Thai Ridgeback vs Neapolitan Mastiff - Breed Comparison

Thai Ridgeback vs Neapolitan Mastiff - Breed ComparisonThai Ridgeback is originated from Thailand but Neapolitan Mastiff is originated from Italy. Thai Ridgeback may grow 9 cm / 3 inches shorter than Neapolitan Mastiff. Thai Ridgeback may weigh 45 kg / 99 pounds lesser than Neapolitan Mastiff. Thai Ridgeback may live 4 years more than Neapolitan Mastiff. Thai Ridgeback may have less litter size than Neapolitan Mastiff. Both Thai Ridgeback and Neapolitan Mastiff requires Moderate maintenance.

History

thai ridgeback - historyUntil recently the Thai Ridgeback was not known outside of its native land. However, after being recently recognized as a standard breed, the dogs are getting some notice from the western world. They are one of three known ridgeback breeds with the ridge running the opposite direction of the rest of her fur. The other breeds with this characteristic are the better known Rhodesian Ridgeback and the even lesser known Phu Quoc Ridgeback.

The Thai Ridgeback is believed to have originated in eastern Thailand but there is no documentation of their actual history. The breed is thought to be descended from the Funan Ridgeback based on a genetic hypothesis. It is thought that the same Funan Ridgeback is an ancestor od the Phu Quoc Dog. This Funan Ridgeback lived over a century ago. Along with the Rhodesian Ridgeback, all have a common ridgebearing ancestor.

It is still unknown where the original ridge came from but it has been shown that all of the ridgeback dogs have the same genetic mutation and even though the Rhodisian is from Africa, there is not a parallel mutation. The Thai Ridgeback is an active, energetic, tough dog. He is loyal, intelligent, and has great jumping ability.

neapolitan mastiff - historyAn ancient breed, the Neapolitan Mastiffs are massive dogs with a history of protecting their family and their property. The breed has deep rooted protective instincts and they are very frightening in appearance. The Neapolitan is of the Molosser group of dogs, all of whom probably came from the same line. It is known that all the mastiffs in Europe are descendants of the Tibetan Mastiff. The Tibetan Mastiff is considered the most ancient of all canines.

The Asian Mastiffs came from India to Greece around 300 BC with Alexander the Great. Then the breed was brought to the Romans by the Greeks and then introduced them in their circus in fights. Another possibility is that around 500 BC the mastiffs came to Britain from the Phoenicians. Either way the Roman Molossus is the ancestor of the Neapolitan Mastiff.

The Romans crossed the breed with the English Mastiff around 55 BC and developed a premiere war dog that was called a Mastini.

The breed eventually became extinct in Europe with the exception of Campania. The breed was recognized in 1946 with the standard accepted in 1949. However, it is believed that the Neapolitan Mastiff has been continuously present in Campania for over two thousand years. The breed was initially developed as war dogs and for the Roman coliseum spectacles.

In 1946 Dr. Piero Scanziani established a program to breed them in Italy. He wrote the breed standard in 1949.

Today the Neo is a farm dog, an army dog, a police dog and a guard dog. They were shown in Italy for the first time in 1946 but only in 2004 was the breed recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC). It was 1973 when the Neapolitan Mastiff Club of America was born and 1996 when the standard was approved by the AKC. They are still a rare breed in the United States.

