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New Mastiff :)

image.jpgHello
I am a long time lover of the mastiff breeds. We have owned or currently own Great Danes, Bullmastiffs, a Dogue, and now our newest addition a 10 month old Neapolitan. I thought I was prepared after raising our other beasts ;) but "Bonnie" is not what I expected, lol. I was under the belief that a Neo would be slower and less athletic, all around more mellow and relaxed than a Dane. That is definitely not the case with our Bonnie. She is always amped, loves toys, almost never stops moving, and JUMPS, big time. That's the weirdest part for me. I expected training challenges with adopting an older pup, but she not only can jump up to get stuff off the counter but she can get over a nearly 4 foot tall baby gate, and today she jumped completely on top of our washer and dryer. She is also 110lbs and full of wrinkle, not a real athletic or cane corso looking Neo. We love her, she is also sweet as honey and wants to please. She really has a hard time being relaxed though and I am afraid of exercising her too much at this age. I would love suggestions from fellow mastiff owners :)

Thnk u
 

Belmas

Well-Known Member
She's beautiful. I also have a Neo who just turned 1 year last week. Some are slower and less energetic, but mine is an energetic one too. Constantly wants to play. He runs and jumps like a Gazelle and he weighs 145 lbs. You'll love the Neo they are great dogs.
 

musicdeb

Well-Known Member
Welcome aboard~ You can exercise her 50 minutes at each outing (5 minutes for every month of age). She may need more exercise. Do you best with the active girl to keep her from excessive running, jumping, playing and navigating stairs because her bones and joints will not mature until 12 months of age.
 

LizB

Well-Known Member
She is gorgeous and I AM JEALOUS, lol!!

The thing here I think would be mental stimulation. You'd be amazed at how physically tired they are after having to challenge their brains. I've got a 15-month-old DaneX that sounds much like you describe your girl - full of energy and wanting to gogogo all the time, plus nimble and seems to have few physical limitations, lol.

We exercise him for an hour (formally) every day but he runs at top speed chasing through the yard after something he sees, tearing up and down the stairs (3 floors), etc., so I feel like he gets plenty of plain old physical exercise. When we do nosework, or put a lightweight backpack on him (balanced over his shoulders and not much in it so as not to strain his back) he goes into "working" mode, and after about 20 minutes of that, or whatever he feels like doing, he's down for the count, and I swear he conks out earlier at night. Even when we take young children with us on our walks he's more tired than normal, because he's "working" by keeping track of the kids and where they are, whether they're in danger, lol, or whatever goes on in his mind.

Anyway, obedience exercises, finding objects/treats/yourself that you hide for her, puzzle toys, or other forms of mental stimulation will tire her out just like running would.

Also, I think in just a few months she'll settle down and you'll be missing these energetic days, so enjoy her, and congratulations!