Mastiff vs German Shepherd Comparison – Which dog is better Old English Mastiff or Alsatian wolf dog?
"Find similarities and differences between Mastiff vs German Shepherd"
Compare Mastiff and German Shepherd. Which is better: Mastiff or German Shepherd?
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| Name | Mastiff | German Shepherd |
|---|---|---|
| Origins |  England |  Germany |
| Group | Working Dogs | Pastoral / Herding Dogs |
| Popularity Rank | 28 | 2 |
| Reviews | 3 | 21 |
| User Ratings |
| Common Names & Aliases
Compare different names used for Mastiff and German Shepherd. What other names are these breeds known by? |
Old English Mastiff English Mastiff |
Alsatian wolf dog Berger Allemand Deutscher Schäferhund Schäferhund Alsatian |
|---|---|---|
| Breed Classification
Compare breed classifications between a Mastiff and a German Shepherd. Learn about their genetic backgrounds. | Purebred | Purebred |
Mastiff vs German Shepherd Size and Weight Comparison
| Size Classification
Which is bigger: a Mastiff or a German Shepherd? Compare size differences between these breeds. | Giant | Large |
|---|---|---|
| Weight Statistics
Compare weight ranges between a Mastiff and a German Shepherd. Which breed is heavier? | Male: 150-250 pounds (68-113 kg), Female: 120-180 pounds (54-82 kg) | Male: 66-88 pounds (30-40 kg), Female: 49-71 pounds (22-32 kg) |
| Average Weight
Which dog has a smaller / higher average weight? | Male: 200 pounds (90.5 kg), Female: 150 pounds (68 kg) | Male: 77 pounds (35 kg), Female: 60 pounds (27 kg) |
| Height
Which is taller, Mastiff or German Shepherd? Is a Mastiff taller than a German Shepherd? | Male: 30 inches (76 cm), Female: 27.5 inches (70 cm) | Male: 24-26 inches (60-65 cm), Female: 22-24 inches (55-60 cm) |
| Average Height
Which dog has a smaller / higher average height? | Male: 30 inches (76 cm), Female: 27.5 inches (70 cm) | Male: 25 inches (62.5 cm), Female: 23 inches (57.5 cm) |
Mastiff vs German Shepherd Price and Availability Comparison
| Price Range
Compare puppy prices between a Mastiff and a German Shepherd. Which breed costs more? | $1200-$1500 | $800-$2000 |
|---|---|---|
| Availability
Which is easier to get, Mastiff or German Shepherd? | Very frequent: The Mastiff is quite easy to get. | Very frequent: The German Shepherd is quite easy to get. |
Mastiff vs German Shepherd Trainability and Intelligence Comparison
| Intelligence Rating
Which is smarter: a Mastiff or a German Shepherd? Compare intelligence rankings and learning abilities. | Average: It takes patience to teach this breed any tricks or commands, but the effort is worth it. | Outstanding: German Shepherd is one of the brightest dog breeds. |
|---|---|---|
| Training Difficulty
Which is easier to train: a Mastiff or a German Shepherd? Compare training requirements. | Mastiff dogs are quite easy to train. | German Shepherd dogs are easy to train. |
| Watchdog Rating
Which makes a better watchdog: a Mastiff or a German Shepherd? Compare alertness levels. | Mastiff dogs are one of the best watchdogs. | German Shepherd dogs are one of the best watchdogs. |
| Territorial Protection
Which is more protective: a Mastiff or a German Shepherd? Compare territorial behaviors. | Mastiff dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. | German Shepherd dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. |
Mastiff vs German Shepherd Personality and Temperament Comparison
| Personality Traits
Compare personalities of a Mastiff and a German Shepherd. How do their temperaments differ? |
Protective Alert Courageous Intelligent Affectionate Loyal Cheerful |
Curious Alert Courageous Intelligent Confident Obedient Loyal Watchful |
|---|---|---|
| Sensitivity Level
Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference between Mastiff vs German Shepherd? | Mastiff dogs have an average emotional level and are not the most sensitive dog breed. | Sensitive: German Shepherd dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits. |
| Affection Level
Which is the more affectionate dog breed: Mastiff vs German Shepherd? | High: Mastiff dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. | High: German Shepherd dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. |
| Social Needs
Mastiff vs German Shepherd social needs comparison: | Mastiff dogs need for social interaction is average. | German Shepherd dogs need for social interaction is average. |
| Impulse to Wander or Roam
Which dog has a greater roaming instinct? What's the difference between Mastiff vs German Shepherd? | Mastiff dogs are not the biggest explorers. | German Shepherd dogs are not the biggest explorers. |
| Prey Drive
Which dog has a higher prey drive? What's the difference between Mastiff vs German Shepherd? Which can be better for hunting? | Their prey drive is low. | German Shepherd dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. |
Mastiff vs German Shepherd Activity and Playfulness Comparison
| Barking Frequency
Which breed barks more: a Mastiff or a German Shepherd? Compare vocalization tendencies. | Low: The Mastiff barks none to minimal. | Low to Average: The German Shepherd rarely barks. |
|---|---|---|
| Playful Nature
Which breed is more playful: a Mastiff or a German Shepherd? Compare play drive and energy. | Mastiffs are not the most playful dog breed. | Average: German Shepherds, like any other dog breed, like playing. |
| Apartment Adaptability
