Cristofer Habig Throws a Life Preserver to the Neo

We think it is very much worth reprinting this commentary from Molosser judge extraordinaire Cristofer Habig. The message sent here should be heeded far and wide: Don’t go overboard on the wrinkle. Stick to the old-fashioned rustic type.

Better advice you'll not find. Today the breed finds itself adrift with the departure of influencial and long-time breeders, and flooded with bags of skin that lack bone, substance and power. A return to solidity and mass, couple with sound structure, seems sensible right now.

And now, without adieu, here is Cristopher.

Commentary courtesy of Atimana (Associazione Tecnica Internazionale del Mastino Napoletano). Photographs added by Modern Molosser.

I remember it all as if it were yesterday...the first decision I had to make as a young, 21-year-old judge for the Neapolitan Mastiff in October 1977 at the Bundessieger Show in Dortmund was between two outstanding males of the time: Enea di Ponzano versus Madigan della Grotta Azzurra. North and South. And my decision went to Madigan.

Together with Lilijana Denger, the great German breeder, in 1978 I went to the "Mastino Scene" in northern and southern Italy for the first time. It was the period when the Mastiff "fever" was beginning to spread from Italy to Germany. It touched my heart and left an indelible impression on me. I will never forget it.

I returned with Ch. Tornese, this magnificent male from Antonio Sorbo, who will remain forever in my mind. His aura was unique. The portrait photo I took of him hangs in my kitchen here in Westphalia.

In the South, I met all the famous Mastiff breeders of the time, including Don Carlo Simeoli. I am still grateful today that they opened their doors to me, a 22-year-old German.

Above: Habig with Don Simeoli in Naples in 1983. Below: Don Simeoli with Mastino, 1950s.\Source: Molosser Magazin.

1978 was also the year in which a unique friendship was born with the great and historic Mastiff breeder Mario Querci of Ponzano. I owe him a lot; I still have his letter in his delicate handwriting.

1980 was followed by my meeting with Dr. Piero Scanziani at the Florence show, when the great mastiff authority, Dr. Guido Vandoni, won the BOB with his spectacular Correzzana female.

From then on, a wonderful period followed, one that continues to this day, during which I met the true personalities of the Mastiff world and judged this breed in many countries and continents (including the United States in the 1980s) as the first specialized FCI judge for Molossoid breeds.

It was the period in which I published “MOLOSSER” (1981-1987), the world's first international publication dedicated to all Molosser breeds, with 3,000 subscribers from many different countries.

Among the highlights of my judging career are the numerous Ponzano stars who have won under my guidance over the years, mostly females (e.g., Ch. Eufemia di Ponzano), as well as Ch. Carnera della Grotta Azzurra at the famous Naples International Dog Show, the Mario Querci Trophy in 2000, and the Madrid World Dog Show in 2022.

In 1980, I held the first Mastiff seminar in Great Britain and, of course, I also judged the Neapolitan Mastiff at Crufts.

After over 40 years of observing the breed, I continue to believe that the old rustic type is the best. I do not believe in the "smooth" Mastiff with soft bodies and excessively loose skin.

The Mastiff is a "religion" for all those who love, respect and want to preserve this breed in all its authentic greatness.

"May it last forever."