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SOME HISTORY BEHIND THE NEAPOLITAN MASTIFF
What is the meaning of “Molosser”??
…. the dictionary describes it as a “big mountain dog”, others claim it is a compound word with the first composite being “Mol” which was a prefix used in ancient Greece to describe something very big. The second composite of the word Molossus is used in the names of mountains, for example Parnassus and characterizes the mountains. In Modern Greek it means mountainous and big .The word “Molosser” derives from the group comprising several breeds of large, solidly-built dogs that most likely descended from the same root stock. The name came from Molossia, a country once located in Western Greece. Molossers are sometimes called "mastiffs". The proper noun "Mastiff", however, is used to refer to the English Mastiff, a breed that originated in England over two thousand years ago. Other terms include "Mastín" (Spanish), "dogge" (Germanic), and "dogue" or”dogo”.
The origin of Molossers is disputed, but Assyrian bas-relief carvings found in Nineveh date back as far as approximately 640 BC. Many believe that the Tibetan Mastiff is the ancestor of modern Molossers, although there is little evidence to support this theory. It is a fact, though, that large watchdogs have existed in Asia and the Middle East for several thousand years. Some of today's Molosser breeds come from the British Isles and points farther north, which accounts for their thick coats and solid build.
The Molossus was a dog used by the Greeks for fighting. They describe it as having a wide, short muzzle and a heavy dewlap (similar to modern Mastiff breeds) that was used to fight tigers, lions, elephants, and men in battle. They consider the Molossus a forefather of the Neapolitan Mastiff. Others argue that it was primarily a lightweight dog used for hunting and herding with physical characteristics more akin to Greyhounds or possibly the versatile Catahoula Leopard Dog.
Most scholars agree the Molossus originated with the Molossis people in the mountainous regions of northwest Greece and Southern Albania before the Common Era. The Molossians, an ancient Hellenic tribe, were renowned for their vicious hounds, which were used by Molossian shepherds of Epirus in the mountains of northwestern Greece to guard their flocks. The poet Grattius, a contemporary of Ovid, writes "...when serious work has come, when bravery must be shown, and the impetuous War-god calls in the utmost hazard, then you could not but admire the renowned Molossians so much."
This breed was a native to Greece and the rest of the Balkans, it later migrated to Italy and other places of the Greek World by Hellenic tribes who started to colonize in various regions of the world. Outcrosses with Cane Corsos, English Mastiffs, Dogue De Bordeaux, St Bernards, Spanish Mastiffs and others like Rottweiler’s were reportedly made to increase the number of specimens for breeding.
Sadly the Molossus (Greek: Μολοσσός) ……is an extinct breed.
MORE HISTORY…
(INFORMATION PROVIDED BY MS.CAROL PAULSEN & MR.SALVATORE DIGIROLOMO)
The History of the Neapolitan Mastiff
Housed in both the Metropolitan Museum of New York and the Chicago Museum of Art are Mesopotamian terracotta artifacts that hold likenesses of a dog very similar to the modern Neapolitan Mastiff. An extremely large headed sitting dog, with folds of skin, a powerful muzzle and jaws and amputated ears is depicted in the first and the second contains a female with the same head type and strength, nursing four puppies. An Assyrian terracotta artifact dating back to the 9th century BC resides in a British museum. Master and dog are depicted with the dog being held by the collar by its master. Pictured with natural ears set rather
high on the skull, massive head with many wrinkles, great dewlap reaching from the mouth to mid neck, powerfully built rectangular body set on thick legs, the dog’s withers reach the masters belt indicating his massive size. Let us begin the history with the Sumerians who bred large and powerful dogs used in battle and hunting lions and other game. The main characteristics of these dogs were short, strong muzzles, huge and powerful heads, muscular legs,
heavy bone and massive body coupled with great height. These dogs must be considered to be the descendants of the ancient Tibetian Mastiff, who authority say is the forerunner of all molloser-type dogs. As the Sumerians traveled they
brought their dogs to Mesopotamia 2000 years before the birth of Christ. These mollosers were bred and used to protect property and also to protect livestock from lions. Spreading north, south and east these dogs eventually reached the Phoenicians. Alexander the Great had many molossians and made a gift of several of these dogs to be taken back to Rome. During the first century BC, Julius Caesar met with dogs of huge stature and ferocity which he called Pugnaces Brittaniae during his campaign in the
British Isles. He was so taken with these animals that he took several back to Rome. The presence of these dogs in the British Isles only give credence to the fact that the Phoenecians spread these dogs to the Mediterranean area and points west. In Roman times the dogs were used as weapons of war and in the circus where they fought wild animals. Handlers and mastiffs fought other handlers and
