AKA: Mastino Napoletano, Italian Mastiff, Mastino, Italian Bulldog, Neo Mastiff

Description: The Neapolitan Mastiff is a powerful dog that looks intimidating and serious. It has a rectangularly proportional body, with a wrinkled face, a massive head, and a muscular limbs. Its wrinkles usually go from the face to the chin and continues to go down the neck, forming a prominent dewlap. The skull is broad, somehow emphasizing its intimidating look. Add to that that the Neapolitan Mastiff walks with a loose and cat-like gait.

The nose is black, and the jaws form a scissors bite. The ears can be cropped, and the Neapolitan Mastiff’s tail can be docked. But these are painful for the dog, and so many prefer the natural look of the breed. The eyes of the Neapolitan Mastiff is blue at first, at puppyhood, but as it grows darker as it grows up. They usually vary with the dog’s coat color.

Dynamics: It may have a vicious and intimidating appearance but the Neapolitan Mastiff is actually a calm and peaceful dog. When provoked or threatened, however, they become fearless and overprotective. It is a highly intelligent breed that is loyal and devoted of its owner or family. It is serious and quiet, but suspicious of strangers.

In owning the Neapoiltan Mastiff, one has to be dominant and show some leadership skills. The Neapolitan Mastiff is not for the meek people. It should be trained consistently and confidently, with you as a leader and the dog as an obedient companion. Socialization is also important for this breed, beginning at puppyhood. This breed gets along well with non-canine pets if socialized with them early on. It also does well with children but the children also has to know how to be dominant over the dog.

The Neapolitan Mastiff was once used for fighting, and so the breed has grown tolerant of pain. It is also a natural guard dog even without the necessary training. Excessive barking will not be a problem with the Neapolitan Mastiff as it is usually a calm animal.

Breed Group: Mastiff

Weight: Up to 165 pounds (74 kg), but there have been cases where a male Neapolitan Mastiff went up to nearly 200 pounds (90 kg)

Height: males 26-30 inches (65-75 cm), females 24-28 inches (60-70 cm)

Color: The coat of the Neapolitan Mastiff can either be solid or brindle, and blue is the most common color. Black is also very common among the breed. A chocolate Neapolitan Mastiff is rare. There are dogs with a little white on the chest and toes and this is acceptable. However, there should be no white markings on the face.

Country of Origin: The Neapolitan Mastiff comes from directly from the line of the Roman Molossus, but it is commonly acknowledged that all European mastiffs descended from the Tibetan Mastiff. The first Asian mastiffs were said to have been brought to Greece by Alexander the Great, and then the Greeks introduced the dogs to the Romans. The Romans then trained and used the dogs in combat and fighting, and from the first of these dogs descended the Neapolitan Mastiff. It became a prominent breed of Italy in 1946.

Activities: The Neapolitan Mastiff, as a pup and in its growing up years, should be limited in its exercises and play sessions. This is to reserve their energy for healthy bones and muscles. When it becomes old enough, it will need a great deal of exercise and long walks.

Grooming: The coat of the Neapolitan Mastiff is short, and therefore easy to groom. Bathe only when necessary, and groom regularly with a rubber brush.

Other Info: The Neapolitan Mastiff has a life expectancy of up to 10 years. Its massive body make sit prone to physical ailments like hip dysplasia and pano-ostiosis (growing pains). It is also prone to the “cherry eye,” where the eye tissue protrudes too much and becomes irritated and inflamed. The Neapolitan Mastiff can live in an apartment as long as it is exercised everyday.

Photo: Lisa M. Herndon

AKA: Pastore Abruzzese, Cane da Pastore, Maremmano-Abruzzese, ,Maremma, Pastore,Abruzzese Shepherd Dog , Pastore Maremano Abruzzese
Description: The Maremma breed is very strong, has good muscular built, they have very thick coat, head is big with black nose and heavy in weight, They also have fluffy hair that must be groomed well. They have an expressive eyes showing their alertness and full of energy. Their ears are pointed and comes in v-shape. Tail is also hairy and set low.

