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American Neo Bull (American Bulldog & Neopolitan Mastiff Mix): Info, Pictures, Traits

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By Nicole Cosgrove

Neo Bull Neapolitan Mastiff American Bulldog mixed breed dog

Height: 23–25 inches
Weight: 60–80 pounds
Lifespan: 12–15 years
Colors: White, black, brown, golden
Suitable for: Active families, those looking for a loyal, protective dog
Temperament: Intelligent, responds well to training, friendly, protective, energetic

The American Bulldog and Neapolitan Mastiff mix is a large dog predominantly bred in the United States. They resulted from the crossing of different Bulldogs and Mastiffs in a bid to create a family-friendly guard dog. The idea was also to retain the wrinkled face typical of Mastiffs.

The American Bulldog and Mastiff mix is capable of immense love, loyalty, and affection when given proper care. Here is what you need to know about the American Neo Bull.

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American Bulldog and Neapolitan Mastiff Puppies

Energy
Trainability
Health
Lifespan
Sociability

The American Bulldog and Neapolitan Mastiff mix is an energetic dog, and you will have to provide adequate exercise to keep them from being destructive. They are also intelligent, which makes them easy to train if you know what you’re doing.

They’re healthy dogs, but it is important to get a puppy from a reputable breeder to ensure that you get a healthy animal. With proper care, the American Neo Bull can live for up to 15 years. To avoid negative experiences, ensure that you socialize them properly.

3 Little Known Facts About the American Bulldog and Neapolitan Mastiff Mix

1. They Are Not Temperamental

Well-trained American Neo Bulls typically wait for your go-ahead before they act on something. They’re relatively easy to train and enjoy learning new tricks and commands.


2. They Are Obedient

Despite being bred from strong and independent canines, they are extremely loyal to their masters. This means that they will always look up to you for guidance and prefer to stay nearby whenever you’re home.


3. They Have an Awesome Heritage

American Neo Bulls have been bred from bullfighting (American Bulldogs) and arena fighting (Neapolitan Mastiffs) breeds. They are capable guard dogs, but they aren’t aggressive. However, they require thorough training to help them distinguish between strangers and friendly guests.

Parent Breeds of the American Neo Bull
Image Credit: (L) Mary Swift, Shutterstock | (R) Christian Mueller, Shutterstock

History

The American Neo Bull breeding started in the ‘80s, and over the generations, breeders have been trying to retain the gentle attitude and wrinkled face of the Mastiff while breeding out the health conditions they are predisposed to.

American Bulldogs trace their origins back to Great Britain and were brought to the U.S. during the colonial period. They were typically used in farms in the South, where they helped in hunting or fighting bulls, bears, and buffaloes. Over time, however, they became popular family and guard dogs. Unfortunately, the AKC has yet to recognize American Bulldogs as legitimate breeds.

The Romans bred the Neapolitan Mastiff to guard their homes and farms. Italians still use Neapolitans for that purpose. The AKC officially recognized Neapolitan Mastiffs as a legitimate breed in 2004.

While a true American Neo Bull should be 50% Bulldog and 50% Mastiff, the percentages differ depending on the breeder. That is why it is essential to do your research on a breeder before getting pups from them.

Appearance

The American Bulldog and Neapolitan Mastiff mix is a large dog, with males weighing up to 75 pounds and reaching a height of 79 centimeters at the shoulder. Females weigh between 60 and 70 pounds.

They display physical traits from both parents. For example, just like the Mastiff, the Neo Bull is thick-boned. They are also as heavily muscled as the Bulldog.

The typical Neo Bull has a large and deep chest, wide shoulders, and a thick, muscular neck. They also have strong, sturdy legs that give the animal the graceful, tiger-like gait that Mastiffs are famous for. Despite their size, the Neo Bull is an incredibly athletic dog.

The American Neo Bull’s face retains the Mastiff’s wrinkles, with eyes that vary from gold to dark brown and ears that drop to the side of their face. Some pet owners crop their Neo Bull’s ears.

They have a short snout with a wide nose and large nostrils. They have a short, dense, and waterproof coat with a texture that ranges between smooth and harsh. A Neo Bull’s coat color can be either solid or a combination of colors, such as black, brown, fawn, blue, brindle, white, and gray.

