Click on Pav to see more photos

Australian Grand Champion Maggiormente Pavarotti
27th August, 1999 – 8th November 2006 Sire: Aust Champion Magnufi Lucchese Dame: Aust Champion Magnufi Arielle. Pavararotti or “Pav” to his friends was the first Neapolitan Mastiff in Australia to gain the title GRAND CHAMPION. This was achieved on 16th February, 2003 at age 3.5 years. It took another 3 years for another Neapolitan to achieve this prestigious title. Along the way he has won 10 Royal Best of Breeds. 1 Sydney 1 Canberra 3 Melbourne (in consecutive years) 5 Bathurst (again consecutively) with his last being in 2005 at 5.5 years of age. Some of his numerous show wins are listed on our Show Results page. Pavarotti has been described as having an excellent “head piece” marvelous bone and excellent skin and wrinkle. We have often been told he would be most completive in any International arena. At home Pavarotti was a much loved friend and companion – often taking on the role of comedian. He won the title of Comedian of the Year at the Royal New South Wales Canine Council Awards – see our story section – “Vendetta”. His last few years were spent being an “at home” dog, venturing around the farm, playing in the dams and attending a very occasional show. Fortunately we have Semen stored and 2008 will see a litter or two from Pavarotti.

Pavarotti – Celebrate his Life.

On Wednesday morning 8th November 2006, Nancy and I rather unexpectedly had to say farewell to my “little boy”, Aust. Grand Champion Maggiormente Pavarotti, who died suddenly of a heart attack. I had been walking some of our other dogs, and watched as Pav bounced around, barking “me next, me next”. And then he fell over, convulsed, and was gone. Just like that, quicker than it takes to read. Unbelievable. He was seven and a few months.

Pavarotti was very special, and not just to me. He was the first Neapolitan Mastiff to be a regular, consistent winner in the Show Ring, becoming Australia’s first Grand Champion Neapolitan at only three years old. Oddly enough, he had only won one BIG up till then, but with an extraordinary number of RUBIG’s, almost as if some judges at the time were not quite prepared to go that next step with a rare breed. However, whenever the Utility dog won Best in Show, Pav would invariably win his Class in Show. He went on to win several more BIG’s, including four in four weeks, amassing over 2000 challenge points. A number of overseas judges described him as a “breeding goal”, and many local judges, as “looking like the sketch in the Standards Book”.

Pavarotti was the most awarded Neapolitan by far, all of it proudly won on his own merit. He truly was the Number One Neo.

He retired from showing after the 2005 Bathurst Royal where he had won BoB for the fifth year in succession. He won a total of 10 Royal BoB’s, including three in a row in Melbourne. After he retired, we were constantly amazed at subsequent Melbourne and Sydney Royals at the number of people who came up and asked “Is Pavarotti here?” saying they had come round specifically to see him, and were so disappointed to hear he had retired.

My mate Pavarotti was a character as well, demanding, a bit spoilt, who had a firm idea of his place in the world and in my heart. He won, among other things, an award for Canine Comedian at the 2001 Erskine Awards for a story we wrote about him chewing the mirrors and aerials off my car after we had left him at home and not taken him to a couple of shows. He always brought his empty bowls out to the dishwasher every night, but if he felt he had not had enough attention first, he’d walk away with it, shake his head as only Neapolitans can, and when he had enough momentum, would fling the bowl ten meters away in the dark.

Pavarotti loved living on our 100 acres after we moved there in early 2004, able to range off lead, wading through dams, chasing roos in full flight, awesome to watch, and flopping at my feet to help watch the rugby on TV, snoring so loud I’d have to turn the sound up.

People used to laugh watching me kiss him on the nose after he won something when showing, but you’ve got to kiss your babies so they know you love them. Pavarotti was deeper in my heart than any dog I’ve known. I feel like I’ve lost a son.
Pavarotti, sleep well, my boy.

Klaus

MY MEMORIES OF PAVAROTTI.