Temperament: A very intelligent dog, smart and friendly too. They are very loyal to their owner. They are born hunters too. They needed training to be more socialize with other pets. They could be a good guard dog and not a barker. They are independent dog could work well and serious towards their job. As a leader. Owner must be firm in trainings with this breed and be more serious for them to learn. And it requires a lot of patience and should be an experienced trainer for them to be more obedient. They are very keen with strangers that would alarm them for some suspicious strangers that would be invade their homes. They are the best enemy of wolf but is tamable my human.

Activity: They are required for a daily brisk walk and jog in a large yard and also to run free. This is needed for them to maintain good behavior.

Health: No known health issues with this breed. Their life span is 11-13 years.

Grooming: They needed good grooming especially o n their hair to prevent tangles. Comb or brush their coat regularly. Take away all dead hair.

Breed Group: Flock Guard
Color: white with markings of ivory, light yellow, or pale orange
Height: 23.5-28.5 inches (60-73 cm.)
Weight: 66-100 pounds (30-45 kg.)
Country Of Origin: Italy

Dynamics: This breed is a very independent dog that is hardworking originated in italy. They are cognated to other types of European mountain dogs. Bred to protect flocks from wolves. That is why they could be an excellent guard dog in their homes.

Photo by MGerety

AKA: Water Dog of Romagna, Romagna Water Dog

Description: The Lagotto Romagnolo, or just Lagotto, is a small- to medium-sized dog with a squarely proportional body. Its eyes are big and round, in ca color between dark yellow ad dark brown. The head is big but proportional to its body, and its teeth forms a scissors bite. The ears are shped like a triangle with rounded tips. The coat is wooly and curly. The front legs is straight, as is the topline of the Lagotto Romagnolo.

Dynamics: The Lagotto Romagnolo is gifted in searching, especially truffle searching, because of its good nose. It is also a hardworking dog, always needing a job to do to keep itself occupied. This is an intelligent dog, and it can get along with others. It can get along with other dogs and is a good family companion. It is loyal to its family, and is very affectionate and easy to train. The Lagotto is a very energetic dog that likes to play, too. They are especially good at agility sports. It also has a happy disposition and has the willingness to work.

Breed Group: Sporting

Weight: Male 28-35 pounds (13-16 kg.) Female 5-6.5 pounds (11-14 kg.)

Height: Male 17-19 inches (43-49 cm.) Female 14-16 inches (36-41cm.)

Color: The Lagotto can be off-white, solid white, or white with brown or rust patches. It can also be brown or rust-colored, and a brown mask is also common.

Country of Origin: The Lagotto Romagonolo belongs to an ancient breed from Italy, in the lowlands of Comacchio and the marshlands of Ravenna.

Activities: The Lagotto Romagnolo is a natural when it comes to searching and retrieving. The breed was especially honed for the purpose of truffle searching. The Lagotto also loves to take a long walk. It also loves to swim. It also loves mud, and digging big holes so be careful when you let it out on the open.

Grooming: The Lagotto Romagnolo has a dense and curly coat so it needs to be regularly groomed. Bathe when necessary, but make sure to comb the hair on a regular basis to avoid the coat becoming matted.

Other Info: The Lagotto Romagnolo has a life expectancy of 16 years or more. It will be fine living in an apartment as long as it is taken outside for its daily exercise.

Photo by: Pleple2000

AKA: Cane di Macellaio, Sicilian Branchiero, Italian Mastiff
Description: Cane Corso Italiano is a rare breed. A medium to large size breed, unicolor, robust and sturdy,nevertheless they are elegant also lean with powerful muscles. Their head is large and muzzle and upper portion of skull converge slightly and neck is strong and muscular, also long like its head with a chest well developed. They have an athletic build. They move with considerable ease. Its head is massive that expresses a dignified and proud expression. Eyes are medium in size & slightly protruding with black nose and large with ample open nostrils in line with nasal bridge. Ears are triangular and set wide. You will notice that they have shorter square muzzle than skull but strong and flat on its front portion. Their upper lips moderately hang and it cover the mandible so lips could determine the lower profile of its muzzle. They possess large, curved and thick jaws. Tails are set fairly high and never curled nor erect. Their hair is short and shiny very dense with light undercoat.

