Breed comparison
Great Dane vs Mastiff
Great Dane or Mastiff? Both are gentle giants that bond deeply with family, and both take up a lot of room on the couch. The short answer: the Great Dane is the taller, sleeker and slightly more active dog, while the Mastiff is the heavier, calmer, droolier and more reserved one. Both come with short life spans, high costs and a serious risk of bloat, so a careful breeder, a lean body and a plan for emergencies matter more than the name on the papers.
Photo: Lilly M · CC BY-SA 2.5 · via Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Contesse du Hohwald · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
At a glance
| Great Dane | Mastiff | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Giant | Giant |
| Height | 28–32 in (71–81 cm) | 27.5–30 in (70–76 cm) |
| Weight | 110–175 lb (50–79 kg) | 120–230 lb (54–104 kg) |
| Life span | 7–10 years | 6–10 years |
| Group | Working | Working |
| Coat | Short, smooth, glossy coat | Short, dense double coat with a coarse outer layer |
| Lower-allergen coat | No | No |
| Energy level | ||
| Exercise needs | ||
| Trainability | ||
| Good with kids | ||
| Good with other dogs | ||
| Friendly to strangers | ||
| Apartment living | ||
| Tolerates being alone | ||
| Good for first-time owners | ||
| Shedding | ||
| Grooming needs | ||
| Barking | ||
| Drooling | ||
| General health |
Trait scale 1–5. Shedding, grooming, barking and drooling: 5 = more. Highlighted rows are where the two breeds differ.
The key differences
Size
The Great Dane is taller, at 28 to 32 in (71 to 81 cm) and 110 to 175 lb (50 to 79 kg). The Mastiff is stockier and heavier, at 27.5 to 30 in (70 to 76 cm) and 120 to 230 lb (54 to 104 kg). VCA lists Mastiffs at 175 to 190 lb. Either dog can rest its head on a dinner table.
Energy and exercise
The Great Dane scores 3 out of 5 for energy and exercise, against 2 for the Mastiff. PetMD describes the Great Dane as moderately playful and needing long walks at least twice a day. VCA describes the Mastiff as calm and well-mannered indoors, needing daily moderate walks or short jogs. The Great Dane scores slightly better for apartments (3 versus 2).
Coat and grooming
Both have short coats and score 3 out of 5 for shedding. The Great Dane's short, smooth coat scores 1 out of 5 for grooming against 2 for the Mastiff, and PetMD says to brush a Great Dane weekly. VCA says a weekly brushing also suits the Mastiff. The Mastiff drools more (4 versus 3 out of 5).
Temperament and training
Both score 5 out of 5 for affection and 4 for kids. PetMD calls the Great Dane gentle and quiet, but timid or anxious without early socialization. VCA describes the Mastiff as loyal, protective and aloof toward strangers, which fits its 2 out of 5 for strangers against 3 for the Dane. Both score 3 for trainability, and the Mastiff barks less (1 versus 2).
Health and life span
PetMD gives 7 to 10 years for the Great Dane, and our profile lists a shorter range for the Mastiff. PetMD lists bloat, hip dysplasia, Wobbler syndrome, degenerative myelopathy, happy tail syndrome and dilated cardiomyopathy for the Great Dane. The Mastiff Club of America lists hip and elbow dysplasia, eye and cardiac disease, thyroid disease and cystinuria for the Mastiff. VCA names Great Danes among the dogs at greatest risk of bloat, which needs emergency veterinary care.
Cost and care
Both are expensive to feed, insure and equip, and the Mastiff eats more because it is heavier. PetMD says a gastropexy can reduce bloat risk in Great Danes, so talk to your vet about prevention. Plan on a big crate or bed, a large vehicle and a budget for emergency care.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Great Dane if you want a tall, elegant and slightly more active giant that is easier to groom, and you are ready for the breed's bloat risk and short life. Choose the Mastiff if you want a heavier, calmer and more reserved guardian that is happy with a slow routine, and you can live with drool and the highest food bills. Both need early socialization, controlled puppy growth and a breeder who health tests the parents. Be honest about your budget and your strength before you commit, and ask your vet about bloat prevention before your puppy arrives.
Great Dane profile Mastiff profile
Frequently asked questions
Which is bigger, a Great Dane or a Mastiff?
The Great Dane is taller, at 28 to 32 in (71 to 81 cm). The Mastiff is heavier, at up to 230 lb (104 kg).
Which is calmer, a Great Dane or a Mastiff?
The Mastiff, at 2 out of 5 for energy against 3 for the Great Dane. Both are gentle indoors.
Which breed drools more?
The Mastiff, at 4 out of 5 on our drooling meter against 3 for the Great Dane.
