Vesuvio Neapolitan Mastiffs (Australia)

Vesuvio's Stefano at 2 years

Table of Contents

How long have you been breeding dog's. ?
Are your dogs health checked before breeding. ?
What colors do they come in. ?
Have you shipped your dogs overseas before. ?
How can we contact you via the telephone or fax. ?
How do we pay you when we live overseas. ?
Are your dogs F.C.I. registered. ?
Known health and breed problems. ?

How long have you been breeding dog's . ?

We have been breeding dogs for over 29 years now and have been with the Neapolitan Mastiff breed
since 1992 and continue to breed from only the very best. You can see some of our wonderful dogs
by going to our puppy or on-line video page.

Are your dogs health checked before breeding . ?

Our dogs are health tested before breeding. Our veterinarian checks our dogs
for Hips, Hearts, Elbows, Patella's and as they get older Thyroids.

What colors do they come in ?

The most common color that the Neapolitan Mastiff comes in is grey followed by black, tawny and
mahogany. We do have all four colors available for sale from time to time.

Have you shipped your dogs overseas before . ?

Yes we have shipped many of our dogs overseas. Our dogs can be found in South Africa,
Hong Kong, New Zealand, Tahiti, Japan, England and the USA just to name a few.

We also take care of the blood tests or whatever testing is needed to ship your puppy to your
country so there is no need for you to worry about anything, only the import permit and quarantine
if any as we are a rabies free country.

How can we contact you other than the internet. ?

You may contact us on the telephone. Just dial the country code 61 followed by the area code
3 followed by the number 5997-7188 or by facsimile on 61 3 5997-7189.

How do we pay you when we live overseas . ?

Paying money directly into our bank account is the fastest and safest way for you to do business
on the internet. Please Note: We do not take credit cards or overseas money orders.

Please find our bank details listed below.

Bank: A.N.Z
Location: Koo Wee Rup Victoria Australia
Account Name: Gotcha Security Services
Branch or BBS: 013684
Account Number: 495438986

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Are our dogs F.C.I registered . ?

Yes all of our dogs are registered F.C.I because our Kennel Club the V.C.A and the A.N.K.C are
members of the F.C.I so you will have no problems when transferring your new pride enjoy into
your name for breeding or showing.

Some countries will not except registrations unless the dogs are F.C.I. registered therefore you
will not be able to show or register your dogs litters within these countries main kennel club.

Known health and breed problems?

The Neapolitan Mastiff is a breed that can have some problems with health just like any other
large breed of dog. Although generally an easy breed to own it does not require much grooming.

It is a large dog and as such is susceptible to a variety of problems. I have listed the main
health problems below.

Hips, Elbows & Growth Rates

Big dogs take a long time to grow. Throughout this growth the developing bones are easily damaged
with rough playing, improper exercise and nutrition. Hip dysplasia, osteochondritis and elbow
dysplasia are certainly possible. Health testing and grading will definitely show any potential
problems. There is a degree of each of these conditions which can be attributed to poor nutrition
and over exercising and not just genetic defects. We believe that generations of "clear" dogs may in the end produce "clear" offspring.

Hearts

Hearts that don't beat consistently can occur resulting in poor circulation and even death. Not all
heart problems can be attributed to genetic defects, many large breeds of dogs can just be unlucky,
as we try to produce "giant" breed. Checking of hearts is very important every time a dog visits a
vet as many times the problem occurs later in life and not just in puppy hood.

Thyroid

Thyroid abnormalities are seen in this breed and although some expect problems it should not be
classed as normal. Many with thyroid problems can be placed on medication to control it although
this is not ideal for those used in breeding programs.

Immunity & Skin

Neapolitans have a lower immune system than most breeds. A low immune system means that a dog
is more susceptible to viruses or skin problems. Demodectic mange has been seen in a large number
of Neapolitans worldwide. This can be a mild case which clears itself or with the help of washes and
medication. But if it is a "generalised" case which never gets better then the dog is in trouble and
may need to be euthanised.

Great expense can be spent trying to alleviate the problem, not always with success. Staph infections
on the skin can occur either as a secondary infection to mange or otherwise. Bacteria infections
called pyoderma can cause loss of hair and redness of skin. Immunity does pass on genetically
and some dogs are better than others. There is no test for this condition to date that we know of.

Typically you are better off using a medicated anti-bacteria shampoo on a regular basis to help
keep the skin healthy.

Eyes

The heavy rolls of wrinkle on the dogs which is so desirous can sometimes cause problems around
the eyes. Entropion (top eyelids turned in) and ectropion (bottom eyelids turned out) is certainly
seen in the breed. This breed is expected to show haw, or the redness of the drooping lower lid, but
excessiveness here can be a potential problem. Most cases are very mild and par for the course in
breeding and owning Neapolitans, these cases do not interfere with the vision or health of the dog.

More pronounced entropion can cause ulcers on the corneas and, if not surgically treated,
blindness. Many heavily wrinkled dogs exhibit no affects, while many smooth faced dogs are
affected. Cherry eye is relatively common in growing pups, removal of the gland is the most
successful treatment, although procedures have improved with "tacking" the gland into place however
we do not recommend this treatment.

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