Great Dane vs Mastiff
Which breed is right for you?
Quick verdict
Both the Great Dane and the Mastiff are gentle giant working breeds with short, low-maintenance coats and short lifespans, but they differ most in energy and slobber. The Great Dane is the more active and playful of the two, while the Mastiff is heavier, calmer, naturally protective, and a serious drooler. Pick the Dane for a friendly, lively companion and the Mastiff for a quiet, watchful guardian who is happy to lie still.
At a glance
| Great Dane | Mastiff | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Working | Working |
| Size | Giant | Giant |
| Weight | 50-79 kg | 54-104 kg |
| Height | 71-81 cm | 70-91 cm |
| Lifespan | 7-10 yr | 6-10 yr |
| Origin | Germany | England |
| Energy | 4 / 5 | 2 / 5 |
| Trainability | 4 / 5 | 3 / 5 |
| Friendliness | 5 / 5 | 4 / 5 |
| Shedding | 3 / 5 | 3 / 5 |
| Barking | 2 / 5 | 2 / 5 |
| Good with kids | Good | Good (supervised) |
| With other dogs | Good | With socialising |
| With cats | With care | With care |
Choose the Great Dane if:
Choose the Great Dane if you want a slightly more energetic and trainable giant with a friendly, people-loving nature and minimal drool, and you can give it room to stretch out and daily walks.
Full Great Dane profileChoose the Mastiff if:
Choose the Mastiff if you want a calm, low-energy guardian that is naturally protective and content to rest indoors, and you do not mind heavy drooling and wiping its facial folds.
Full Mastiff profileFrequently asked questions
Which is better for families with children?
Both are gentle and devoted family dogs that do well with kids when supervised. The Great Dane is a bit more playful and outgoing, while the Mastiff is calmer and more protective, so either suits a family as long as young children are watched around their enormous size.
Which one drools less?
The Great Dane is much cleaner around the mouth. The Mastiff is a heavy drooler, especially after eating, drinking or exercise, so keeping a drool cloth handy is part of daily life with one.
Which is easier to train for a first-time owner?
The Great Dane has a slight edge, rated a little more trainable and very willing to please. The Mastiff is intelligent but more sensitive and somewhat stubborn, so both need calm, reward-based training and early socialisation while they are still small enough to manage.