mastiffs in the great coliseums. Roman villas were protected by the mastiff. After the fall of the Roman Empire, countries were formed and the descendants of the these dogs took on the name and the attributes of the country in which they
resided. The dogs that remained in the region near Vesuvius formed a bond with the land and the people. In the days of the Renaissance the mastiff was used as a hunter of large game and a guard dog. Latin author Columella in the first century AD wrote in his work De Re Rustica about the Roman mastiff which was the guardian of the house at that time, "because a dark dog has a more terrifying appearance; and during the day, a prowler can see him and be frightened by his appearance. When night falls, the
dog, lost in the shadows, can attack without being seen. The head is so massive that it seems to be the most important part of the body. The ears fall toward the front, the brilliant and penetrating eyes are black or grey, the chest is deep and hairy, the shoulder wide, the legs thick, the tail short, the hind legs powerful, the toe nails strong and great. His temperament must be neither too gentle nor too
ferocious and cruel; whereas the first would make him too apt to welcome a thief, the second would predispose him to attack the people of the house." These words although written some 2000 years ago summarize the current day Neapolitan Mastiff. Columella goes on to say "It does not matter that house guard dogs have heavy bodies and are not swift of foot. They are meant to carry out their work
from close quarters and do not need to run far." Thus Molossians were bred and kept large and heavy so that they could bring down an animal or a man and not roam from their home and their duties as a guard. It is said that in ancient times masters would cut off their dog’s toes intentionally crippling them for this very same purpose. The Italian Molossian remains virtually unchanged from the
Columella writing until this day. The Italian Molossian remained hidden in the Italian countryside for centuries, its temperament and uniqueness being preserved. A well-guarded secret, these Molossians were bred and kept in the area of Mt. Vesuvius. These relics of a time long gone with no written word to define the bloodlines were only brought to light during the latter part of the 1940's. In 1949 Piero Scanziani brought forth this very same dog and it was renamed the Mastino Napoletano. Scanziani along with other dog enthusiasts, took on the monumental task of writing the standard and ascertaining which of these dogs should be used for breeding. Individuals were visited and measured and their findings recorded. Finally with written standard in hand, the Mastino Napoletano became a recognized breed with the Italian Kennel Club. At one point there arose a debate as to the chosen name of our magnificent breed. Some of the breed founders opted for the Molosso Romano a tribute to Roman Molossian; others wanted the breed name to be Mastino Napoletano honoring the people and the area that kept this breed alive for centuries. Mastino Napoletano became the breed name of choice though in my estimation I feel that Molosso Romano best describes this dog that survived for so many thousands of years. Italian immigrants brought some Neapolitans over to the United States in the early 1900's but the major importer and primary founder of the breed here was Michael Sottile, Sr., president and founder of the NMCA (Neapolitan Mastiff Club of America)in the 1970's. Michael’s grandfather it is said smuggled 4 puppies into the United States in 1902. Along with Michael Sr., Jane Pampalone and Joan (Moran) White played an important role in promoting the breed through dog shows and helped the breed gain popularity. In the 1980's breeding stock and puppies were exported out of Italy to foreign countries as well as the United States. The shores of America saw the offspring of some magnificent dogs such
as El Gavilan dell’Altafiumara, Mosé, Squarcione, Zimbo della Zacchera and Hatrim and Frazier della Grotta Azzurra, just to mention a few. All of Europe, including Belgium, Hungary, the Netherlands and Yugoslavia saw importation
into their homelands where excellent dogs are still being produced today. Within the past 10 years or so a heightened awareness of the breed has arisen in both Australia and England. Long quarantines in these countries, however, make it quite cost prohibitive to import puppies and older breeding stock but there are determined breeders making their mark. The Neapolitan is experiencing great popularity here in the United States at the present time and we are finding more dogs needing rehoming from shelters
and unsuitable homes. This is the price a breed pays for notoriety.
"Mastinari" is the Italian word used for the true Neapolitan Mastiff breeder, a connoisseur and a true artist of the breed, whose blood, sweat and tears have culminated in breeding and producing Mastini which can be considered magnificent creations. This term is not applied to any newcomer to the breed nor ever applied "lightly" to just any individual breeder. To these true Mastinari the ideal Neapolitan Mastiff is their mission and their goal. We must pay homage to
these Mastinari for preserving our ancient and noble breed.
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