On my recent trip to Italy, I had the good fortune to visit with Mastinaro Orlando Di Palma and meet his few but excellent quality Mastini.
Having had on good authority that Orlando's Dante is considered amongst the most beautiful Mastini in the world at this present moment, I was anxious to make the two hour drive to see him in reality.

We met at Orlandos restaurant, a family run business, and were immediately invited to take lunch before taking a short drive to the home of the Di Palma Mastini.

Pictured to the left is Orlando Di Palma with Antonello Tenconi and one of his Mastini.

Orlando is originally from the Amalfi region and was brought up around dogs. His Uncle was an owner of Mastini and when Orlando was 17, was gifted his first dog. He is quick to stress that Mastino is for him a passionate hobby, and that is business is the restaurant that brought him from Amalfi to the North of Italy. He breeds infrequently, and shows occasionally, but both have unfortunately been impeded by a recent bout of ill health. Thankfully, he is now slowly recovering.

First, we were proudly presented with the beautiful Dante who had been running free in the grounds when we arrived.  I was not disappointed! What a handsome and complete Mastino he is. At just turned 3 yrs, he possesses a very powerful body, is 75cm tall, with great bone and feet. This is complimented with this truly beautiful head. Masculine, clean and not overdone, particularly in the short dewlap.

He is a son of Orlandos own female, Belinda, a daughter of his own Leone (not to confuse with DSV) and Illimani Salvadore, a son of Ida. Here is Belinda aged 5 yrs.

Orlando is an advocate of outcross breeding to try to achieve a healthier but still highly typical and beautiful Mastino. He stated he has great respect and admiration for many of the breeders who line and inbreed, but says for him, it is not the way he wishes to go.

Camilla, sister to Dante from the same father and the litter sister to Belinda

Finally, we viewed a female called Eva which was for me very interesting. Just 12 months, she is tall, elegant with a beautiful construction. I was told by Orlando that a very famous commercial breeder had visited a few weeks prior to enquire about taking a stud from Dante, had spotted this female and immediately offered to buy her. But was informed she is not for sale. Orlando intends to show her at the TMQ in September along with Dante and I am quite sure she will take some beating!

Many thanks to Orlando Di Palma for his great hospitality and for taking the time to show me his dogs and I wish him continued improvement with his health and much success with his Mastini. He is a small, but significant jewel in Italy's crown!

Bravo, Orlando!