Mastiff vs Boerboel vs American Pit Bull Terrier Comparison - Dog breed selector: Old English Mastiff or South African Mastiff or Pit? Find the right dog for you
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Compare Mastiff and Boerboel. Which is better: Mastiff or Boerboel or American Pit Bull Terrier?
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| Name | Mastiff | Boerboel | American Pit Bull Terrier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Origins |  England |  South Africa |  United States |
| Group | Working Dogs | Working Dogs | Hunting Dogs |
| Popularity Rank | 28 | 124 | 336 |
| Reviews | 1 | 1 | 7 |
| User Ratings |
| Other Names
What other names do they have? |
Old English Mastiff English Mastiff |
South African Mastiff South African Boerboel |
Pit Pit Bull Pitbull Pitty APBT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed Type
Which dog is purebred or crossbreed? Mastiff vs Boerboel vs American Pit Bull Terrier breed type comparison: | Purebred | Purebred | Purebred |
Mastiff vs Boerboel vs American Pit Bull Terrier Price and Availability Comparison
| Price
Which is cheaper, Mastiff or Boerboel or American Pit Bull Terrier? Which is more expensive? | $1200-$1500 | $1500-$2000 | $500-$700 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Availability
Which is easier to get, Mastiff or Boerboel or American Pit Bull Terrier? | Very frequent: The Mastiff is quite easy to get. | Frequent: The Boerboel is easier than average to get. | Average: The American Pit Bull Terrier is a commonly available dog breed. |
Mastiff vs Boerboel vs American Pit Bull Terrier Size Comparison
| Size
Which is bigger, Mastiff or Boerboel or American Pit Bull Terrier? Which is the smallest dog, Mastiff or Boerboel or American Pit Bull Terrier? | Giant | Large Giant | Medium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight
Which is heavier, Mastiff or Boerboel or Boerboel? Mastiff vs Boerboel vs American Pit Bull Terrier weight comparison: | Male: 150-250 pounds (68-113 kg), Female: 120-180 pounds (54-82 kg) | 154-200 pounds (70-90 kg) | 22-78 pounds (10-35 kg) |
| Average Weight
Which dog has a smaller / higher average weight? | Male: 200 pounds (90.5 kg), Female: 150 pounds (68 kg) | 177 pounds (80 kg) | 50 pounds (22.5 kg) |
| Height
Which is taller, Mastiff or Boerboel or American Pit Bull Terrier? Mastiff vs Boerboel vs American Pit Bull Terrier height comparison: | Male: 30 inches (76 cm), Female: 27.5 inches (70 cm) | Male: 25-28 inches (64-70 cm), Female: 23-25.5 inches (59-65 cm) | 14-24 inches (35-60 cm) |
| Average Height
Which dog has a smaller / higher average height? | Male: 30 inches (76 cm), Female: 27.5 inches (70 cm) | Male: 26.5 inches (67 cm), Female: 23-25.5 inches (62 cm) | 19 inches (47.5 cm) |
Mastiff vs Boerboel vs American Pit Bull Terrier Grooming, Hair and Care Comparison
| Coat / Hair Types
What type of coat/fur do they have? Mastiff vs Boerboel vs American Pit Bull Terrier coat comparison: | Dense |
Dense Shiny Smooth | Fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colors
What are the original Mastiff, Boerboel and American Pit Bull Terrier color? |
Apricot Fawn Brindle |
Brindle Cream Reddish Brown Red Tawny |
Blue Gray White Tan Brown Red Yellow Black |
| Grooming
Which dog is easy to maintain, Mastiff or Boerboel or American Pit Bull Terrier? Mastiff vs Boerboel vs American Pit Bull Terrier grooming comparison: | Easy to groom: The Mastiff doesn't require a lot of grooming. | Effortless: The Boerboel requires minimal grooming. | Effortless: The American Pit Bull Terrier requires minimal grooming. |
| Shedding Level
Who sheds more Mastiff or Boerboel or American Pit Bull Terrier? Mastiff or Boerboel or {name3 shedding: | Mastiffs shed moderately. | Boerboels shed moderately. | American Pit Bull Terriers shed moderately. |
| Bath Time / Bathing Frequency
Which dog should be bathed more: Mastiff or Boerboel or American Pit Bull Terrier? | 4-6 weeks Average. Experts recommended at least every 4-6 weeks for this family pup. | 4-6 weeks Average. Experts recommended at least every 4-6 weeks for this family pup. | 3-4 weeks More often than average. These dog coats tend to be longer, softer, and oilier than short-haired breeds. |
Mastiff vs Boerboel vs American Pit Bull Terrier Personality / Temperament Comparison
| Temperament
Which one has a better personality? Which is a better family dog, Mastiff or Boerboel or American Pit Bull Terrier? Mastiff vs Boerboel vs American Pit Bull Terrier behavior/temperament comparison: |
Affectionate Cheerful Intelligent Protective Alert Courageous Loyal |
Confident Intelligent Territorial Dominant Obedient |
Affectionate Clownish Friendly Loyal Strong Willed Aggressive Courageous Intelligent Obedient Stubborn |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intelligent Rank