Temperament: Cane Corso Italiano is very protective and dominant that made them a perfect guard dog, extremely responsive and agile yet very responsive too that could be responsible especially to strangers that would invade the house or property of its owner. They have a stable balanced temperament that makes this breed a perfect companion and protector but very gentle. They could also be sociable its family, children and other dogs as long as they are trained to socialize from their puppy stage. Moreover, they are very loyal and could be a good pet at home too and not just a guard dog. When it comes to trainings, they are very attentive and willing to learn. For this breed, an experienced owner for them to know the basics of its training and obedience should be imposed. Their ears were originally cropped to help them ward off livestock hence, it is very sensitive than its other body parts and they are resistant to pain that makes them more strong to fight any other electrical invisible fence.

Activity: Corso could be fine indoors but they are a very athletic dog so they require daily exercise. They could be a good jogging companion. They should be taken for a daily brisk walk or jog. To help them maintain its good behavior and attitude as well as for a healthy growth.
Grooming: They don’t require heavy grooming because they just have short hair and not a heavy shedder. An occasional combing to remove dead hair would be fine.

Health Problems: A typical bone and joint problems. Their life span is about 10 to 11 years.

Breed Group: Mastiff, Guard Dog
Color: Black, plumb-gray, slate, light gray, blue/gray, light fawn, deer fawn, dark fawn and tubby (very well marked stripes on different shades of fawn and gray)
Height: Males 24-27 inches (64-68 cm.) Females 23-25 inches (60-64 cm.)
Weight: Males 99-110 pounds (45-50 kg.) Females 88-99 pounds (40-45 kg.)
Country Of Origin:Italy

Dynamics:
- Corso breed is guard dog and very loyal to its owner but could be gentle and be calm at home. If trained properly, they could also be sociable to others and other dogs too. They are very athletic so they enjoy being outdoor for a walk or jog.

AKA: Bichon Bolognese

Description: The Bolognese is a small and compact dog with long and fluffy hair. Its hair is long all over the body, though shorter on the muzzle. The hair is in flocks and never form fringes. The body of the Bolognese is squarely. The neck is without dewlap. The tail is carried curved over its back.

The head of the Bolognese has an accentuated stop. It is slightly egg-shaped with the upper part flat. The nose is large and black. The jaw forms a scissors bite, although some has a pincer bite. The eyes are dark and round. The ears are set high on the head and long, hanging down.

Dynamics: The Bolognese is not a very active breed though it likes to play. It is serious, reserved, and shy. It enjoys the company of people, though, and is very attached and devoted to its owner and family. With its family and loved ones, it is playful and cheerful. It may sometimes sulk and howl mournfully when it is not given attention.

The Bolognese is very obedient and eager to please. It is timid with strangers but is generally a friendly dog. It gets along well with other animals, too.

Breed Group: Toy, Companion Dog

Weight: 4.5-9 lbs (2.5-4 kg)

Height: males 10.5-12 inches (27-30 cm), females 10-11 inches (25-28 cm)

Color: The Bolognese has a coat color of pure white. No other color patches and no other shade of white.

Country of Origin: The Bolognese comes from Italy, where it has been known since the Roman era. It is sometimes confused with the Maltese but is really more closely related to the Bichon Frise and Havanese.
Activities: The Bolognese has energy enough for a lot of play sessions. This breed generally serves as a toy or companion dog.

Other Info: The Bolognese has a life expectancy of 14 years. It is suited to live in an apartment so long as it is taken outdoors occasionally. In grooming the Bolognese, daily brushings and monthly grooming sessions are recommended.