ORSINOSOUTH

HISTORY ON THE NEAPOLITAN MASTIFF

Early History (brief summary)

In the Assyrian section of the British Museum is the Nineveh bas-relief, sculpted about 850 BC. Those familiar with the Neapolitan Mastiff today will recognize the long stride of the foreleg. Which is typical and can be seen in the best contemporary specimens. Did such dogs exist over two thousand year ago? We can prove very little. However there is such realism in the piece and such presence and power that it seams more likely to be from life. It is known that the Greeks and later the Romans, admired the ferocious Mastiff-type dogs which were not uncommon in the Middle East. It seems that the word ‘Molossus’ was used in Roman times to describe any large, formidable guard dog. In the fourth century BC, there was a Greek state called Epirus, where the rulers called themselves ‘Molossians’. History suggests that when Roman forces overran Epirus, dogs whose great size and power were sought after and therefore plundered to use in the fighting arena, although there is no real proof of this. What we can safely assume is that before the Second World War a large heavy guard dog existed in Italy in the Naples region. It was used as guardian of the estate and it is said that they did not cross their boundaries. They were not leashed or checked by a human in any way, there was no need!

Nineveh Terra Cotta, circa 850 BC. Copyright:The British Museum.

British Neapolitans

Our club President Douglas Oliff, tells us that in the 1970s they were introduced into England by a man (Mr Lewis) who had an Italian mother so he was very fluent in the language. A London based man who brought two dogs from a boarding kennel where they were left for sale, as the owner no longer wanted them back. One a mahogany dog, the other a black bitch. The dog was a good guard dog but of even temper and very biddable. The bitch apparently was fiery and had the mentality of her forebears. After a while the dogs were passed on under a breeding term arrangement to Mr Homfray and went on to have a large litter. Most of this litter went abroad but Mr Lewis imported several other Mastini, which Mr Homfray housed in his kennels. From that litter a bitch was kept by a Mrs Bacchus in Wiltshire and it was subsequently mated back to her sire. Of the litter from that mating two black bitches were still available at 9months old. Of these two one Rosemaund Paula went to Dr A Clark and Mrs Jean Clark and became the foundation bitch of the Kwintra line. This bitch was of good type and even temperament unlike Rosemaund Netta who Douglas went on to keep, as the alternative would be for the dog to be put down. Dr Clark then went on to import a male from Germany of impeccably breeding and exhibited at shows in Britain. He was mated to Paula and a litter of grey and blacks were subsequently born. One of which went to New Zealand and started the foundation of the breed in that country. Dr Clark went on to import from Italy & Germany and exported several puppies although the numbers bred were not extensive. Douglas then went on to have a bitch puppy bred in New Zealand. This was from the foundation bitch exported by Dr Clark that came into Britain as an import, Rosa passed away last year at the grand age of 11. Breed type is an issue that is raised time and time again. In this country Douglas has written many a word on it but we still seem unclear what constitutes real type. The Italian type, the European type, the USA type, what is correct! Well, they all stem from the Italian type but even in Italy there is two main types, the Naples Mastini and the Northern region Mastini. When the breed appeared in Britain there was a great deal of variation, in size, type and temperament. We had long narrow headed Dane types, short legged Bulldog types, Mastiff types that had the size and substance but all these types lacked the folds and looseness of the skin. We also have the Bloodhound type that does have the folds and looseness of skin but is domed headed with long low set ears. As yet we cannot say that we have truly achieved breed consistency but we are now seeing great improvements. Suffice to say that this is still a ‘Rare breed‘ with only a handful of true Mastini breeders in this country. Most of them have imported stock from the top foreign kennels. None of them breed extensively and breed only because they want a puppy for themselves to keep their pedigree line going. Unfortunately we did however have an explosion a few years back where lots and lots of puppies were on the market and quality was less than desired.