Great Dane vs Mastiff: Breeds Comparison

Before getting a puppy, you should be sure that the breed you're doing to buy or rescue is a good fit for your lifestyle and home.

Let's get busy...

Both Great Dane and Mastiff are members of the Working Group.

Although these breeds are members of the same breed group, they have some differences and not only similarities so keep reading to learn more.

Great Dane vs Mastiff Size Comparison

Great Danes are larger, with a typical height of 26 to 34 inches and weight of 100 to 200 pounds, while the typical height of Mastiff is 27 to 32 inches and they usually weigh 130 to 220 pounds.

We know that these numbers might be too abstract, so we made a tool to help you visualize these numbers.

The following chart compares the average breeds height with the average height of an American man and woman.

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data, the average height of a man is 69 inches, and the height of a woman is 63.5 inches.

Dog size comparison to a human. From left, average heights of Great Dane, Mastiff, American female, and American male.

Great Dane vs Mastiff lifespan

No doubt, the quality of care provided to the dog is one of the main factors when it comes to canines life longevity, however, there are also other factors, especially the dog's breed.

With a life expectancy of 7 to 10 years, Great Danes usually live longer than Mastiffs.

Mastiffs' lifespan is 6 to 10 years.

Read on to the following sections to better understand in detail how Great Dane and Mastiff compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one is better for you.

Breed Name	Great Dane	Mastiff
Traits
Breed Group	Working Dogs	Working Dogs
Height	26 to 34 inches	27 to 32 inches
Weight	100 to 200 pounds	130 to 220 pounds
Life Span	7 to 10 years	6 to 10 years

Great Dane vs Mastiff adaptability

When we say "dog adaptability", most people think about apartment living adaptability, so let's start with that.

All dogs are great — but not all dogs are great for or geared toward apartment living. A dog may be considered the worst dog breed for apartments for a few reasons including size, energy level, noise, smell, shedding...

Unfortunately, Great Danes and Mastiffs don't have a good reputation as good apartment living dogs.

While most dogs can be left home alone for 6 to 8 hours, some will do better. Check the table below to see how Great Danes and Mastiffs tolerate being left alone.

To learn more, read our list of dogs that can be left alone.

Hot weather tolerance

Depending on where you live, you should choose a dog that tolerates hot or cold weather well.

Great Dane tolerates hot weather better than Mastiff.

During warm weather, be sure to provide shade and water and head out in the morning or late evening when it's cooler. Also, avoid pavements - if the ground is too hot to touch for your hand for a few seconds, it's too hot for paws.

Check our heatstroke article on prevention and symptoms to learn more.

What about cold weather?

Cold temperatures are not a problem for most dogs until they fall below 45° F, at which point some cold-averse dogs might begin to feel uncomfortable. When temperatures fall below 32° F, owners of small breed dogs, dogs with thin coats, and/or very young, old, or sick dogs should pay close attention to their pet’s well-being.

Once temperatures drop under 20° F, all owners need to be aware that their dogs could potentially develop cold-associated health problems like hypothermia and frostbite.

Mastiff tolerates cold weather better than Great Dane.

Great Danes' fur is simply not designed for low temperatures, so you might consider getting them some kind of dog wear coat.

The best way to monitor dogs when it’s cold is to keep a close eye on their behavior. If you notice your dog shivering, acting anxious, whining, slowing down, searching out warm locations, or holding up one or more paws, it’s time to head inside.

Our "How Cold Is Too Cold For Dogs?" article has more information on this topic.

Great Dane vs Mastiff temperament

It's always hard to make a general statement about the whole breed's temperament. Each dog has a different temperament, and there are a lot of factors that affect its behavior.

Looking for a perfect family dog?

If you're looking for a companion dog, you won't go wrong with Great Dane and Mastiff. Their outgoing and friendly personality makes them a great choice for families. Both are highly affectionate with family, they will immediately become a family member.

When it comes to behavior around children, there's no much difference between these breeds.

Both Great Dane and Mastiff love children - they are usually gentle and patient with kids, but as we mentioned, temperaments can vary based on the individual dog.

We've created a list of the 15 best dogs for kids and family, so read it next if this is important for you.

Guarding behavior

Dog guarding behavior is welcome for some owners, while others prefer a dog that's friendly towards strangers.

Speaking of friendliness toward strangers, Great Danes and Mastiffs are the complete opposite.

While Great Danes are super friendly toward strangers, Mastiffs are naturally suspicious toward strangers, so you can expect they will act protective.

Health And Grooming Needs

The best way to optimize your pup’s health is to research reputable breeders, and then when you meet them ask to see the parents and their health certificates as described above and to see the conditions in which all the dogs are living.

Check the table below to see the general health rating for these two canines, and read full breed profile articles to read in-depth information on their health.

Also, some breeds are prone to obesity, which could cause other health conditions. Be sure to check that information as well, if the breed is prone to obesity, keep a close eye on labels and feed your dog according to the food labels.

For example, hip dysplasia is hereditary and is especially common in larger dogs. Factors such as excessive growth rate, types of exercise, and improper weight and nutrition can magnify this genetic predisposition.

What about shedding?

One of the bad parts of having a dog is definitely shedding. So be sure to take this into your consideration when choosing the right breed for you. Click here to learn how to minimize the shedding.

Great Dane is a full-fledged fur factory!

Great Dane shed less than Mastiff do, but don't forget - preventing shedding is impossible, but regular brushing is necessary.

Recommended article: 30 Small Hypoallergenic Dogs That Don’t Shed.

Drooling potential?

Well, we have bad news. These breeds have high drooling potential.

Hate drooling? Well, then you should probably skip Mastiff and choose Great Dane instead.

Great Dane vs Mastiff trainability

Each dog needs some kind of obedience training, but some of them are easier to train, while others are more stubborn.

Great Danes are usually easier to train than Mastiffs.

If you choose one of these dogs, remember three pillars of dog training - Patience, persistence, and consistency play a huge role in successfully training your dog.

Finally, if you think you aren't capable of training your dog on your own, you might also consider getting professional help.

Do Great Dane and Mastiff need a lot of physical activity?

To keep your dog healthy, calm, and happy, you have to provide it with enough physical activities. Not only your dog will be healthier and happier when it's active, but you'll also reduce or completely eliminate destructive behavior.

Some people don't think about this when selecting a breed, so we have dedicated a whole chapter to physical needs.

Both Great Dane and Mastiff have a high exercise needs. It means they will need at least 30 to 60 minutes of hard aerobic exercise most days of the week, preferably daily. And no, a leashed walk isn't a hard aerobic exercise - think of aerobic exercise as anything that makes your dog pant.

Great Dane or Mastiff: The bottom line

In this article, we tried to give you an idea of what you can expect from Great Danes and Mastiffs.

To further explore their personality, overall health, temperament, and much more, read their full breed profile.

Or, use the tool below to read the next comparison.