The Ambullneo Mastiff is a relatively new breed that came about when an English Mastiff was crossed with a Neapolitan Mastiff female, and two of the puppies from this litter were bred with a Pitbull. The resulting puppies were then further developed with a Bullmastiff and American Bulldog, resulting in a cross that was 57.5% Mastiff and 42.5% Bulldog, known as the Ambullneo Mastiff. However, it took a further 10 years before the breed was finally admitted to the National Kennel Club (NKC).

Breed Overview

The Ambullneo Mastiff is a massive dog with a muscular body, large head, and powerful jaws. The forehead has a slight arch, and Ambullneo Mastiffs also have thick necks and broad shoulders, making them look somewhat intimidating.

Ambullneo Mastiff Puppies

Ambullneo Mastiff puppies can be costly. Ensure you purchase a puppy from a certified breeder. Certified breeders carefully select the parents’ genetics before breeding to avoid passing on some genetic conditions to the offspring. You can also ask to see both parents to ascertain the puppy’s heritage and health.

Additionally, you can adopt a puppy from a dog shelter—if you are lucky enough to find one of these dogs in need of a home.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Ambullneo Mastiff

Are These Dogs Good for Families?

Ambullneo Mastiffs are affectionate towards their family, and their calm demeanor makes them good companions for families with older children. However, they are not recommended for toddlers because of their large size, and you should not leave them alone with a young child without adult supervision.

Although Mastiffs love cuddling with their owners they also appreciate regular exercise. When handled correctly, the Ambullneo Mastiff makes an excellent pet for families and can learn to get along with everybody in the house.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

Ambullneo Mastiffs get along with other dogs when socialized at a young age. However, they cannot be trusted alone around small pets such as rabbits, cats, and guinea pigs due to their high prey drive. If you already have small pets, consider keeping them in a secure area away from your Mastiff.

Things to Know When Owning an Ambullneo Mastiff

Food & Diet Requirements

Ambullneo Mastiffs are huge dogs and can weigh up to 150 pounds. These dogs require a lot of food—preferably, give them about 6–10 cups of dry food daily. However, the amount will vary based on age, gender, and activity level.

If you are still determining how much food to feed your dog, consult your vet to ensure they get all the required nutrients and calories. Ensure they have clean, fresh water available at all times.

Exercise

This breed requires regular exercise to stay healthy and happy. Daily exercise also enables them to release their physical energy and stimulate them mentally. You can take them on runs, walks, and hikes often—they enjoy the opportunity to experience the outdoors and are quite protective, making them a great hiking companion. Some factors that affect the amount of activity they should get include age and health.

These dogs should not be allowed out of the home alone or without a leash because of their strong hunting instinct.

Training

Ambullneo Mastiffs are easy to train because of how intelligent they are. These dogs are sensitive to harsh training methods, and the best way to train them is by using positive reinforcement—treats or words of affirmation when they complete a task.

Ambullneo Mastiffs also require early obedience classes and socialization. You can also use games and puzzles to teach them new things and strengthen your bond with them. Due to their large size, it’s vital to train these dogs to obey recall commands.

These dogs have a potential for mouthiness, especially as puppies, meaning they tend to nip and chew. Mouthy puppies bite their owners and other family members softly and need to be trained to chew on toys in case the problem develops into adulthood. When training a puppy or dog for the first time, ensure you do it in your home where they are comfortable.

Grooming

If you are looking for a low-maintenance dog, this is a great breed. Ambullneo Mastiffs have a straight, moderately short coat, which makes them easy to groom. They should be brushed with a firm brush at least once a week and a bath is only necessary every 3 months or so or when they get really filthy—too much bathing can disturb the natural oils in their coat.

Additionally, they require regular nail trimming and ear cleaning. Taking your Mastiff to the groomer also helps spot any conditions developing before they worsen.

Health and Conditions

Although Ambullneo Mastiff dogs are healthy dogs overall, they may still suffer from several health conditions.

Serious Conditions:

Some severe conditions likely to affect Ambullneo Mastiffs include epilepsy, osteosarcoma, hip and elbow dysplasia, and pulmonary stenosis.

Seizures: A brain disorder characterized by several symptoms, including stiffening of the legs, shaking and trembling, uncontrollable drooling, paddling of the limbs, and loss of bladder control. Seizures can be caused by epilepsy, a brain injury, or other brain diseases. Episodes can last a few seconds or minutes, and the dog is typically unaware of their surroundings.

Hip and elbow dysplasia: This occurs when the joints develop abnormally. You can tell if your dog has hip and elbow dysplasia based on the reduced range of motion, loss in thigh muscle mass, lameness in the back legs, and decreased activity. To lower their risk of dysplasia, limit strenuous activity until they are 2 years of age.

Minor Conditions:

Common minor conditions that affect Ambullneo Mastiffs include eye problems such as entropion, plus allergies and obesity. These dogs have a high risk of getting obese if they don’t get enough exercise due to their large size.

Male vs. Female

Males are heavier and weigh between 135 and 150 pounds, while females weigh between 115 and 125 pounds. Female mastiffs are less needy than their male counterparts, who constantly seek attention from their owners. Male Ambullneo Mastiffs are also typically more playful and active than female Mastiffs. Although not naturally aggressive, males may show more aggression towards dogs of the same gender than females.

Since males tend to mature slower than females, they take more time and patience to train correctly. Males sometimes also show dominance during training which slows down their progress. Conversely, females have a long attention span, making them easier and faster to train.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Ambullneo Mastiff

1. The “puppy phase” in Ambullneo Mastiffs is longer than in other dog breeds

Although Ambullneo Mastiffs are pretty large and muscular, they spend a lot of time in the puppy stage compared to most other breeds. They only reach mental and physical maturity at about 3 years old. Although they can exercise during this period, extensive exercise should be avoided until they are at least 2 years old. Otherwise, they could develop joint issues.

2. They don’t require much exercise

While Ambullneo Mastiffs don’t require strenuous exercise, they are at their best physically when given light, frequent exercise. Regular exercise also prevents them from getting obese and developing other sedentary diseases. However, they require far less exercise than many other dog breeds their size.

3. They are a relatively new breed

Ambullneo Mastiffs are a relatively new breed and first appeared in the 1980s in Southern California.

Final Thoughts

The first thing that comes to mind when you see this dog is how massive they are. For this reason, they make good pets for people who love large dogs, and they can be challenging for anyone who does not have experience dealing with large dog breeds.

If you are considering getting an Ambullneo Mastiff, you must consider whether you are well equipped to deal with it. Although they love the outdoors, this breed prefers the comforts of home and the presence of a loving family who will give them lots of attention.

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