Neapolitan Mastiff vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison

Neapolitan Mastiff vs American Staghound - Breed ComparisonAmerican Staghound is originated from United States but Neapolitan Mastiff is originated from Italy. American Staghound may grow 7 cm / 3 inches higher than Neapolitan Mastiff. American Staghound may weigh 38 kg / 83 pounds lesser than Neapolitan Mastiff. American Staghound may live 5 years more than Neapolitan Mastiff. American Staghound may have less litter size than Neapolitan Mastiff. American Staghound requires Low Maintenance. But Neapolitan Mastiff requires Moderate Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Hound dog
Molosser dogs
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United States
Italy
Height Male:
67 - 77 cm
26 - 31 inches
60 - 70 cm
23 - 28 inches
Height Female:
63 - 75 cm
24 - 30 inches
50 - 60 cm
19 - 24 inches
Weight Male:
25 - 41 kg
55 - 91 pounds
61 - 79 kg
134 - 175 pounds
Weight Female:
22 - 39 kg
48 - 86 pounds
51 - 69 kg
112 - 153 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 14 Years
7 - 9 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 5
6 - 12
Size:
Giant
Giant
Other Names:
AS
Can'e presa • Italian Mastiff • Italian Molosso • Mastino • Mastino - Mastini plural • Mastino Napoletano • Neo
Colors Available:
Any
black, mahogany and tawny, blue, chocolate, gray
Coat:
Shag, Slick or Broken
straight, dense, short
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Courageous, Energetic, Gentle, Intelligent, Loving, Stubborn
Alert, Courageous, Independent, Intelligent, Loyal, Protective, Quiet, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Hard
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
No
New Owners Friendly:
No
No

History

american staghoundThe American Staghound is hunting dog and type of sighthound that is not recognized as a separate breed. They have historically been bred to hunt coyotes and then other game. Even though they are not considered a separate breed some of their breeding lines have existed much longer than some officially recognized breeds. The American Staghound is a cross between the Greyhound and the Scottish Deerhound. There was probably some Borzoi mixed in as well. The Staghound is believed to have traveled with General Custer across the American West. The breed is a long-legged running dog with the speed of a Greyhound, the sighting ability of sight hounds and more endurance than any running breed. They are incredible athletes with amazing agility and have been bred to course game – coyotes mostly – and therefore are bred with a very intense prey drive. In the past they chased stags and deer and today they chase coyotes and hare. Coyotes are much faster than wolves and fight just as hard. The American Staghound is the only breed fast enough to track down the coyote. However, the breed is not recognized by the AKC. Hunting with an American Staghound today is not very different from hunting with them in medieval times. Strict breeding practices and the non-commercialization of the breed has led to the almost perfect preservation of this hunting breed. They have not changed very much over the centuries. They have been breeding Staghound to Staghound since the early 1800’s. At times very, good hunting dogs from Greyhound and Deerhound stock are added to the mix. For hundreds of years now the closed breeding has led to what might be the finest coyote chasing sighthound possible.

neapolitan mastiffAn 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.

Description

american staghound puppy - descriptionWhen you look at the American Staghound you can clearly see the Scottish Deerhound and the Greyhound lines. They have strong running muscles in their long legs and deep chest. He is of course a sight hound, so his vision is acute. His running endurance is second to none. It is this endurance in running all day that makes the American Staghound difference from the Scottish Deerhound and the Greyhound. Yes, both the Deerhound are greyhound are great runners, but the American Staghound runs just as fast with an endurance level ten times that of the other hounds. His heavy bones structure and thick skin are also different from the other racing fast sight hounds.

neapolitan mastiff puppy - descriptionThe 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.

Characteristics

american staghound dog - characteristicsThis dog was bred to run fast and long after something it sees. They are not considered hyperactive but won’t live well in a confined space such as an apartment or condo. You will need a single-family house with a large yard. Though they are affectionate, family dogs, they are not cut out to be guard dogs. They are not especially protective or territorial, though they may bark at what they can see in the distance. They are calm in their homes if exercised enough and great with children. They are often gentle and loving. They are pack oriented and accept other dogs, but they are not welcoming toward cats or other prey sized animals. Be careful with the AS around small children as he might knock them down or see them as prey as well. They consider anything smaller that runs to be prey. When chasing prey, they are not only fast and enduring, they are tenacious and courageous. Remember that this is a breed that has been bred true in order to hunt and only in order to hunt. Their hunting instincts will override almost any other. Over the centuries only the best hunters were allowed to be bred so that only the best hunters would be born.

Children friendliness

neapolitan mastiff dog - characteristicsOlder children in their family. No toddlers or strangers.

Special talents

Protective yet quiet, calm, relaxed

Adaptability

No they won’t adapt well to apartment living or to strangers.

Learning ability

They are intelligent and trainable but must be socialized and know the human is the alpha or they will take over.

Health Problems

american staghound puppies - health problemsThe American Staghound has been bred so consistently within the breed and true that they exhibit very few health problems. All running dogs are susceptible to joint issues, but the Staghound has less than most. Two issues they do face more often are a problem with anesthesia if they ever need it and the propensity to be vulnerable to bloat. Since they are a centuries old hybrid there are no real health issues born of genetics.

neapolitan mastiff puppies - health problemsThe Neapolitan Mastiff is prone to many of the same issues as any massive, extra large breed. The most common of these is Cherry Eye.

Other issues include:

  • Hypothyroidism – treated with medication
  • Elbow Dysplasia – can cause lameness or arthritis
  • Hip Dysplasia – can cause lameness or arthritis
  • Cardiomyopathy – heart issues
  • Bloat or Gastric Dilation Volvulus – can be fatal, needs immediate attention
  • Sensitivity to Anesthetics

Caring The Pet

Feeding

american staghound dogs - caringIt is important that you don’t ever over feed you American Staghound as they are thin and bred to run. Even though they are heavier boned than their closest relatives, they are still very susceptible to obesity if overfed. The adult AS should be fed about 4-6 cups of dry food every day in at least 2 meals but 3 of more would be better. This will prevent bloat.

Health issues

As previously mentioned there are no genetic issues with the health of the American Staghound. Bred for one reason and one reason alone for many centuries has led to this healthy state. Also, as stated previously they can have issues with bloat and anesthesia. The issue with anesthesia comes from the fact that the American Staghound has very little body fat to muscle ration. The issue with bloat or torsion can be avoided with many smaller meals and not running your Staghound right after they eat a large meal.

Exercise and games

Of course, the American Staghound loves to run and if you are not going to hunt with her, you will have to find another source of vigorous physical activity. Every day from puppyhood on the AS must be stimulated mentally and physically in order to grow and mature correctly. He must have a home where the freedom to run is an everyday experience, not a dog park once a week. If you ride bikes, race walk or run on a daily basis this might be the dog for you. They obviously excel at games like lure coursing and can be good at agility.

Feeding the puppy

neapolitan mastiff dogs - caringNeapolitans grow fast and so don’t overfeed when they are young. Lower protein and higher fat content.

Feeding the adult

Don’t overfeed the adult as they can become obese.

Games and Exercises

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.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. American Staghound vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
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  26. Neapolitan Mastiff vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Neapolitan Mastiff vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Neapolitan Mastiff vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Neapolitan Mastiff vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Neapolitan Mastiff vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Neapolitan Mastiff vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison