Get Free Shipping over $100
Welcome to our store
By Cindra Grooming Products — USA-Made Professional Grooming Essentials
The Neapolitan Mastiff is one of the most dramatically wrinkled breeds in existence — a massive Italian guardian dog whose abundant, mobile skin folds, deep dewlap, and short coat define its imposing appearance. The coat requires almost nothing. The wrinkles require everything.
The Neapolitan Mastiff has a short, dense coat that requires very little maintenance on its own. What defines the breed visually is its massive, loose skin — forming thick, mobile wrinkles that cover a comparatively short head and combine with a heavy dewlap at the throat. Colors include grey, leaden grey, and black as the most typical, with mahogany brown, tawny fawn, and deep fawn also permitted. The wrinkles, jowls, and dewlap are the defining grooming focus of this breed — even more pronounced than the related Dogue de Bordeaux.
The Neapolitan Mastiff is calm, dignified, and deeply protective — a breed bred for centuries as a guardian and watchdog. They are extremely loyal to their families and naturally wary of strangers. Despite their imposing size and serious expression, well-socialized Neos are affectionate and gentle with their own household, including children. They are not highly active dogs — moderate exercise suits them well — but they require committed early socialization and confident handling given their guardian instincts and substantial size. Not a breed for first-time or inexperienced owners.
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Skin fold infection in deep wrinkles | Moisture, drool, and debris trapped in this breed’s extreme wrinkle depth; inadequate drying | Clean every wrinkle fold daily with a damp cloth or dog-safe wipe; dry completely; this is a more involved process than most wrinkled breeds given the depth and number of folds |
| Dewlap and neck fold irritation | The heavy dewlap traps moisture and debris at the throat | Clean and dry the dewlap area daily alongside facial wrinkles; check for redness or odor |
| Eye irritation from eyelid skin (entropion/ectropion risk) | Excess skin around the eyes is a known breed-specific concern | Monitor eyes daily for excess tearing, redness, or irritation; consult a vet if eyelid conformation appears to be causing chronic issues |
| Drool and jowl mess | Heavy jowls produce significant drool | Wipe jowls regularly with a towel; clean lip folds daily as part of the wrinkle routine |
This is the defining grooming task for the Neapolitan Mastiff and requires more time and attention than for almost any other breed. Systematically clean every wrinkle on the face, dewlap, and neck daily using a damp cloth or dog-safe wipe. Work into each fold individually — the depth and number of wrinkles on this breed means a thorough check takes real time. Dry each fold completely; trapped moisture is the direct cause of skin fold infections (pyoderma) in this breed. Any redness, odor, or discharge warrants prompt attention.
Brush weekly with a rubber curry brush or soft bristle brush to remove loose hair from the short coat. This is minimal effort compared to the wrinkle care routine.
Bathe approximately once a month or as needed. Use Moisturizing Shampoo, working carefully into every wrinkle fold to clean thoroughly. Rinse completely — trapped shampoo residue is a common cause of skin irritation in deeply wrinkled breeds. Dry the dog completely, with special focus on getting every wrinkle bone-dry, not just damp-dry.
The Neapolitan Mastiff sheds at a low to moderate level given its short coat. Weekly brushing manages shedding effectively. The coat itself is genuinely one of the lowest-maintenance aspects of owning this breed — the skin care, by contrast, is one of the most demanding in the entire Working Group.
| Feature | Puppy | Adult |
|---|---|---|
| Wrinkle development | Present from a young age but continues developing in depth as the dog matures | Full, deep, mobile wrinkles covering the head, dewlap, and neck |
| Grooming priority | Establish the daily wrinkle-cleaning habit immediately — this only gets more involved as the dog grows into its full wrinkle depth | Daily, thorough wrinkle and dewlap cleaning is a lifelong, non-negotiable commitment |
| Task | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Wrinkle and dewlap cleaning | Daily |
| Jowl wipe | Throughout the day as needed |
| Brushing | Weekly |
| Bath | Monthly |
| Eye check | Daily |
| Ear check | Weekly |
| Nail trim | Every 3–4 weeks |
Few breeds demand wrinkle care like the Neapolitan Mastiff. Cindra’s Moisturizing Shampoo is gentle enough to use deep in every fold while cleaning thoroughly enough to keep this dramatic breed comfortable and healthy. Made in the USA since 1982.
Used the texturizing shampoo on my Border Collie puppy and I loved it! Rinses nicely, smells okay, coat feels really nice after drying. Other shampoos over-soften which isn't correct for the breed. The texturizing shampoo is just right!
really nice product for my gsd!
love this sprayer and it's pretty to look at!
Washed a dirty puppy and the cleansing shampoo got him *literally* squeaky clean. First time using a cleansing shampoo and I was impressed. I'm not a fan of the scent, but I cant argue with the results.
