Officially born in October 1993, A.T.I.MA.NA. responds to the demands of the main European national Clubs which represent the interests of the Neapolitan Mastiff in their respective Countries, and it is the first, and as yet the only, international association for an Italian Breed.
Both European and worldwide Neapolitan Mastiff Clubs can affiliate to A.T.I.MA NA., as long as they are alredy recognised by the Kennel Club of their Country.
A.T.I.MA.NA. intends to respect fully national and internationai regulations as provided by the various Kennel Clubs and the F.C.I. - itself.
One of the main aims of the Association is the promotion, care and development of the Neapolitan Mastiff at international level, in full and complete obidience to the Italian Standard as approved by the F.C.I.
By this we mean, however, a care and development, not just in terms of principle, but also of a direct committment, on the one hand to ascertain the true value of specimens producet in the various Countries, and on the other to study and monitor the state of health of the Breed.
To this end, we inaugurated the annual A.T.I.MA.NA. championships, which are held in the various member countries in rotation, which offer a verification and a comparisons of technical and sporting interest, in parallel with the annual ”International Scientific Conference on the Neapolitan Mastiff”, which aims to consolidate our knowledge of the main pathologies and health problems which affect the Breed, and thereby to scarch for a solution to them.
A.T.I.MA.NA. is advised in its activity by internationally recognised Scientific Consultants specialising in the Breed, furnishing an exchange of experience which is certainly of benefit to breeders or simple enthusiasts.
To complete the picture of our activities, we organise meetings and conferences on the Neapolitan Mastiff in Europe and overseas, which aim to encourage a wider knowl edge of the Breed and arrive at a consensus of opinion, especially important for harmonious development of the Breed in respect of the standard.
In all these initiatives, a role of primary and fundamental importance is carried out by the Clubs affiliated to A.T.I.MA.NA., which are, increasingly, the true backbone of the organisation.
Since 1993, the date of its official birth, its President has been the Arch. Giuseppe Alessandra, all-rounder judge of the Italian Kennel Club - E.N.C.I. - and the F.C.I., and a noted authority on the Breed.
