Breed Comparison: Neapolitan Mastiff Versus Shihpoo

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Neapolitan Mastiff Versus Shihpoo: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Neapolitan Mastiff and the Shihpoo 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 Neapolitan Mastiff and for the Shihpoo. 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 Neapolitan Mastiff and the Shihpoo.

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

Neapolitan Mastiff versus Shihpoo: Overview

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

Furthermore, 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.

On the other hand, the Shihpoo belongs to the Mixed Breed Dogs group. Mixed Breed Dogs are not purebred dogs.

Neapolitan Mastiff versus Shihpoo: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Neapolitan Mastiff to the Shihpoo 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 Neapolitan Mastiff and the Shihpoo

Factor Neapolitan Mastiff Shihpoo
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 1/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 1/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 5/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 5/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 5/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 5/5 5/5
Weight 120 to 200 pounds 8 to 18 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 2/5
General Health 2/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 3/5
Height 24 to 31 inches tall at the shoulder 8 to 18 inches
Does NOT Shed 3/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 2/5
Easy To Train 3/5 2/5
Intelligence 3/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 4/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 1/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 1/5 2/5
Life Span 8 to 10 years 13 to 17 years
Average Lifespan 9.0 years 15.0 years
Average Price $2870 $1590
Price Range $1800 – $3700 $1200 – $2000
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • No Data

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Neapolitan Mastiff 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 Shihpoo. 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 Neapolitan Mastiff is 71 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Shihpoo is 84 out of 125.

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

    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 Neapolitan Mastiff and the Shihpoo so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Neapolitan Mastiff and the Shihpoo

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

  • Neapolitan Mastiffs are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Shihpoos are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Neapolitan Mastiffs do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Shihpoos adapt well to apartment living.
  • Neapolitan Mastiffs have a very high tendency to drool. However, Shihpoos do not have the tendency to drool.
  • The Similarities Between the Neapolitan Mastiff and the Shihpoo

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

  • Both the Neapolitan Mastiff and the Shihpoo are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Neapolitan Mastiff and the Shihpoo do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Neapolitan Mastiff and the Shihpoo have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Neapolitan Mastiff and the Shihpoo are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Neapolitan Mastiff and the Shihpoo do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Both the Neapolitan Mastiff and the Shihpoo do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Neapolitan Mastiff and the Shihpoo cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Neapolitan Mastiff and the Shihpoo do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Neapolitan Mastiff and the Shihpoo have the tendency to develop certain health problems.
  • Both the Neapolitan Mastiff and the Shihpoo are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Neapolitan Mastiff and the Shihpoo are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Neapolitan Mastiff and the Shihpoo get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Neapolitan Mastiff and the Shihpoo are very playful.
  • Both the Neapolitan Mastiff and the Shihpoo are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Neapolitan Mastiff and the Shihpoo gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Neapolitan Mastiff versus Shihpoo

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

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

    On the other hand, Shihpoos weigh 8 to 18 pounds when fully grown. Shihpoos are 8 to 18 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Neapolitan Mastiff versus Shihpoo

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

    The lifespan of Shihpoos is between 13 to 17 years . The average lifespan of Shihpoos is 15.0 years.

    Shihpoos live longer than Neapolitan Mastiffs.

    Price of Neapolitan Mastiff versus Price of Shihpoo

    The average price of the Neapolitan Mastiff puppy is $2870. The price of the Neapolitan Mastiff typically ranges from $1800 – $3700. However, the price of a Neapolitan Mastiff can be as low as $500 and as high as $5500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 83 Neapolitan Mastiff puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Shihpoo puppy is $1590. The price of the Shihpoo typically ranges from $1200 – $2000. However, the price of the Shihpoo can be as low as $300 and as high as $4325. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 283 Shihpoo puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Neapolitan Mastiff is more expensive than the Shihpoo.

    Neapolitan Mastiff Shihpoo
    Average Price $2870 $1590
    Price Range $1800 to $3700 $1200 to $2000

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

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Shihpoos

    A breakdown of the prices of Shihpoos

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Neapolitan Mastiff puppy or the Shihpoo 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.

