Pedigree Dogs – Featured Kennel – Slighedhala Neapolitan Mastiffs
IR CH Vinastino Valour For Slighedhala Jun. Ch.
Slighedhala Neapolitan Mastiffs are the featured kennel for January on Pedigreedogs.ie and I would like to thank Paraic & Agbons Sheridan for the following piece
We are Paraic & Agbons Sheridan of Slighedhala Neapolitan Mastiffs. Our aim is to show the finest examples of the breed in Ireland and strive to make improvements through the generations with our breeding programme.
I consider myself very fortunate to have inherited a true love of dogs from my dad. His were not show dogs, but Rough and Border Collies, who earned their crust, working with cattle and guarding in the farmyard. My earliest fond memories are of days spent with the dogs, and indeed in the loft of the barn amongst the hay and straw when we were lucky to have a litter of puppies. I would sit for hours on end with them. No surprise so that my first mission when I moved out to my own home was to acquire a dog. I researched a lot of breeds that I admired and finally settled on a boxer and set about finding a reputable show kennel. I felt that even if I was not successful in the show ring, I would have a pet of excellent pedigree, from a well-planned mating and where every effort had been made to ensure happy, healthy puppies. Also I would have the full support of the breeder for the lifetime of my pet. After many wonderful years, my first dog passed. She had been with me through my bachelor days, marriage, the arrival of our first child and a void many of you are familiar with was left behind.
That year we attended our first Crufts. As Agbons is as crazy about dogs as I am, we were looking forward to it for weeks. As we roamed around the show rings, we happened upon the area where the Neapolitan mastiffs were being exhibited. Neither of us had met the breed before and we were instantly smitten. The noble head, the adoring eyes, the sheer size and magnificence and when we went over to say hello we were struck by the total gentleness behind such a massive stature. Upon our return home we set about researching reputable breeders and in a relatively short period of time we had acquired 2, a brother and sister. We showed them both and they became our first two champions. We later acquired some other blood lines in the UK and also imported a male from Italy and currently have 6 in our extended family including some home bred. It is safe to say we were totally bitten by the bug and could not imagine life without this rewarding breed.
As a show kennel, we are constantly researching and educating ourselves about this magnificent breed. They fulfil every conceivable requirement we could have from a family pet. We have 3 small children and they are the gentlest giants imaginable. Their loyalty is unparalleled and no one will bother wandering uninvited into your property if a Neapolitan mastiff pops his head across the garden fence. !!! However they are not without their health concerns and we are actively involved in a health screening programme involving BVA eye testing and hip scoring. The main health issues are skin conditions resulting from a low immune system, Eye conditions which are easily rectified and hip dysplasia. We are also aiming with our breeding programme to help extend their longevity which could be much better. Unfortunately large breeds do not tend to live as long as small ones. We have loads of information on the breed available on our Web site
We strongly recommend Neapolitans as a breed but they are not for everyone. They need a firm hand and experience with dogs is recommended. As with any dog they require training and socialisation.
Above all I would recommend anyone interested to do as much research as possible.
We are very proud of our dogs and occasionally have puppies available to vetted homes. The Neapolitan Mastiff has become a passion for us that will last our lifetime and our dogs reward us daily with their love and unwavering loyalty and adulation. We breed for Health, Temperament and type and we place our puppies primarily as pets who if required are suitable as show dogs. We hope you find our website informative and all details about our dogs, breed standard and health issues are available there. Above all I would ask anyone considering buying a puppy of any breed to ensure their puppy comes from healthy, happy parents. Insist on seeing where the dog is kept.
We would like to thank Pedigreedogs.ie for this wonderful opportunity to talk about our breed, it has been a wonderful honour to have been asked.
Paraic & Agbons Sheridan
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