| The biggest, ugliest dog ever seen at Westminster | | | | one of the fighting dogs that were used in the |
| made its debut in 2005 and instantly made a hit with | | | | Gladiator battles of wild animals fought for the |
| the crowd. His large lumbering feet seemed to be | | | | entertainment of the Roman crowds. The wrinkles |
| twice the size of what any feet on any dog ought | | | | around the neck served to protect the chest and |
| to be....and the pendulous flopping jowls and undulating | | | | throat from the bites of predatory animals and the |
| flaps of skin which wobbled and waved beneath his | | | | dog's massive and punishing jaws were brutal |
| chin as he moved were a sight to behold. Huge | | | | weapons. In the middle ages , after the downfall of |
| streams of slobber dripped from his jowls as he | | | | the Roman Empire, nearly all of the Mastiff breeds |
| stood before the Judge. The world had just been | | | | were again used in another type of battle, in the pits, |
| introduced to the Neopolitan Mastiff (Mastino | | | | fighting against other dogs for sport and wagering. |
| Neopolitano) | | | | Throughout Europe and Great Britain, dog fights |
| The Neopolitan is a Mastiff that is said to be one of | | | | were a huge entertainment and were quite popular. |
| the most ancient of breeds, a real relic that goes | | | | Gradually the terrier and "pitbull" breeds replaced the |
| back to the Roman Empire in its heyday. This is an | | | | larger Mastiff breeds in this sport and the Mastiff |
| immensely bulky dog giving the impression of great | | | | became more useful as a family and property |
| power and strength. His body is covered with loose | | | | guarding dog. Actually, the Neopolitan Mastiff, (and |
| skin which hangs in wrinkles and folds, especially on | | | | nearly all the Mastiff breeds) do not possess the |
| the brisket, chest and head. The head on the dog is | | | | temperament to START a fight, however they of |
| huge, the skull is two thirds as deep as the muzzle | | | | course make a strong and fearsome foe when they |
| and the muzzle is broad with widely flaring "open" | | | | are inclined of necessity to protect themselves. |
| nostrils and deep jowls. The ears are small and nearly | | | | Because they are not naturally inclined to be |
| always cropped and the tail is tapered and short. The | | | | aggressive, they are loyal and affectionate |
| Neopolitan in movement seems to be even more | | | | companion dogs, being good house dogs, except for |
| massive and lumbering, appearing much like a slowly | | | | their innate messiness in terms of slobber and drool. |
| moving and thoughtful bear as it gaits. The legs | | | | The Neopolitan Mastiff of the modern world has a |
| appear short even though the dog is relatively tall, at | | | | large number of fans. He is a dog whose ugliness is |
| 26-28 inches, because of the depth of his massive | | | | almost endearing. The old saying "he has a face only |
| chest, which extends to well below the elbow. | | | | a mother could love" is definitely true of this breed. |
| In the history of the breed, it is believed that he was | | | | |