    Adopting the Neapolitan Mastiff versus Adopting the Shihpoo

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Neapolitan Mastiffs and many Shihpoos are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Neapolitan Mastiff named Harry that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Neapolitan Mastiffs like Harry on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Neapolitan Mastiffs, Shihpoos are also available for adoption. For example, Yoshi is a Male Shihpoo that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Shihpoos like Yoshi that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Neapolitan Mastiff and the Shihpoo can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Neo Ii is the name of another Neapolitan Mastiff (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also, Polo is an adorable Male Shihpoo on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Neapolitan Mastiffs and Shihpoos are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Neapolitan Mastiffs and Shihpoos that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Neapolitan Mastiff versus Shihpoo

    Neapolitan Mastiffs do not like to be left alone.

    Shihpoos do not like to be left alone.

    Do Neapolitan Mastiffs shed more than Shihpoos?

    Neapolitan Mastiffs shed moderately.

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

    Which one drools more, the Neapolitan Mastiff or the Shihpoo

    Neapolitan Mastiffs have a very high tendency to drool.

    Shihpoos do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Neapolitan Mastiffs are moderately easy to groom.

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

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

    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.

    Shihpoos 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 Neapolitan Mastiffs Bark and Howl? What about Shihpoos?

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

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

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

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

    Shihpoos can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Neapolitan Mastiff vs. Shihpoo

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

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

    Can Neapolitan Mastiffs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shihpoos Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Shihpoos cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

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

    Neapolitan Mastiffs do not get along well with other dogs.

    Shihpoos do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Neapolitan Mastiffs good family dogs? What about Shihpoos?

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

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

    How Kid-friendly are Neapolitan Mastiffs and Shihpoos?

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

    Shihpoos get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Is the Neapolitan Mastiff Easier to Train than the Shihpoo?

    Neapolitan Mastiffs are fairly easy to train.

    Shihpoos are not easy to train.

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

    Neapolitan Mastiffs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Shihpoos adapt very well to apartment living.

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

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

    Shihpoos are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Neapolitan Mastiff

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Neapolitan Mastiff that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Neapolitan Mastiff:

  • Doberman Pinscher (67 percent match with Neapolitan Mastiff). Here is our comparison of the Shihpoo vs Doberman Pinscher.
  • Mastiff (72 percent match with Neapolitan Mastiff). Here is our comparison of the Shihpoo vs Mastiff.
  • Spanish Mastiff (69 percent match with Neapolitan Mastiff). Here is our comparison of the Shihpoo vs Spanish Mastiff.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shihpoo

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Shihpoo that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Shihpoo:

  • Dandie Dinmont Terrier (75 percent match with Shihpoo). Here is our comparison of the Neapolitan Mastiff vs Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
  • Japanese Chin (75 percent match with Shihpoo). Here is our comparison of the Neapolitan Mastiff vs Japanese Chin.
  • Shiranian (76 percent match with Shihpoo). Here is our comparison of the Neapolitan Mastiff vs Shiranian.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Neapolitan Mastiff and how the Shihpoo compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Neapolitan Mastiff and of the Shihpoo to other breeds:

    Neapolitan Mastiff Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Neapolitan Mastiff versus Akbash     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Tibetan Mastiff     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Azawakh     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Shiloh Shepherd     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Havanese     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Karelian Bear Dog     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Karelian Bear Dog     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Beagle     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Pointer     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Lancashire Heeler     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Cavachon     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Belgian Sheepdog     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Norwegian Lundehund     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Afador     Neapolitan Mastiff versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Norfolk Terrier     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Saint Bernard     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Chow Chow     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Australian Cattle Dog     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Akbash     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Bouvier des Flandres     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Shiranian     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Shetland Sheepdog     

    Shihpoo Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Shihpoo versus Pointer     Shihpoo versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Shihpoo versus Cane Corso     Shihpoo versus Cocker Spaniel     Shihpoo versus Havanese     Shihpoo versus Black Mouth Cur     Shihpoo versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Shihpoo versus Whoodle     Shihpoo versus Pyredoodle     Shihpoo versus Norwich Terrier     Shihpoo versus Great Dane     Shihpoo versus Bichon Frise     Shihpoo versus Irish Terrier     Shihpoo versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Shihpoo versus Siberian Husky     Shihpoo versus Bolognese     Shihpoo versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Shihpoo versus English Springer Spaniel     Shihpoo versus Akita Chow     Shihpoo versus Bloodhound     Shihpoo versus English Toy Spaniel     Shihpoo versus Bichon Frise     Shihpoo versus Affenhuahua     Shihpoo versus German Shepherd Dog     Shihpoo versus Skye Terrier     

    Conclusion: Neapolitan Mastiff versus Shihpoo. 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 Neapolitan Mastiff and the Shihpoo better suits you and your family.