Put an array of reptiles, horses, dogs, cats and humans together on a sports field and you’re bound to have an interesting day.

Various human specimens gathered with their furry critters at Marks Park in Emmarentia for a World Of Dogs And Cats (and, it appears, horses, pythons and albino hedgehogs) Pet Expo event last week.

The first breed you may notice, not just because of its size but also for its unusual appearance, is the  Neapolitan Mastiff, the grand- daddy of the Mastiff family.

With a history tracing back over five millennia, the breed originates from in and around Naples, Italy, where it was used to fight in Roman colosseums against men, lions and bears, for entertainment.

But the hound sitting next to us, weighed down by endless folds of skin like a wrinkled garment, looks completely harmless as it lumbers along, a line of saliva trailing from its jaw.

In these modern times, you’re more likely to find these hounds posing in television adverts, which might explain their newly-
acquired, calm disposition.

But don’t let the somewhat goofy appearance deceive you – these dogs will stop at nothing to protect their owners,  or so the breeder tells us.

Mexico didn’t just introduce tortillas to the world, but their sleek township dogs, known as  Xoloitz- cuintli (pronounced  “show-low- its-queen-tly” or, if you prefer, Xolo for short). 

Hairless and virtually toothless, it makes up for these shortcomings with its keen sense of smell and hearing.

Breeder, Dawn van Staden, says she’s mad about her new Xolo import, which tussles with a Bull Mastiff puppy next to her.

“He’s intelligent and agile – a real family pet,” she says.

Nearby, a blue-eyed Sphynx cat   in her carrier looks on wearily, as if a little put out to be missing her midday siesta. 

A diminutive stallion trots by, swishing his golden mane. Look, size isn’t everything.

A real treat had to be getting up close and personal with an albino hedgehog and baby Ameri-can alligator.

Between the South African dancing dogs and Burmese python, a bevy of  Scottish Terriers didn’t know what to do with themselves. 

But their yapping formed an interesting musical accompaniment to their owner’s bagpipes.

For more information about the main World of Dogs and Cats event from July 20-22, go to www.dogscats.co.za.