Which is better for apartments: a Mastiff or a German Shepherd? Compare living space needs. | 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 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 German Shepherd indoors. |
Mastiff vs German Shepherd Adaptability and Independence Comparison
| Lifestyle Adaptability
Which adapts better to changes: a Mastiff or a German Shepherd? Compare adaptability levels. | Mastiff dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. | German Shepherd dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. |
|---|---|---|
| Alone Time Tolerance
Which dog can be left alone: Mastiff or German Shepherd? | 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. |
Mastiff vs German Shepherd Bite Characteristics Comparison
| Bite Risk Assessment
Which has lower bite risk: a Mastiff or a German Shepherd? Compare biting tendencies. | Moderate ⏺ The Mastiff has an average chance of biting somebody. | High 🔼 The German Shepherd has a high chance of biting somebody. |
|---|---|---|
| Mouthing Tendency
Which is more mouthy: a Mastiff or a German Shepherd? Compare mouthing behaviors. | Mastiff dogs have a higher than average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. | German Shepherd dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. |
| Bite Strength Rating
Which has a stronger bite: a Mastiff or a German Shepherd? Compare bite force PSI. | Above 400 PSI 🔼 Mastiff bite force: The Strongest. | Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ German Shepherd bite force: Ordinary. |
Mastiff vs German Shepherd Health and Lifespan Comparison
| Average Lifespan
Which lives longer: a Mastiff or a German Shepherd? Compare average lifespans. |
10-12 years The average lifespan of Mastiff: 11 years |
9-13 years The average lifespan of German Shepherd: 11 years |
|---|---|---|
| Climate Tolerance
Which handles weather better: a Mastiff or a German Shepherd? Compare climate tolerances. | 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. |
| Health Concerns
Compare common health issues between a Mastiff and a German Shepherd. Which breed is healthier? | Mastiffs are commonly healthy dogs. | German Shepherds are commonly healthy dogs. |
| Vet Care Frequency
Which one may need more or less veterinary visits: Mastiff vs German Shepherd? |
Rare The Mastiff should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year). |
Rare The German Shepherd should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year). |
| Health Problems
Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: Mastiff vs German Shepherd? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? Mastiff vs German Shepherd health problems comparison: | Hip Dysplasia Cancer Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Bloat Seizures Cystinuria |
Cataracts Hip Dysplasia Allergies Cancer Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Von Willebrand's Disease Bloat Epilepsy Blindness Cherry Eye Elbow Dysplasia Diabetes Heart Disease Retinal Dysplasia Demodectic Mange Degenerative Myelopathy Wobbler's Syndrome Panosteitis Hemophilia B Megaesophagus Cushing's Syndrome Lens Luxation Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency Chronic Diarrhea Cruciate Ligament Rupture Digestive Problems Hemophilia A Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy Lupus Myasthenia Gravis Nail Bed Disease Osteochondrosis Pannus Paralysis Perianal Fistula Seborrhea Vitiligo |
Mastiff vs German Shepherd Energy and Activity Comparison
| Energy Rating
Which breed is more energetic: a Mastiff or a German Shepherd? Compare activity levels. | Mastiff dogs have a lower energy level than other dogs. | German Shepherd dogs are high-energy dogs. |
|---|---|---|
| Activity Requirement / Exercise Need
Mastiff vs German Shepherd exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: Mastiff or German Shepherd? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest? | Mastiff dogs exercise need is minimal. | German Shepherd dogs need quite a lot of exercise. |
| Sleeping Need
Which one sleeps the least/most: Mastiff or German Shepherd? | Mastiff dogs like sleeping so they do sleep a lot. | German Shepherd dogs don't need too much sleep. |
Mastiff vs German Shepherd Diet and Weight Management Comparison
| Obesity Tendency
Which gains weight easier: a Mastiff or a German Shepherd? Compare obesity risks. | Average to High: If you don't pay attention to the Mastiff's weight, he can easily gain weight. | Low to Average: The German Shepherd has a low to the average risk for obesity. |
|---|---|---|
| Food Consumption
Which eats more: a Mastiff or a German Shepherd? Compare daily food needs. | 8 to 10 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals | 3 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. |
Mastiff vs German Shepherd Allergies and Grooming Comparison
| Allergy Friendliness
Which is more hypoallergenic: a Mastiff or a German Shepherd? Compare allergy friendliness. | No See more. | No See more. |
|---|---|---|
| Coat Colors
What color variations exist for Mastiff and German Shepherd? Compare breed colors. |
Fawn Brindle Apricot |
Black Tan Red Silver |
| Grooming Requirements
Which needs more grooming: a Mastiff or a German Shepherd? Compare maintenance needs. | Easy to groom: The Mastiff doesn't require a lot of grooming. | Average: The German Shepherd requires average grooming effort. |
| Drooling Tendency
Which drools more: a Mastiff or a German Shepherd? Compare drooling amounts. | 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 German Shepherd is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. |
| Stinkiness Rating
