TheDOGmagazine_issue_11/2015_Mastino by thedogmagazine

EDITORIAL

THE DOG MAGAZINE NO. 11

November 2015

EDITOR Ewa Larsson LAYOUT DESIGN Snežka Kuralt ADVERTISING DESIGN Ewa Larsson Natasja Rutters Snežka Kuralt INFO: info@ thedog-magazine.com www.thedog-magazine.com

HI, Our goal with this magazine is to promote responsible breeding and dog ownership and to encourage ethical conduct and responsible breeding of purebred dogs. Our vision is to help promote responsible pet ownership and improve the quality of life of every dog show dog or pet. We make it our goal to provide the most up to date and honest

information every dog owner should know.

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THE DOG MAGAZINE

AN INTERVIEW WITH THE PRESIDENT WAYNE SOUTH CLUB

JUDGING THE NEAPOLITAN MASTIFF JUDGING

OVULATION’S ANOMALIES HEALTH

WE, THE NAPOLETANS HEALTH

VILLA DI GAIA BREEDER

OLD WORLD MASTINOS BREEDER

DEL NOLANO KENNEL BREEDER

VAN DE WEYERHOEVE BREEDER

RAYVONLEY BREEDER

MASTINO NAPOLETANO KENNEL BREEDER

JUDGES AROUND THE GLOBE PART 1 INFO

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06 AN INTERVIEW WITH THE PRESIDENT WAYNE SOUTH CLUB

The main purpose of the Club was to provide its membership with the knowledge, information, and understanding they collectively sought to enable them to protect the interests of the Neapolitan Mastiff in the UK.

CONTENT JUDGING THE NEAPOLITAN MASTIFF JUDGING

To get closer to the judgment of the mastiff one must know its millenary history.

OVULATION’S ANOMALIES

WE, THE NAPOLETANS

HEALTH

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CONTENT

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THETEAM EWALARSSON

NATASJARUTTERS

My name is Ewa Larsson, Britisher Show Bulldogs we are situated in Canterbury, England. My kennel was established in 1992.

“A little story about who I am and what I do”

My bulldogs live with me inside my house and are raised in a loving environment as one of the family. I believe this approach is reflected in the behaviour of my dogs. Health, a correct temperament and dogs of the highest quality are my goal. Since Spring 2006, I am on the Bulldog Club Inc committee. The Bulldog Club Inc is the oldest Bulldog club in the world, and holds the prestigious Bulldog of the Year Show.

I always loved dogs and in particular the Bulldog. And when I got my own place … there was my first English bulldog. For many years I was surrounded by the love of these beautiful dogs.

I am a Bulldog Breed Specialist Judge currently on “ B” list. I am member of : The Bulldog Club Incorporated, The London Bulldog Society, The South of England Bulldog Society, The Junior Bulldog Club. My affix “ Britisher” is derived from a noun Brit·ish·er which stands for: “An Englishman- a subject or inhabitant of Great Britain”. Please feel free to visit our website. www.britisher.co.uk

SNEŽKAKURALT

We live in a small town in southern Netherlands near the Belgium border.

At the moment I share my house with 2 French Bulldogs, who also have a wonderful character only in a smaller body With my male Ch. Carte Truffé Kangaroo Kiss ‘Sydney’ (import Finland) I regularly take part of dog shows in the Netherlands and abroad. I am a member of the Hollandse Bulldog Club and the English Bulldog Club Netherlands. Beside designing and spending time with my dogs I love to be creative, like painting and photography. For more information about my dogs www.mybulldogs.nl and work www.mdgraphics.nl

I first started to be seriously involved in Cynology, when I bought my first Rhodesian ridgeback (Cubo) from breeder Mr. Andrej Fister – Kyala kennel. Since I had had a ridgeback, I wanted to spent some time and communicate with people who own the same breed. So I became involved and was one of the founding members of Club of Rhodesian ridgeback Slovenia. I was chief of organization of our first special show for Rhodesian ridgebacks in Slovenia. The show entered more than 50 dogs, which was a very nice number for such a small country. We even got Mr. Hans Mueller as a judge, for our first club show, even though the show was not CAC awarded. Soon after, I began my apprenticeship for a Cynology judge, and in January 2011 I acquired a license to judge Rhodesian ridgebacks.

I was born and raised in Southern Slovenia, in a small town called Senovo. By education I am a graphic designer and landscape architect. Currently I am employed in Landscape and GIS Company, where I am a head of marketing and education department.

I currently own two Rhodesian ridgebacks Cubo and Cana. Cubo, his pedigree name is Myollnir Kyala, is one of the most successful show ridgebacks in Slovenia and has always makes me proud. He is 8 years old now and he is calm and mostly a gentleman. Cana (Dikeledi Ayaba) is our female ridgeback, five years old; she brings joy to my life with her silly stunts and happy nature. Cana was imported from Croatia, from Ayaba kennel.

I always felt a great love toward animals, especially dogs. Dogs and cats were always around when I was little and I guess it was meant that that part of my love in life stays with me even in my adulthood.

In my free time I make small products for dog owners, mostly for Rhodesian ridgeback lovers and do different graphic designs for all breeds.

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INTERVIEWED BY Ewa Larsson

THE NEAPOLITAN MASTIFF CLUB United Kingdom

An interview with the president Wayne South

The Neapolitan Mastiff Club Officially recognised by the Kennel Club since 2002 www.theneapolitanmastiffclub.com

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Name Country Affix Email

Wayne South United Kingdom Orsinosouth orsinosouth@live.co.uk

» Please tell us about yourself I am 63 years young and was a MD for a small printing firm but am now retired. I have three daughters and (currently) five grandchildren. As a family we have owned dogs continuously for the last 35 years. My wife Kathy wanted a dog to show so we got a Great Dane for her 40th birthday. We only had two of this breed when our hearts were taken with our first Neapolitan Mastiff in 1998. Due to family commitments we have only ever shown our dogs lightly but at one stage I brought a camper van as we seemed to be at dog shows or seminars nearly every weekend. Having been a committee member of a general canine club as well as the Neapolitan Mastiff breed club I have found that I have covered most roles relating to running a dog club, from tea maker to President and everything in between. For some years I also found that our annual holidays seemed to include visiting countries where Neapolitan Mastiff specialties were taking place. Australia and the USA being amongst them, thankfully we took time to also visit friends and family.

» Please tell us about your past and present dogs. We have had several dogs of different breeds as well as having a few rescue ones. We had seven Neapolitan Mastiffs, four of which we imported and three Mastiffs. We now only own Bulldogs and currently have four, three bitches and one male, all bred by us. As I have said in 1998 we got Orsino (Caleenos Niro) which was where the name came for our affix, along with our family name. Before the year was out

we also had Ursa (Shawneovin Faithful Maidan). Then in 2001 we had Araya of the Thatched Roof, our first imported dog from a Dutch breeder Mr Anton P Van Doremalen, living in Begium. She was our longest living Neapolitan reaching the age of 10 years 2 months. We got out next Neapolitan in 2002, he was Paso Yuan Furgul before importing our last three Neapolitians in 2006 & 2007 from the Seporonato kennels in the Czech Republic. Sadly four of our Neapolitans died early, all before two years of age, which is why I feel passionately about the health of this magnificent breed.

» Can you tell us about your Club as an organization? The first KC Registered Neapolitan Mastiff arrived in the UK in 1974 and the first litter was produced in 1975. In 1980 Douglas Oliff worked toward establishing a Neapolitan Mastiff Breed Club in Britain and hosted the first British NM Symposium with guest speaker Christofer Habig. Douglas was a CC Judge who had judged all over the world. He was a great authority on the Molosser Breeds, having produced two superb books on the subject. He

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An interview with the president

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The first KC Registered Neapolitan Mastiff arrived in the UK in 1974 and the first litter was produced in 1975.

bred and showed both Mastiffs and Bullmastiffs and kept a Neapolitan Mastiff as a companion. Unfortunately Douglas had to wait nearly two decades to realise his ambition of a breed Club. This Neapolitan Mastiff Club was founded in 1998 with Douglas as its President. The main purpose of the Club was to provide its membership with the knowledge, information, and understanding they collectively sought to enable them to protect the interests of the Neapolitan Mastiff in the UK. The ongoing aim is to ensure the care, well-being and welfare of the Neapolitan Mastiff. To protect the breed against abuse, neglect and unethical practices and also promote the development of the breed in the UK to the highest possible standard. In 2002 the club received Official Kennel Club Recognition and in 2004 received KC approval to host the first ever Neapolitan Mastiff single Breed Open Show in the UK. Throughout the last 17 years The Neapolitan Mastiff Club has represented the interests of the breed in the Canine political arena in the UK, has hosted annual Breed Open shows, Tri-annual Seminars and Symposiums. It has promoted the breed at KC events and exhibitions and has provided help, sup-

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port, advice and information via news reports, newsletters and website to its Members and non-Members alike.

» Please tell us about your involvement in the Club. I along with my wife became members of the first proposed breed club “Neapolitan Mastiff Club of Great Britain” in 1997. As although we did not own the breed at that time we were greatly interested in them. That club dissolved very quickly and Douglas along with many other enthusiasts formed The (proposed) Neapolitan Mastiff Club, which we duly joined at the inaugural meeting. We first heard Douglas speak when in March 1999 the club hosted a breed seminar. That year in October, we went to a breed assessment day hosted by our club along with the proposed British Dogue De Bordeaux club, where the Cane Corso was also introduced. We spoke to Douglas and found out that committee members were needed so my wife Kathy shortly afterwards became a co-opted committee member of the club. In the meantime we were both committee members of Barking Canine Club and getting our first taste of hosting open shows. However the next time I met Douglas was at a Championship show where we had a very long chat, while the show ground was being dismantled all around us. Sadly we lost Orsino shortly afterwards and was having health issues with Ursa, so my wife contacted Douglas which was the start of many long phone calls. So, with Douglas and Christopher Habig’s prompting after watching the breed judging at Crufts my wife agreed to temporally step into the role of club secretary 2000 following the resignation of the first secretary. At the sub-

Article

An interview with the president

sequent AGM, she became the acting secretary and I became a committee member. Along with Douglas and our then chairman Billy Brittle we set about lobbying the KC for official recognition. We had to show the KC that we had the membership to support the club so our first job was to attract more members. I wanted to provide club newsletters to a professional standard so with my background and connections we quickly organised the first one and sent them to all the club secretaries who gave us breed classes as well as anyone we knew who had been a past member of both proposed breed clubs. We also represented our breed and club at other general canine clubs seminars as well as hosting them ourselves. Our membership grew steadily and with Douglas at the helm we got our official recognition. That’s when our real hard work started..organising the first breed show in the UK. I was clubs show manager for the first four years as well as sponsoring and ensuring that all the clubs printing needs for the shows and newsletters were met.

» In your opinion how does the (your breed) differ from other breeds? There are many points that make the Mastino different, however the main one is that it is loose limbed in construction, which makes its movement unique to the breed. It also has very individual head wrinkle which makes it look like no other breed of dog. As with any breed, you only get-out what you’re prepared to put-in but this is especially so with a Neapolitan Mastiff. It is not a breed for everyone or for the first-time dog owner. It could be deemed a high-maintenance breed that requires an awful lot of time, money and commitment to care for and

rear properly, in order to achieve a well balanced, well rounded adult dog. In my experience they benefit from being socialised with other dogs and people at an early age.

» Other than health issues, what are the biggest problems facing your Club right now? Support, without it the breed and the breed club may face de-registration in the not too distant future. But at this moment in time health issues ARE the biggest problem facing the breed and breed clubs, not only in the UK but around the world. We need the support of breed enthusiasts and

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devotees who are prepared to work together and do whatever it takes to ensure the future of the breed in the UK.

» Do you plan to carry on as a judge/exhibitor / breeder? I have never judged, however while being a committee member of our local ring craft club, I have had to judge the odd match night. My affix is held with my wife and my youngest daughter Katie who started out as a Junior handler. Katie exhibits all our dogs and

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An interview with the president

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As we are all aware you need dedicated people who will give their time generously to run a breed club for its members,

judges the breed. We have only bred Bulldogs and currently have a homebred youngster who we take ring craft training and hope to show her once she is more mature.

» What do you do for relaxation, what pastimes do you enjoy? I have had quite a few hobbies, when younger I played squash and football. I loved scuba diving, took the paddi course and went to several beautiful places to dive. I also enjoyed shooting and golf but now I currently play 10 pin bowling at league level.

» What is your favourite breed of dog? That’s a hard one to answer as we have owned seven different breeds. But would say that the Neapolitan Mastiff and the Bulldog are on par. I feel that now I am older, the Bulldog suits my lifestyle.

» What do you consider your greatest achievement? In my working life, it was to co-own a printing company after many years of working in the trade for other people. In my personal life, it is to have a wonderful family and the honour of seeing my girls settled with their own families.

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In the show world, it was our imported Neapolitan Mastiff bitch, Araya Of The Thatch Roof at Orsinosouth getting RBB at Crufts.

» Your aim in the world of dogs or wish for the future? As President, I want to ensure that the work that Douglas Oliff started by getting our club recognised is continued. That more guardians of the breed work together to ensure that this magnificent breed is represented by happy healthy dogs with true Neapolitan type without over exaggeration. In one capacity or another I have been involved in this breed since 1998, I hope to carry on assisting where I can to ensure that our breed club continues to progress in order to gain breed championship status in the UK in my lifetime.

» Would you like to add something? Without the hard work of a few people in the early days our club would never have evolved as it has. I would like to give credit to the first breed club who got things started. Also the very first secretary of this club, Vicky Roach. As we are all aware you need dedicated people who will give their time generously to run a breed club for its members, This is done for the love of a breed, without payment or favors and for the most part any thanks but without members there is no club. In the Neapolitan Mastiff world we have an International Association for our Italian breed born in October 1993 called ATIMANA. As well as hosting championship shows in different host countries its aims are to promote the health and welfare of the breed by hosting scientific conferences. I along with my wife wanted to educate ourselves as much as possible about our

Article

Breed Standard The Kennel Club UK

breed so we travelled to four of these events. In the USA I had the honor of first meeting Giuseppe Alessandra, the President of the ATIMANA (A.T.I.MA. NA it stands for Associazione Tecnica Internazionale Mastino Napoletano) and author Sherilyn Allen, the President of the American Neapolitan Breed Club, both strident in their promoting of breed health. I would wish that the future connoisseurs of our breed should educate themselves as much as possi-

ble in all aspects of breed health as well as type in order to go from strength to strength.

MASTINO NAPOLETANO

pigmentation to tone with nose colour. Free from obvious eye problems.

Breed Standard The Kennel Club UK Last updated October 2009 General Appearance Well boned, large, muscular and strongly built. Body slightly longer than height at withers. Majestic bearing with noble expression. Characteristics Some loose fitting skin over body and head permitted, not to be excessive. Temperament Steady, loyal, devoted and vigilant. Slightly aloof. Head and Skull Head fairly large with broad short skull, broad across cheeks. Head proportion: skull length two thirds, to muzzle one third. Skull flat and parallel to topline of muzzle. Definite stop, nose should not protrude beyond vertical line of muzzle. Nose large with well open nostrils. Lips fleshy and thick. The upper lips form an inverted ‘v’ when viewed from the front. Muzzle deep and square when viewed from the front. Head has loose skin permitted but without excess. Eyes Clean eyes, set forward, well apart, rather rounded. Rims tight without haw. Rim

The fanciers of the Neapolitan Mastiff is currently a very small community which has a long way to go in the UK. I believe that we all need to work together to ensure the continuance of this breed. I have seen the improvement of the health of the breed but there is a massive road ahead and I hope that we only go forwards.

Ears Small for size of head, set forward, high and well apart. Triangular, hanging flat towards cheeks, but not reaching beyond line of throat. Mouth Scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Or level bite. Teeth white and regular. Strong well developed jaws. Neck Fairly short, stocky, very muscular. Forequarters Shoulder long, slightly sloping with well developed and definite muscle. Elbows not too close to body to allow very free action. Pasterns slightly sloping, legs vertical when viewed from front. Body Longer than height at withers. Broad, well muscled chest, ribcage reaching at least to elbow. Ribs long and well sprung. Topline straight, sloping slightly from the withers, line of belly parallel to topline. Hindquarters Broad loin, well let into backline, slightly rounded with well developed muscle. Croup broad, muscular, with slight slope. Thighs long, broad, moderate stifle, powerful hocks.

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Breed Standard The Kennel Club UK

Feet Oval; close, arched toes. Pads thick, hard and dark coloured. Nails curved, strong and dark. Hindfeet slightly smaller than front. Tail

NEAPOLITAN MASTIFF (MASTINO NAPOLETANO) FCI-Standard N° 19/ 10.09.1992/EN

Previously customarily docked.

TRANSLATION: Mrs. Peggy Davis.

Docked: Customarily docked by 1/3 of length. Thick at root, set on slightly lower than topline. Tapering towards the tip. Never carried up or over back, but may be carried level with topline when moving.

ORIGIN: Italy

Undocked: Thick at root, set on slightly lower than topline. Tapering towards the tip. Never carried up or over back but may be carried level with topline when moving. In overall balance with the rest of the dog.

FCI-CLASSIFICATION:

Gait/Movement Slow, free, bear-like. Slow trot, long steps covering ground well. Rarely gallops. Coat Short, dense, even, fine, hard texture, with good sheen. No fringe. Colour Preferred black, blue, all shades of grey, brown varying from fawn to red. Brindling on either of the latter colours. Small star on chest and white on toes permissible. Pigmentation to tone with coat colours. Size Height: 65-75 cms (25½-29½ ins); Weight: 50-70 kgs (110-154 lbs). Some tolerance allowed. Bitches somewhat less. Faults Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work. Note Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum. Source: The Kennel Club United Kingdom.

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DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE OFFICIAL VALID STANDARD: 27.11.1989. UTILIZATION: Protection and guard dog. Group 2 - Pinscher and Schnauzer Molossoid breeds and Cattle Dogs. Section 2.1 Molossian type, Mastiff type. Without working trial. BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY: The Neapolitan Mastiff is a descendant of the great Roman Mastiff described by Columelle in the first century A.D. in his book “de re rustica”. Widespread all over Europe by the Roman legions, with which he has fought, he is the ancestor of numerous mastiff breeds in the other European countries. Having survived as so many centuries in the countryside at the foot of the Mt.Vesuvius and in general in the region of Naples, he has been re-selected since 1947, thanks to the tenacity and devotion of a group of dog lovers. GENERAL APPEARANCE: Large, heavy massive and bulky dog, whose length of body exceeds the height at the withers. IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS: The length of the body is 10% more than the height at the withers. The ratio skull-muzzle is of 2 to 1. BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT: Steady and loyal, not aggressive or biting without reason, guardian of the property and its inhabitants, always vigilant, intelligent, noble and majestic. HEAD: Short and massive, with a skull wide at level of zygomatic arches; its length is about 3/10 of the height at the withers. Ample skin with wrinkles and folds of which the most typical and the best marked goes from the outer palpebral angle down to the lip angle. The upper longitudinal axes of the skull and the muzzle are parallel.

