If you’re the proud owner of a Neapolitan Mastiff, you’ll want to know how long your furry friend is likely to live. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the average lifespan of a Neapolitan Mastiff and offer some tips on how you can help your dog live a long, healthy life.
A Neapolitan Mastiff lives between eight to ten years on average. On occasions, some Neapolitan Mastiffs will live to twelve or thirteen years. As a large muscular breed, these Mastiffs can experience a range of joint and health-related problems, including obesity which can shorten their lifespan.
There are a range of health issues that are likely to affect your Neapolitan Mastiff. It is therefore critical to understand the various symptoms your dog may experience and what to watch out for in order to manage their health in the best way possible. We explore these in detail throughout this article.
What factors impact the lifespan of a Neapolitan Mastiff?
There are a number of factors that can impact the lifespan of a Neapolitan Mastiff, including diet, exercise, genetics, and health care. A healthy diet and regular exercise are important for all dogs, and especially critical for giant breeds like the Neapolitan Mastiff.
These dogs are prone to joint problems and obesity, both of which can shorten their life expectancy. Providing your dog with good nutrition and plenty of exercise can help to prevent these health problems.
Breeding & Genetics
Genetics plays a role in determining the lifespan of a Neapolitan Mastiff. Some lines of this breed are known to be longer-lived than others. Working with a reputable breeder can help you choose a puppy from parents with a history of good health and longevity.
Diet & Exercise
A healthy diet and regular exercise are important for all dogs but may be especially critical for giant breeds like the Neapolitan Mastiff.
These dogs are prone to joint problems and obesity, both of which can shorten their life expectancy. Providing your dog with good nutrition and plenty of exercise can help to prevent these health problems.
Health Care
Proper health care is essential for all dogs but especially important for giant breeds like the Neapolitan Mastiff. These dogs are susceptible to a number of health problems, so regular vet checkups and preventive care are important.
If your dog does develop any health problems, prompt treatment is essential.
We explore a range of common health issues with the Neapolitan Mastiff below:
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a condition that affects the hip joint. It is caused by a malformation of the hip socket, which can lead to pain and lameness. Hip dysplasia is a genetic condition that can be worsened by obesity. This is why maintaining a healthy weight is so important for Neapolitan Mastiffs.
If your dog shows signs of hip dysplasia, such as limping or reluctance to move, it is important to take them to the vet for an examination. X-rays can be used to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment options include weight loss, exercise restriction, physiotherapy, and medication. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary.
Elbow Dysplasia
Elbow dysplasia is a condition that affects the elbow joint. It is caused by a malformation of the bones in the elbow, which can lead to pain and lameness. Elbow dysplasia is a genetic condition that is compounding if the dog has obesity. This is why maintaining a healthy weight is so important for Neapolitan Mastiffs.
If your dog shows signs of elbow dysplasia, such as limping or reluctance to move, it is important to take them to the vet for an examination. X-rays can be used to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment options include weight loss, exercise restriction, physiotherapy, and medication. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary.
Entropion
Entropion is a condition where the eyelids roll inward, causing the eyelashes to rub against the eye. This can lead to irritation, inflammation, and corneal ulcers. Entropion is a genetic condition but can be worsened by environmental factors such as dust or pollen.
If your dog shows signs of entropion, such as squinting or rubbing their eyes, it is important to take them to the vet for an examination. Treatment options include surgery to correct the position of the eyelids, artificial tears, and ocular lubricants.
Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy is a condition that affects the heart muscle. It can lead to an irregular heartbeat, heart failure, and sudden death. Cardiomyopathy is a genetic condition but can be worsened by factors such as obesity and high blood pressure.
This is why maintaining a healthy weight and monitoring your dog’s blood pressure are so important for Neapolitan Mastiffs.
If your dog shows signs of cardiomyopathy, such as exercise intolerance or coughing, it is important to take them to the vet for an examination. A range of tests can be used to diagnose the condition, including x-rays, electrocardiography, and echocardiography.
Treatment options include medication, weight loss, and exercise restriction. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary.
Bloat
Bloat is a condition where the stomach fills with gas and twists on itself. This can cut off the blood supply to the stomach and cause death.
Bloat is a life-threatening emergency, so if your dog shows signs of bloat, such as restlessness, pacing, or abdominal pain, it is important to take them to the vet immediately. Treatment options include decompression of the stomach, surgery to remove the twist, and medication.
