Ancient Mesopotamia 3100 BC A Statue was found depicting proof of A very large Mollossus dog with a square head and muzzle, dewlap, large massive body with a deep chest and folds of skin, large thick bones and amputated ears.

 It is said that Sumerians, as they travelled owned and bred very large, massive dogs that would guard and protect the people, children and livestock from enemies and other predators including lions. This would have took such a massive dog as depicted in the two statues. These traits are the similar to the modern Neapolitan Mastiff (Mastino) of today.

Alexander the Great (356-323 BC) had large Molosser-Type dogs that were used for guarding in the same manner and who were used for trade especially with the people of Rome.

Romans also used these large dogs to guard and protect but some were used for entertainment in the Coloseum to battle slaves, criminals, Gladiators and sometimes Lions. They were also used throughout Rome to protect and guard livestock, people, villas and vinyards as they still do today.

After the fall of Rome these dogs were spread out throughout Europe and evolved taking on other names etc. The Molosser type dogs that remained around what was once ancient Rome in the Vesuvius region became guard dogs as before and some smaller more athletic dogs were used for hunting and this is believed was the time where The Mastinos of today and the Cane Corso split.

39AD Latin author Columella wrote in De Re Rustica about the Roma Mastiff/ Mastino/ Neapolitan Mastiff.

He wrote that they were dark guardians of homes that couldn't be seen at night.

The breed was a treasured and useful dog of the Italians so all dogs of it's kind and of similar type and temperament were bred together and refined and finally after World War 2 after the first exibition in Naples 1946 in 1948 A standard was written. The standard was codified by Dr. Piero Scanziani in 1948. Recognized by the FCI in 1949 and was now officially recognized by the World.

The Standard was rewritten in 1979 and is the official standard of even today.

In 2002 a Standard was finally adopted and recognized by the AKC.

This majestic, massive guardian of people and property is alive and well thanks to some great breeders of the past. below is some photos of some of the greatest past dogs ever and there breeders. Of coarse there are too many to name so if some are left out, my sincerest apologies and my thanks to you and what they did for the breed.