Living With Giants-Romeo and Pearl

by Robert Hudson

Living with giants has been a life long passion for Kathryn Dunlap. “I have always been attracted to unusual dogs, especially big unusual dogs. Neapolitan Mastiffs are not a well known dog, so I try to educate people on this wonderful breed. We have found Great Danes and Neos do very well together as siblings. So we have always had one of each.” Meet Romeo and Pearl.

She went on to say, “We started with Akita’s and then went to Mastiffs and Danes. It’s hard to say what the learning curve is with owning giant breed dogs because each type of dog has different traits and from there they all have different personalities. But owning a dog as big as a person is challenging. If they want to go….they go! Training is paramount, they need to know you are the leader of the pack. Honestly every day is a new adventure.”

Romeo is a Neapolitan Mastiff. He is three years old and weighs in at 180 pounds. The breed originated in Italy and is a decedent of guard dogs dating back to the Roman empire. They typically live 8 to 10 years. Living with giants in this case is living with a dog that is fiercely loyal and protective.

Pearl is a Great Dane, and just one year old! That is a BIG puppy! Danes are one of the largest breeds in height and weight. The breed originated in Germany and is decedent from a hunting dog known in the middle ages.

Living with Giants requires work and patience

Living with giants is a challenge. “Their size alone makes owning one a serous commitment. We had to buy a van because two big dogs could never fit in a regular car. You have to be ready to give up your bed and couches. Nothing is really yours anymore. Good leash training is so very important, being pulled by a Neapolitan or a Great Dane is someone you don’t want to experience. Train early and often,” Kathryn told me.

Living with giants is also rewarding. “Romeo is like a big 180 pound stuffed animal. There is nothing like snuggling into all his glorious wrinkles. He likes to sleep right up next to me and breathe into my neck! He is my own personal furnace. Pearl his a huge snuggler too. But since she is still a puppy, her snuggling is usually interrupted by stepping all over you because she is well….crazy! I image in a couple years she will be a master snuggler too.”

Those wrinkles

“One of the most impressive things about Romeo is his wrinkles. A beautiful head with heavy wrinkles is a hallmark of the Neapolitan Mastiff. But those wrinkles can sometimes cause issues. Before Romeo was even one year old he needed entropion surgery on his eyelids. The heaviness can cause the lids to turn in and scratch the eye itself. In other words, he had an eye lift!

Eye Heath is important to his breed. I keep his eyes clean by wiping and applying drops daily to keep them clear and moist. His wrinkles are cared for daily also. He needs to be cleaned after each meal and wiped after he drinks. Romeo usually gets a couple baths a year in the kiddie pool outside because we can’t get him into the tub in the house! He also swims in our big pool, so bathing him has not been an issue….he just swims. Neapolitan Mastiffs are messy, it’s part of the package.”

Living with giants -Playtime

“Both Romeo and Pearl love toys! They prefer stuffed toys over bones because tug is a big favorite playtime in this house. Most toys don’t last long as you can imagine, so we buy in bulk!”

And then there is the drool and the desire to chew anything. “Romeo, as a puppy, ate most of the backyard. We had to remove the mulch in the flower beds because he was eating it all. We replaced it with rock….then he ate that! Luckily by a year old he turned the corner and started to relax. Pearl on the other hand prefers to eat walls, shred towels and all holiday décor! She just turned a year, so fingers crossed, she will be growing out of this phase.”

Both of these breeds drool…quite a bit. You will need drool towels throughout your house!

“As with all big dogs, there are health issues. Neapolitan Mastiffs can suffer heart issues, joint, skin and eye problems too. Unfortunately Neos and Danes also run the risk of bloat. So we make sure to tack all our big dogs to help prevent bloat. I would highly recommend pet insurance if you are thinking of adding a big dog to your family.”

Living with giants also means you must provide mental and physical exercise “They get their daily exercise by running in the yard and going for daily walks. That is plenty for Romeo, but Pearl needs more at her age, so she goes to Doggy Day Camp twice a week. It is great for her to interact with other dogs while burning some puppy energy”.

Various toys, puzzle toys, hide a treat toys that all provide needed stimulation for large breed dogs. For big dogs who like bones and hard chews, Yak cheese will last a long time even with powerful chewers like Romeo and Pearl. If you do not want stuffing all over your house, there are chew toys without stuffing or alternatives like crinkle paper stuffing that makes noise when chewed on.

Conclusion

“So if you are considering a big dog, do your research, join big dog groups on Facebook, ask lots of questions. Be prepared for some hefty vet bills, get pet insurance, know it isn’t cheap to feed them, they will require training…lots of training. You won’t be going on as many vacations because you will worry about them, your house and clothes will never be clean and your heart will be so full of love, you will do anything to keep then healthy and happy!”

See more of Romeos cool wrinkles and Pearl, the biggest puppy you will ever see, on their Facebook page

Did you enjoy this article and like to see more? Please support this site by visiting our store. I am not a big business. I do not have a staff of people. Its just me- a retired senior just getting by who loves pets. I have all sorts of toys and chews/treats for your dog! Thank you. Please comment below and tell us what you think of having giant breed dogs in your family.