Wobbler Syndrome
Wobbler syndrome is a condition that affects the spine. It is caused by a malformation of the vertebrae, which can lead to compression of the spinal cord. Wobbler syndrome is a genetic condition that can be worsened by obesity.
This is why maintaining a healthy weight is so important for Neapolitan Mastiffs.
If your dog shows signs of wobbler syndrome, such as stumbling or incoordination, it is important to take them to the vet for an examination. X-rays can be used to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment options include weight loss, exercise restriction, physiotherapy, and medication. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary.
Degenerative Disc Disease
Degenerative disc disease is a condition that affects the spine. It is caused by the wear and tear of the discs between the vertebrae, which can lead to pain and mobility problems.
Degenerative disc disease is a degenerative condition that can be worsened by factors such as obesity and injury. This is why maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding injury are so important for Neapolitan Mastiffs.
If your dog shows signs of degenerative disc disease, such as stiffness or pain, it is important to take them to the vet for an examination.
A range of tests can be used to diagnose the condition, including x-rays, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a condition that affects the brain. It is characterized by recurrent seizures. Epilepsy is a genetic condition but can be worsened by factors such as stress and injury.
This is why reducing stress and avoiding injury are so important for Neapolitan Mastiffs.
If your dog shows signs of epilepsy, such as staring into space, paddling their legs, or losing consciousness, it is important to take them to the vet for an examination.
A range of tests can be used to diagnose the condition, including blood tests, urine tests, and imaging studies. Treatment options include medication, diet changes, and stress reduction techniques. In some cases, surgery may be necessary.
Cancer
Cancer is a general term for a group of diseases that affect the cells in the body. It can affect any part of the body and can be fatal if left untreated.
Some types of cancer are more common in Neapolitan Mastiffs than others, including lymphoma, mast cell tumors, and osteosarcoma.
If your dog shows signs of cancer, such as a lump or mass on the body, it is important to take them to the vet for an examination.
A biopsy may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis. Treatment options depend on the type and stage of cancer and may include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.
Are Neapolitan Mastiffs Prone to Obesity?
Neapolitan Mastiffs are prone to obesity. This is due to their large size and slow metabolism. Obesity can lead to a number of health problems, including joint problems, respiratory problems, and diabetes.
This is why maintaining a healthy weight is so important for Neapolitan Mastiffs.
If your dog is overweight, it is important to talk to your vet about a weight loss plan. This may include diet changes and exercise. In some cases, medication may be necessary.
Do Diet and Exercise Impact the Lifespan of a Neapolitan Mastiff?
It is generally accepted that a healthy diet and regular exercise can help to extend the lifespan of any dog, including a Neapolitan Mastiff.
Feeding your Neapolitan Mastiff a nutritious diet will help to keep them healthy and fit, both physically and mentally. It is also important to make sure that they get enough exercise, as this will help to keep their bodies strong and prevent obesity.
Obesity can lead to a number of health problems, including joint problems, diabetes, and heart disease – all of which can shorten a dog’s life span.
Ultimately, the best way to ensure a long and healthy life for your Neapolitan Mastiff is to provide them with a balanced diet and plenty of exercise. This will help them to stay fit, mentally and physically, and will give them the best chance of living a long and happy life.
Will Neutering or Spaying Reduce their Lifespan?
It is generally accepted that neutering or spaying can help to reduce the risk of certain health problems, which in turn could help to extend a dog’s life span.
For example, Neutering or Spaying can help to reduce the risk of certain cancers in dogs, such as testicular cancer or ovarian cancer. It can also help to reduce the risk of your dog developing certain behavior problems, such as roaming or aggression.
Overall, neutering or spaying may not have a direct impact on lifespan but it can certainly help to improve the quality of life for your dog, which could, in turn, lead to a longer life.
How Often Should you have Veterinary Check-Ups?
Cancer is a general term for a group of diseases that affect the cells in the body. Cancer can affect any part of the body, and can be fatal if left untreated.
Some types of cancer are more common in Neapolitan Mastiffs than others, including lymphoma, mast cell tumors, and osteosarcoma.
If your dog shows signs of cancer, such as a lump or mass on the body, it is important to take them to the vet for an examination. A biopsy may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis. Treatment options depend on the type and stage of cancer but may include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.
Other than the above, regular check-ups are recommended in order to catch any health problems early.
Certain health issues can be a greater problem for an older Neapolitan Mastiff and can affect how long they live.
A yearly check-up with your vet is therefore a good way to keep on top of your dog’s health and to catch any problems early.
