Breed comparison
Great Dane vs Mastiff
How the two breeds compare on the American Kennel Club's 1 to 5 trait ratings, and which one suits which home.
Mastiff5Affection with family5
3Good with young children5
3Good with other dogs3
3Openness to strangers3
4Playfulness3
4Energy level3
3Trainability3
4Mental stimulation needs3
4Adaptability4
5Watchdog / protective5
3Barking1
3Shedding3
1Coat grooming1
4Drooling4
The biggest differences
- Good with young children: the Mastiff scores 5 out of 5, the Great Dane 3.
- Barking: the Great Dane scores 3 out of 5, the Mastiff 1.
They score the same on affection with family, good with other dogs, openness to strangers, trainability, adaptability, watchdog / protective.
Which one should you choose?
Pick the Great Dane if you want an energetic exercise partner. Pick the Mastiff if you have young children, you prefer a calmer dog, you want a quieter dog.
Ratings are general breed tendencies from the AKC. Every dog is an individual, so meet the dog, and its parents if you can, before you decide. Not sure? Try the breed selector.
Source: American Kennel Club breed ratings (compiled February 2022). How we check.