[quote="LeeRobinson"] But, when I have found good ones...best compared to best, I have found the EM have by far be THE ABSOLUTE BEST candidates generally speaking (in what they bring and also in what they have proven to produce) when crossed with game type APBT for ANY serious bandog type project...producing superior guard dogs that are also family companions. Other programs have of course had good success with other choices such as the Neapolitan and I am not dening the success of such programs...but I can honestly say I really believe...when it comes best to best...the EM simply seems to not only be more capable, but also seems to be able to produce better as well. For the record, (although I imagine you know this already...but mentioning it for the uninformed reader) a capable dog can also be friendly in appropriate situations. I like a dog that friendly greets guests when I am home and inviting...and one that can safely greet strangers when I am in public. I don't want a trigger happy dog. But, what I do want is a mastiff that when needed is both physically overwhelming and mentally determined...as in works in DRIVE...and does so while maintaining a clear head to know friend from foe. What I look for in a mastiff is the total package. IMO, both the EM and the Neapolitan Mastiffs could be vastly improved if breeders would focus on functional forms of the breed by targetting health, drives, temperament, and ability...and measuring stabilty and soundness in these types of measures rather than fucussing on the cosmetic aspects written into show standards. I think show dogs would be generally better off if they simply stated "typiness shouldn't be overdone to a point that ability becomes impaired." I do think there are Neapolitans out there with decent drives, but generally I find them to be less stable/clear headed and more likely to redirect under severe stress. I also find the Neapolitan to often suffer from seperation anxiouty...as well as being too often physically handicapped when "over typey." Of course, many EM seem physically handicapped as well. For the record, when I say "handicapped" I don't mean cripple, just just ability reduced due to poor breeding...and being overdone, overly loose or overly typey.[/quote] Im glad the Neo's ...errr scatterbred Cane Corsos you compared to the EM didnt pass your test. Whats all this best of the best comparison talk ?? You dont know what a true Mastino is and Im glad because I dont think you properly understand his nature and we dont need any more ignorant, misguided people in the breed. I really have to wonder what "Neo's" you were using in comparison to the OEM stock you tested :roll: Im just here to defend the Mastino from the dense people on MD. It is an Italian breed that has been jealously guarded and only in the U.S. for a small time compared to the English breeds. Most breeders here dont know what the hell they are doing or what they are breeding. The U.S. gets the leftovers and its a trickledown effect from the East Coast where the majority of Italian-Americans reside. You live in Mississippi!! (used to spend alot of time in Natchez). I havent ever seen anything that even resembles a Neo south of Mason Dixon Line except NC, MD, VA, and Florida for crying out loud. Lee, you do not see me trashing the APBT or Rottweiler or various Bandogges...even though the majority of what I see are scatterbred junk! Im not an expert on all breeds like everybody else on MD but I do have a very firm grasp on the Mastino and give others the due respect of talking about true examples of their respective breeds when Im having a conversation. I know that there are good examples out there despite what I see on a daily basis. You're right that there are many over-typey Neo's out there whos temps and functions have been compromised greatly but you wouldnt want me comparing you to all the backyard Bandogge breeders Ive seen or bashing the APBT despite all the XL pits and various mutts out there. Dont be dense, Lee.