A retrospective demographic analysis of registry-based reproductive parameters in the Sicilian Mastiff

This retrospective study provides a demographic characterisation of the reproductive parameters of the Sicilian Mastiff (Mannara Dog) a local Italian breed recognised by the ENCI in 2014. We analysed official studbook records from 2015–2024, involving 136 whelping events from 89 bitches and 61 sires. Due to the retrospective nature of the registry data, the analysis focused on ‘registered litter size’ (puppies alive at ∼25 days), which serves as a proxy for net reproductive productivity rather than prolificacy at birth. Mean bitch age at first whelping was 28.42 ± 17.33 months, with an average registered litter size of 3.96 ± 2.13. A Generalised Linear Mixed Model (GLMM), accounting for the dam as a random effect, revealed that maternal age negatively influenced registered litter size; each additional month of age was associated with a 1% reduction in the number of pups (p < 0.05; CI: −0.0143, −0.0004). A significant seasonal trend was observed, with whelping frequencies peaking in March compared to June and July (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). While this peak suggests a potential influence of environmental cues or breeder management preferences, the findings provide a necessary baseline for the conservation and demographic monitoring of this rural breed. Further research using prospective designs is needed to account for parity, neonatal mortality, and kennel-specific effects in this developing population.