Romeo was Stacy’s Neapolitan Mastiff. He was bigger than life, weighing 175 pounds when he passed away at 10 years and 31 days. When Stacy brought him home, Romeo was 12-weeks old. She had never seen a beast like him. He was not like any other breed of dog, and that made him special to her.

After 25 years in dog grooming and rescue, Stacy found that her new dog Romeo came with a greater need for care, control, and responsibility than any other dog she had ever had. His head was so big in relation to his body that he was all jaw and jowls, with a great guarding instinct. Even so, Romeo was as “harmless as a wall,” and he taught Stacy more than what she thought she already knew about dogs and their unconditional love.

Never taking a formal training class, Stacy was intent on becoming the pack leader to Romeo’s warrior personality. Being the type of breed he was made a big difference in Stacy’s training and his place in her heart. She had to train him every day for him to understand that she was the pack leader. It was the only way she could control a dog that of that size. And after awhile, they developed a mutual love and respect. Stacy made sure that she was always the leader and Romeo was always the follower.

At just 12-years old, Stacy was one of the founders of Saint Francis Society Animal Rescue in Marin county, California. She continued to rescue and foster dogs all her life. If a dog was abused and neglected, Stacy would rehabilitate him. It wasn’t until ten years ago that she went to a breeder to buy a dog. She wanted the Neapolitan Mastiff because he was a guard dog like no other, and he deserved a persistent and patient owner.

When testing their owners, Neapolitan Mastiffs can have a battle of the minds. Stacy had to know what Romeo was thinking at all times, and after awhile she learned that dogs really do want to follow and not lead. For instance, when Romeo first got up on her couch, Stacy pulled him off with a six-foot leash while he growled and snarled. But she got him off, and he never tried it again.

Stacy didn’t let Romeo get away with any of his more combative actions, putting the six-foot leash on to drag him where she wanted him to be. Though Romeo was a dog who didn’t react quickly, he seemed to think twice about things, and he never challenged Stacy more often than once after a correction. He never tried the same misbehavior twice.

Romeo was of a breed that was often headed for euthanasia because of their fighting personality. The American Kennel Club has recognized the breed only recently. To this day, the Neapolitan Mastiff is still pitted against lions in Italy.

In Europe, it is common for dogs to go everywhere with their people. Stacy and Romeo often had dinner together outside of a small French bistro nearby their Redmond, Washington home, and they were welcome guests. Those who frequented the restaurant were impressed with Romeo’s manners, as he stayed well behaved, calm, and submissive.

As a young dog, Romeo chewed off door knobs and bent the metal doors of his crate. A dog over a hundred pounds thinks differently than a smaller dog. He thinks he’s got the game licked. Due to their guarding personality, a Neapolitan can eat up a Doberman. They’re so big and so strong that Neapolitan Mastiffs make the Bullmastiff (also a big and strong dog) look like a Poodle. While other guarding dogs such as Rottweilers and Dobermans will watch an attack through a window, Neapolitans will crash through the window to get to the action. It was necessary for a strong and determined owner to control him.

Romeo never left Stacy’s side. He stayed with her when she was grooming dogs and when she was interacting with their owners and friends. While in the 500-square foot grooming shop, Stacy went about her business as Romeo sat by, not paying any attention to the other dogs. It was not his job to notice them; it was his job to protect and watch over Stacy. Now Stacy is left with the memory of Romeo’s unconditional love, and she feels that no dog or person will ever hold that place in her heart again.

Tags: Bullmastiff, dog breed, dog love, dog training, Neapolitan Mastiff, Romeo, Stacy, unconditional love