Basic Information

Group:
Hound dog
Molosser dogs
Origin:
Thailand
Italy
Height Male:
56 - 61 cm
22 - 25 inches
60 - 70 cm
23 - 28 inches
Height Female:
51 - 56 cm
20 - 23 inches
50 - 60 cm
19 - 24 inches
Weight Male:
23 - 34 kg
50 - 75 pounds
61 - 79 kg
134 - 175 pounds
Weight Female:
23 - 32 kg
50 - 71 pounds
51 - 69 kg
112 - 153 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 13 Years
7 - 9 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 6
6 - 12
Size:
Medium dog
Giant dog
Other Names:
Thai Ridgeback Dog • TRD • Mah Thai • Thai Dog • Mah Thai Lung Arn
Can'e presa • Italian Mastiff • Italian Molosso • Mastino • Mastino - Mastini plural • Mastino Napoletano • Neo
Colors Available:
brown, red or blue, black
black, mahogany and tawny, blue, chocolate, gray
Coat:
short, straight with ridge
straight, dense, short
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Independent, Intelligent, Loyal, Protective
Alert, Courageous, Independent, Intelligent, Loyal, Protective, Quiet, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
No
New Owners Friendly:
No
No

Description

thai ridgeback puppy - descriptionThe breed is medium in size and muscular in body. They have a wedge shaped head, a short coat that is smooth and pricked, triangular ears. The ridge on his back is pronounced as the hair grows away from the rest of the coat from the hips to the withers. Puppies can be born with or without the ridge. They are extremely agile. With what is often called a sword tail being carried up, the Ridgeback has wrinkles on his forehead, a black tongue or the tongue has black marks, and almond shaped eyes.

The coat sheds minimally and is dense, while the eyes are usually brown – in blue dogs they can be amber. The color of the coat is fawn, red, black or blue with a black mask on the reds. There are 8 different ridge patterns: Feather, violin, saddleback, needle, arrow, bowling pin, lute, and leaf. The broader the ridge the better the dog is considered for show.

There are two epistatic genes that determine the ridge and its size. The more genes of this type the individual dog has, the broader the ridge will be. There must be a dominant gene for the ridge to appear at all.

neapolitan mastiff puppy - descriptionThe Neapolitan Mastiff is a massive dog , so powerful and very intimidating in his looks. With an incredibly large head and hanging folds and wrinkles, the Neo is an impressive animal. His inner nobility and dignity is evident in his stance and the way he holds himself. He is relaxed, calm, quiet yet imposing none the less. His coat is dark whether black, tawny, gray or mahogany. He is muscular beyond imagination. The Neo is 10-15% longer than he is tall.

On his massive head his eyes are deep set and covered by his eye lids that droop. His eyes are blue as puppies then dark and coordinated with his coat. and his nose is large and the color of his coat. Ears are natural or can be cropped, and they carry their tail straight and curving back. The Neo has round paws and arched toes.

Characteristics

. Children friendliness – Must be well socialized into the family.

2.Special talents – jumping and agility.

3.Adaptability – not good. Needs a high, unclimbable fense.

4.Learning ability – can be stubborn and independent.

Children friendliness

neapolitan mastiff dog - characteristicsOlder children in their family. No toddlers or strangers.

Special talents

Protective yet quiet, calm, relaxed

Adaptability

No they won’t adapt well to apartment living or to strangers.

Learning ability

They are intelligent and trainable but must be socialized and know the human is the alpha or they will take over.

Health Problems

thai ridgeback puppies - health problemsWith such a mysterious origin, there are not a lot of documented episodes of genetic illness as the breed has been isolated in Thailand and natural selection has driven reproduction. There are only a few issues that they are genetically predisposed to. These include:

• Dermoid Sinus – this is a genetic skin condition known as pilonidal sinus as well. This is a defect in the neural tube and the sinus might be removed. If the sinus is wrapped around the spinal cord and cannot be removed it can be tied off.

  • Hip dysplasia – can cause lameness and/or arthritis.

• Bloat – can be terminal if not treated as soon as possible. Bloat is a distension of the stomach and intestines which can twist and tangle, killing the dog almost immediately without veterinary attention.

neapolitan mastiff puppies - health problemsThe Neapolitan Mastiff is prone to many of the same issues as any massive, extra large breed. The most common of these is Cherry Eye.

