English Neo Bull

Both of the parent breeds of the English Neo Bull are both considered molosser type dogs, canines characterized by their thick bone structure, short powerful necks, and massive heads, that were utilized mainly to protect livestock and property, but they were also well known as war dogs and as fighting dogs. The Neapolitan Mastiff comes from Italy, where it is known as the Mastino Napolitano. This massive animal was originally utilized as a farm and family guardian in the countryside of southern Italy, using its bulk to fearlessly protect its charges from thieves, wolves, and possibly even the bear. After World War II, fanciers of the Neapolitan Mastiff began to focus on the breed and the breed standard was drafted in 1948. The English Bulldog is also quite an old breed and the origins of this canine are masked by history. Although they are much smaller than the Neapolitan Mastiff, Bulldogs are strong-willed and powerful canines which were frequently employed by farmers and butchers to control, guard, and bait bulls throughout England. To that end, Bulldogs of the 1800’s were bred to be a much more tenacious and aggressive canine than they are today, with an extremely high pain tolerance. This made them excellent candidates for fighting other dogs as well and because of this trait they were instrumental in the development of both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the American Staffordshire Terrier. When these violent “sports” became illegal in 1885, the breed was maintained by Bulldog fanciers who chose to breed for a more agreeable nature, and today’s English Bulldog is typically a docile animal who is capable of adapting to many situations.