In the beginning there was the NMCA and then the USNMC – BUT – there were no “local” clubs.  During the summer of 1997 some of the founding members of the USNMC decided that a local club was needed.  Invitations for a potluck picnic were issued to Neapolitan owners listed as members of the USNMC from New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.  The initial get together was held on September 21, 1997 at the Footbridge Park in Blairstown, New Jersey. People came – some with their dogs – and some beginning friendships were formed.

            Within the following month a meeting was held at the Welty home and the Garden State Neapolitan Mastiff Club was “born”.  Founding members were the Weltys (Bill and Donna), the Costellos(Charles and Sharon), Angela DiNicola, the Goodrichs (Noelle and Carol), Karen Siegel, Jared Siegel, Kristie Siegel, Joe Steinfeld, the Zonis (David and Sue) and the Pappases (Robin and Tom).

            Under the guidance of the Costellos and the Weltys, who had experience from other dog clubs, the club created its constitution, got incorporated, and took its first steps. Our first shows were held as “specialties” under the apron of other rare breed clubs such as the CKC (John Campanetta’s Canine Kennel Club) on April 18, 1998. and helpful AKC club such as the Boardwalk Kennel Club on November 28, 1998.

            As the GSNMC membership grew, so did the show opportunities.  The birth of the BIG DOG SHOW occurred on May 19 and May 30, 1999. The first Awards Dinner was held on February 20, 2000 and has become a yearly dinner meeting held in the month of February. March 26, 2000 saw the first show with the New Brunswick Kennel Club and the beginning of a great relationship between the two clubs. 2000 was a year of great growth for the GSNMC – shows held with AKC clubs, shows held alone, educational tri-folds, educational programs and the first club newsletters. 

The GSNMC became an affiliate club of the USNMC in 2001 and hosted the 2002 USNMC National at the New Brunswick Kennel Club show at the Raritan Expo Center. Continuing on through the subsequent years, the GSNMC has continued to encourage individual membership in AKC clubs, has continued to host shows, has continued to dispense educational materials, has created a club website, has supported its fellow members, and has continued to show support and a great love for the Neapolitan Mastiff.

July 1, 2004 was the date of the full AKC acceptance of the Neapolitan Mastiff and some members of the GSNMC entered the AKC show ring.  During the fall of 2004, the club decided to apply for AKC club recognition and in January of 2005 received “A” status under the AKC accelerated program. The club’s future is expanding and promising.