Article

FCI Breed Standard

CRANIAL REGION: The skull is wide, flat, particularly between the ears, and, seen from the front, slightly convex in its fore part. The bizygomatic width is more than half the length of the head. The zygomatic arches are very prominent, but with flat muscles. The protuberances of the frontal bones are well developed; the frontal furrow is marked; the occipital crest is hardly visible. Stop: Well defined. FACIAL REGION: Nose: Set in the prolongation of the muzzle, must not protrude beyond the outer vertical line of the lips; must be voluminous with large, well opened nostrils. Its colour is according to the colour of the coat : black for the black subjects, dark grey-brown in dogs of other colours, and chestnut for brown coats. Muzzle: It is very wide and deep; its length corresponds to that of the foreface and must be equal to the third of the length of the head. The lateral sides are parallel (between them), so that, seen from the front, the shape of the muzzle is practically square. Lips: Fleshy, thick and full; upper lips, seen from the front, form an inverted “V” at their meeting point. The lower lateral profile of the muzzle is shaped by the upper lips; their lowest part is the corner of the lips, with visible mucous membranes, situated on the vertical from the external angle of the eye. Jaws: Powerful with strong jaw bones and dental arches joining perfectly. Lower jaw must be well developed in its width. Teeth: White, well developed, regularly aligned and complete in number. Scissor bite, i.e. upper incisors closely overlapping the lower ones in close contact, set straight to the jaw, or pincer bite, i.e. upper incisors meet edge to edge with the lower incisors. Eyes: Set on an equal frontal level, well apart one from the other; rather round, slightly deep set. Compared with the coat colour, the colour of the iris is darker. The eye may nevertheless be

lighter in coats of diluted shades. Ears: Small in relation to the size of the dog, of triangular shape, set above the zygomatic arch, they are flat and close to the cheeks. When they are cropped, they have the form of an almost equilateral angle. NECK: Profile: The upper profile is slightly convex. Length: Rather short, measures about 2,8/10 of the height of the withers. Shape: Conical trunk shaped, well muscled. At mid-length the perimeter is equal to about 8/10 of the height of the withers. Skin: Lower edge of the neck is well endowed with loose skin which forms a double dewlap well separated, but not exaggerated; starts at level of the lower jaw and does not go beyond middle of the neck. BODY: The length of the body exceeds by 10% the height at the withers. Top line: Top line of the back is straight; withers are wide, long and not very prominent. Back: Broad and of a length about 1/3 of the height at the withers. The lumbar region must be harmoniously united with the back and muscles and well developed in width. The ribcage ample, with long and well sprung ribs. The circumference of the thorax is about ¼ more than the height at the withers. Rump: Wide, strong and well muscled. Its obliqueness compared with the measured horizontal on that of the hip bone (coxal) is about 30°. Its length is equal to 3/10 of the height at the withers. The hip bones are prominent to the extent of reaching the top lumbar line. Chest: Broad and wide with well developed chest muscles. Its width is in direct relation with that of the ribcage and reaches the 40-45% of the height at the withers. The tip of the sternum is situated at the level of the scapular-humeral joint. TAIL: Broad, and thick at its root; strong, tapering slightly towards the tip. In length it reaches the articulation of the hock, but usually is docked at about 2/3 of its length. At rest is carried hanging and curved in sabre fashion, in action lifted horizontally or slightly higher than the top line.

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FCI Breed Standard

LIMBS FOREQUARTERS: General appearance: On the whole, the forequarters, from the ground to the point of the elbow, seen in profile and from the front, are vertical with a strong bone structure in proportion with the size of the dog. Shoulders: Their length measures about 3/10 of the height at the withers with an obliqueness of 50°-60° on the horizontal. The muscles are well developed, long and well defined. The angle of the scapulo-humeral articulation is of 105°-115°. Arm: Measures about 30% of the height at the withers. Its obliqueness is of 55°-60° furnished with significant musculature. Elbows: Covered with abundant loose skin, they are not too close to the body. Forearm: Its length is almost the same as that of the arm. Placed in perfect vertical position, of a strong bone structure, with lean and well developed muscles. Pastern joint: Broad, lean and without nodosity, continues the vertical line of the forearm. Pastern: Flat, continues the vertical line of the forearm. Its inclination on the horizontal towards the front is about 70° to 75°. Its length is equal to about 1/6 of the length of the limb from the ground up to the elbow. Forefeet: Of round shape, large, toes well arched and well-knit. The pads are lean, hard and well pigmented. The nails are strong, curved and of a dark colour. HINDQUARTERS: General appearance: On the whole they must be powerful and sturdy, in proportion with the size of the dog and capable of the required propulsion in movement. Upper thigh: In length measuring 1/3 of the height at the withers and its obliqueness on the horizontal is about 60°. It is broad with thick, prominent but clearly distinct muscles. The thigh bone and the tip bone (femur and coxal) form an angle of 90°. Stifle: The femoral-tibial (hip bone-shin bone) angle is about 110°- 115°. Lower thigh: Length slightly inferior to that of the thigh and of an obliqueness of 50°-55°,

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with strong bone structure and well visible musculature. Hock joint: Very long in relation to the length of the leg, its length is about 2,5/10 of the height at the withers. The tibial-tarsal articulation forms an angle of 140°-145°; Hock: Strong and lean, its shape almost cylindrical, perfectly straight and parallel, its length is about ¼ of the height at the withers; eventual dewclaws should be removed. Hindfeet: Smaller than the forefeet, round with well-knit toes. Pads dry, hard and pigmented. Nails strong, curved and of dark colour. GAIT / MOVEMENT: This constitutes a typical characteristic of the breed. At the walk, the gait of feline type of lion steps, is slow and resembles that of a bear. The trot is distinguished by a strong thrust of the hindquarters and a good extension of the forequarters. The dog rarely gallops; usual gaits : walk and trot. Pacing is tolerated. SKIN: Thick, abundant and loose all over the body, particularly on the head where it forms numerous folds and wrinkles, and at the lower part of the neck where it forms a double dewlap. COAT HAIR: Short, rough and hard, dense, of the same length all over, uniformly smooth, fine and measures 1,5 cm maximum. Must not show any trace of fringing. COLOUR: Preferred colours are : grey, leaden grey and black, but also brown, fawn and deep fawn (red deer), with, sometimes, little white patches on the chest and on the tip of the toes. All these coats may be brindled; hazel, dove-grey and Isabella shades are tolerated. SIZE AND WEIGHT: Height at withers: Males: 65-75 cm. Females: 60-68 cm. Weight: Males: 60 - 70 kg. Females: 50 - 60 kg. FAULTS: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be

Article

FCI Breed Standard

regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog. SERIOUS FAULTS: • Pronounced undershot mouth. • Gay tail (trumpet tail). • Sizes bigger or smaller than the limits allowed. DISQUALIFYING FAULTS: • Aggressive or overly shy. • Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified. • Overshot mouth. • Accentuated convergence or divergence of the facial-cranial axes.

• Topline of muzzle concave or convex or very aquiline (Roman nose). • Total depigmentation of nose. • Wall eye; total depigmentation of both rims of eyelids; cross eyed. • Absence of wrinkles, folds and dewlap. • Absence of tail whether congenital or artificial. • Extensive white patches; white markings on the head. N.B.: • Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum. • Only functionally and clinically healthy dogs, with breed typical conformation should be used for breeding.

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Nicholas Imbimbo Breed specialist judge Kindly translated from Italian to English by FCI judge Ivo Ingraffia, Italy.

JUDGING THE NEAPOLITAN MASTIFF by Nicholas Imbimbo

his is the hound, and so it must be judged as a dog unique in kind, which differs from other large Molosser. Its history, its authenticity, its expression are the legacy of the journey that the ancient mastiff has had through time.

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Judging the Neapolitan mastiff

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To get closer to the judgment of the mastiff one must know its millenary history.

An old dog that encloses its typical in a unique expression made of folds and wrinkles. To get closer to the judgment of the mastiff one must know its millenary history. A powerful mastiff was brought Phoenicians landed on the shores of the Mediterranean and bred by the ancient Romans to fight fairs in Circus Maximus. He arrived at the court of the Bourbons entered in the kennels of the Palace of Caserta, and was immortalized in the marble sculptures of fountain Actaeon which depicted the kind of true and authentic Neapolitan mastiff in large dogs surrounding the tub at the foot of the waterfall. The type, not the hyper, but the real one, is his valoreed observe that I senite soul. Before you, you have a Neapolitan mastiff a subject unique and unmistakable. The head of the bulldog is the synthesis of his typical two perfect squares representing the skull, perfectly flat between the ears and the nose filled with strong jaws powerful. The position of the eyes and folds on the head define the expression, sweet and dreamy, with quests concentric

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Judging the Neapolitan mastiff

skin that spread on the forehead and the top of the skull. The eyes never clear, they are well spaced and with heavy eyelids never everse. Neck is strong and robust with its dewlap as a shawl rests on the sides of the neck enriching. The shoulder is strong and well flexed with bone of medium length, well bent. The arm is robust with massive bone and foot large, leonine. Chest is very powerful, large, rimmed and deep enough to harmonize the long trunk andin the rectangle. The top line is characteristic of the breed. originates from withers strong and wide, continues at the thoracic perfectly straight and continue creating a slightly concave line that is in harmony with a gently sloping croup to which attaches a robust and thick tail carried like a scimitar. The hind quarters are short and strong shank with clean and flat, on average inclined fit on standing strong slightly elongated with short well arched toes. The gait is unique and unmistakable, the pace is slow and balanced, the effective thrust of the rear transmits to a rump rightly inclined in one fluid motion and the slightly swaying the topline is firm and elastic and impulse limb front that opens with an extension moderate and elastic. The head is carried down but always in line with the upper profile of the body. A gait but bear with impulse strong and powerful but with the softness she felines.

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This is the hound, and so it must be judged as a dog unique in kind, which

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Judging the Neapolitan mastiff

differs from other large Molosser. An image of strength and power has to move us watching him, must create an emotion inside us, bringing back to memory of the mastiffs that have shaped the history of mankind, primarily the Assyrian Babylonian, perhaps the founder of our Neapolitan. Its history, its authenticity, its expression are the legacy of the journey that the ancient mastiff has had through time. Accomplished accompanying humanity in the centuries of its evolution always remaining at his side. Faithful and devoted companion and guardian of his inimitable goods.

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Judging the Neapolitan mastiff

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OVULATION’S ANOMALIES IN NEAPOLITAN MASTIFF FEMALE Dott. Enrico Giordano

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Pregnancy is the most obvious proof of ovulation

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Dott. Enrico Giordano Ambulatorio veterinario Giordano-Ponticelli Via Gioberti 41, Acerra (Napoli) 80011 Italy ambvetacerra@libero.it

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Ovulation’s anomalies

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trickening and color of the vaginal mucosa. Surgery expensive and most often must be performed in sedation. • Electrical resistance of vaginal mucosa, rarely used. Reliable as the vaginal cytology Ovarian ultrasound: measuring the size follicular; also this expensive. Obsolete methods used by breeders are the attitude of the bitch, moving the tail, acceptance of male or count of the days starting from the 12th day after the beginning of preostrus , finally breeding programmed on the basis of the end of drain blood.

Dott. Enrico Giordano

It’s common to find dogs with problems about different phases of sexual cycle specially in breeds like Neapolitan mastiff. Monitoring a dog cycle means “studying the ovulation” such as the hormonal process leading to follicular maturation. It’s important to perform a careful monitoring to determine the optimal time for mating or artificial insemination, so to be able to also improve the rate of fertility of the bitch. Time of ovulation can be useful also to determine the date of delivery. There are many diagnostic aids for determining ovulation: • Dosage of serum progesterone: the result may vary depending on the machines and method used (chemioluminescence, immunoistochimica, ELISA) • Vaginal citology: progesterone changes the vaginal epithelium • Endoscopy: evaluation of

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Actually the most used methods for both the reliability for both cost are the dosage of serum progesterone and vaginal smear. The monitoring of ovulation should be performed every time you decide to breed a subject. Do not ever use a single dose of progesterone as reference for breeding, do not neglect the reading the smear and above don’t fantasize about hypothetical mathematical increase of progesterone.

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Ovulation’s anomalies

Incorrect use of drugs can cause this. Picture shows the Ovary and uterus of a Mastino Napoletano female.

A study of 52 female of Neapolitan mastiff found very different times of ovulation; 22 bitch at 16th day from the beginning of proestrus showed values of progesterone still very low and vaginal smear compatible with phase of proestrus. Continuing in the days following the dosages, 14 mastine resumed the cycle regularly with increases in the value of progesterone while 8 mastine remained still to baseline, then had a “heat anaovulatorio”. Among the causes of anaovulazione there are: • Inadequate follicular maturation caused by low hormonal stimulation • Hyperestrogenism for excessive hormonal stimulation • Anaovulation idiopatic of unknown case • In Neapolitan Mastiff anomalies of ovulation are to be found in factor such as:

• Feeding exclusively meaty or vitamin carence (particularly vit.A and vit E) • Obesity • Endocrine disorders caused by stress: continuous transfer • Ovarian pathologies • Pathologies organ: particularly hypotiroidism (associated iodio deficiency for absolute consumption of meat ? ) • Misuse of drugs: abuse of antibiotics, antifungals, steroids, that cause ever irreversible damage to the ovaries and uterus. Concluding we can say that despite the Neapolitan Mastiff is considered one of the oldest breeds od world dog,for that wich regards breeding and management , is essential to trust on the most accurate scientific methods to ensure a more glorious future to

“O Can e presa “!

• Age of the bitch, too young or too old

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dr. Fioramante Bifulco Napoli, Italy. www.veterinariobifulco.it Italian to English, Ardizio John and Mr. de Falco, for making possible to writing this article.

WE, THE NAPOLETANS by Di Fioramante Bifulco MDV

asaniello and the revolt in Naples, Moses, Zeus, Ulysses and the Odyssey ... Between myth and reality there is the giant dog the Neapolitan Mastiff. The origins of this breed go far in time; It is likened and compared to the great epic characters and the brave heroes of the history of Naples; the mastiff with its impressive posture and body, gaze silent and deep unmistakable is and defender of family and property due to his protective instincts and their fearsome appearance.

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We, the Napoletans

The writer of this article is dr. Bifulco Fioramante DVM, who graduated from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University Federico II of Naples in 2001, born and bred in Ottaviano in the province of Naples, Italy.

I have spent my childhood and adolescence with animals of various kinds between cows and chickens; the more time passed encouraged to follow my passion for animals, to push me to be a veterinarian, passion conveyed by my grandfather, “Fioravante Bifulco” a well-known cattle dealer nicknamed the house “of Fantiello”. I owned the first Neapolitan Mastiff in the 90, a daughter of a famous dog called Maradona. My puppy was so sweet, but at the same time wary of its territory and a great protector of these she loved we called her “The Queen”. In my house I fortunately had the opportunity to have more dogs and in fact my garden was shared by a mastiff, 3 boxers, and 2 Dogo Argentino ... . What was not easy, but I managed quite well, because, when you are in contact with your dogs learn their personalities and can avoid any upcoming conflicts. HISTORY OF THE BREED Now let’s step into the past by a brief overview of the origins of the Neapolitan mastiff. The breed of the Neapolitan mastiff has origins rooted in history, from the Sumerians to the present. Several descendants of the mastiff contemporary have ruled and followed over time.

Regina All.re Umberto Miranda Napoli

In ancient Rome, mastiffs of Macedonia were used as weapons of war, they arrived in the capital for the fight in the arenas; the same over the centuries, is crossed with dogs of the Celts and with the mastiffs of Epirus, arrived at the scene to trade; were then bred in southern Italy, in the current region Campania, near Capua, housed the training of gladiators.

In southern Italy the Spaniards brought

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We, the Napoletans

their dogs, fundamental to engrave some phenotypic traits (character and appearance) of the current breed. In fact, these dogs had big heads and short limbs and were being used by their nature as’ perro da presa ‘, which in Italian means’ catch dog’, which later became, in the local language Neapolitan, ‘’ o cane e presa’, then he called ‘mastino’ by the term ‘Massatinus’ which means keeper of the farm. After the last war, the population of the Neapolitan Mastiff is decimated, and it was after the last war, which was redeveloped by the importance of preserving the breed, which made its official appearance in the world of the dog world EXPO ‘of Naples 1946 October 12 held in Castel dell’ Ovo in Naples, where he was proclaimed the first Italian Champion Neopolitan Mastiff “GUAGLIONE I” which in Italian means “A boy”, and from which came

the descendants of many mastiffs of great importance. In 1949 came the first of the breed society, based in Naples (SIM, the Italian Mastiff), who in 1963 was replaced by (SAMN) Amateur Society of the Neapolitan Mastiff always based in Naples. BREEDERS Among the breeders especially these of the Neapolitan region, the blood line includes breeding of a well known line called “ del Nolano ,” which for decades and generations , driven by passion , have carved with the selection subject to the highest quality, as evidenced by the recent successes of 2015 Indeed, the Neapolitan mastiff has spread all over the country thanks to the work of breeders of excellence, making it a pride not only in Naples, but for all of Italy.

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AS GREAT AS THIS BREED IS AS MUCH VULNERABLE IT IS.

De Falco kennel, with some of the contestent for the Dog show held in Milano 2015

Raising a mastiff is undertaking to say the least difficult, we start with natural mating requires that, for the size of the male (for it is often larger than the female), the help of breeders, except when it is performed by artificial insemination. After the long wait of about 62 days finally the puppies are born with an average weight of 700/1000 grams and in a few months can reach large, as “Guaglione” that in about three months reaches a weight of about 20kg. NOTES OF MEDICINE OF THE BREED Although large and powerful, the Neapolitan mastiff is especially susceptible to pathologies of various apparatuses, congenital diseases and / or inherited, an example, starting from the eyes is the ectropion, defect of conformation of the eyelids that are partially swiveled outwards with consequent exposure conjunctiva to environmental stimuli and conjunctivitis.

