Neapolitan Mastiff vs Carolina Dog - Breed Comparison

Neapolitan Mastiff vs Carolina Dog - Breed ComparisonCarolina Dog is originated from United States but Neapolitan Mastiff is originated from Italy. Carolina Dog may grow 9 cm / 3 inches shorter than Neapolitan Mastiff. Carolina Dog may weigh 59 kg / 130 pounds lesser than Neapolitan Mastiff. Carolina Dog may live 6 years more than Neapolitan Mastiff. Carolina Dog may have less litter size than Neapolitan Mastiff. Both Carolina Dog and Neapolitan Mastiff requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Miscellaneous dogs
Molosser dogs
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United States
Italy
Height Male:
45 - 61 cm
17 - 25 inches
60 - 70 cm
23 - 28 inches
Height Female:
42 - 61 cm
16 - 25 inches
50 - 60 cm
19 - 24 inches
Weight Male:
15 - 20 kg
33 - 45 pounds
61 - 79 kg
134 - 175 pounds
Weight Female:
12 - 20 kg
26 - 45 pounds
51 - 69 kg
112 - 153 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
7 - 9 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 6
6 - 12
Size:
Medium
Giant
Other Names:
North American Native Dog, Dixie Dingo, American Dingo, Yellow Dog
Can'e presa • Italian Mastiff • Italian Molosso • Mastino • Mastino - Mastini plural • Mastino Napoletano • Neo
Colors Available:
Fawn, Yellow, Gingerish, black and tan
black, mahogany and tawny, blue, chocolate, gray
Coat:
Short and dense
straight, dense, short
Shedding:
Moderate, Seasonal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Detached, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Alert, Courageous, Independent, Intelligent, Loyal, Protective, Quiet, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
No
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

History

carolina dogThe Carolina dog comes from wild dogs that used to run with the Paleo-Indians of North America, and today they can still be found in their wild state near the Georgia-South Carolina border.

Many scientists believe that the dog was first domesticated from the wolf thousands and thousands of years ago. Today there aren’t many records on the Carolina Dog’s history and it isn’t sure how long they lived their feral lifestyle in the American South, but it seems as though it was for hundreds of years.

You could say that the modern history of the Carolina Dog started in the 1980s. Dr. Pam Brisbin found a puppy at a dump site which looked like the Australian Dingo. Dr Brisbin and other scientists concluded that the Carolina Dog was a remnant of primitive dogs. Since those times the Carolina Dog has adapted well to being a domesticated pet.

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

carolina dog puppy - descriptionThe Carolina dog is part of the Sighthounds Group and looks a bit like a Dingo, German Shepherd and Wolf mix. He has fairly long, pointed erect ears, a sharp wolf-like snout and a long tail that curves when raised.

The Carolina dog has been re-discovered however and when trained and socialized, they make splendid pets. It’s a medium sized dog standing at 45–61cm and weighing from 15–20kg. He is slender, muscular and athletic with a coat that is short and fairly smooth. Colors for the Carolina dog vary and he can be fawn colored, a gingerish color, black and tan and can have some white areas on the paws, chest, muzzle and tail.

Temperament:

The Carolina Dog has been a wild dog, belonging to a pack and while he isn’t aggressive, he is nervous and aloof around strangers. Good training and socialization provides him with the skills to get along well with his human family as well as with children and other pets in the home.

Because this dog has always been wild, they tend to maintain some of their wild, independent nature and they can be difficult to train and it requires firmness and patience with him, but he is an intelligent breed.

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

carolina dog dog - characteristicsThe Carolina Dog is a medium-sized dog which has managed to survive well in the wild environment. It is this life in the wilds which has made the dog to be shy and aloof around strangers.

They are skilled and intelligent and when domesticated they make extraordinary pets even though he isn’t an overly affectionate dog. It is why he requires early socialization so that he doesn’t grow up shunning humans.

With training however, the Carolina Dog becomes a well-adjusted, loving and social member of the 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

carolina dog puppies - health problemsThe Carolina Dog is a fairly healthy breed. You won’t have to be rushing off to the vet often with him if you look after him well in terms of a good diet, a food amount of exercise and plenty of love and attention. In fact breeders of the Carolina Dog have noted that they haven’t seen any cases of genetically inheritable diseases with this robust dog.

However with all dogs, no matter how healthy they are, there can be problems. Problems common to domestic dogs can include skeletal and visual problems. Many dog owners have their pets tested to identify some of the potential health defects that some dogs are prone to. This can include hip dysplasia, cataracts, cancer and PRA or Progressive Retinal Atrophy.

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:

carolina dog dogs - caringThe Carolina Dog is a seasonal shedder and the shortish coat will simply require a thorough brushing twice a week to keep him in tip top condition.

This dog, with his upright ears, isn’t prone to ear infections as other breeds, but nonetheless as part of his grooming routine, its a good idea to to check his ears inside for wax build-up and dirt. Certainly his teeth should be brushed 2 or 3 times a week with special dog toothbrush and toothpaste. This keeps the gums and teeth healthy and also avoids other diseases that come about because of dental disease.

Diet:

Whether you feed your Carolina Dog once or twice a day, you want to ensure the very best quality diet to avoid skin problems and illness. You also have to ensure your dog has 24/7 access to fresh, cool drinking water to help him with digesting his food.

There are some excellent commercially manufactured dog foods on the market which have been manufactured for certain stages of your dogs life. Add in some rice, vegetables and meat from time to time and every now and again you can give him some raw meat too.

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. Neapolitan Mastiff vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
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  4. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Neapolitan Mastiff vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Neapolitan Mastiff vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Neapolitan Mastiff vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Neapolitan Mastiff vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
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  19. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
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  22. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Carolina Dog vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Carolina Dog vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Carolina Dog vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Carolina Dog vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Carolina Dog vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Carolina Dog vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Carolina Dog vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Carolina Dog vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Carolina Dog vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Carolina Dog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Carolina Dog vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Carolina Dog vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Carolina Dog vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Carolina Dog vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Carolina Dog vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Carolina Dog vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Carolina Dog vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Carolina Dog vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Carolina Dog vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Carolina Dog vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Carolina Dog vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Carolina Dog vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Carolina Dog vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Carolina Dog vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Carolina Dog vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison