Great Dane Vs Mastiff: 14 Things Compared

The Great Dane and Mastiff are two of the world’s largest dog breeds, and picking one of them as your pet might be difficult because they both have their own unique characteristics.

In this piece, we will compare the mastiff (the English mastiff) with the Great Dane to determine which breed is best for you.

I’ll also give you my preference. So, let’s get started!

Great Dane Vs Mastiff (The English Mastiff) 14 Differences

1: Origin

Breed	Origin Country
English Mastiff	England
Great Dane	Germany

One of the oldest canine breeds is the English mastiff; in fact, their history is so old that it dates back over 2,000 years, according to historical sources.

Experts believe they originated in England, where they were predominantly bred as working dogs but were also employed for a variety of tasks, including guarding estates and castles and serving as battle dogs.

Great Danes, aka “German Mastiff” or “Deutsche Dogge,” on the other hand, were bred in Germany as hunting dogs.

Their history isn’t as old as that of the English mastiff, but they’re also not a young breed; they were bred several centuries ago, and some believe Great Danes have been around for almost 400 years.

Overall, they are both very old dog breeds with a long and rich history.

2: Size Differences

Breed	Height (at the shoulder)	Weight
English Mastiff	27-33 inches (69-84 cm)	130-220 pounds (59-100 kg)
Great Dane	28-34 inches (71-86 cm)	140-175 pounds (64-79 kg)

The table above clearly shows which dog breed is heavier and which is taller.

Great Danes are taller than Mastiffs but skinnier.

The huge stature of both breeds can only be felt up close to them. They may appear intimidating because of their enormous size, but if properly socialized from an early age, none of these breeds pose a threat.

3: Temperament

Trait	English Mastiff	Great Dane
Temperament	Gentle, Dignified, Courageous	Friendly, Gentle, Dependable

On the one hand, great danes are the nicest and most affectionate huge dog breed, while Mastiffs are gentle yet brave canines who make excellent guard dogs.

Both may be deadly if not socialized and trained; in fact, in an instance in Chennai, India, an English mastiff violently attacked a person passing close by.

View the video on YouTube to observe how viciously the English mastiff attacked the pedestrian.

The English mastiff’s owner was unable to manage it because the mastiff was simply too powerful.

The Great Danes aren’t far behind either. In fact, there have been numerous reports of Great Danes attacking people violently.

Overall, they are both nice and loyal breeds of dogs if properly cared for from the very beginning, but they also have a protective instinct that makes them deadly if not socialized and taught.

4: Agility Level

Because of their slimmer build, Great Danes are visibly more nimble than Mastiffs. In fact, some experts believe that Great Danes were developed to be agile and powerful.

The mastiff is undoubtedly more powerful than the great dane, but Great Danes dominate when it comes to agility and speed.

5: Exercise Needs

Exercise Type	Great Danes	English Mastiffs
Daily Walks	30-60 minutes, 1-2 times a day	20-40 minutes, 1-2 times a day
Jogging/Running	Light jogging after maturity	Short sessions after maturity
Swimming	Encouraged, especially for joints	Encouraged, especially for joints
Fetch and Retrieval	Enjoys, short sessions	Enjoys, short sessions
Agility Training	Beneficial for mental stimulation	Beneficial for mental stimulation
Hiking	Enjoys, moderate terrain	Enjoys, moderate terrain
Weight Pulling	Consider after maturity	Consider after maturity
Playdates with Dogs	Good for socialization and play	Good for socialization and play
Tug-of-War	Enjoys, with rules for control	Enjoys, with rules for control

Both breeds are not ideal for high-intensity exercise because of their huge structure. High-intensity activity may put a strain on their joints and cause overheating.

They both require approximately 40 minutes of walking each day; however, if your dog is healthy, you may add a few more things; nonetheless, do not exceed their limits as this will cause more harm than good.

I’ve written extensively about how much exercise a great dane needs and the best activities for this breed, so check it out!

6: Diet

Nutrient	Great Danes	English Mastiffs
Protein Content	20-25%	20-25%
Fat Content	8-12%	10-12%
Calcium:Phosphorus Ratio	1.2:1 to 1.5:1	1.2:1 to 1.5:1
Omega-3 Fatty Acids	Recommended	Recommended

Unfortunately, both breeds are prone to certain types of health issues; it is critical to provide them with good nutritional food from the start to ensure they live a long life.

Many factors influence diet requirements, but healthy adult Great Danes and mastiffs require roughly the same amount of protein, calcium and phosphorus, and omega-3 fatty acids, with the mastiff requiring greater fat content.

A good dog kibble will provide all of the nutrients your dog requires throughout the day. So, make sure to pick the best one; you can find out more by reading reviews or watching videos!

7: Coat Type

Characteristic	Mastiffs	Great Danes
Recognized Colors	Fawn, apricot, and brindle	Fawn, brindle, blue, black, harlequin, mantle, and merle
Shedding	Moderate to Heavy	Moderate to Heavy
Coat Density	Short, straight coat	Short, sleek coat

The mastiff has an easy-to-maintain short, dense coat that just needs a brief brushing every few days rather than several in a day. Mastiffs do, however, occasionally shed a lot, particularly during specific seasons.

As compared to mastiffs, great danes have short coats that aren’t overly dense. They do not shed as much as mastiffs, although they do shed a lot during specific seasons.

Great Danes come in a variety of colors; some experts even claim that there are more than 20 hues of great danes, which is incredible; however, only seven are recognized.

While great danes are available in a range of hues, mastiffs only come in three recognized colors.

8: Life Expectancy

Breed	Average Lifespan
Great Dane	7-10 years
Mastiff	8-12 years

Unfortunately, both breeds have a fairly short lifespan. They are not suggested if you want a breed that will live with you for a longer period of time.

9: Health Issues

The main reason why both breeds do not live longer lives is that they are both prone to a variety of health conditions.

Ear infections, wobbler syndrome, dilated cardiomyopathy, bloat, hip dysplasia, and happy tail syndrome are some of the health conditions that great danes are prone to.

Allergies, eye anomalies, cancer, hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, epilepsy, and stomach dilatation and volvulus are some of the health issues a Mastiff might get.

Furthermore, due to their strong attachment to their owners, both breeds are prone to separation anxiety when left alone for extended periods of time.

However, you may lower your companion’s risk of developing health issues if you provide the proper care and heed the advice of the veterinarian. I define “right care” as having a balanced diet, getting regular exercise and playtime, and offering mental stimulation.

10: Guarding Ability

Despite the fact that the Great Dane is a hunting breed, the mastiff (English mastiff) is still a superior guarding breed.

The mastiff possesses a stronger bite force, raw power, and size than a great danes, and it is also significantly more aggressive, making it the ultimate beast.

However, mastiffs are not as agile or as fast as great danes, but they are certainly capable of giving intruders a nightmare.

Great Danes, on the other hand, can be good guard dogs, but they are more friendly than mastiffs.

11: Aggression Level

Many people underestimate mastiff aggression. Mastiffs are well-behaved dogs when properly socialized, but when they are not, their protective nature takes over when they perceive a threat.

Mastiffs can be vicious when they believe their owner or themselves are in danger. Controlling an English mastiff when they are aggressive is really difficult because they are quite heavy and powerful.

Great Danes are not far behind, and they are aggressive as well because they are highly territorial animals. They may not have a very significant biting force, but their hunting mentality and huge height make them quite deadly if not properly socialized.

There have been numerous reports of great danes viciously attacking people.

Overall, both breeds can be both sweet and dangerous to people, depending on the level of training and socialization obtained by the breed.

12: Trainability

Mastiff training is easier than great dane training because mastiffs have greater food desire and are more willing to please their owners than great danes.

However, mastiffs can be stubborn at times and may not respond well to aggressive training methods.

Great Danes can be trained successfully as well, but because they are more sensitive than mastiffs, they should be trained with excitement from the start. They get confused and afraid as a result of the harshness.

13: Cost

Cost Considerations	Great Dane	Mastiff
Initial Purchase Price	$600 – $3,000 (varies widely)	$1,000 – $3,500 (varies widely)
Show Quality	Higher-end of the range	Higher-end of the range
Pet Quality	Mid to lower end of the range	Mid to lower end of the range
Breeder Reputation	Established breeders may charge more	Established breeders may charge more
Geographic Location	Prices may vary by region	Prices may vary by region

The cost of a breed is determined by a variety of factors, including the breeder’s reputation, location, and the dog’s quality.

However, if you reside in the United States, you may get a great dane for between 600 and 3,000 dollars, while a mastiff could cost between 1,000 and 3,000 dollars.

14: Space Needs

Space Considerations	Great Dane	Mastiff
Living Space	They can, amazingly, live in an apartment, although they do require a large amount of indoor area.	Due to their large size, mastiffs may find apartment living difficult; they want a roomy area to feel comfortable.
Outdoor Space	They can live in an apartment, but they prefer a secure, fenced yard for playing and exercising.	Mastiffs benefit from regular outdoor activity, so they, too, require a secure enclosed yard.

Which Breed To Choose?

I personally prefer mastiffs, but that’s just my preference. If I had to suggest a breed, I would just ask what breed meets your needs.

I would suggest a Great Dane if you’re looking for a family-friendly dog that gets along well with kids. Great Danes are excellent with kids and make amazing family pets.

However, the mastiff would be a fantastic option if you’re looking for a more robust breed that requires little activity and is fiercely protective of its family, especially its owner.

Now, since these breeds are large and difficult to manage, I would not advise you to have one if you are a first-time owner.

I have witnessed numerous instances where a dog attacked someone due to an error made by the owner.

Choose a breed of dog that is simpler to handle first, and as experience gains value, move on to larger breeds.

I hope you liked this post.

Thanks for reading!