Which is Better Between the Basenji and the Neapolitan Mastiff?

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Basenji Versus Neapolitan Mastiff: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Basenji and the Neapolitan Mastiff? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Basenji and the Neapolitan Mastiff better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Basenji and the Neapolitan Mastiff.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Basenji and the Neapolitan Mastiff is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Basenji and for the Neapolitan Mastiff. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Basenji and the Neapolitan Mastiff.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Basenji or the Neapolitan Mastiff.

Basenji versus Neapolitan Mastiff: Overview

A very important difference between the Basenji and the Neapolitan Mastiff is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Basenji is a small-sized dog while the Neapolitan Mastiff is a giant-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Basenji belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

On the other hand, the Neapolitan Mastiff belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

Basenji versus Neapolitan Mastiff: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Basenji to the Neapolitan Mastiff based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Basenji and the Neapolitan Mastiff

Factor Basenji Neapolitan Mastiff
Tolerates Cold Weather 1/5 1/5
Does NOT Shed 5/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 1/5
Easy To Train 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 5/5 5/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 5/5 5/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 8 to 10 years
Height 16 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder 24 to 31 inches tall at the shoulder
General Health 2/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 2/5 4/5
Weight 22 to 24 pounds 120 to 200 pounds
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 4/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 3/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 1/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 3/5
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 9.0 years
Average Price $1560 $3060
Price Range $1450 – $1450 $1800 – $4000
Temperament Score 68.9 percent 66.7 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Basenji Night Blindness / PRA DNA Test
  • Eye Examination each year until 6, thereafter every 2 years
  • Fanconi syndrome
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • OFA/U of Missouri
    		•
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Basenji in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Neapolitan Mastiff. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Basenji is 83 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Neapolitan Mastiff is 71 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Basenji is a better pet than the Neapolitan Mastiff. So, you should get the Basenji!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Basenji and the Neapolitan Mastiff so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Basenji and the Neapolitan Mastiff

    Below is a list of where the Basenji and the Neapolitan Mastiff are most different:

    • Basenjis do not have the tendency to drool. However, Neapolitan Mastiffs have a very high tendency to drool.
    • Basenjis are not prone to gaining weight easily. However, Neapolitan Mastiffs gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
    • Basenjis are good for new dog owners. However, Neapolitan Mastiffs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
    • Basenjis can be left alone for some time without problems. However, Neapolitan Mastiffs do not like to be left alone.
    • Basenjis adapt well to apartment living. However, Neapolitan Mastiffs do not adapt well to apartment living.
    • Basenjis are very friendly towards strangers. However, Neapolitan Mastiffs are not very friendly towards strangers.
    • Basenjis are prone to nip and chew at things. However, Neapolitan Mastiffs are not prone to nip and chew at things.
    • Basenjis have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Neapolitan Mastiffs have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
    • Basenjis have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects. However, Neapolitan Mastiffs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    The Similarities Between the Basenji and the Neapolitan Mastiff

    The Basenji and the Neapolitan Mastiff are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Basenji and the Neapolitan Mastiff are most similar:

    • Both the Basenji and the Neapolitan Mastiff cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
    • Both the Basenji and the Neapolitan Mastiff are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
    • Both the Basenji and the Neapolitan Mastiff do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
    • Both the Basenji and the Neapolitan Mastiff have the tendency to develop certain health problems.
    • Both the Basenji and the Neapolitan Mastiff are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Basenji and the Neapolitan Mastiff are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Basenji and the Neapolitan Mastiff get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Size Comparison of Basenji versus Neapolitan Mastiff

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Basenji and the Neapolitan Mastiff.

    Basenjis weigh 22 to 24 pounds when fully grown. Basenjis are 16 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Neapolitan Mastiffs weigh 120 to 200 pounds when fully grown. Neapolitan Mastiffs are 24 to 31 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Basenji versus Neapolitan Mastiff

    The lifespan of Basenjis is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Basenjis is 11.0 years.

    The lifespan of Neapolitan Mastiffs is between 8 to 10 years. The average lifespan of Neapolitan Mastiffs is 9.0 years.

    Basenjis live longer than Neapolitan Mastiffs.