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ENTROPION, defect of conformation of the eyelids that are partially tilted inwardly bringing the hair in contact with the cornea and conjunctiva, the protrusion of the nictitating gland. These diseases are diagnosed by veterinarians authorized and supervised by the regulations of dog lovers national institutions that safeguard the spread of such defects through the selection. They may have diseases of the musculoskeletal system such as hip dysplasia and elbow, hereditary defect that can lead to complete debilitation of the subject, heart disease, valvular defects. Some diseases are easily diagnosed and especially if the owner is empowered by the advice of the veterinarian.

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We, the Napoletans

In fact, some diseases can be prevented with a few diagnostic tests or surgery that can prevent or avoid: an example is the â&#x20AC;&#x153;gastric torsionâ&#x20AC;?. These patients, due to their shape of the chest, abdominal cavity have a very wide, which predisposes to diseases acquired as the GDV (gastric dilatation volvulus), feared by breeders and also by veterinarians since it is a true emergency from red code. It occurs due to an accumulation of food that expands the stomach that is

suspended like a hammock between the cardia and the pylorus cranial causally, and the movements of the subject do the rest: occurs as a rotation or part of the stomach resulting in strangulation of the vessels and the lines of communication organ itself that continues to expand by fermentation intragastric, and to prevent it can make a surgical anchor stomach gastropexy. I greet you all and thank you, it was a privilege to tell you a bit about the Mastiff.

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INTERVIEWED BY Ewa Larsson

Villa di Gaia AN INTERVIEW WITH A BREEDER

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Name Carlos Campos Country Brazil Affix Villa di Gaia Email www.facebook.com/cedcampos cedcampos@hotmail.com

» Please introduce yourself and your kennel to our readers, and tell us why this particular breed. I and my wife Sonia are the owners of our kennel called Villa di Gaia ,which is based in Brazil the city of Teresopolis, 90 km from Rio de Janeiro. Teresopolis is a mountainous town with mild and ideal temperature for our Mastinos, which are breading in a green area with beautiful nature. We are dedicated to breading the Neapolitan Mastiff, breed by which we are passionate. The Neapolitan Mastiff is a unique breed, loyal, beautiful and powerful, that reminds us of past ages.

» What made you want to be a dog breeder in the first place? The love for dogs, since my childhood I was very passionate about dogs.

» How did you get introduced to this breed? In an article in a dog magazine I read about the breed, from that moment, I promised myself that I would have that dog ,in that period I had no dog, and resided in an apartment. From that

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moment on, I struggled a lot to get the realization of my dream: Breading Neapolitan Mastiff.

» Please tell us about your past and present dogs.

want to bring to the breed with your breeding programme? I try to conciliate beauty and rusticity. The Neapolitan Mastiff must be beautiful and healthy.

The name of my first Mastino was Tucker di Zaion, called by us as Titan it was a very rustic dog, very healthy with strong temperament .After that I had Tecla di Graziano, a bitch which I took the first litters, was an excellent broad bitch. Over the years had several dogs and other imported from Italy. Currently among the dogs of my breading I would like to highlight: Vito di Legio Fulminata Villa Gaia; Ramona Legio Fulminata Villa di Gaia and her sister Paloma Legio Fulminata Villa di Gaia.

» How in your opinion does Mastino Napoletano differ from other breeds?

» What improvements do you

» Do you see any difference in

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The Mastino Napoletano is a unique breed, with totally different characteristics of other breeds, such as the head and powerful bone. It must be strong and robust, with an appearance that by itself commands respect, a person that see him must feel admiration and fear at the same time. It is a special breed and, as the saying goes: Il vero moloso.

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Mastino Napoletano of today compared to the Mastino of 10 years ago? If so, what are the biggest differences you see? For years the Mastino was breeding seeking the beauty. The rusticity was not as valued. Today, the search is for a dog without excesses and healthy.

» What in your opinion makes a perfect dog? Beauty, health and temperament.

» What is the best example of the breed that you have bred till now? Ramona Legio Fulminata Villa di Gaia.

» What advice would you give to those who are starting breeding? Begin assembling their stock with typical, beautiful and healthy dogs .Be very

patient and persevering. The Neapolitan Mastiff is a difficult race, with regard to reproduction, mating, most often have to rely on the help of humans, the litters are great, the mother because of its large size and weight, can’t be left alone with the young pups in the early days, under the risk of accidentally crush the puppies, to rear a Mastino litter requires a great dedication of the breeder, which is achieved and comes naturally when you love the breed.

» What are your efforts put into in order to build a great reputation (besides the dogs)? I always try to be in touch with the people who buy my kennel’s dogs, so you can follow the development of the dogs, as well as help with anything that could be necessary.

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» How important is it for a breeder to have an online presence nowadays? I believe it is extremely important because through the web is possible to divulge the breed for people who do not know or do not know in your fullness. Besides allow a relationship between different breeders and owners around the world.

» Would you like to add something? I would like to thanks TheDogMagazine for the opportunity for the interview and to talk about something close to my heart, to talk about the Neapolitan Mastiff and my kennel Villa di Gaia in Brazil, in such important media as yours magazine and for spreading some of the features of this wonderful breed.

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INTERVIEWED BY Ewa Larsson

Old World Mastinos AN INTERVIEW WITH A BREEDER

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Name Marcus and Yvette Curtis Country USA Affix Old World Mastinos Email www.oldworldmastinos.com

» Please introduce yourself and your kennel to our readers, and tell us why this particular breed. My name is Marcus E Curtis founder of Old World Mastinos established in 1999.After concluding my breeding program in 1998 with Rottweilers I chose this breed in 1998 after research on a breed that was a great guard dog but very trustworthy with family and children. After extensive research I finally found that perfect breed the Neapolitan Mastiff.

» What made you want to be a dog breeder in the first place? After making the switch from breeding Rottweilers I decided to breed Neapolitan Mastiffs. The motivation at first was to breed a few for hobby but over the years I became obsessed with the desire to produce some of the best the breed has ever seen.

» How did you get introduced to this breed? I was introduced to this breed by a co-worker Silver Lucero that found a Sharpei breeder that happened to im-

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Old World Ren

port the dogs I mentioned I was looking for Neapolitan Mastiffs. She had imported two very nice Mastinos from Italy and had pups from them and the rest is history.

» Please tell us about your past and present dogs. I have purchased, bred and owned countless Mastinos over the years and they all have been very special. The very first Mastino was ThunderMug Napolean in 1999 from Garry Travers a grandson of Fruit D’ Amour Fortunato. He will always be special as he was the very first. I have bred and imported many and have many great memories of them all. Of all the Mastinos we have owned, imported and bred, no Mastino is more special than our current young male Old World Don Vito aka THE DON. He is very close to what I’ve

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tried so many years to create.

» What improvements do you want to bring to the breed with your breeding programme? This is something that will never stop. The challenge each and everytime we breed will always be focused on improving. Improving on the type, movement, function, size, color and most important health.

» How does The Neapolitan Mastiff differ from other breeds? I am biased of course but the story is that they are the original guard dog dating back to ancient mesopotamia and have an incredibel storied past having changed hands from all the great nations from Alexander the great to Rome but besides the rich history is that these dogs are unlike any other all around.

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An interview with a breeder

THE DON

They are modern life gargoyles. Huge in stature with unmatched bone size, wrinkles with a piercing look in their eyes, intimidating look but loving and loyal. They are amazing in everyway.

» Do you see any difference in the Neapolitan Mastiff of today compared to the the Neapolitan Mastiff of 10 years ago? If so, what are the biggest differences you see? The breed is still very similar. You have great dogs and below average dogs. The standard was set and there are many world Champions that to me set

the standard high. 2 examples for my taste were World Champions Brigante Del Castellaccio bred by Salvatore Scherma and World Champion Carnera Della Grotta Azzurra. Those are the prototype for me. I believe there are less great specimens now but the improvement is I believe there are better functional dogs now.

» What in your opinion makes a perfect dog? There never will be a perfect dog in my opinion but the standard has been set and to produce a dog that clients and breeders alike that say thats the

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Old World Bane at 23 months

Old World Don Vito at 8 weeks

ideal perfect dog is when you’ll know your close. Match that with health and I know Im on track. I am a perfectionist so my short answer would be there will never be a perfect dog.

» What is the best example of the breed that you have bred till now? THE DON.

» What advice would you give to those who are starting breeding? Dont do it unless you have a fire and passion for it. It is a tough breed and it takes years of complete dedication, blood sweat and tears and lots of money to be a success.

» What are your efforts put into in order to build a great reputation (besides the dogs)?

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Old World Ren

Passion and love for the breed. You can’t fake it. We love this breed and give it everything. The fire we have to produce the best to our ability speaks volumes. We strive to have long lasting friendships with our clients and through our hardwork feel very confident in what we consistantly produce and give health guarantees with confidence as well. Love, integrity and honesty and hardwork are key ingredients for a great reputation.

» How important is it for a breeder to have an online presence nowadays? I believe to be great at anything you must always look to be great in every detail. Product, craftsmanship, marketing. In an ever evolving World a top

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An interview with a breeder

Old World Rosina 2.5 years

Old World Perseus

breeder must evolve or become extinct.

I havent mentioned. They were the pioneers and architects for the recreation of the breed I love so much and cant thanks them enough for their hardwork and the blueprint for what we have today. I only hope that one day I will be mentioned in that elite group as one of the alltime greats and hope that I can give back by being a positive influence on tomorrows great breeders.