They have a straight, thick tail at the base that tapers at the tip.

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Temperament & Intelligence of the Neo Bull 🧠

The Neo Bull is a laidback, gentle, and affectionate animal, with a strong devotion to those they are loyal to. They can also be incredibly overprotective, which can make them aggressive. Therefore, proper training is crucial to ensure your dog plays well with everyone.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

The Neo Bull’s size can also be an issue when it comes to small children. Even though they are gentle, their large stature can cause them to knock over children accidentally. They can also be quite playful, so it is necessary to supervise them when playing with young ones.

With the right training, Neo bulls are generally docile, fun-loving animals who desire to please their family.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

Fortunately, the American Neo Bull gets along with other pets as long as you socialize them properly. The American Neo Bull is also intelligent and can be incredibly strong-willed, which can make them challenging to train. That is why they’re not recommended for first-time dog owners. Under the care of an experienced handler, however, training the dog is easy.

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Things to Know When Owning an American Neo Bull

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Unlike cats,  dogs are not obligate carnivores, which means that they can eat more fruits, vegetables, and carbohydrates. However, it’s best to get a high-quality dog food that’s formulated for large-breed canines. Although some dog owners serve a raw diet to their pets, you need to understand the benefits and risks involved.

Commercial dog food is an excellent option, but first, ensure that the dog food you choose is appropriate for large dogs such as the American Neo Bull. It should have a high protein content.

Also, consider giving them foods high in essential fats, such as fish, flaxseed, and linseed. Fats keep the canine’s joints healthy. Before you feed your dog, make sure they are calm and relaxed. Additionally, try to feed them at the same time every day so you can establish a routine.

Do not play or engage in physical activity with them while they are feeding. Once they are done eating, allow them to rest for about an hour before engaging with them.

Exercise 🐕

The American Bulldog and Neapolitan Mastiff mix is large and therefore, requires daily exercise to keep them fit, as well as drain their energy. Besides two daily walks, you can play games like fetch and tug of war to keep them fit. However, when they’re puppies, you must avoid high-intensity activities to protect their growing bones and muscles.

Training 🦮

Neo Bulls are large, powerful dogs, and they need firm, consistent training to function well in the home. A handler needs to be firm and assertive without being harsh. Neo Bulls are sensitive and don’t respond well to yelling or harsh corrections. Because of their size and strength, they’re not the best pets for inexperienced owners.

Before they become powerful adults, they need thorough training from a skilled obedience trainer. Training an adult American Neo Bull is more challenging and requires more skill and patience.

 

Grooming ✂️

The American Neo Bull does not have significant grooming needs. Their coat is short and dense, and it does not shed much. As a result, brushing their coats occasionally to keep them free of debris is all the maintenance you need to do.

However, it is necessary to give them a bath periodically to keep their coat in mint condition. Be sure to inspect their skin thoroughly, especially on the face, as the wrinkles are prone to infections.

Also, keep their nails trimmed while checking the state of their feet. Their heavy frames put a lot of pressure on their feet, and if their nails grow too long, they can puncture their pads and affect their mobility.

Health and Conditions ❤️

Even though the American Bulldog and Neapolitan Mastiff mix is a healthy dog, they’re predisposed to specific health issues, such as elbow and hip dysplasia, and congenital diseases.

Minor Conditions
  • Elbow and hip dysplasia
  • Obesity
Serious Conditions
  • Cherry eye
  • Dewlap infections

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Male vs Female

Male American Neo Bulls are somewhat larger than females.  Otherwise, male and female American Neo Bulls are fairly similar. The dog’s upbringing, genetics, and health can affect their temperament more than their sex.

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Conclusion

The American Neo Bull is a gentle giant who makes a fantastic family dog. However, due to their intelligence and dominant personality, they can be difficult to train, which is why they are not recommended for first-time owners.

To reduce the risk of health issues, make sure that you get your pups from a reputable breeder. Experienced breeders utilize health-screening techniques and DNA tests to ensure their pups are healthy. Reputable breeders also keep in contact throughout the dog’s life to help you raise a healthy and well-trained dog.

If you get an American Neo Bull pup and provide them with proper care and training, they might become the best dog you ever had.


Featured Image Credit: AS-AT, Shutterstock

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