Mastiff Large size 50-70 kg

Neapolitan Mastiff

A giant, wrinkled, drooling guardian - deeply loyal and calm at home, but short-lived and carrying a heavy load of joint, eye and heart problems.

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Find out how this breed matches your household

Quick overview

Giant
Size
50-70 kg, 60-75 cm at the shoulder
Low
Activity
Short walks suit this heavy dog
Moderate
Alone-time tolerance
Copes with moderate alone time
Challenging
Trainability
Stubborn and dominant; needs firm handling
Moderate
Coat care
Wrinkles need cleaning; a heavy drooler
Moderate
Fit with kids
Affectionate, but its size demands care
Cautious
Other pets
Can be wary of strange dogs
Heavy
Health burden
Joints, eyelids, heart and bloat

The Neapolitan Mastiff typically weighs 50-70 kg, stands 60-75 cm, and lives 7-9 years.

Consider this breed if…

you have owned large guardian or mastiff breeds before,
you have space, a secure yard and can handle a 70 kg dog,
you accept heavy drool, wrinkle cleaning and a short lifespan,
you want a calm, devoted home guardian rather than an active dog.

Do not consider this breed if…

this would be your first dog or first giant breed,
you dislike drool, shedding and constant wrinkle care,
you cannot budget for heavy joint, eye and heart costs,
you want a long-lived, easily trained or apartment-suited dog.

A typical day with a Neapolitan Mastiff

  1. 7:00 · Morning
    Short, easy walk; avoid heat and hard exertion
  2. 9:30 · Midmorning
    Rests and watches over the household
  3. 12:30 · Noon
    Wrinkle and face wipe-down, quick potty break
  4. 16:00 · Afternoon
    Brief training in calm, short sessions
  5. 18:30 · Evening
    Gentle stroll, then close time with the family
  6. 21:30 · Night
    Sleeps near its people, on guard for the home

Temperament and training

Trainability Low
Independence High
Guarding tendency Very high
Energy Low
Sociability with strangers Low
Attachment to owner High
Common owner mistakes
Over-exercising a fast-growing giant and damaging its joints · Skipping wrinkle, eye and drool care until infections set in · Under-socializing a powerful guardian into wariness or aggression

Family and environment

Kids Conditional
Affectionate with its family; sheer size demands supervision.
Dogs Cautious
Can be wary or dominant with strange dogs, especially same-sex.
Cats Conditional
Often fine with cats it was raised with.
Apartment Poor
Size, drool and guarding instinct all argue against flats.
House with a yard Suitable
A secure fence and space to rest suit it best.
City Poor
Constant strangers and tight space are hard on a guardian.
Countryside Ideal
Room and a clear territory to watch over, away from heat.
Health data provided by RealVetCost
Overall health burden Heavy

Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.

View the full health profile
Top health concerns
Hip and elbow dysplasia Joint malformation is common; screen breeding stock
Cherry eye and eyelid problems Loose facial skin brings entropion, ectropion and cherry eye
Cardiomyopathy Heart disease occurs; regular cardiac checks are wise
Bloat (GDV) A surgical emergency; a preventive gastropexy is an option

Similar breeds - by reason

Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.

Calmer giant guardian with fewer skin folds
Mastiff
A calm, enormous homebody guardian: modest exercise needs, immodest food bills, and one of the shortest lifespans in dogdom.
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More athletic, trainable Italian mastiff
Cane Corso
A serious guardian mastiff for experienced owners with space and structure - not a first dog, not an apartment dog.
View profile →
Another wrinkled, short-lived mastiff guardian
Dogue de Bordeaux
A massive, affectionate French mastiff and devoted family guardian - but heavy health burdens, serious drool, and one of the shortest lifespans in dogdom come with the package.
View profile →

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Neapolitan Mastiff cost?
Puppies from reputable US breeders commonly run about $2,000-$4,000. The purchase price is the small part: a 70 kg dog with a heavy load of joint, eye and heart problems means large food, medication and surgery bills, and across a short 7-9 year life the total often reaches $18,000-$30,000 or more. Given the health risks, pet insurance or a serious emergency fund is strongly advisable.
Why do Neapolitan Mastiffs have such short lifespans?
Like most giant breeds, they age fast and carry a heavy burden of joint, heart and other problems, so 7-9 years is typical. Careful weight management, controlled growth in puppyhood and regular vet care give the best shot at the upper end of that range.
Do Neapolitan Mastiffs drool a lot?
Yes, heavily. The loose lips and jowls mean constant drool, plus flying slobber after drinking or shaking. If you cannot live with drool on walls, floors and clothes, this is not the breed for you.
Are they good with children?
They are affectionate and devoted to their own family, including children, but their enormous size, guarding instinct and low tolerance for rough handling mean interactions with young kids must always be supervised. They are best in experienced homes with older children.