Mastino Napoletano - History

The Mastino Napoletano or Neapolitan Mastiff is the dog the direct ancestors of which most likely were the ancient molossers delivered once by Romans for battles on arenas of Ancient Rome.

According to mentions in the ancient writings, these dogs existеd more than 5000 years ago.

According to one of the existing versions, the name "mastino" comes from a Latin word "masuetinus" that means "tamed", "obedient".

In many respects, the history of mastino is based on assumptions, legends, various works of art. Ancestors of the modern mastino have died out for a long time.

The description of this breed in 1897 was created by the professor seigneur Tetstse from Naples (Italy). Its description "mastino" represents practically a complete standard of today's mastino-napoletano. However, this breed could not take part in exhibitions as it was not recognised in Italy.

Breed mastino in the middle of the XX-th century could easily disappear, but it managed to survive. On October, 12th, 1946 in Naples on the first, after the Second World War, exhibition of dogs, 8 mastino dogs have been presented. Among spectators there was a cynologist and dog breeder Piero Scanziani who is considered as the "father" of this breed. He has done, really, titanic work and today, thanks to him, all mastino-napoletano's fanciers from all over the world can take pleasure, communicating with this wonderful dog. And looking in its clever eyes, thinking about greatness of the mastino which has been observing the history of this world for millenia already.