Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Rottweiler Comparison - Dog breed selector: Old English Mastiff or Alsatian wolf dog or Rott? Find the right dog for you

"Find similarities and differences between Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Rottweiler" Compare Mastiff and German Shepherd. Which is better: Mastiff or German Shepherd or Rottweiler?

Size and Weight Price and Availability Trainability and Intelligence Personality and Temperament Activity and Playfulness Adaptability and Independence Bite Characteristics Health and Lifespan Energy and Activity Diet and Weight Management Allergies and Grooming Good With As a Working Dog Reproducibility Recognition Show differences only

Name	Mastiff	German Shepherd	Rottweiler
Origins	England	Germany	Germany
All Dog Breeds By Country Of Origin
Group	Working Dogs	Pastoral / Herding Dogs	Working Dogs
Popularity Rank	28	2	8
Reviews	3	21	13
User Ratings

Other Names What other names do they have?	Old English Mastiff English Mastiff	Alsatian wolf dog Berger Allemand Deutscher Schäferhund Schäferhund Alsatian	Rott Rottie
Breed Type Which dog is purebred or crossbreed? Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Rottweiler breed type comparison:	Purebred	Purebred	Purebred

Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Rottweiler Size and Weight Comparison

Size Which is bigger, Mastiff or German Shepherd or Rottweiler? Which is the smallest dog, Mastiff or German Shepherd or Rottweiler?	Giant	Large	Large Giant
Weight Which is heavier, Mastiff or German Shepherd or German Shepherd? Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Rottweiler weight comparison:	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)	Male: 95-130 pounds (43-59 kg), Female: 85-115 pounds (38-52 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)	Male: 112.5 pounds (51 kg), Female: 100 pounds (45 kg)
Height Which is taller, Mastiff or German Shepherd or Rottweiler? Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Rottweiler height comparison:	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)	Male: 24-27 inches (61-69 cm), Female: 22-25 inches (56-63 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)	Male: 25.5 inches (65 cm), Female: 23.5 inches (59.5 cm)

Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Rottweiler Price and Availability Comparison

Price Which is cheaper, Mastiff or German Shepherd or Rottweiler? Which is more expensive?	$1200-$1500	$800-$2000	$1200-$2000
Availability Which is easier to get, Mastiff or German Shepherd or Rottweiler?	Very frequent: The Mastiff is quite easy to get.	Very frequent: The German Shepherd is quite easy to get.	Very frequent: The Rottweiler is quite easy to get.

Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Rottweiler Trainability and Intelligence Comparison

Intelligent Rank Which is the smarter dog? Which is best? Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Rottweiler intelligence:	Average: It takes patience to teach this breed any tricks or commands, but the effort is worth it. See more.	Outstanding: German Shepherd is one of the brightest dog breeds. See more.	Outstanding: Rottweiler is one of the brightest dog breeds. See more.
Smartest Dog Breeds
Trainability Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Rottweiler trainability comparison.	Mastiff dogs are quite easy to train. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are easy to train. See more.	Rottweiler dogs are easy to train. See more.
Least Obedient Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Easy To Train
Watchdog Ability Which is the better watchdog: Mastiff or German Shepherd or Rottweiler?	Mastiff dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.	Rottweiler dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.
Guarding Behavior / Territorial Which is a better guard dog Mastiff or German Shepherd or Rottweiler? Which dog is most likely to protect its owner? Which is the best dog to use for protection?	Mastiff dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.	Rottweiler dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.
Guard Dog Breeds List

Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Rottweiler Personality and Temperament Comparison

Temperament Which one has a better personality? Which is a better family dog, Mastiff or German Shepherd or Rottweiler? Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Rottweiler behavior/temperament comparison:	Protective Alert Courageous Intelligent Affectionate Loyal Cheerful	Curious Alert Courageous Intelligent Confident Obedient Loyal Watchful	Independent Protective Alert Courageous Intelligent Loyal Fearless Good-natured
Sensitivity Level Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference?	Mastiff dogs have an average emotional level and are not the most sensitive dog breed. See more.	Sensitive: German Shepherd dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits. See more.	They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. See more.
Most Sensitive Dog Breeds		Less Sensitive Dog Breeds
Affection Level Which is the more affectionate dog breed: Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Rottweiler?	High: Mastiff dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.	High: German Shepherd dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.	Average: Rottweiler dogs are average dogs regarding their affection level. See more.
Most Affectionate Dog Breeds
Social Needs Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Rottweiler social needs comparison:	Mastiff dogs need for social interaction is average. See more.	German Shepherd dogs need for social interaction is average. See more.	Rottweiler dogs need a lot of social interaction. See more.
Impulse to Wander or Roam Which dog has a greater roaming instinct?	Mastiff dogs are not the biggest explorers. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are not the biggest explorers. See more.	Rottweiler dogs tend to escape less than other breeds. See more.
Prey Drive Which dog has a higher prey drive? Which can be better for hunting?	Their prey drive is low. See more.	German Shepherd dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. See more.	Rottweiler dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. See more.
Dog Breeds With Low Prey Drive		Dog Breeds With High Prey Drive

Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Rottweiler Activity and Playfulness Comparison

Playfulness Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Rottweiler playfulness comparison:	Mastiffs are not the most playful dog breed. See more.	Average: German Shepherds, like any other dog breed, like playing. See more.	Average: Rottweilers, like any other dog breed, like playing. See more.
Most Playful Dog Breeds
Barking Which dog barks more/less: Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Rottweiler?	Low: The Mastiff barks none to minimal. See more.	Low to Average: The German Shepherd rarely barks. See more.	Low: The Rottweiler barks none to minimal. See more.
Quiet Dog Breeds That Don't Bark		Dog Breeds That Bark The Most
Apartment Friendly Which dog is more apartment friendly Mastiff or German Shepherd or Rottweiler?	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.	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 Rottweiler indoors.
The Worst Dog Breeds for Apartment Living		Apartment Friendly Dogs List

Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Rottweiler Adaptability and Independence Comparison

Adaptability Which dog has a higher adaptability potential? Which is the better dog?	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.	Average: Rottweiler dogs adapt to lifestyle changes and different living environments quite okay usually.
Tolerates Being Left Alone Which dog can be left alone: Mastiff or German Shepherd or Rottweiler?	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.	Rottweiler dogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them.

Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Rottweiler Bite Characteristics Comparison

Bite Force PSI Which bite is stronger: Mastiff or German Shepherd or Rottweiler?	Above 400 PSI 🔼 Mastiff bite force: The Strongest.	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ German Shepherd bite force: Ordinary.	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Rottweiler bite force: Ordinary.
Dog Breeds With The Lowest Bite Force		Dog Breeds With the Strongest Bite Force
Biting Potential Which breed of dog is most likely to bite? Biting potential comparison:	Moderate ⏺ The Mastiff has an average chance of biting somebody.	High 🔼 The German Shepherd has a high chance of biting somebody.	High 🔼 The Rottweiler has a high chance of biting somebody.
Mouthiness Which is the better dog? Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Rottweiler mouthiness comparison:	Mastiff dogs have a higher than average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. See more.	German Shepherd dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. See more.	Rottweiler dogs have an average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. See more.

Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Rottweiler Health and Lifespan Comparison

Health Issues Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Rottweiler health comparison. Which is the healthier: Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Rottweiler?	Mastiffs are commonly healthy dogs.	German Shepherds are commonly healthy dogs.	The Rottweiler is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.
Healthiest Dog Breeds
Health Problems Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Rottweiler? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Rottweiler 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	Hip Dysplasia Allergies Hypothyroidism Bloat Elbow Dysplasia Panosteitis Aortic Stenosis Osteosarcoma Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis
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).	Rare The German Shepherd should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year).	Average The Rottweiler should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.
Longest Living Dog Breeds
Life Expectancy Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Rottweiler lifespan comparison. How long do Mastiff, German Shepherd and Rottweiler breeds live? Which one has a longer lifespan/life expectancy?	10-12 years The average lifespan of Mastiff: 11 years	9-13 years The average lifespan of German Shepherd: 11 years	8-12 years The average lifespan of Rottweiler: 10 years
Calculate dog years to human years by breed here
Weather and Climate Which dog is best for hot or cold weather: Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Rottweiler?	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. See more.	Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. See more.	Prefers average to warm weather conditions Different dogs have different preferences when it comes to weather conditions. See more.

Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Rottweiler Energy and Activity Comparison

Energy Level Who has more energy a Mastiff or German Shepherd or Rottweiler? Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Rottweiler energy level comparison:	Mastiff dogs have a lower energy level than other dogs.	German Shepherd dogs are high-energy dogs.	Rottweiler dogs have a higher energy level than other dog breeds.
Low-Energy Dog Breeds		High-Energy Dog Breeds
Activity Requirement / Exercise Need Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Rottweiler exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: Mastiff or German Shepherd or Rottweiler? 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.	Rottweiler dogs have an average exercise need.
Sleeping Need Which one sleeps the least/most: Mastiff or German Shepherd or Rottweiler?	Mastiff dogs like sleeping so they do sleep a lot.	German Shepherd dogs don't need too much sleep.	Rottweiler dogs are quite energetic dogs and they don't spend too much time with sleeping.
Dog Breeds That Sleep A Lot

Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Rottweiler Diet and Weight Management Comparison

Average daily food consumption Which dog eats more: Mastiff or German Shepherd or Rottweiler?	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.	Recommended daily amount: 4 to 10 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.
Dog Breeds That Eat A Lot
Weight Gain Potential / Prone to Obesity Which dog breed is more prone to obesity? Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Rottweiler weight gain potential comparison:	Average to High: If you don't pay attention to the Mastiff's weight, he can easily gain weight. See more.	Low to Average: The German Shepherd has a low to the average risk for obesity. See more.	High: The Rottweiler breed has a strong tendency to be overweight. See more.
Dog Breeds Prone To Obesity

Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Rottweiler Allergies and Grooming Comparison

Coat / Hair Types What type of coat/fur do they have? Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Rottweiler coat comparison:	Dense	Fuzzy	Dense
Colors What are the original Mastiff, German Shepherd and Rottweiler color?	Fawn Brindle Apricot	Black Tan Red Silver	Black Tan Rust Mahogany
Grooming Which dog is easy to maintain, Mastiff or German Shepherd or Rottweiler? Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Rottweiler grooming comparison:	Easy to groom: The Mastiff doesn't require a lot of grooming. See more.	Average: The German Shepherd requires average grooming effort. See more.	Effortless: The Rottweiler requires minimal grooming. See more.
Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds		High-Maintenance Dog Breeds
Shedding Level Who sheds more Mastiff or German Shepherd or Rottweiler? Mastiff or German Shepherd or {name3 shedding:	Mastiff dogs shed moderately. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are heavy shedders. See more.	Rottweiler dogs shed moderately. See more.
Low-Shedding Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Shed The Most
Bath Time / Bathing Frequency Which dog should be bathed more: Mastiff or German Shepherd or Rottweiler?	4-6 weeks Average. Experts recommended at least every 4-6 weeks for this family pup. See more.	8-12 weeks Very rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. See more.	4-6 weeks Average. Experts recommended at least every 4-6 weeks for this family pup. See more.
Hypoallergenic Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Rottweiler hypoallergenic comparison. Which dog is hypoallergenic or not?	No See more.	No See more.	No See more.
Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds
Stinkiness Which dog breed smells the least? Which dog smells the most? Which is best, Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Rottweiler?	High 🔼 The Mastiff has a high chance of bad smell.	Medium ⏺ The German Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell.	Medium ⏺ The Rottweiler 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. See more.	The German Shepherd is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.	The Rottweiler drools quite a lot, so if you dislike being covered by slobber spots on your clothes, you may want to choose another dog breed. See more.

Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Rottweiler Good With Comparison

Pet Friendly 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.	Rottweiler dogs are generally with other pets.
Stranger Friendly Which dog is more stranger friendly Mastiff or German Shepherd or Rottweiler? Which dog is more friendly?	Mastiff dogs are average friendly towards strangers.	German Shepherd dogs are stranger-friendly dogs.	Rottweiler dogs are not stranger friendly dogs.
Dog Breeds That Are Aloof With Strangers		Dog Breeds That Are Friendly To Strangers
Child Friendly Which dog is more child/kid friendly Mastiff or German Shepherd or Rottweiler?	Mastiff dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.	German Shepherd dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.	Rottweiler dogs are not the most kid-friendly dogs.
Kid-Friendly Dog Breeds
Cat Friendly Which dog is more cat friendly Mastiff or German Shepherd or Rottweiler?	Mastiff dogs are very cat-friendly dogs.	German Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards cats.	Rottweiler dogs are average friendly towards cats.
Dog Breeds That Get Along Well With Cats
Dog Friendly Which dog is more dog friendly Mastiff or German Shepherd or Rottweiler?	Mastiff dogs are average friendly towards other dogs.	German Shepherd dogs are not the most dog-friendly dogs.	Rottweiler dogs are not dog-friendly.
Good For First Time Owners Which dog is good for the first-time owners: Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Rottweiler?	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.	Yes Rottweiler 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.	No Rottweiler 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.	Rottweilers are not the best breed for elderly people.

Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Rottweiler 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. See more.	Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. See more.	Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. See more.
Most Popular Service Dog Breeds
Therapy Dog Which one could be a therapy dog: Mastiff or German Shepherd or Rottweiler? Which is better for autism?	Not really This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. See more.	Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. See more.	Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. See more.
Therapy Dog Breeds
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.	Yes After proper training, they can excel at this kind of work.	Not really They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases.
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.	Yes This breed would make an excellent 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 German Shepherd vs Rottweiler?	Not really Mastiff breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.	Not really German Shepherd breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.	Not really Rottweiler breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.
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. See more.	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. See more.	Yes A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. See more.
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 German Shepherd vs Rottweiler 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. See more.	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. See more.	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. See more.
Litter Size How many puppies can Mastiff and German Shepherd and Rottweiler have?	3-5 puppies	6-10 puppies	8-12 puppies
Dog Name Generator – Find A Perfect Name For Your Puppy

Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Rottweiler 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 1908 as a Herding breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1931 as a Working breed.
FCI Group Which dog is recognized by the FCI?	Not recognized by FCI.	Recognized by FCI in the Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Sheepdogs section.	Recognized by FCI in the Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs group, in the Molossian type section.
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 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	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 Colonial Rottweiler Club Deutscher Rottweiler Klub International Rottweiler Club

Popular Dog Compares

Despite the best intentions, there may be errors. If you find one, please let us know and we will fix it as soon as possible. Contact us here.

Rate This Comparsion - Mastiff vs German Shepherd vs Rottweiler

Reviews