Ultimate Mastiff

The Ultimate Mastiff is a hybrid dog that comes from crossing a Dogue de Bordeaux with a Neapolitan Mastiff. The Dogue de Bordeaux is a Molosser dog, known to have existed in France for more than 600 years. This breed descends from the Molossus, the ancient Roman Mastiff-type dog, and is related to the Mastiff, Neapolitan Mastiff, and Bullmastiff. The Dogue de Bordeaux was very popular amongst French aristocrats for property guarding and big game hunting. The breed suffered highly during the French Revolution, due to its link with the aristocracy, but they were later seen as farmer's and butcher's dogs. The first breed standard was written in Paris in 1896, and they got named after the region they originated in, Bordeaux. The first Dogue was imported to the United States in 1959, where the breed became well-known 30 years later, thanks to its apparition in the comedy “Turner and Hooch” with Tom Hanks. It wasn’t until 2008 that the Dogue de Bordeaux was recognized by the American Kennel Club. The Neapolitan Mastiff origins are traced back for millennia; it is believed that the first Mastiff-type dog was created about 5,000 years ago in Tibet. These dogs assisted in battle and were also used as guardians. After that, little is known regarding the Neapolitan Mastiff's history, until their appearance in Italy. It is known that the breed comes from Naples, southern Italy, from which it got its name. Breeders in this region wanted to create a massive dog for protection, but that would also be a loving family member. They worked on creating a large dog with thick, loose skin. The dogs started to participate in shows and in 1946, the journalist Piere Scanziana found these dogs and worked on making them well-known. Thanks to him, the first breed standard was written and the breed acquired Italy’s national dog registry recognition. They got the name Mastino Napoletano and by the early 1970s these dogs became popular in Europe. It is believed the Neapolitan Mastiff first arrived at the U.S. in the 1880s. The breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2004.