Other issues include:

  • Hypothyroidism – treated with medication
  • Elbow Dysplasia – can cause lameness or arthritis
  • Hip Dysplasia – can cause lameness or arthritis
  • Cardiomyopathy – heart issues
  • Bloat or Gastric Dilation Volvulus – can be fatal, needs immediate attention
  • Sensitivity to Anesthetics

Caring The Pet

thai ridgeback dogs - caring1. Feeding the Puppy - Don’t over feed the puppy as they are inclined to become obese. Feed a high quality protein rich puppy for medium breeds. Feed in 3-4 smaller meals per day. As he grows be aware of bloat possibilities.

2. Feeding the adult dog - The risk of bloat is even greater in the adult and so is the risk of obesity. Don’t feed large meals and don’t feed before or after strenuous exercise. Feed in 2 smaller meals per day.

3.Points for Good Health - Agile and muscular.

4. Games and Exercises – Energetic and needs serious exercise. She loves to swim, retrieve, hike, hunt, and catch frisbees. Likes search and rescue and guard dog work.

Feeding the puppy

neapolitan mastiff dogs - caringNeapolitans grow fast and so don’t overfeed when they are young. Lower protein and higher fat content.

Feeding the adult

Don’t overfeed the adult as they can become obese.

Games and Exercises

This big hearty breed needs exercise but not too much. They overheat easily. The puppy will push himself, so you have to make sure he doesn’t over do it. No tug of war games. They need a long walk twice every day.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Thai Ridgeback vs Basset Hound - Breed Comparison
  2. Thai Ridgeback vs Pharaoh Hound - Breed Comparison
  3. Thai Ridgeback vs Basenji - Breed Comparison
  4. Thai Ridgeback vs Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla - Breed Comparison
  5. Thai Ridgeback vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  6. Thai Ridgeback vs Hungarian Vizsla - Breed Comparison
  7. Thai Ridgeback vs Redbone Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  8. Thai Ridgeback vs Bluetick Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  9. Thai Ridgeback vs Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  10. Thai Ridgeback vs Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  11. Thai Ridgeback vs Bavarian Mountain Hound - Breed Comparison
  12. Thai Ridgeback vs Basset Fauve de Bretagne - Breed Comparison
  13. Thai Ridgeback vs Santal Hound - Breed Comparison
  14. Thai Ridgeback vs Beagle-Harrier - Breed Comparison
  15. Thai Ridgeback vs English Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  16. Thai Ridgeback vs Anglo-Francais de Petite Venerie - Breed Comparison
  17. Thai Ridgeback vs Alpine Dachsbracke - Breed Comparison
  18. Thai Ridgeback vs Basset Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  19. Thai Ridgeback vs Podenco Canario - Breed Comparison
  20. Thai Ridgeback vs Dunker - Breed Comparison
  21. Thai Ridgeback vs Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen - Breed Comparison
  22. Thai Ridgeback vs Chippiparai - Breed Comparison
  23. Thai Ridgeback vs Podenco Andaluz - Breed Comparison
  24. Thai Ridgeback vs Podenco Galego - Breed Comparison
  25. Thai Ridgeback vs English Foxhound - Breed Comparison
  26. Neapolitan Mastiff vs English Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  27. Neapolitan Mastiff vs American Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  28. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Gaddi Kutta - Breed Comparison
  29. Neapolitan Mastiff vs American Molossus - Breed Comparison
  30. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Cao de Gado Transmontano - Breed Comparison
  31. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Broholmer - Breed Comparison
  32. Nebolish Mastiff vs Neapolitan Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  33. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Great Dane - Breed Comparison
  34. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Bernese Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  35. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Newfoundland Dog - Breed Comparison
  36. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Anatolian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  37. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Leonberger - Breed Comparison
  38. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Alaunt - Breed Comparison
  39. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Bully Kutta - Breed Comparison
  40. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Irish Wolfhound - Breed Comparison
  41. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Alangu Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  42. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Francais Blanc et Orange - Breed Comparison
  43. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Mountain Burmese - Breed Comparison
  44. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Billy - Breed Comparison
  45. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Pyrenean Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  46. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Bisben - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds