Officially recognized throughout the world since 1949, the Neapolitan Mastiff is actually an ancient breed, which can trace its ancestry back to the ancient war dogs of Egypt, Persia, Mesopotamia and Asia. By crossing the Macedonian and Epirian war dogs with shorthaired Indian dogs, Alexander the Great created the Molossus, the forefather of today's Neapolitan Mastiff. These dogs were used extensively throughout the Roman Empire in battle, and in the hunt and the arena.

A working dog, the Neapolitan Mastiff was bred to be a guardian to its owner and property. Although, originally intended to be a protector, this massive dog exhibits even temperament and it not outwardly aggressive.

The most striking characteristic of the breed is its size. Other than its bulk, the most arresting feature of the Neapolitan Mastiff is its huge head with heavy jowls, copious wrinkles and close-cropped ears.

• AKC Breed Standard
• United States Neapolitan Mastiff Club
• United States Neapolitan Mastiff Rescue Program