    Temperament of the Basenji Versus the Neapolitan Mastiff

    The Basenji has a better temperament than the Neapolitan Mastiff.

    This is because the temperament score for the Basenji is 68.9 percent while the temperament score for the Neapolitan Mastiff is 66.7 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 68.9 percent, the Basenji has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 66.7 percent, the Neapolitan Mastiff has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Basenji and the Neapolitan Mastiff by measuring the temperaments of 177 Basenjis and 15 Neapolitan Mastiffs.

    Price of Basenji versus Price of Neapolitan Mastiff

    The average price of the Basenji puppy is $1560. The price of the Basenji typically ranges from $1450 – $1450. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 10 Basenji puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Neapolitan Mastiff puppy is $3060. The price of the Neapolitan Mastiff typically ranges from $1800 – $4000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 41 Neapolitan Mastiff puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Neapolitan Mastiff is more expensive than the Basenji.

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Basenji and Neapolitan Mastiff. For different price points, the charts show how many Basenji puppies or how many Neapolitan Mastiff puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Basenjis. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Basenjis. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Neapolitan Mastiffs

    A breakdown of the prices of Neapolitan Mastiffs

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Basenji puppy or the Neapolitan Mastiff puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Health Problems of Basenji versus Health Problems of Neapolitan Mastiff

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Basenji and the Neapolitan Mastiff are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Basenji is prone to more genetic health problems than the Neapolitan Mastiff.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Basenji than for the Neapolitan Mastiff.

    6 health tests are recommended for Basenji while 4 tests are recommended for the Neapolitan Mastiff.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Basenjis and in Neapolitan Mastiffs.

    Basenji Health Problems

    Basenjis are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Basenji puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Basenji puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Basenji breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Basenjis for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Basenji Night Blindness / PRA DNA Test
  • Eye Examination each year until 6, thereafter every 2 years
  • Fanconi syndrome
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • OFA/U of Missouri

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Basenjis here.

    Neapolitan Mastiff Health Problems

    Neapolitan Mastiffs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Neapolitan Mastiff puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Neapolitan Mastiff puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Neapolitan Mastiff breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Neapolitan Mastiffs for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Neapolitan Mastiffs here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Basenji versus Neapolitan Mastiff

    Basenjis can be left alone for some time without problems.

    Neapolitan Mastiffs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Basenjis shed more than Neapolitan Mastiffs?

    Basenjis do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Neapolitan Mastiffs shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Basenji or the Neapolitan Mastiff

    Basenjis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Neapolitan Mastiffs have a very high tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Basenji or the Neapolitan Mastiff?

    Basenjis are very easy to groom.

    Neapolitan Mastiffs are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Basenji Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Neapolitan Mastiff?

    Basenjis have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Neapolitan Mastiffs have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Do Basenjis Bark and Howl? What about Neapolitan Mastiffs?

    Basenjis are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Neapolitan Mastiffs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Basenjis Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Neapolitan Mastiffs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Basenjis cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Neapolitan Mastiffs cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: Basenji vs. Neapolitan Mastiff

    Basenjis have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Neapolitan Mastiffs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can Basenjis Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Neapolitan Mastiffs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Basenjis can tolerate hot weather.

    Neapolitan Mastiffs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Basenji or the Neapolitan Mastiff?

    Basenjis get along very well with other dogs.

    Neapolitan Mastiffs do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Basenjis good family dogs? What about Neapolitan Mastiffs?

    Basenjis are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Neapolitan Mastiffs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Basenjis and Neapolitan Mastiffs?

    Basenjis get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Neapolitan Mastiffs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Basenji Easier to Train than the Neapolitan Mastiff?

    Basenjis are not easy to train.

    Neapolitan Mastiffs are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Basenji Better for Apartment Owners than the Neapolitan Mastiff?

    Basenjis adapt very well to apartment living.

    Neapolitan Mastiffs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Basenji or the Neapolitan Mastiff?

    Basenjis are very good for new dog owners.

    Neapolitan Mastiffs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Basenji versus Neapolitan Mastiff. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Basenji and the Neapolitan Mastiff better suits you and your family.