Which is the smarter dog? Which is best? Mastiff vs Boerboel vs American Pit Bull Terrier intelligence: | Average: It takes patience to teach this breed any tricks or commands, but the effort is worth it. | Low to average: This canine intelligence is not the brightest one. | Average: It takes patience to teach this breed any tricks or commands, but the effort is worth it. |
| Trainability
Mastiff vs Boerboel vs American Pit Bull Terrier trainability comparison. | Mastiffs are quite easy to train. | Boerboels are quite easy to train. | American Pit Bull Terriers are easy to train. |
| Playfulness
Mastiff vs Boerboel vs American Pit Bull Terrier playfulness comparison: | Mastiffs are not the most playful dog breed. | Average: Boerboels, like any other dog breed, like playing. | The American Pit Bull Terrier is a playful breed. |
| Sensitivity Level
Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference? | Mastiffs have an average emotional level and are not the most sensitive dog breed. | Boerboels have an average emotional level and are not the most sensitive dog breed. | They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. |
| Affection Level
Which is the more affectionate dog breed: Mastiff vs Boerboel vs American Pit Bull Terrier? | High: Mastiffs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. | Average: Boerboels are average dogs regarding their affection level. | High: American Pit Bull Terriers are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. |
| Social Needs
Mastiff vs Boerboel vs American Pit Bull Terrier social needs comparison: | Mastiffs need for social interaction is average. | Boerboels need for social interaction is average. | American Pit Bull Terriers are a social breed. |
| Barking
Which dog barks more/less: Mastiff vs Boerboel vs American Pit Bull Terrier? | Low: The Mastiff barks none to minimal. | Low to Average: The Boerboel rarely barks. | Average: The American Pit Bull Terrier barks occasionally. |
| Watchdog Ability
Which is the better watchdog: Mastiff or Boerboel or American Pit Bull Terrier? | Mastiffs are one of the best watchdogs. | Boerboels are one of the best watchdogs. | American Pit Bull Terriers are average watchdogs. |
| Guarding Behavior / Territorial
Which is a better guard dog Mastiff or Boerboel or American Pit Bull Terrier?
Which dog is most likely to protect its owner?
Which is the best dog to use for protection? | Mastiffs are extremely protective guard dogs. | Boerboels are extremely protective guard dogs. | American Pit Bull Terriers are average defenders. |
| Biting Potential
Which breed of dog is most likely to bite? Biting potential comparison: | Moderate ⏺ The Mastiff has an average chance of biting somebody. | Low 🔽 The Boerboel has a low chance of biting somebody. | High 🔼 The American Pit Bull Terrier has a high chance of biting somebody. |
| Bite Force
Which bite is stronger: Mastiff or Boerboel or American Pit Bull Terrier? | Above 400 PSI 🔼 Mastiff bite force: The Strongest. | Above 400 PSI 🔼 Boerboel bite force: The Strongest. | Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ American Pit Bull Terrier bite force: Ordinary. |
| Mouthiness
Which is the better dog? Mastiff vs Boerboel vs American Pit Bull Terrier mouthiness comparison: | Mastiffs have a higher than average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. | Boerboels have an average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. | American Pit Bull Terriers have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. |
| Impulse to Wander or Roam
Which dog has a greater roaming instinct? | Mastiffs are not the biggest explorers. | The wanderlust potential of the Boerboel is strong enough to escape from home. | The wanderlust potential of the American Pit Bull Terrier is strong enough to escape from home. |
| Prey Drive
Which dog has a higher prey drive? Which can be better for hunting? | Their prey drive is low. | Boerboels have an average prey drive, which means that they don't have a high impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals, but it might happen. | American Pit Bull Terriers have an average prey drive, which means that they don't have a high impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals, but it might happen. |
| Apartment Friendly
Which dog is more apartment friendly Mastiff or Boerboel or American Pit Bull Terrier? | It is not the best choice if you want to keep them indoors, however, with careful exercise and several walks a day, they will tolerate the indoor environment, so it is possible to keep Mastiff indoors. | It is not recommended to keep the Boerboel breed in the home. | It is not recommended to keep the American Pit Bull Terrier breed in the home. |
| Adaptability