» Would you like to add something? I would like to say that nothing I have ever accomplished would be if it weren’t for God. He gets all the glory first. I would also not have become who I am today had it not have been for my beautiful wife Yvette Curtis and my family for their never ending support and help. Breeding takes alot of super hardwork and dedication and the success wouldn’t have come without many great breeders ahead of me. Del Castellaccio, Della Grotta Azzurra, Di Fondo Anfossi, Dello Stradone, Del Gheno, Di Ponzano, Di Vitale and so many

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Del Nolano Kennel

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Name Michele De Falco Iovane Country Italy Affix Del Nolano Kennel Email Info@mastinidelnolano.it www.mastinidelnolano.it

My name is Michele de Falco Iovane I was born in 1934 in Scisciano (Naples), a village at the foot of the Vesuvius mountain. I am the owner of Del Nolano Kennel established in 1970. I had my first Napoletan mastiff when I was 7 year, it was a gift for my first communion. From that moment I could not live without them. The passion that I had from the first moment to this magnificent breed prompted me to select the most of this breed In the 70s and I registered the name of my Kennel with ‘ ENCI ( Italian kennel club) with the name of “breeding of Del Nolano. Together with my wife Maria Serpico we started this new experience in this breed in the 70s. Following this passion attracted the attention of my son Francesco where we started the dog shows beauty contests . In 1976 was a special year, that year my first Italian champion of beauty Drusus Del Nolano has got his title. Llater on came other achievements, • Barone 1 Del Nolano Italian champion in 1978 • Squarcione Del Nolano Italian champion in 1980 • Luisanna Del Nolano Italian champion in 1981 • Natalina Del Nolano Italian champion in 1982 • Claus 1 Del Nolano Italian champion in the 1983’s • Sara Del Nolano Italian champion in 1985

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• Barone 2 Del Nolano Italian champion in 1990 • Leone Del Nolano Italian champion and champion of reproductive 1993 • Furia Del Nolano Italian champion in 2000 • Asia Del Nolano Italian champion in 2003 • Vulcano Del Nolano Italian champion in 2005 • Diana Del Nolano Italian champion in 2007 • Masanielo Del Nolano Italian champion in 2009 • Stella Del Nolano Italian champion of Nolan in 2011 • Claus Del Nolano Italian champion 2011 world champion in 2015 • Polifemo Del Nolano Italian champion in 2012 • Carmen Del Nolano Italian champion in the 2013 world champion in 2015 • Ottavio Del Nolano Italian champion in 2014 • Furio Del Nolano Italian champion in 2015 and vice world champion in 2015 • Rocco Del Nolano ATIMANA Winner 2015. My idea of selection and was always to privilege the functionality temperament and overall health without neglecting the uniqueness and power that marks the Neapolitan mastiff. In my opinion and experience the best example of the breed that I have bred is the Italian champion and world champion Claus Del Nolano a legendary dog ran from the first day that went on display, six years unbeaten, winning five best in show, more 40 exhibitions won

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About Michele De Falco Iovane Over the past 70 years his kennel has been recognized by ENCI by the name of “ ALLEVAMENTO DEL NOLANO“. Michele’s mastiffs are known and appreciated throughout the world. As President of the Society Amatori Neapolitan Mastiff, with his mastiffs , he has participated in the most important European exhibition with flattering results.

40 best of breed and in 2015 came the greatest satisfaction, World Champion. A dog very close to the standard, a true character mastiff, powerful in the construction and at the same time elegant, withers height 76 cm weight 98 kg, a dog that has played several important topics! The advice I can give to people who plan to select the Neapolitan mastiff is to put a lot of passion but also a lot of respect, because the Neapolitan mastiff is an Italian heritage and World dog , when we give a puppy we try to maintain a family relationship with the new owners since it is very important to observe the result of our selection.

The Napoletan Mastiff differs from other breed because it is a very balanced

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dog, who loves his owner and is very defensive of home and family. It has an extraordinary relationship with the children. I am happy that my grandchildren Michele and Luigi decided to pursue my passion, I wish them all the luck in the world. Today it is very important to have an online site well designed so as to allow people to approach this breed, but advice for people who are going to take a puppy to visit the kennel because the photos do not show the true beauty. My website is www.mastinidelnolano.it email info@mastinidenolano.it tel. 3393644590. I would like to thank Ewa and TheDogMagazine team for this interview and express my gratitude for the dissemination of information about this wonderful breed.

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This is my story

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Name Peter Vanderwal Country Belgium Affix Van de Weyerhoeve Email www.vandeweyerhoeve.be

23 years ago, we got our first Mastino Napoletano. I already had several dogs, among others one Great Dane, a beautiful dog with superb character, which unfortunately died due to a stomach tilt, on the age of almost 2 years old. Although I was convinced that I wanted a new one as soon as I could, things turned out differently for me. I was at work at home and needed some wood boards. Therefor I went to a DIY shop in our town. The wood boards needed to be sawed, so I had to go tot he back of the shop, where they had the sawing. Alongside the sawing, there was a big meadow, connected to the garden of a house. All of a sudden, I see a Great Dane walking in the garden, I just stood there and enjoying that Dog. And then I saw a smaller dag, wearing a pyjama as it looked to be. I was flabbergasted and i had no idea what I was looking at. As I just had to know what breed it was, I put my wood boards down and walked up to the door of the house to ring the doorbell. As I waited, the door opened. There was a young lady standing in her lingerie. She invited me in and I replied by saying I was there for the dog in the garden. She replied by saying that I was the first to come for that, wait I will put on some cloths and I will come outside. We went to the back of the house and I met a dream of a dog, a Mastino Napoletano.

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An interview with a breeder

with my pregnant wife. My wife looked at me, with the face that was saying, how in earth did you end up at this place, because this was a bar and the dog was there as a guard dog. “I Expect he was here for the dog” said the woman in lingerie. And the three of us went to have a look at the dog. My wife too, fell in love with the dog and we were handed the address of the breeder. This is how we got our first of many Mastinos. Queeny Di Casa Sonata was the first and she was a beautiful bitch. The breeder urged us to go to an exhibition and so i went to our first show. Our girl had some great results. We enjoyed the shows and more followed after the first, and we met other breeders. Then we decided to breed a one-off litter with our girl, with the intention to keep one for our self. The result of this, was that we had the litter, had one pup living with another couple and we kept 3 ourselves. We could simply not part from them, they where just to sweet and beautiful. I quickly went home to my wife, and opened a dog breed’s book. I told my wife that here in our town I saw exactly such a dog, and we are going to have a look at him now! She did not react as positive as I hoped for, so I made her a deal.

We then also went to shows with the offspring of our first litter. A male, Senno, became European Youth Champion and his litter sister became second.

We will go and have a look and if you like him, we will go find us one. If you don’t like it, then we will proceed our search for a Great Dane. So there we were again at the door of that house and again the same lady opened the door in her lingerie. And there I was,

We got involved more and more and 23 years later, the passion is still there.

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We then applied for our kennel name and the affix “Van de Weyerhoeve” was born.

The Italians say that the Mastino is a virus that runs through your veins and you can never get rid of that virus. At this moment we are still involved in

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An interview with a breeder

Falco van de Weyerhoeve

showing and with our dogs we try to breed 1 or 2 litters a year. I was already into the breeding of Mastinos for several years, when the local community centre launched a 2-year course to get a diploma for breeding dogs. I followed the course and got my diploma. A very interesting course in my opinion. Especially because it already came in practice. I learned a lot of new things, but also things to do differently then I was custom to. I got the chance to learn from my mistakes, and I did! In the course I learned that one had

to start with 2 healthy dogs and then slowly work your way to a beautiful example of the breed standard. Breeding is not easy. It is just not simply putting 2 dogs together. You have to recognize the faults of your own and to find a partner that does not have these same faults, in order to try to breed a pup that possess the beautiful breed-specific features. To see and recognize the flaws/faults of your own dogs is a huge step in the right direction. In breeding, you should always breed if you want to keep all pups for yourself, and always try to breed quality pups in both health and looks.

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An interview with a breeder

Our Junior team: Nino & Nola van de Weyerhoeve

Important for the breeder is that socializing the pups, because especially for this particular breed, having socialized pups is crucial. Show training is a good thing, they will both be socialized and a bonus is that if you decide to go to shows, you already know how to present the pup/ dog. If you intent to go to shows, you have to able to take the criticism, because not all judges will see your dog, as you see it yourself. To often during a show, not the dog, but the person behind the dog is being judged. And that should never be the case… We all understand that judges have different opinions on what they would like

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to see in a dog and you should always respect their decision. But you may expect that when entering a show and paid money to enter, the judge also should know the breed standard. But unfortunately, that is not always the case. To me, going to an exhibition, is to show what I am proud of and show what type I am breeding. Because the people along the ringside, see what you show and they make their own decisions on what type they like. Despite the judges opinion on the day. Oona van de Weyerhoeve - 6 months old

Also, going to shows is an opportunity to see multiple examples of the breed. This can be helpful to you, finding that one dog to complement your own. For instance, if there is one father with several of his offspring, you can see and look for the similarities to determine the inheritance. A few years ago Belgium created the opportunity to obtain Belgium Junior Championship. Lionessa van de Weyerhoeve was the first Mastino Napoletano in Belgium who won this title. At this time we have achieved the following titles with our dogs:

First Mastino to became Belgian Junior Champion, Lionessa van de Weyerhoeve

European Junior Champion, Belgian Junior Champions, Belgian Champions, Dutch Junior Champions, Dutch Champions, Luxembourg Junior Champions, Luxembourg Champions and International Champions. In any case, I am in love with the breed of Mastino Napoletano and I hope to continue my hobby for a long time. Regards, Peter

57 Belgian Junior Champion Nola van de Weyerhoeve

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INTERVIEWED BY Ewa Larsson

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Name Country Affix Email

Steve Cox Great Britain Rayvonley www.rayvonley.com

» Please introduce yourself and your kennel to our readers, and tell us why this particular breed. Hi my name is Steve Cox and my Kennel is called “Rayvonley Kennels” often known as Rayvonley Mastini, I am very happy that you have asked me to write in your magazine and offer a little insight into my life with “The Neapolitan Mastiff”.