On 27th August, 1999 I drove Arielle to our Vets in Katoomba. It was day 63 and Arielle showed no signs of going into labour.
A Caesarian section was began at 8am. In very quick order 5 puppies were born – one of the males was to be Pavarotti.
This was the first Caesarian I had, indeed the first litter of Neapolitan Mastiffs we had bred. The puppies were very limp and I was gently rubbing them. Imagine my surprise when the nurse took one off me and roughly rubbed it in a towel until it loudly vocalized its protest. A dramatic few hours as I went from rubbing puppies to checking on my Arielle.
Home at 11am with a very sleepy Arielle and hungry puppies. The first feed was easy as Arielle slept through it – then she woke up – didn’t know what those things were – should she lick them or eat them? Then followed a rough few days until she realized they were her babies.
Pavarotti was noticeable from the start – not the largest in the litter – about in the middle – but a slightly darker grey than the other males. On day 2 when mother was having a toilet/food break I left the room for a moment – when I came back in Pavarotti was lying on his back wedged in between the bedding and looked like he had died – not so, just a comfortable position. This favourite position was an identifying factor until eyes opened.
Pavarotti was the first puppy to escape the whelping box and walk properly – like a little brick on wheels – the first puppy to escape the whelping room – climbing over a metre high baby gate (using siblings as a ladder) over the top and ended up unconscious on the floor on the other side.
Up until this stage the puppies were only called, big, little, dark, girl and spot. Klaus had been looking at the puppies each day and it was fairly obvious Pavarotti was his choice. As I was keeping the only female “Strega” it was a choice for Klaus – I do believe Pavarotti chose him and cultivated Klaus.
Pavarotti made his first appearance at the Spring Fair dog show in November 1999 in the pageant of breeds – only a couple of days too young for the breed classes. Klaus took Arielle (mother) myself Strega and our mothers Danza and Pavarotti. On the way to the ring the boys refused to walk for the ladies and were carried to the ring by helpful exhibitors. It took 3 times as long for the Neapolitans to get around the ring as any other breed as the boys kept tangling up the ladies, chewing their togas and creating general chaos. Needless to say the Neapolitans came second that year.
So Pavarotti began his show career. He won numberous sweepstakes, classes in group, group and in show awards and became the first Neapolitan Mastiff in Australia to gain the title Australian Grand Champion at the age of 3 years. Pavarotti retired from showing on 9th April 2005 after winning Best of Breed at Bathurst Royal Show for the 5th year in a row – giving him a total of 10 Royal Best of Breeds.
We had a great time with Pavarotti in the show ring – he had many, many admirers and sadly some detractors (in the same breed) who were jealous of this wonderful creature and his fabulous achievements.
Always heart stopping moments with our Pav. At about 8 weeks of age he swallowed a whole chicken wing and looked like bloating – this enabled him to sleep on the end of our bed for the night.
When about 12 months of age we came home to find him barely able to move, all hunched up and in pain. We lifted him in to the car and rushed to the vet fearing the worst. We were expecting a spinal injury to be apparent on X-ray but nothing was found. Whilst I was sitting on the floor with him I noticed one front foot was slightly larger than the other – as we all watched it actually increased in size a little. Diagnosis – perhaps a puncture would and a developing infection. Back home with salt water poultices, a sleep in our bedroom and back to normal the next day.
When he was 18 months of age we took him in for his hip and elbow x-rays. Was given the pre-med and immediately collapsed. Not enough to enable the X-rays but too deep to give any anaesthetic. I brought him home from the vets some hours later and slept next to him with my arm around him until he woke up some 13 hours after the event. Hence we never subjected him that that again.
Pav received a lot of attention as we showed most weekends and he had walks and training morning and evening and to be honest was spoilt rotten. This meant he actually missed out of a bit of inside the house time as he became arrogant and inclined to misbehave if inside too often. His favourite time however was during football season – when he and Klaus watched the games together peacefully by themselves and of course the occasional afternoon nap on the bed with Klaus.
Going out in the car or the dog trailer was always an exciting treat – even if there was a boring old dog show at the end of it. We learnt very quickly to shut the doors of vehicles if we didn’t want a Pavarotti sitting in the front seat ready to go. Always a difficulty unloading groceries with Pav around – usually ended up with him on top of the grocery bags.
Pavarotti received an award for Comedian of the Year following our experiences with him and vehicles. I committed the great sin of leaving him at home and going to a dog show on a Saturday – just me and 2 dogs. Getting home I parked the vehicle in the yard ready to hook up the dog trailer for the next day when we were again showing but this time with Klaus and 4 dogs. When we went to get into the car Klaus noticed the side mirror was broken – thought it might have been hit by another car the previous day – CB radio didn’t work either. When we got home that evening we found the remains of the CB Arial and a little glass near where the Ute was parked.
The next week same scenario except I went to a show to show 2 dogs, but took Pavarotti for the ride as well – next morning when getting in the vehicle the passengers side mirror was cracked and tooth marks in the plastic surrounds and the Radio Antenna was is several pieces on the ground. Well Pav is Italian and Vendetta a tradition. Moral of the Story – don’t park the Utility where Pav can get at it.
Apart from the occasional naughtiness Pav was also very helpful with our Foster children – one 2 year was not walking well when he arrived – but quickly learnt with Pavarotti’s assistance. He would put his arms around Pav’s head, who would then stand slowly and once the little fellow was on his feet slowly walk backwards. Wasn’t long until they were walking side by side with an arm around Pav’s neck.
On one occasional when Pavarotti was being judged in the show ring at Canberra Royal we had a 3 year child ringside. Almost stopped the judging when a very clear young voice loudly asked “Has Podderotti won yet?” What confidence.
Always helpful he would assist with carrying the empty food dishes out of the kennels in the morning. If in a good mood and bearing no grudges on the day he would take the dishes and drop them at the gate, or later on the farm at the dishwasher. If he felt he had been deprived of attention or otherwise insulted would still carry up to 3 dishes at once, but wait until he was almost at the gate then vigoursly shake his head, releasing the dishes when he had a good swing up. The resulting noise and clamor from the other dogs was obviously most satisfactory and off he would go happily wagging his tail.
The Turkey’s were also a great source of fun. The male gobbler would run up and down outside the day pen with Pav running on the other side. At pre-arranged intervals turkey would gobble and Pav would bark. They appeared to be having lots of fun and would continue this until the other dogs were all in an uproar and I intervened. On the occasions the Turkeys flew in to his pen Pav would simply lay on his verandah and watch over them. Occasionally a Turkey would be left behind and forget how to fly out of the 5’ pens. Pav developed a special bark to alert me to the problem and would quietly stay in his kennel until I opened the gate and left the turkey out.
Occasionally – actually quite often – when Klaus left early in the mornings I would go to let the dogs out in my dressing gown. This was fair game to Pav. He would grab the tie or a sleeve and drag me from one end of the pen to the other, jumping up and down and keeping out of reach all at once. After the 4th or 5th time I screamed I am Not a Toy he usually ceased – but very happy with himself.

A Very special dog – our first born Neapolitan Champion – successful beyond our wildest dreams – who gave us so much love and fun.