Neapolitan Mastiff vs Bracco Italiano - Breed Comparison

Neapolitan Mastiff vs Bracco Italiano - Breed ComparisonBoth Bracco Italiano and Neapolitan Mastiff are originated from Italy. Both Bracco Italiano and Neapolitan Mastiff are having almost same height. Bracco Italiano may weigh 39 kg / 85 pounds lesser than Neapolitan Mastiff. Bracco Italiano may live 5 years more than Neapolitan Mastiff. Bracco Italiano may have less litter size than Neapolitan Mastiff. Bracco Italiano requires Low Maintenance. But Neapolitan Mastiff requires Moderate Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Gun dog
Molosser dogs
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Italy
Italy
Height Male:
58 - 67 cm
22 - 27 inches
60 - 70 cm
23 - 28 inches
Height Female:
55 - 62 cm
21 - 25 inches
50 - 60 cm
19 - 24 inches
Weight Male:
25 - 40 kg
55 - 89 pounds
61 - 79 kg
134 - 175 pounds
Weight Female:
23 - 40 kg
50 - 89 pounds
51 - 69 kg
112 - 153 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 14 Years
7 - 9 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 6
6 - 12
Size:
Large
Giant
Other Names:
Italian Pointer Italian Pointing Dog
Can'e presa • Italian Mastiff • Italian Molosso • Mastino • Mastino - Mastini plural • Mastino Napoletano • Neo
Colors Available:
Orange and White, Chestnut and White with some freckling
black, mahogany and tawny, blue, chocolate, gray
Coat:
Short, dense and glossy
straight, dense, short
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet
Alert, Courageous, Independent, Intelligent, Loyal, Protective, Quiet, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
No
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

History

bracco italianoThe attractive and popular breed in Italy, the Bracco Italiano was used for tracking and retrieving, evolving in Piedmont and Lombardy. It is believed the Bracco Italiano came about from crossing the Segugio with the ancient Asiatic Mastiff.

There are people however, who believe that the breed goes back to the St Hubert Hound, but it is certain that both hounds and gundogs are part of the breed’s ancestry. The dog only arrived in Britain in the last decade of the 20th century.

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

His Looks:

bracco italiano puppy - descriptionThe Bracco Italiano is a large athletic, muscular dog. He stands at 58–67cm, weighing anything between 25 – 40kg. He reminds one somewhat of a German Short-haired Pointer. He has long ears and a serious expression, and this reminds one of a Bloodhound. He has short, shiny hair with his coat being white and chestnut or orange. The tail of the Bracco Italiano has always been docked, giving him an attractive, distinctive look but with rules and regulations coming in regarding docking, the long tail is often left intact. His eyes are brown.

His Temperament

Braccos are wonderful pets – they are intelligent, loving, gentle and amicable, getting on well with children in the home as well as with other pets. Socialize and train them and they become gentle and obedient. They long to be involved with their human family and will adapt to life in the city or the country so long as they are made to feel like family. He is alert and makes a good watchdog. As with most other dogs, they can’t be bought, loved as a puppy and then ignored and left to themselves when they grow into adults.

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

bracco italiano dog - characteristicsThe gentle, amicable Bracco Italiano is a versatile dog that can be a super sport companion for active people and it can also be an exceptional companion for families and older people. He has a sweet, gentle expression and his amicable nature makes him easy to love. He is alert though, and therefore can be both protector and friend at the same time.

Overall, this easy going dog with his low maintenance coat can make an excellent 4-legged addition to any family.

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

bracco italiano puppies - health problemsThere don’t appear to be any major health issues with your Bracco Italiano and he can live to be 12, 13 or 14 years of age. Because he is a large breed however, you will need to watch out for hip dysplasia.

Hip dysplasia is a common skeletal disease with dogs and larger dogs have the genetic predisposition for hip dysplasia. Your dog can develop joint inflammation with pain and lameness.

Other health problems to look out for include kidney disease (Amaloidosis), cherry eye which results in dry eye. If you want to buy a Bracco Italiano, you should ask the breeder about the medical history of the parents.

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

Grooming:

bracco italiano dogs - caringThese dogs are moderate shedders so he will simply need a good brushing twice a week to ensure the coat is kept shiny and free from loose hairs. Nails should be clipped from time to time and he will also need to have his long ears checked for cleanliness. Long-eared dog breeds are more susceptible to canine ear infections.

Feeding:

The Bracco is a large dog and therefore he will require a high quality, large-breed dog food formula. Your veterinarian can even recommend a quality commercially manufactured food for large, energetic dogs and which comes with all the vitamins and minerals required for such a breed.

Your vet will recommend you steer clear of foods with cheap fillers, lots of preservatives, sugar and colorants. He has a glossy, dense short coat and you want to ensure he gets raw meat, rice and vegetables from time to time to ensure that the beautiful coat never becomes dull and dry.

Cool, fresh water must always be available to him. Diet and nutrition is an important decision for your pet as it will ultimately affect his long term health.

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

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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