Rayvonley AN INTERVIEW WITH A BREEDER

For over 25 years I have had a burning passion for Neapolitan Mastiffs. I have bred, shown and collected them throughout this time, have won many shows all over the world and exported puppies to many countries. The dogs have given me great pleasure, which has even touched on a small amount of ‘Dog Celebrity’ TV fun sometimes. For more than two decades I have concentrated on importing many beautiful specimens from almost all regions of Italy and sometimes other countries to continuously introduce new blood to what was once a generally small gene pool in the UK paying special attention to dogs that are not only traditional-

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ly in breed type but displayed correct measures of health and fitness, to ensure that the future of the Neapolitan Mastiff in the UK would be a dog that not only looks impressive but can also do the job that it was bred for and for this the Mastino has to be able to see, hear and breath properly it must have the correct uninhibited construction and powerful well angulated back legs to enable it to explode into action if required.

» What made you want to be a dog breeder in the first place? To improve the Breed here in the UK and Fate took me this way, I had to strive for perfection and in a breed of huge diversity, perfection seemed to be an impossibility. The Neapolitan Mastiff, or Mastino as called in it’s country of origin, is very much the property guard dog of Italy. It’s roots go back to the war dogs of Italy used by the Romans in battle who would send the dogs in against the attack of the oncoming foe and even further back to the massive Molossus dogs of Alexander. Today’s Mastino is a calmer dog and a great guardian for the estate, home and the family. So the dogs that I wanted to breed and produce for others had to carry the same high standards that I had set for myself, each litter must always be better or at least as good as your previous one, everything must be considered when breeding and selecting your breeding pairs.

dog and had to see some, meet some of these beasts, I needed to know everything about this incredible historic breed, the more I researched the more I was drawn into the depths of the Mastino and its past, I knew there and then that this single photo had changed my life forever.

» Please tell us about your past and present dogs. There is much to tell.. But it’s hard to find or remember the starting point and I don’t ever see the finishing line.. Once you are drawn into the world of the Mastino it is like an addiction the bond is unbreakable. 1990.. after researching the breed and exhausting all available material I could find I managed to acquire three Neapolitan mastiffs, all born in the UK, Baron, Cinders and Dora, Baron was grey and Cinders and her sister black, none would be considered very good by today’s standards but for me then they were out of this world, I had some fun showing the male in any variety classes as there was no such Neapolitan classes or clubs in those days so you showed against other rare breeds and working group dogs.

» How did you get introduced to this breed?

Over the next couple of years realizing Baron was not very impressive and too closely related to the girls to breed with, I purchased an imported male “Ironstone Huck” Pet name Blue, bred in USA by the author of “The Official book of the Neapolitan Mastiff” Dr Sherilyn Allen Ironstone kennels (also a top Vet and Mastino Owner and Specialist).

I owned many English Mastiffs in the 80’s and purchased a new Molosser book and there I saw a Mastino sitting on a rock looking very rustic and noble, I was captivated by the photo of the

Ironstone Huck, a sound Grey Dog (son of USA Champion Ironstone Authority) made a considerable improvement here in the UK gene pool and he was better than anything we had seen

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before, he was of heavy muscular construction, strong bones with very correct head type and his different blood lines and heavier look pathed the way forward, I began to show him and eventually he won many shows even winning a Group at Liverpool in about 1995, the Neapolitan Mastiff was appearing and getting a little more popular. During this time I had imported dogs from Italy, Hungary, Czech Republic, Usa and was working with a larger gene pool owning maybe 30 dogs most of the time. I imported Vito Della Zacchera from Italy who was the next progression forward from Ironstone Huck.. Vito Della Zacchera of Rayvonley awarded Top Stud for several years, From 1994 to 2001 responsible for most of the top dogs in UK for that decade. All of the dogs in the first three Harry Potter films were out of Vito.

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I have imported over 80 dogs over the years. Rayvonley Dogs have won at many European and World Shows as well as Crufts and Championship shows all over Europe for over 20 years. Rayvonley Fosco “Leo” 2015 Rayvonley Hartu II & Rayvonley Ambra 2015

» What improvements do you want to bring to the breed with

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An interview with a breeder

your breeding programme? For the future, even healthier Dogs that live to a better age, many of my dogs are regularly reaching 8-10 years and their eyes seem to be as good at 6-8 as they were at 2 years old, the general condition of the skin has improved and is continuing to do so from 10 years ago (careful breeding) and visits to the vets have been much less over the past few years. We want our dogs to be with us as long as possible and active and healthy throughout its life, careful selection when breeding is important and the key forward. One of many dogs that I have brought into the UK “Hartu the 1st of Rayvonley, imported from Italy for blood line, his families longevity, history of good clean eyes without operations to improve, his healthy skin, coat, clean feet and not excessive overtype but correct type, he is 7 in this photo. Hartu.

» How does The Neapolitan Mastiff differ from other breeds? For me there is no other breed on the

planet that compares, maybe a Black Panther or a Lion or Bear comes close, the Mastino is Unique , It is said that the Italians purposely created a dog to astonish and amaze the onlooker, and consequently the mastino looks and moves like no other dog. It is also said by many that the mastino’s fantastic wrinkle and head, massive bones and lumbering movement create an incredible and indeed astonishing animal whose looks alone, just as a glance are quite enough to stop an intruder firmly in his tracks. The Mastino lives for his owners, loves you forever and his intelligence must never be in doubt.

» Do you see any difference in (your breed) of today compared to the (your breed) of 10 years ago? If so, what are the biggest differences you see? I still love strong heavy typical Mastino and that will never change but Yes overall the health has improved, some Mastini of the past were to excessive in

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some arears and if too much in excess it will shorten their lives, due to continues research within my breeding program I am obtaining a good balance.

» What in your opinion makes a perfect dog? To make the perfect dog is every breeder’s dream, a dog that is perfect is not a Mastino, each and every Mastino are different and that’s is what makes this breed so important to me, Ive had dogs that are totally different but just as impressive and beautiful, both still fitting breed standards, colour is unimportant (so long as a correct colour recognised and approved by the Kennel Club) providing the specimen ticks all the boxes, so providing three fundamental parameters are correct the rest is down to personal choice. The first has to be Health because without a solid healthy foundation you have no dog to work with, second is true breed type, to make sure that correct measures have been taken in the breeding program to retain a strong typical Mastino but not a dog that is lame and overdone with excess, thirdly and equally important to one and two is temperament, the Mastino should be a defender of his family and guardian of the estate he should not be an unpredictable aggressive animal that strikes for no reason, by dogs are calm and collective, they will defend if threatened and return to my side when called.

» What is the best example of the breed that you have bred till now? I’m proud to say that over the past 25 years I’ve bred many Good dogs, but some of my real favorites would have to include: Rayvonley Leone, Rayvonley Giada, Rayvonley Ambra, Rayvonley Canziano and Carola, Rayvonley Amadeo, Rayvonley Hartu, Rayvonley

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Leone, Rayvonley Fosco, Rayvonley Felisa, Rayvonley Fabia, Rayvonley Tinker, sisters Jet and Flash and in other countries many super dogs some have become Champions, I have also owned many special dogs that have help create my dogs of today… here are a few: Hamis, Hartu I, Rudy, Michelangelo, George, Leo I, Vito, Huck, Ottavio, Apollo, Females: Dona Chi, Serpentina, Triana, Luna, Peggy, Nina, Linda, Marina.. many more. I love all my dogs but my absolute favorite friends that I’ve bonded the most to would have to be Hamis, Leo I, Leone, Serpentina & Dona Chi.

» What advice would you give to those who are starting breeding? To do it properly it’s very hard and extremely expensive, the costs often outweigh any proceeds and can be very upsetting and totally sole destroying when things go wrong and they often do and only breed for the right reason, but if someone is determined to breed this breed please do it the right way and it can bring a smile to your face when you save that little puppy and he takes that gasp of air, do as much research as possible as this is one of the hardest breeds of dogs to successfully breed correctly. We offer the full service, from the initial enquiry, vetting process to puppy pack and after sales advice and back up and as Assured Breeders under the Kennel Clubs guidance and recommendation naturally, we want to keep contact with new owners and our puppies that we sell, it’s nice to hear many stories of how they grow and how they are and what they have done. We also offer the facility of looking after your Mastiff when you go on holiday, all our staff have had many years’ experience with Molosser breeds, we have many

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An interview with a breeder

acres to exercise the dogs each day. “If you are interested in owning a Neapolitan Mastiff please have a look at the short questionnaire on my website that I would expect any potential Mastino owner to answer before we even begin to talk seriously.”

» How important is it for a breeder to have an online presence nowadays? I think it’s very important and gives a potential new owner the assurance and wealth of information that is required by the breeder.

