Great Dane vs Mastiff
The two published breed profiles side by side: size, energy, grooming, lifespan, temperament ratings and health.
| Great Dane | Mastiff | |
|---|---|---|
| Size class | Giant | Giant |
| Adult weight | 49.9 to 79.4 kg | 54.4 to 104.3 kg |
| In pounds | 110 to 175 lb | 120 to 230 lb |
| Adult height | 71 to 81 cm | 70 to 76 cm |
| Energy | High | Moderate |
| Grooming | Low | Low |
| Coat | Short smooth | Short double |
| Shedding | Moderate | Moderate |
| Lifespan | 7 to 10 years | 6 to 10 years |
| Good with children | Fine with supervision | Reliably good |
| Good with other dogs | Fine with supervision | Fine with supervision |
| Country of origin | Germany | Great Britain |
The main differences
- The Mastiff is the bigger dog: 54.4 to 104.3 kg against 49.9 to 79.4 kg for the Great Dane.
- The Great Dane needs more exercise: high energy against moderate for the Mastiff.
- Grooming is low for both.
- Life expectancy is similar: 7 to 10 years for the Great Dane and 6 to 10 years for the Mastiff.
- With children, the Mastiff is rated reliably good and the Great Dane fine with supervision.
Temperament
Great Dane: The easygoing Great Dane is a dependable, friendly and patient giant that is gentle with children and eager to please their people.
Mastiff: Calm and affectionate with their own people but capable of guarding, and usually indifferent with strangers. Timidity is unacceptable in the breed.
Health worth asking about
Conditions each breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable: it means ask the breeder for the parents' test results.
Great Dane
- Bloat and gastric torsion, a risk shared by deep chested breeds
- Hip dysplasia, which breeding stock should be hip scored by x-ray before mating
- Cardiac disease and autoimmune thyroiditis, found on a cardiac examination with echocardiography and on a thyroid blood panel
- Panosteitis and other growth related bone problems in fast growing puppies, diagnosed on examination and radiographs
Mastiff
- Hip dysplasia, screened under the BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme
- Elbow dysplasia, screened under the BVA/KC Elbow Dysplasia Scheme
- Hereditary eye disease including progressive retinal atrophy, screened under the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme, with DNA testing available for PRA
- Gastric dilatation volvulus, a surgical emergency, risk rises with a deep chest, prophylactic gastropexy is often recommended
- Entropion and ectropion, diagnosed on veterinary eye examination and corrected surgically
- Degenerative myelopathy, detectable by DNA test alongside clinical signs
Common questions
Which is bigger, the Great Dane or the Mastiff?
The Mastiff. Adults weigh 54.4 to 104.3 kg, against 49.9 to 79.4 kg for the Great Dane, going by the published breed profiles.
Which lives longer, the Great Dane or the Mastiff?
The published life expectancy is 7 to 10 years for the Great Dane and 6 to 10 years for the Mastiff. These are typical ranges across the breed, not a promise about one dog.
Is the Great Dane or the Mastiff better with children?
The Mastiff scores higher for children (3 against 5 out of 5). Any dog needs supervising around young children, whatever their breed rating.
Related comparisons
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Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
Every figure on this page comes from the two breed guides, which cite:
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin