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Neapolitan Mastiff Dogs for Adoption in Austin, TX

Your guide to finding and caring for a Neapolitan Mastiff in Austin

A Neapolitan Mastiff does best in Austin's roomier neighborhoods, such as Allandale, where large lots and mature trees give a giant dog shade and a fenced yard. Neos are usually calm and happy to sleep through the day, but at 110 to 160 pounds they don't handle heat well, and Austin summers run long. Most walks are short and slow, and the dog will likely claim the coolest floor in the house. Plan on a tile spot inside and a sturdy fence outside.

37 Neapolitan Mastiffs available in Austin and nationwide

Give a Neapolitan Mastiff a home

While we don't have enough dogs near Austin, keep in mind that many rescues may offer transport.

Neapolitan Mastiffs Available for Adoption Near Austin

About the Neapolitan Mastiff breed

The Neapolitan Mastiff, or Neo, descends from guard and catch dogs of southern Italy and was standardized there after World War II. Loose skin, heavy folds on the head, a hanging dewlap and a short coat in gray, black, mahogany or tawny give it a look few other breeds share. Adults commonly weigh 110 to 160 pounds, and the walk is a slow, rolling one.

At home, many Neos are quiet, affectionate with their own people and watchful with strangers, though dogs vary. They drool a lot, shed moderately and tend to live seven to ten years. In Austin, the main adjustments are heat and space: a dog this size needs shade, a cool indoor spot and room to turn around, plus a household ready for patient, reward-based training.

Weight
110–160 lbs
Height
24–31 in
Lifespan
7–10 yrs
Temperament
Protective, Calm, Loyal
Group
Working
Shedding
Moderate

Owning a Neapolitan Mastiff in Austin

Having a Neapolitan Mastiff in Austin

Neos pair a sleepy, easygoing presence indoors with serious guardian instincts. Size, drool, heat sensitivity and joint and heart risks shape daily routines in Austin more than looks do, so weigh them carefully before adopting.

Temperament

Many Neos are devoted and quiet with their own people and wary of strangers, guarding by presence more than barking. In Austin, that means calm introductions to visitors, neighbors and delivery drivers, plus steady socialization on busy sidewalks. Reward-based training works best, and each dog's reactions to children, guests and other pets vary.

Exercise Needs

Adults usually need moderate walks and relaxed play, not running or jumping, which strain heavy joints. In Austin, walk at dawn or after sunset and favor grass or dirt paths over hot pavement. Sniffing walks, short training sessions and food puzzles add mental work without taxing the body.

Health Considerations

Hip and elbow dysplasia, heart disease, demodectic mange and cherry eye show up often in the breed, and bloat is an emergency in deep-chested dogs. Clean and dry skin folds regularly, especially in Austin's warm, humid weather. Heat stress is a real risk, so a veterinarian can set up checkups and screen joints and heart.

Living Space

A house with a secure yard suits most Neos, and since Austin doesn't allow dogs to be tied out unattended, a fence matters. Calm adults can manage in roomy ground-floor apartments, but expect drool on walls and furniture. Give the dog a cool indoor spot and furniture sized for up to 160 pounds.

What it costs to own a Neapolitan Mastiff in Austin

ExpenseTypical costPer year
Food$80 to $160 per month$960 to $1,920
Pet insurance$85 to $170 per month$1,020 to $2,040
Routine vet care$250 to $500 per year$250 to $500
Other*$590 to $1,690 per year$590 to $1,690
Estimated yearly total (after year one)$2,820 to $6,150

Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.

* Flea, tick and heartworm prevention for a giant dog, a dental cleaning allowance, toys and heavy-duty bedding, basic coat care, and skin-fold care and joint supplements.

Adopt a Neapolitan Mastiff in Austin.

Now that you know more, let’s find you a new best friend. These rescues and shelters below currently have Neapolitan Mastiffs available.

Rescues in Austin with Neapolitan Mastiffs Available

Austin has a large shelter and rescue community, and the groups below list their adoptable dogs here. Here are the rescues & shelters in the Austin area where you can find Neapolitan Mastiffs and other dogs available for adoption.

Frequently Asked Questions

Neapolitan Mastiffs can handle an Austin summer only with careful management. Austin sees about 123 days a year at 90°F or higher, and summer nights stay in the mid-70s, so even dawn walks are warm. Keep the dog indoors with air conditioning, walk early or late, offer cold water, and treat heavy panting, vomiting or labored breathing as a reason to see a veterinarian immediately.

No. CapMetro doesn't allow pets on its buses, MetroRapid or MetroRail unless they're service animals, and a carrier doesn't change that. For a Neapolitan Mastiff that can weigh up to 160 pounds, plan trips by car or on foot. Never leave the dog in a parked car, even with the windows down.

Walnut Creek Metro Park has about 15 miles of wooded trails and a large unfenced off-leash area, while Riverside Shores has a fenced large-dog area near Lady Bird Lake. Because a Neo is a heavy guardian dog, leashed walks are the safer default unless recall is reliable. The Barton Creek Greenbelt requires a leash of 6 feet or shorter.

Yes. Texas law doesn't allow dangerous-dog rules aimed at specific breeds, and no breed provision appears in Austin's rules. You'll need a rabies vaccination, a registered microchip for dogs four months and older, a leash outside off-leash areas, and no unattended tethering. Landlords can still set their own weight limits, so read the lease first.

Possibly, but only on patios. Texas law lets a restaurant allow leashed dogs in outdoor dining areas if it posts a sign, and dogs can't go inside or onto seats and tables. Each restaurant decides, so look for the sign. A 150-pound Neo needs floor space, and Austin afternoons are hot, so shaded patios and cooler hours work best.

Less brushing than most dogs, but more upkeep than the short coat suggests. Neos shed moderately, so a weekly rubdown with a rubber brush helps. The bigger jobs are wiping drool and cleaning and drying skin folds, especially in Austin's warm, humid weather. Rinse the coat after any water contact. Grooming costs are small and fall within the Other cost line.

It can be, for the right household. A Neo suits people who are home much of the day, have a fenced yard or roomy ground-floor space, and can keep the house cool through long summers. It's a harder match for someone wanting a jogging partner or spending long days away. Each dog differs, so match the dog's own needs to your routine.

Neapolitan Mastiffs are not inherently dangerous, but their size and guarding instincts mean they need responsible handling. Most are calm and affectionate with family, yet many are wary of strangers and will protect their home. A dog this heavy can cause harm even without meaning to, so socialization, training and secure containment matter more than with smaller breeds.

We have 1 rescue with Neapolitan Mastiffs available: Austin Animal Center. You can see every rescue with Neapolitan Mastiffs available in the list above these questions, or scroll to the top to see the Neapolitan Mastiffs near Austin.

Expect roughly $2,820 to $6,150 a year for a Neapolitan Mastiff in Austin, covering food at $80 to $160 a month, insurance at $85 to $170 a month, routine vet care, and other items such as parasite prevention and skin-fold care. Giant-dog portions, medications and any surgery cost more, so budget toward the upper end.

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