Which has less odor: a Mastiff or a German Shepherd? Compare natural smell levels. | High 🔼 The Mastiff has a high chance of bad smell. | Medium ⏺ The German Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell. |
| Coat Characteristics
How do coats differ between a Mastiff and a German Shepherd? Compare fur types. | Dense | Fuzzy |
| Bathing Needs
Which needs more baths: a Mastiff or a German Shepherd? Compare bathing frequencies. | 4-6 weeks Average. Experts recommended at least every 4-6 weeks for this family pup. | 8-12 weeks Very rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. |
| Shedding Level
Who sheds more Mastiff or German Shepherd? Do Mastiff dogs shed more than German Shepherd dogs? | Mastiff dogs shed moderately. | German Shepherd dogs are heavy shedders. |
Mastiff vs German Shepherd Good With Comparison
| Child Compatibility
Which is better with children: a Mastiff or a German Shepherd? Compare kid-friendliness. | Mastiff dogs are very kid-friendly dogs. | German Shepherd dogs are very kid-friendly dogs. |
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| Pet Compatibility
Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets? | Mastiff dogs are one of the friendliest dog breeds. | German Shepherd dogs are generally with other pets. |
| Stranger Friendly
Which dog is more stranger friendly Mastiff or German Shepherd? Which dog is more friendly? | Mastiff dogs are average friendly towards strangers. | German Shepherd dogs are stranger-friendly dogs. |
| Cat Friendly
Which dog is more cat friendly Mastiff or German Shepherd? | Mastiff dogs are very cat-friendly dogs. | German Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards cats. |
| Dog Friendly
Which dog is more dog friendly Mastiff or German Shepherd? Can a Mastiff and a German Shepherd be friends? Do Mastiff dogs get along with German Shepherd dogs? | Mastiff dogs are average friendly towards other dogs. | German Shepherd dogs are not the most dog-friendly dogs. |
| Good For First Time Owners
Which dog is best for first time owners: Mastiff vs German Shepherd? |
Yes Mastiff dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality. |
Yes German Shepherd dogs 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 German Shepherd 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. | German Shepherds are one of the best breeds for elderly people. |
Mastiff vs German Shepherd As a Working Dog Comparison
| Service Dog Capability
Which makes a better service dog: a Mastiff or a German Shepherd? Compare service capabilities. | Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. | Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. |
|---|---|---|
| Therapy Work Suitability
Which is better for therapy work: a Mastiff or a German Shepherd? Compare therapy capabilities. | Not really This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. | Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. |
| Scent Detection Ability
Which is better at detection work: a Mastiff or a German Shepherd? Compare scenting abilities. | 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 & Rescue Potential
Which is better for search and rescue: a Mastiff or a German Shepherd? Compare SAR abilities. | Not really This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog. | Yes This breed would make an excellent search and rescue dog. |
| Maritime Work Ability
Which is better on boats: a Mastiff or a German Shepherd? Compare maritime abilities. | Not really Mastiff breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. | Not really German Shepherd breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. |
| Draft Work Capability
Which is better at pulling: a Mastiff or a German Shepherd? Compare draft work capabilities. | 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. |
| Military Service Background
Compare military history between Mastiff and German Shepherd. Which has stronger military background? | Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog. | Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dogs. |
Mastiff vs German Shepherd Reproducibility Comparison
| Puppy Litter Size
Compare litter sizes between Mastiff and German Shepherd. Which has larger litters? | 3-5 puppies | 6-10 puppies |
|---|---|---|
| Pregnancy Duration
Compare pregnancy duration between Mastiff and German Shepherd breeds. | 60-64 days See more. | 60-64 days See more. |
| Breeding Frequency
Compare breeding frequencies between Mastiff and German Shepherd. Which needs longer recovery? | Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. | Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
Mastiff vs German Shepherd Recognition Comparison
| AKC Classification
Compare AKC classifications of Mastiff and German Shepherd. Which groups do they belong to? | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885 as a Working breed. | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1908 as a Herding breed. |
|---|---|---|
| FCI Classification
Compare FCI classifications of Mastiff and German Shepherd. Which groups are they in? | Not recognized by FCI. | Recognized by FCI in the Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Sheepdogs section. |
| Kennel Club Recognition
Compare kennel club recognition between Mastiff and German Shepherd. Which is more widely recognized? |
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 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 German Shepherd Dog Club Of America |
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