In this article I am going to shed some light on two of the lesser known dog breeds that have been given guardianship. The first is the Neapolitan Mastiff, a monster of a creature with roots in Assyro-Babylonian times, while the other is the Italian Greyhound.
Let’s start with the bigger brute of the two!
Neapolitan mastiff
The dog belongs to the mastiff lineage, an ancient breed that dates back to the Assyrian-Babylonian era, later also adopted by the Romans. The Neapolitan Mastiff was used as a guard dog and even as a soldier! Unfortunately, this breed was in danger of extinction, which was fortunately prevented in the post-World War II period, especially in the area around Naples, which is why it is now called the Neapolitan Mastiff.
General appearance
The Neapolitan Mastiff is a very large dog with an imposing physique. They usually weigh between 60 and 70 kilograms! His jaw is abnormally strong; in fact, it is the strongest jaw in the canine world. With just one bite they can break a cow’s neck! This breed has short hair and skin that forms wrinkles on the neck and face. The Neapolitan Mastiff’s coat can be dark gray or black with a white patch on the chest or legs.
personality
The Neapolitan Mastiff is a guard dog by nature. Always alert, this dog patrols and protects its territory and that of its owners. Even when it looks like a Mastiff isn’t paying attention; he is actually guarding his territory: in fact, if you give a mastiff an area to guard, the dog will instinctively guard it. They are very loyal, proud and intelligent. They may seem like simple guard dogs, but they are much more than that; They are affectionate, love their owners and families, and like all dogs, they love to play.
health concerns
This breed typically has a lifespan of 6 to 8 years. Even if he has such an imposing build, there are some health issues that are sadly common in Neapolitan Mastiffs. Your bones in particular can get quite weak with age. As with all dogs, a balanced and correct diet is necessary to ensure their well-being.
The Neapolitan Mastiff is a great dog. Even if many people believe that he has a naturally aggressive nature, this is simply not true; They are not bad dogs, however there are many bad owners. If you choose a Neapolitan Mastiff as a companion, you will have a faithful and protective friend in this majestic and ancient dog.
The second dog breed I wanted to ingratiate you with is the Italian Greyhound, which also has its own unique history, so read on.
the italian greyhound
The Italian Greyhound is one of the oldest dog breeds – fossilized remains have been found in Egypt dating back over 5,000 years! In Italy there are texts and sculptures from Roman and Etruscan times that show that this breed was common. It is a very popular hunting dog and excels at hunting pheasants and hares. It is also used as a racing dog.
General appearance
This breed is a miniature version of the normal Greyhound. Italian Greyhounds can be between 32 and 38 cm tall and usually weigh between 4 and 8 kilograms. To the naked eye, they look like a bundle of skin and bones! He has a full, strong chest with abdominal muscles that curve toward the stomach. Their legs are long and thin, made for fast running. They are often called the streamline dog, as they really are very fast: up to 40-60 km/h! The head is very small, elongated and pointed. Given its fine bone structure, this dog is very fragile. The hair is always short and smooth, with colors ranging from black and gray to beige.
personality
The Italian Greyhound, it must be said, is a very docile dog. He is usually quite reserved, but still very affectionate and affectionate. With its natural grace and elegance, the Italian Greyhound is a sight to behold. Known to be a great companion, this breed loves to be around people. At times, although he can become shy and easily frightened, he will never get scared while hunting, you can be sure of that!
health concerns
Unfortunately, this breed has several health problems. The most common are broken legs, color loss, hair loss, periodontal disease, cataracts, and progressive retinal atrophy. More serious health problems include epilepsy, hip degeneration, bleeding disorders, liver problems, or autoimmune diseases.