Which dog has a higher adaptability potential? Which is the better dog? | Mastiffs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. | Average: Boerboels adapt to lifestyle changes and different living environments quite okay usually. | Average: American Pit Bull Terriers adapt to lifestyle changes and different living environments quite okay usually. |
| Tolerates Being Left Alone
Which dog can be left alone: Mastiff or Boerboel or American Pit Bull Terrier? | Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner. | Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner. | American Pit Bull Terriers do best when a family member is at home during the day or if their workplace is dog-friendly so they can take the dog at work. |
Mastiff vs Boerboel vs American Pit Bull Terrier Good With Comparison
| Stranger Friendly
Which dog is more stranger friendly Mastiff or Boerboel or American Pit Bull Terrier? Which dog is more friendly? | Mastiffs are average friendly towards strangers. | Boerboels are not the most stranger-friendly dogs. | American Pit Bull Terriers are average friendly towards strangers. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pet Friendly
Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets? | Mastiffs are one of the friendliest dog breeds. | Boerboels usually don’t get on well with other pets. | American Pit Bull Terriers do best when they’re the only pet at the family. |
| Child Friendly
Which dog is more child/kid friendly Mastiff or Boerboel or American Pit Bull Terrier? | Mastiffs are very kid-friendly dogs. | Boerboels are kid-friendly dogs. | American Pit Bull Terriers are kid-friendly dogs. |
| Cat Friendly
Which dog is more cat friendly Mastiff or Boerboel or American Pit Bull Terrier? | Mastiffs are very cat-friendly dogs. | Boerboels are not the most cat-friendly dogs. | American Pit Bull Terriers are not cat-friendly dogs. |
| Dog Friendly
Which dog is more dog friendly Mastiff or Boerboel or American Pit Bull Terrier? | Mastiffs are average friendly towards other dogs. | Boerboels are not the most dog-friendly dogs. | American Pit Bull Terriers are not dog-friendly. |
| Good For First Time Owners
Which dog is good for the first-time owners: Mastiff vs Boerboel vs American Pit Bull Terrier? |
Yes Mastiffs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality. |
Yes Boerboels are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality. |
Yes American Pit Bull Terriers are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality. |
| Office Friendly
Which one fits better in the office? |
No Mastiff is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
No Boerboel is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
No American Pit Bull Terrier is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
| Senior Citizens Friendly
Which dog is good for elderly people? | Mastiffs are one of the best breeds for elderly people. | Boerboels are usually recommended for elderly people. | American Pit Bull Terriers are usually recommended for elderly people. |
Mastiff vs Boerboel vs American Pit Bull Terrier Health Comparison
| Health Issues
Mastiff vs Boerboel vs American Pit Bull Terrier health comparison. Which is the healthier: Mastiff vs Boerboel vs American Pit Bull Terrier? | Mastiffs are commonly healthy dogs. | Boerboels tend to have more frequent health issues than other breeds. | American Pit Bull Terriers tend to have more frequent health issues than other breeds. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health Problems
Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: Mastiff vs Boerboel vs American Pit Bull Terrier? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? Mastiff vs Boerboel vs American Pit Bull Terrier health problems comparison: |
Bloat Cancer Cystinuria Hip Dysplasia Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Seizures |
Allergies Epilepsy Hip Dysplasia Joint Dysplasia Vaginal Hyperplasia |
Demodectic Mange Hip Dysplasia Skin Allergies |
| Veterinarian Visits
Which one may need more or less veterinary visits? |
Rare The Mastiff should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year). |
Frequent The Boerboel should have a complete physical check-up at least once (but preferably twice) per year. |
Frequent The American Pit Bull Terrier should have a complete physical check-up at least once (but preferably twice) per year. |
| Life Expectancy
Mastiff vs Boerboel vs American Pit Bull Terrier lifespan comparison. How long do Mastiff, Boerboel and American Pit Bull Terrier breeds live? Which one has a longer lifespan/life expectancy? |
10-12 years The average lifespan of Mastiff: 11 years |
10-12 years The average lifespan of Boerboel: 11 years |
10-14 years The average lifespan of American Pit Bull Terrier: 12 years |
| Hypoallergenic
Mastiff vs Boerboel vs American Pit Bull Terrier hypoallergenic comparison. Which dog is hypoallergenic or not? | No See more. | No See more. | No See more. |
| Energy Level
Who has more energy a Mastiff or Boerboel or American Pit Bull Terrier?
