Neapolitan Mastiff vs Hawaiian Poi Dog - Breed Comparison

Hawaiian Poi Dog is originated from Indonesia but Neapolitan Mastiff is originated from Italy. Hawaiian Poi Dog may grow 32 cm / 12 inches shorter than Neapolitan Mastiff. Hawaiian Poi Dog may weigh 64 kg / 141 pounds lesser than Neapolitan Mastiff. Both Hawaiian Poi Dog and Neapolitan Mastiff has almost same life span. Hawaiian Poi Dog may have less litter size than Neapolitan Mastiff. Hawaiian Poi Dog requires Low Maintenance. But Neapolitan Mastiff requires Moderate Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Companion dog
Molosser dogs
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Indonesia
Italy
Height Male:
36 - 38 cm
14 - 15 inches
60 - 70 cm
23 - 28 inches
Height Female:
34 - 36 cm
13 - 15 inches
50 - 60 cm
19 - 24 inches
Weight Male:
7 - 15 kg
15 - 34 pounds
61 - 79 kg
134 - 175 pounds
Weight Female:
6 - 13 kg
13 - 29 pounds
51 - 69 kg
112 - 153 pounds
Life Span:
5 - 8 Years
7 - 9 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 5
6 - 12
Size:
Small
Giant
Other Names:
Native Hawaiian Dog, and Hawaiian Islanders’ Dog., Poi Dog, Ilio, Hawaiian Dog
Can'e presa • Italian Mastiff • Italian Molosso • Mastino • Mastino - Mastini plural • Mastino Napoletano • Neo
Colors Available:
any color with white markings, brown mostly
black, mahogany and tawny, blue, chocolate, gray
Coat:
short and fine
straight, dense, short
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Playful, Stubborn
Alert, Courageous, Independent, Intelligent, Loyal, Protective, Quiet, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Hard
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
No
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

History

The Hawaiian Poi Dog was a descendent of the dogs brought to the Islands by the Polynesian. These Polynesian dogs were themselves descendants of the kuri dog of New Zealand. These kuri dogs were originally from Indonesia. The Hawaiian Poi dog is now extinct but at one time was considered the spiritual protector of Hawaiian children and also used as food by hungry Native Hawaiians.

The dog was called poi which was the word for a food staple mad from the root of Taro and used to put weight on the dogs before they were eaten. Meat was not fed to the dogs because it was too scarce. There was no large mammals to hunt and so the breed was never given a standard. The Poi dog seen by European explorers were short legged, pot bellied canines that lived with the hogs in the towns. Because of what they ate, the dogs were not highly intelligent but were stubborn and hard to train. Because the dogs were not suited for much beyond food and a spiritual charm, they became extinct when the traditional religion was no longer practiced and eating dogs was no longer acceptable. The breed pretty much disappeared by the early 20th century. Very few images of the dogs remain except for ancient petroglyphs.

There was an attempt by the Honolulu Zoo in the late 1960’s to redevelop the breed using local dogs to determine a standard. Then the local dogs were bred as close to the standard as possible. In the third generation one dog was born with the traits of a Poi dog. There was not much more success with this and then the Polynesian ship travel between Tahiti and Hawaii was recreated and a dog taken along.

Today’s mixed breed dogs in Hawaii are called Poi dogs but also have the stubbornness, unique appearance and ability to eat anything it is given like the original Poi. The dogs are small, and should not be confused with the original Poi dogs.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Description

As previously mentioned the Poi dog is somewhat unusual in size and shape due to what they ate. They looked somewhat like the native dogs of Polynesia and New Zealand. They have short legs, long bodies, somewhat obese and a very flat head. He had a short smooth coat, in any color or any pattern. They were however mostly brown and they might or might not have white markings.

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

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

Characteristics

Children friendliness

The Hawaiian Poi dog was very friendly and good with children

Special talents

The Poi was considered a good luck charm and a spiritual protector of children

Adaptability

Given what they faced in life, the Poi dog was very adaptable, living anywhere on the islands and eating anything it could find.

Learning ability

Due to their poor diet, the Hawaiian Poi dog was seriously lacking in intelligence and learning ability.

Children friendliness

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

Special talents

Protective yet quiet, calm, relaxed

Adaptability

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

Learning ability

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

Health Problems

Probably due to its diet, the Poi dog had several problems to their health. Their poor diet led to a sluggishness both in movement and intelligence. Its development was hampered by a lack of protein. Malnutrition and serious over inbreeding caused a weakness and poor oral hygiene. Due to this lack of teeth and chewing the bones in the dogs heads became flat. The Poi had breathing issues and overall lethargy.

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

Other issues include:

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

Caring The Pet

Feeding the puppy

With meat being rare in Hawaii, none was available for the dogs. They were fed Poi – from the Taro plant roots. Puppies were fed 2-3 times a day.

Feeding the adult

The adult dog was fed once or twice a day the same as Poi puppies were fed.

Points for Good Health

The Hawaiian Poi dog basically has not good health points.

Games and Exercises

The Poi dog did not need and did not get much exercise, leading to its demise.

Feeding the puppy

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

Feeding the adult

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

Games and Exercises

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

Comparison with other breeds

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  26. Hawaiian Poi Dog vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
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  29. Hawaiian Poi Dog vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Hawaiian Poi Dog vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Hawaiian Poi Dog vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
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  34. Hawaiian Poi Dog vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Hawaiian Poi Dog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Hawaiian Poi Dog vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Hawaiian Poi Dog vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Hawaiian Poi Dog vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Hawaiian Poi Dog vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Hawaiian Poi Dog vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Hawaiian Poi Dog vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Hawaiian Poi Dog vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Hawaiian Poi Dog vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Hawaiian Poi Dog vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Hawaiian Poi Dog vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Hawaiian Poi Dog vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Hawaiian Poi Dog vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Hawaiian Poi Dog vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Hawaiian Poi Dog vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Hawaiian Poi Dog vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison