Guide on Deciding Betweeen the Bedlington Terrier and the Neapolitan Mastiff.

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Bedlington Terrier Versus Neapolitan Mastiff: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Bedlington Terrier 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 Bedlington Terrier 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 Bedlington Terrier and the Neapolitan Mastiff.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Bedlington Terrier 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 Bedlington Terrier 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 Bedlington Terrier 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 Bedlington Terrier or the Neapolitan Mastiff.

Bedlington Terrier versus Neapolitan Mastiff: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Bedlington Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

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.

Bedlington Terrier versus Neapolitan Mastiff: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Bedlington Terrier 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 Bedlington Terrier and the Neapolitan Mastiff

Factor Bedlington Terrier Neapolitan Mastiff
Does NOT Drool 5/5 1/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 3/5
Life Span 14 to 16 years 8 to 10 years
Height 15 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder 24 to 31 inches tall at the shoulder
Weight 17 to 23 pounds 120 to 200 pounds
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 5/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 1/5
Easy To Train 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 5/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 1/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 2/5
General Health 4/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 1/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 3/5
Intelligence 5/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 5/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 15.0 years 9.0 years
Average Price $2530 $3060
Price Range $2000 – $2800 $1800 – $4000
Temperament Score 90.5 percent 66.7 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • COPPER TOXICOSIS
  • Eye Examination, minimum age 1 year
  • Patellar Luxation
  • VetGen
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Bedlington Terrier 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 Bedlington Terrier is 82 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Neapolitan Mastiff is 71 out of 125.

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

    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 Bedlington Terrier 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 Bedlington Terrier and the Neapolitan Mastiff

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

    • Bedlington Terriers do not have the tendency to drool. However, Neapolitan Mastiffs have a very high tendency to drool.
    • Bedlington Terriers are good for new dog owners. However, Neapolitan Mastiffs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
    • Bedlington Terriers can tolerate cold weather. However, Neapolitan Mastiffs cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
    • Bedlington Terriers 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.
    • Bedlington Terriers are very friendly towards strangers. However, Neapolitan Mastiffs are not very friendly towards strangers.
    • Bedlington Terriers 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.

    The Similarities Between the Bedlington Terrier and the Neapolitan Mastiff

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

    • Both the Bedlington Terrier and the Neapolitan Mastiff do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
    • Both the Bedlington Terrier and the Neapolitan Mastiff get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the Bedlington Terrier and the Neapolitan Mastiff have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
    • Both the Bedlington Terrier and the Neapolitan Mastiff require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
    • Both the Bedlington Terrier and the Neapolitan Mastiff are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Bedlington Terrier and the Neapolitan Mastiff are very playful.

    Size Comparison of Bedlington Terrier versus Neapolitan Mastiff

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

    Bedlington Terriers weigh 17 to 23 pounds when fully grown. Bedlington Terriers are 15 to 16 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 Bedlington Terrier versus Neapolitan Mastiff

    The lifespan of Bedlington Terriers is between 14 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Bedlington Terriers is 15.0 years.

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

    Bedlington Terriers live longer than Neapolitan Mastiffs.

    Temperament of the Bedlington Terrier Versus the Neapolitan Mastiff

    The Bedlington Terrier has a better temperament than the Neapolitan Mastiff.

    This is because the temperament score for the Bedlington Terrier is 90.5 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 90.5 percent, the Bedlington Terrier has an above-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 Bedlington Terrier and the Neapolitan Mastiff by measuring the temperaments of 21 Bedlington Terriers and 15 Neapolitan Mastiffs.

    Price of Bedlington Terrier versus Price of Neapolitan Mastiff

    The average price of the Bedlington Terrier puppy is $2530. The price of the Bedlington Terrier typically ranges from $2000 – $2800. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 5 Bedlington Terrier 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 Bedlington Terrier.

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Bedlington Terriers. 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 Bedlington Terrier 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 Bedlington Terrier 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 Bedlington Terrier 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 Neapolitan Mastiff is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the Bedlington Terrier.

    4 health tests are recommended for Bedlington Terrier while 4 tests are recommended for the Neapolitan Mastiff.

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

    Bedlington Terrier Health Problems

    Bedlington Terriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Bedlington Terrier 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 Bedlington Terrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Bedlington Terrier 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 Bedlington Terriers for:

  • COPPER TOXICOSIS
  • Eye Examination, minimum age 1 year
  • Patellar Luxation
  • VetGen
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Bedlington Terriers 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: Bedlington Terrier versus Neapolitan Mastiff

    Bedlington Terriers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Neapolitan Mastiffs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Bedlington Terriers shed more than Neapolitan Mastiffs?

    Bedlington Terriers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Neapolitan Mastiffs shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Bedlington Terrier or the Neapolitan Mastiff

    Bedlington Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Neapolitan Mastiffs have a very high tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Bedlington Terrier or the Neapolitan Mastiff?

    Bedlington Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Neapolitan Mastiffs are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Bedlington Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Neapolitan Mastiff?

    Bedlington Terriers 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 Bedlington Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Neapolitan Mastiffs?

    Bedlington Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can Bedlington Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Neapolitan Mastiffs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Bedlington Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Bedlington Terrier vs. Neapolitan Mastiff

    Bedlington Terriers 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 Bedlington Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Neapolitan Mastiffs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Bedlington Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

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

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

    Bedlington Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Neapolitan Mastiffs do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Bedlington Terriers good family dogs? What about Neapolitan Mastiffs?

    Bedlington Terriers 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 Bedlington Terriers and Neapolitan Mastiffs?

    Bedlington Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Bedlington Terrier Easier to Train than the Neapolitan Mastiff?

    Bedlington Terriers are fairly easy to train.

    Neapolitan Mastiffs are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Bedlington Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Neapolitan Mastiff?

    Bedlington Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Neapolitan Mastiffs do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Bedlington Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

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

    Conclusion: Bedlington Terrier 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 Bedlington Terrier and the Neapolitan Mastiff better suits you and your family.