» Would you like to add something? That’s absolutely fine, my pleasure, if I can help anyone in any Mastino related way feel free to contact me. I believe throughout Life our Dreams can sometimes become reality (Anything is possible) you make your own luck in life, some people sit back and wait for it to happen, that’s not for me, I have made many mistakes in life some that hurt and others that just cost money, but I have always found comfort and understanding in my dogs, my Mastiffs and for the past 20 plus years my Mastini, a true friend from the moment he is born in your hands to the saddest moment when you have to say goodbye... throughout their existence they will never judge you, always love you and give you support and understanding that I have never fully found in people…probably my fault. I used to spent too much of my life trying to please and impress everyone else and always failed, when things are not so good your friends are less.. The phone doesn’t ring so much, but the dogs, well they never ever change.. For me I have been so lucky to have had all these great memories and times with my closest friends and I hope to be

able to continue to do so for however long I’m around.. so my Dream has always been with me growing and getting stronger, holding my mind together if all else was failing “My Dogs”, in past years hard work and building up finances have enabled me to give the best possible life for the dogs as they deserve to live in the very best conditions, I hope to meet them all again one day.. who knows

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AUTHOR Sonja Smidova

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Name Sonja Smidova Country Belgium Affix Mastino Napoletano Kennel Email www.mastino-napoletano.be

Mastino Napoletano Kennel MY LIVING LEGEND

17 years ago I was looking for a dog. I was convinced that I wanted a Great Dane. After looking around I found someone who had a litter. I went there to discover that he had also one other puppy. A sweet little Mastino Napoletano. He was 4 months old and I was sold. Urny was my first Mastino Napoletano. I immersed myself in the history of the breed and soon I started looking for a puppy. After a long search I found Dora. Dora and Urny were ordinary housedogs and shows were not yet achieved.

King Louie and Sonja Numa Lucia (Lucy)

The character of my dogs cannot be compared with others. Their imposing appearance already provides they are great watchdogs. Are you seeking a fight with him? They will never be aggressive unless they notice that their boss or property is at risk. It is a very quiet and calm dog. They need to have a strong boss. Someone to whom they can be faithful. A breeder called Di Casa Sonata contacted me at some point. She told me that she had cancer and wanted to

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King Louie, his first BIS Club Show in The Netherlands 2013

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Numa Lucia (Lucy)

find a good home for her dogs. I had met her in my quest for a Mastino, and she thought that I had the right qualities to give a good home to some of her beloved dogs. I got Clay and Tschitcha. And they got together a litter of 10 puppies. The start of a line full of champions, but I did not know then. Meanwhile, I came in contact with Piet Van Melis. A very well known person in the world of the Mastino Napoletano. First he was not very interested because he often visited new breeders, which he often came back from a bare trip. Fortunately, he still took the time to come along with me. He taught me everything about the Mastino Napoletano. How to look at the dog, which I had to watch out for and what I needed. He looked at my puppies and advised me to keep Zitta and go to show

with her. Not entirely convinced that this was the best dog I decided to listen to this expert anyway. And it ultimately proved to be the best decision. With Zitta, a black Neapolitan, I did my first shows. At that time Damocle Del Sirbone, an Italian dog became World Champion and at the suggestion of Peter I decided to contact the owner to see if he was interested in starting a line between Damocle and Zitta. He agreed. A good match because Zitta gave birth to 10 beautiful puppies. I kept 2 boys. One was Brozzo, he is my first Multi Champion. Brozzo is the father of my second Multi Champion: Don Matteo. And the line was put. Two excellent and very high award-winning bitches followed: Ithani and Isella. Ithani became BOB at Crufts 2012. This was our first

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encounter with the Crufts show. She won from 36 participating dogs. We were thrilled with this unexpected, but sublime victory. Ithani is the mother of King Louie. King Louie is simply the best for me and for many others too. He is the most winning Mastino Napoletano ever, I know. His first show was a success. He was BIS Junior at the IDS in Amsterdam in 2012 at the age of 17 months old. In total, he was 8 times BIS at several club shows in several countries between 2012 and 2015. He was twice BOB at Crufts (20132014). He is Dutch, Belgian, German, Luxembourg, Finnish and International Champion. And as icing on the cake, he became World Champion 2014 in Helsinki. King Louie is my living legend. Currently I am going to show with Monopoli du Circuit, the son of King Louie. He has also won some, he was Cruftswinner in 2015 as best male. He is Luxembourg and Benelux Champion. Along with Multi Champion Isella, Monopoli has a daughter. Numa Lucia (Lucy) of 12 months old. She became Youth Bundessieger and is qualified for Crufts 2016.

“

Ithani

My line of champions will therefore continue.

King Louie Crufts 2013

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Multi Champion Isella

Crufts Winner, Lux & Benelux Champion Monopoli Du Circuit

Multi Champion Isella

Multi Champion, Crufts Winner ’13 ‘14, WW’14, 8x BIS King Louie

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JUDGES

AROUND THE GLOBE

PART 1

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Mr. Bas Bosch Judge BELGIUM

basbosch75@hotmail.com

Mr Bas Bosch’s first serious experience with pedigree dogs started when he was sixteen years old. He became a kennel hand in one of the most established and well known Mastiff kennels in the Netherlands (Sanguis Nobilis) owned by Bert van de Vorst. Mr Bosch has been judging since 1980 - he first awarded CACIBs in Mastiffs - and is a Group 2 specialist and also awards CACIbs in breeds in groups 3,6,7,9,10. Mr Bosch is a Molosser specialist, he has judged in over 30 countries and judged BIS

Mr. Michele Palazzo Judge Breeder ITALY

Illimani kennel

Mr Michele Carmelo Palazzo has been a breeder of Neapolitan Mastiff for over 30 years, and under kennel name Illimani has produced several champions; Italian, International, World Champions and Atimana Champions to mention a few. Mr Palazzo is a breed specialist judge, he started judging in the 1990s and is FCI approved for Group 2 (Great Dane, Boxer, Bulldog, Bullmastiff, Cane Corso, Doberman, Dogo Argentino, Dogue de Bordeaux, Fila Brasileiro, Hovawart, Mastiff, Pyrenean Mastiff, Neapolitan Mastiff, Spanish Mastiff, Rottweiler, Saint Bernard, Shar Pei, Tibetan Mastiff and Black Russian Terrier). Mr Palazzo has judged all over Europe as well as various places in North America, and South America. With the collaboration and approval from the S.A.M.N. (Society Amatori of the Mastino Napoletano), Mr Palazzo has modified the Standard of the Neapolitan Mastiff. In the recent past, he was the President of the Cinofilo Group of Bari, Italy, in which

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at Molosser Championship shows in 28 countries. He awards CCs in Bulldogs and Mastiffs and in the UK has judged breed club shows in 9 breeds. Bas has previously judged in Ireland where he did the Dogue de Bordeaux club show and also Bullmastiffs and Neapolitan Mastiffs. Mr Bosch was for more than ten years editor-in-chief of ‘De Hondenwereld’ (the oldest and leading dog magazine in the Netherlands) and for the same period he contributed regularly to Dog World (the leading British dog paper). In addition to this, he has already been breeding and judging for almost thirty years. Mr Bosch is FCI licensed to judge: Argentinian Dog, Doque De Bordeaux, Boxer, Broholmer, Bullmastiff, Great Dane, Bulldog, Fila Brasileiro, De Mastin Español, Mastino Napoletano, Mastiff, Perro Dogo Mallorquin, Rottweiler, Shar Pei, Tosa, Tibetan Mastiff, Border Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Basset Hound, Bloodhound, Italian Spinone, Clumber Spaniel, Boston Terrier, French Bulldog, Japanese Chin, Pug, Pekingese, Tibetan Spaniel, Deerhound and Irish Wolfhound.

he currently holds the position of Vice President. Currently Mr Palazzo is no longer a breeding the Mastino, however he still judges this breed with the greatest of passion and love for this ancient and colossal breed that is appreciated all over the world.

Was one of the expert judges at the World Dog Show 2015. Mr Imbimbo’s first dog was a boxer, after he breed since the sixties, achieving great results.

Mr. Nicola Imbimbo Judge Breed Specialist

Mr Imbimbo is a Professor of Canine Genetics and Zoognostic and a lecturer for the courses for judges of the SAS Italy, but since over 30 years he has entirely devoted himself to the Neapolitan Mastiff, breeding and producing bloodlines under the affix “dei MARAVETI”. Mr Imbimbo is a member of the Gruppo Cinofilo Irpino and of the SAMN (Società Amatori Mastino Napoletano) and adviser when the company was refunded. He also bred Great danes, Bull terrier and French bulldogs. ENCI and FCI judge since 1970, he is an all-round judge and ENCI trainer for new judges of dog shows. He is also AKC judge. Mr. Imbimbo is also the author of articles published in many languages (French, German, Russian, Portuguese).

ITALY

nicodeimaraveti@gmail.com

Dei Maraveti

He wrote two books on the Neapolitan mastiff, the first published by Olympia in Florence, the first ever book about Italian mastiff, published for three successive editions that sold up to 20,000 copies. The second monograph published by the Neapolitan mastiff (De Vecchi) in 1980 was translated into Spanish and French. He has contributed with comments about the Neapolitan Mastiff in the monography of the Italian breeds that ENCI published in 2003. Best in Show judge in many shows around the world (Europe, Brazil, Mexico, United States, Russia, Peru, Ecuador, etc) and he has judged in many countries of North and South America, Russia and throughout Europe. He collaborates with Italian and foreign kennel periodicals and offers his advice Cinotecnica Kennel international associations including AKC and ENCI, the last one held in Bari in May 2008 on the theme: “Canine genetics and DNA.”

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