I have recently been doing some research on Neapolitan Matiff's, I am(was) planning on adding a new member to my family but anticipated that 12 to 18 months time would be a good time to add the new family member.I have two children and a two year old male dobe. So I thought I would start the research now , however there doesn't seem to be very many uk sites to find alot of info(if there is I can't find them)I have admired this breed among others for quite some time, but this is the breed i have chose. So far I have only really looked at the history of the breed, so I know there is lots more to learn, I am going to start some new threads on the other boards ie:health,breeding etc.

As it is a few years since I actually met one of these dogs I thought it would be good for my husband and children to meet one, so they knew what size they are fully grown, and also to talk to an owner to get first hand knowledge of owning one. This is where it relly begins:(

I got to know through a friend of a friend that someone was looking to rehome their neo as they were moving to cornwall(they lived in yorkshire)and didn't want to take their dog with them:(. So I phoned this man and explained that I didn't want to buy his dog but would it be ok for us to go and have a chat with him and meet his dog. Brilliant he agreed, so on sunday off we went to get first hand info! I was dubious as to why he didn't want to take his dog with him and intended asking when we got their!

I can't tell you what this man was like as we are not allowed to swear on the board
When we were took to the kennel to look at this dog I was appalled, this lovely thing was cowering in the corner (i know they have sad eyes)but she begged me for strokes, and cuddles you could see that she was underweight and what appeared to be cherry eye, and on her back she had several bald patches,when asked what these were he said she had tried to get under security fencing and badly cut her back.

The man went inside and left us out with the dog, I was literally crying I couldn't believe the state of the dog. My husband went and found the man and asked about pedigree and things like that vaccinations and stuff while me and the kids just made a fuss of the dog.
The man handed me his papers and then my husband said how much do you want for the dog he said £300 My husband gave the man £50 and told him we were taking the dog regardless and reporting him to the rspca(as he had another dog aswell a rotti).
I asked the man how often she's fed and was told WHEN I REMEMBER

Happy Ending the dog is now in a loving home getting plenty of tlc

I will be posting on the health board today to ask about medication and other things that the vet has told me

Alison
ps she is called kylie

PS when we got home I phoned a friend of mine who has got rotti's told him of the situation and he went and got the rotti, just told the man he was taking her and he didn't argue.
So the rotti is also in a very loving home:)

Alison

Well done for your mission of mercy. Poor dogs - some people are just truly horrible
Good luck with her - you'll have your work cut out - be prepared for anything (lack of housetraining, dodgy digestion etc) but it'll be worth it in the end.

Bravo Alison! Terrible to think what a horrible life those dogs must have had - and equally wonderful to know what a great life they have ahead of them now.

Stacey

Had a lump in my throat reading your story...picturing poor Kylie....

Give her a cuddle from me....and hope everything goes well for you..

Good Luck

Vicki & Pepper xx

What a terrible story Bob, but a very happy ending. You have a heart of gold!! Kylie is very lucky to have you, and you her. Shirl :D

Hi Alison,

Great to hear the news of Kylie, hope she's very happy with you.

Fingers crossed that she's one of the many rescues that knows she's fallen on her feet, but bearing in mind that she's obviously had an 'orrible owner and you can't be sure what experiences she's had in life, I hope you'll be very careful with her for a good long time to come - particularly with your children.

You sound very sensible and have researched the breed, so I'm sure this will be the case, but just bear in mind that any certain movements that spark an unhappy memory - i.e. sudden movements from behind, over the head, protecting food if it hasn't been plentiful, etc. - can cause problems with dogs that have not been treated well.

Sending good wishes that all is happy for you and your new family member:)

M.

Well done Allison :) it makes me so mad to see how some dogs are treated.
Please keep us all informed has to how she is doing and any info you need I am sure everybody will be falling over themselfs to help you :) :)
Nina

Well done for rescuing the Neo and also the Rottie, sounds as if this man had just got fed up with them. I do wish you lots of luck with Kylie and hope you will keep us updated with her progress :)

Lindsay

Thank you so much everybody for your replies, there are so many questions I want to ask but i'm not going to inundate everyone with loads of questions at once, so over the next few days i will be posting about various things.

I have started a thread on health about cherry eye and had no response yet so hopefully someone will come forward soon.
I thank everybody again as i know i'm going to need loads of advice and help.

Alison

Hi Bob,
Wish there were more people around like you..Wish you all the luck in the world, Kylie must feel like she's won the "Doggy Lottery" I can't imagine what kind of life she's had untill you came along.
Regards Sandy xx

What a wonderful person you are,How old is Kylie
Ann

congrats !!all I keep thinking is the before and after ...such a difference some food in the tum will make and how different she will look in a couple months time..very rewarding experience :)

O imagine if you hadnt heard about Kylie from your friend !!! :(
I am so pleased you were able to take her Good luck :)
Lel

Ann
Kylie is four,and her previous owner couldn't even get that right he told me she was three:(

Alison