Mastiff vs Boerboel vs American Pit Bull Terrier energy level comparison: | Mastiffs have a lower energy level than other dogs. | Boerboels have an average energy level, so if you live a semi-active life, this breed can be a good choice for you. | American Pit Bull Terriers have a higher energy level than other dog breeds. |
| Activity Requirement / Exercise Need
Mastiff vs Boerboel vs American Pit Bull Terrier exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: Mastiff or Boerboel or American Pit Bull Terrier? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest? | Mastiffs exercise need is minimal. | Boerboels need quite a lot of exercise. | American Pit Bull Terriers have an average exercise need. |
| Sleeping Need
Which one sleeps the least/most: Mastiff or Boerboel or American Pit Bull Terrier? | Mastiffs like sleeping so they do sleep a lot. | Boerboels sleep 12-14 hours a day as an average dog and they're not considered a lazy breed. | American Pit Bull Terriers are quite energetic dogs and they don't spend too much time with sleeping. |
| Average daily food consumption
Which dog eats more: Mastiff or Boerboel or American Pit Bull Terrier? | 8 to 10 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals | 8 to 10 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals | Recommended daily amount: 1.5 to 2.5 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. |
| Weight Gain Potential / Prone to Obesity
Which dog breed is more prone to obesity? Mastiff vs Boerboel vs American Pit Bull Terrier weight gain potential comparison: | Average to High: If you don't pay attention to the Mastiff's weight, he can easily gain weight. | Average: The Boerboel has an average risk for obesity. | Average: The American Pit Bull Terrier has an average risk for obesity. |
| Weather and Climate
Which dog is best for hot or cold weather: Mastiff vs Boerboel vs American Pit Bull Terrier? | Prefers average to cold weather conditions The Mastiff can adapt to well to cold weather conditions, some dogs even can be a good mountain dog. | Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. | Prefers average to warm weather conditions Different dogs have different preferences when it comes to weather conditions. |
| Stinkiness
Which dog breed smells the least? Which dog smells the most? Which is best, Mastiff vs Boerboel vs American Pit Bull Terrier? | High 🔼 The Mastiff has a high chance of bad smell. | Medium ⏺ The Boerboel has an average chance of bad smell. | Medium ⏺ The American Pit Bull Terrier has an average chance of bad smell. |
| Drooling Tendency
Which dog drools the most? Which dog drools the least? | The Mastiff is a big drooler, so if you're disgusted by slobber spots on your clothes, you should choose a dog from another breed. | The Boerboel drools quite a lot, so if you dislike being covered by slobber spots on your clothes, you may want to choose another dog breed. | The American Pit Bull Terrier is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. |
Mastiff vs Boerboel vs American Pit Bull Terrier As a Working Dog Comparison
| Service Dog
Which one could be a service dog? | Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. | Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. | Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Therapy Dog
Which one could be a therapy dog: Mastiff or Boerboel or American Pit Bull Terrier? Which is better for autism? | Not really This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. | Not really This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. | Not really This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. |
| Detection Dog or Sniffer Dog
Which one could be a detection/sniffer dog? | Not really They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases. | Not really They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases. | Yes After proper training, they can excel at this kind of work. |
| Search and Rescue Dog (SAR)
Which one could be a search and rescue dog? | Not really This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog. | Not really This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog. | Not really This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog. |
| Boat and Sailor Dog
Which one could be a boat dog: Mastiff vs Boerboel vs American Pit Bull Terrier? | Not really Mastiff breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. | Not really Boerboel breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. | Not really American Pit Bull Terrier breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. |
| Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog
Which one could be a cart pulling or drafting dog? | Yes A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. | Yes A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. | Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. |
| Fighting Dog / Military Dog | Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog. | Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dogs. | Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dogs. |
Mastiff vs Boerboel vs American Pit Bull Terrier Reproducibility Comparison
| Gestation Length | 60-64 days See more. | 60-64 days See more. | 60-64 days See more. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Litter Frequency | Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. | Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. | Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
| Litter Size
How many puppies can Mastiff and Boerboel and American Pit Bull Terrier have? | 3-5 puppies | 7-10 puppies | 5-8 puppies |
Mastiff vs Boerboel vs American Pit Bull Terrier Recognition Comparison
| AKC Group
Which dog is recognized by the AKC? | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885 as a Working breed. | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2015 as a Working breed. | Not recognized by the American Kennel Club. |
|---|---|---|---|
| FCI Group
Which dog is recognized by the FCI? | Not recognized by FCI. | Not recognized by FCI. | Not recognized by FCI. |
| Breed Recognition
What other organizations and kennel clubs recognize these dog breeds? |
American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club |
American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Dog Registry of America Inc. North American Purebred Registry, Inc. |
American Canine Registry Dog Registry of America Inc. North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club United Kennel Club Backwoods Bulldog Club |
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