Neahond

80-110 lbs
25-27"
United States
Neapolitan Mastiff
Keeshond

The Neahond is an odd combination of a giant breed, the Neapolitan Mastiff, with a small breed, the Keeshond. They can vary quite a bit in size and coat type due to their parental differences. Their fur may be short to medium but is usually thick and dense. They are good with children and other pets but because of their size they should be supervised with small children. These dogs are not great for first time dog owners or those who have not had large dogs before because they may be difficult to train and this can be dangerous due to their size. 

purpose Purpose
Companion, Guard Dog
history Date of Origin
2000s
ancestry Ancestry
Keeshond and Neapolitan Mastiff

Neahond Health

Average Size
Male Neahond size stats
Height: 27-29 inches Weight: 100-130 lbs
Female Neahond size stats
Height: 25-27 inches Weight: 80-110 lbs
Major Concerns
  • Renal Cortical Hypoplasia
  • Canine Hip Dysplasia (Chd)
  • Heart Diseases and Disorders
  • Gastric Dilation Volvulus (GDV) or Bloat
Minor Concerns
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Entropion
  • Ectropion
  • Skin Allergy “atopy”
Occasional Diagnoses
  • Cataracts
  • Epilepsy
  • Glaucoma
Occasional Tests
  • Cardiac
  • Up:Uc Ratio For Kidney Function
  • Eye Examination
  • Skin Evaluation
  • Ultrasound
  • Internal Imaging (x-ray, CT scan, MRI, etc.)
  • Electrocardiograph (ECG - measures rate and rhythm)

Neahond Breed History

Due to the fact that the Neahond is such a new breed, they do not yet have a history to share. Therefore, it is important to look at the histories of the parent breeds. The Keeshond came from the Netherlands in the 1700s from the Samoyed, Pomeranian, Norwegian Elkhound, Finnish Spitz, and the Chow Chow. They used to be known as the Dutch Barge Dog because they typically were used to guard canal barges as well as family farms. The breed got the name Keeshond from the Dutch Patriot leader named Kees de Gyselaer and his dog, Kees. He was called the “dog of the people” at the time. However, when the party was overrun by the opposition, many of these dogs were destroyed. Luckily, a woman named Mrs. Wingfield-Digby introduced the breed to the United Kingdom, where they became popular. The Keeshond was then accepted by the American Kennel Club in 1930 and became the 92nd most popular breed of dog in the United States. The Mastiff is one of the most ancient breeds and the Neapolitan Mastiff has been around since ancient times. The records date back to the 15th century when these massive dogs were found guarding and protecting temples and other structures in Rome. They descended from the Roman War dog and British Mastiff in Italy and were known as “big dogs for small men” due to their size and protectiveness. These giants made imposing looking guard dogs but they were found to be loving and gentle with people and quickly became popular as companion pets. They were acknowledged in 2004 by the American Kennel Club where they became the 99th most popular dog breed. 

Neahond Breed Appearance

This is a strange mix of breeds because the Neapolitan Mastiff is a giant breed and the Keeshond is a small breed. However, they mix well and are typically on the larger side, from 80 to 130 pounds when fully grown. Their coat is dense, short to medium, hard, straight, thick, and rough with color combinations such as black and brown; black and gray; blue and gray; silver and blue; black and white; blue and black; or brown and blue. Other colors may include brindle or sable. The Neahond has floppy ears on a large square head, stocky body, massive, strong legs, and a long, furry tail. They have brown or amber eyes with a blue, Isabella, black, or brown nose. 

Eye Color Possibilities
brown Neahond eyes
Brown
amber Neahond eyes
Amber
Nose Color Possibilities
blue Neahond nose
Blue
black Neahond nose
Black
brown Neahond nose
Brown
isabella Neahond nose
Isabella
Coat Color Possibilities
black Neahond coat
Black
gray Neahond coat
Gray
brown Neahond coat
Brown
blue Neahond coat
Blue
silver Neahond coat
Silver
sable Neahond coat
Sable
brindle Neahond coat
Brindle
Coat Length
coat
Short Medium Long
Coat Density
coat density
pin
Sparse Normal Dense
Coat Texture
coat texture
Neahond straight coat texture
Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Neahond Breed Maintenance

The amount of maintenance your Neahond needs depends on the coat thickness. If your dog has short hair, you may only need to brush her a couple of times a week with a rubber curry mitt or slicker brush. However, if she has a longer coat, you may need to brush her three or four times a week with a pin brush and comb. The goal is to keep the skin healthy and prevent too much shedding. You should also trim your Neahond’s toenails about once a month to keep them from cracking or curling. You may need to bathe your Neahond once in a while to keep their coat clean but check with your veterinarian about what type of dog shampoo to use. 

Brushes for Neahond
Pin Brush
Pin Brush
Slicker Brush
Slicker Brush
Comb
Comb
Nail Clipper
Nail Clipper
Brushing Frequency
fur daily fur weekly fur monthly
Neahond requires weekly brushing
Daily Weekly Monthly

Neahond Temperament

The Neahond loves people and other pets but must be socialized and trained early and properly. They are large to giant dogs so they may need more guidance than other dogs to keep them from accidentally hurting smaller pets or children. Obedience training is recommended for first time dog owners or those who do not have enough time to properly train their dog. These breeds can be stubborn and need extra reminders before they catch on to what you are trying to teach them. They tend to push their boundaries. However, they make excellent guard dogs because of their large size and bravery. 

Neahond Activity Requirements

The Neahond needs plenty of exercise but not as much as other dogs. On average, they should get about 45 to 60 minutes of physical activity every day to keep them healthy. Dogs that do not get enough exercise tend to become overweight, anxious, and have behavioral problems. Some of your Neahond’s favorite activities may include playing fetch, agility competitions, hiking, chasing wildlife in a fenced area, playing with other dogs at the dog park, and going for long walks. They also enjoy swimming and hunting, so you may be able to take them to a park for that. They do best with a large, fenced yard they can play in for several hours a day. 

Activity Level
low activity medium activity high activity
Low Medium High
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
7 miles
walk mileage
Minutes of Activity Per Day
45 minutes
activity minutes

Neahond Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
3.5 cups
cup per day cost cup per day cost cup per day cost
Daily Cost
$2.40 - $3.20
food bowls daily cost
Monthly Cost
$72.00 - $96.00
food bag monthly cost

Neahond Height & Weight

6 Months
Male Neahond size stats at six months
Height: 26.0 inches Weight: 65.0 lbs
Female Neahond size stats at six months
Height: 24.0 inches Weight: 40.0 lbs
12 Months
Male Neahond size stats at 12 months
Height: 27.0 inches Weight: 92.5 lbs
Female Neahond size stats at 12 months
Height: 25.0 inches Weight: 72.5 lbs
18 Months
Male Neahond size stats at 18 months
Height: 28.0 inches Weight: 115.0 lbs
Female Neahond size stats at 18 months
Height: 26.0 inches Weight: 95.0 lbs

Neahond Owner Experiences

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