!

I have always loved the Neos! Had Filas and Dogos myself! But, Neos have been on my most wanted list forever!
: Re: Great places to learn about Neapolitan Mastiffs
: starrsdcct January 05, 2007, 09:18:14 AM
Thanks!!! They are really great dogs!!! ;)
: Re: Great places to learn about Neapolitan Mastiffs
: HEAVY-D January 10, 2007, 11:34:35 PM
Hi i will be getting my first Neo mastiff in MAR. i was wanting to know how old is the one in your pic.?
: Re: Great places to learn about Neapolitan Mastiffs
: HEAVY-D January 14, 2007, 03:35:33 PM
Hi, my name is Michael i am getting a neo mastiff in march and i was wondering if their is anything i need to know before i get her or him? i have owned large dogs in the past but not this breed. i hear you are a breeder to. and i was wondering about your dogs that you sell. the breeder that i have been talking seems to be nice but the dogs are not the same cost as what i have seen online. if you can i would like to know some info. about your dogs if you want to email me you can i am really interested i hearing from you . my email is michaelcornwel l6905@yahoo.com
: Re: Great places to learn about Neapolitan Mastiffs
: starrsdcct January 19, 2007, 06:33:22 PM
Hi Michael, I sent you an email.
: Re: Great places to learn about Neapolitan Mastiffs
: Imani's Mom January 19, 2007, 09:54:57 PM
What is the typical life expectancy of neos?  Does it run about the same as other giant breeds?  I think the shortened life span is the hardest thing about owning a mastiff.  My rescue boy Jesse is approximately 18 months old now, but I assume him not having the best start in life will reduce his life expectancy somewhat. 
: Re: Great places to learn about Neapolitan Mastiffs
: starrsdcct January 21, 2007, 01:57:50 PM
The normal life expectancy is said to be 8 to 10 years.But more often then not they don't reach 7. I am working with a couple of other breeders(on the health issues) and we are trying to improve the life expectancy and the health issues that the Neo has.I have a 6 year old female here that has been shipped from Italy to Peru to America. She has not had the best of care her whole life, but I can say she is a picture of good health now. She runs, jumps and plays like a pup! Unless he had something happen to him that had irreversible affects I don't see why he shouldn't live a normal life span.