Last Updated: Jun 18, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Great Dane Versus Spanish Mastiff: Introduction
- Great Dane versus Spanish Mastiff: Overview
- Great Dane versus Spanish Mastiff: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Great Dane and the Spanish Mastiff
- The Similarities Between the Great Dane and the Spanish Mastiff
- Size Comparison of the Great Dane versus Spanish Mastiff
- Lifespan of Great Dane versus Spanish Mastiff
- Price of Great Dane versus Price of Spanish Mastiff
- Tolerates Being Alone: Great Dane versus Spanish Mastiff
- Do Great Danes shed more than Spanish Mastiffs?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Great Dane or the Spanish Mastiff?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Great Dane or the Spanish Mastiff?
- Are Great Danes good family dogs? What about Spanish Mastiffs?
- Is the Great Dane Easier to Train than the Spanish Mastiff?
- Which one drools more, the Great Dane or the Spanish Mastiff
- How Kid-friendly are Great Danes and Spanish Mastiffs?
- Does the Great Dane Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Spanish Mastiff?
- Do Great Danes Bark and Howl? What about Spanish Mastiffs?
- Can Great Danes Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Spanish Mastiffs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Great Dane vs. Spanish Mastiff
- Can Great Danes Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Spanish Mastiffs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Great Dane Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Great Dane versus Spanish Mastiff. Which One is a Better Pet?
Great Dane Versus Spanish Mastiff: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Great Dane and the Spanish Mastiff? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Great Dane and the Spanish Mastiff better suits you.
We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Great Dane and the Spanish Mastiff.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Great Dane and the Spanish Mastiff is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.
Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Great Dane and for the Spanish Mastiff. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Great Dane and the Spanish Mastiff.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Great Dane or the Spanish Mastiff.

Great Dane versus Spanish Mastiff: Overview
Both the Great Dane and the Spanish Mastiff are similar in size. The Great Dane and the Spanish Mastiff are both giant-sized dogs.
Furthermore, both the Great Dane and the Spanish Mastiff are Working Dogs. This means both the Great Dane and the Spanish Mastiff were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.
Great Dane versus Spanish Mastiff: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Great Dane to the Spanish Mastiff based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.
When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets
Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.
However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.
Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Great Dane and the Spanish Mastiff
| Factor | Great Dane | Spanish Mastiff |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 100 to 200 pounds | 140 to 220 pounds |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Height | 26 to 34 inches tall at the shoulder | 26 to 35 inches |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Life Span | 7 to 10 years | 10 to 12 years |
| Average Lifespan | 8.5 years | 11.0 years |
| Average Price | $1560 | $1010 |
| Price Range | $1000 – $2000 | $900 – $1100 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Great Dane in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Spanish Mastiff. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.
The Better-Pet score for the Great Dane is 73 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Spanish Mastiff is 83 out of 125.
Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Spanish Mastiff, we still believe that the Great Dane is a better pet than the Spanish Mastiff.
This is because Great Danes are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the Great Dane will come out on top.
Also, we are biased in favor of the Great Dane :-). We are for the Great Dane. So get a Great Dane!

The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Great Dane and the Spanish Mastiff
Below is a list of where the Great Dane and the Spanish Mastiff are most different:
The Similarities Between the Great Dane and the Spanish Mastiff
The Great Dane and the Spanish Mastiff are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Great Dane and the Spanish Mastiff are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Great Dane versus Spanish Mastiff
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Great Dane and the Spanish Mastiff.
The Great Dane weighs 100 to 200 pounds when fully grown. The Great Dane is 26 to 34 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, the Spanish Mastiff weighs 140 to 220 pounds when fully grown. The Spanish Mastiff is 26 to 35 inches when fully grown.

Lifespan of Great Dane versus Spanish Mastiff
The lifespan of the Great Dane is between 7 to 10 years. The average lifespan of the Great Dane is 8.5 years.
The lifespan of the Spanish Mastiff is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of the Spanish Mastiff is 11.0 years.
The Spanish Mastiff live longer than the Great Dane.

Price of Great Dane versus Price of Spanish Mastiff
The average price of the Great Dane puppy is $1560. The price of the Great Dane typically ranges from $1000 – $2000. However, the price of a Great Dane can be as low as $100 and as high as $5500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1324 Great Dane puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Spanish Mastiff puppy is $1010. The price of the Spanish Mastiff typically ranges from $900 – $1100. However, the price of the Spanish Mastiff can be as low as $800 and as high as $1250. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 7 Spanish Mastiff puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Great Dane is more expensive than the Spanish Mastiff.
| Great Dane | Spanish Mastiff | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1560 | $1010 |
| Price Range | $1000 to $2000 | $900 to $1100 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Great Dane and Spanish Mastiff. For different price points, the charts show how many Great Dane puppies or how many Spanish Mastiff puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

A breakdown of the prices of Great Danes. The typical price range is shaded Green.

A breakdown of the prices of Spanish Mastiffs
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Great Dane puppy or the Spanish Mastiff puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.
Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

Tolerates Being Alone: Great Dane versus Spanish Mastiff
Great Danes do not like to be left alone.
Spanish Mastiffs can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Great Danes shed more than Spanish Mastiffs?
Great Danes shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Spanish Mastiffs shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Great Dane or the Spanish Mastiff?
Great Danes are very easy to groom.
Spanish Mastiffs are moderately easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Great Dane or the Spanish Mastiff?
Great Danes get along very well with other dogs.
Spanish Mastiffs do not get along well with other dogs.
Are Great Danes good family dogs? What about Spanish Mastiffs?
Great Danes are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Spanish Mastiffs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Great Dane Easier to Train than the Spanish Mastiff?
Great Danes are very easy to train.
Spanish Mastiffs are not easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Great Dane or the Spanish Mastiff
Great Danes have a very high tendency to drool.
Spanish Mastiffs do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Great Danes and Spanish Mastiffs?
Great Danes get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Spanish Mastiffs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Great Dane Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Spanish Mastiff?
Great Danes have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Spanish Mastiffs have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.
Do Great Danes Bark and Howl? What about Spanish Mastiffs?
Great Danes are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Spanish Mastiffs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Great Danes Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Spanish Mastiffs Tolerate Cold Weather?
Great Danes cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Spanish Mastiffs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Great Dane vs. Spanish Mastiff
Great Danes have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Spanish Mastiffs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Can Great Danes Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Spanish Mastiffs Tolerate Hot Weather?
Great Danes can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Spanish Mastiffs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Is the Great Dane Better for Apartment Owners than the Spanish Mastiff?
Great Danes do not adapt well to apartment living.
Spanish Mastiffs do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Great Dane or the Spanish Mastiff?
Great Danes are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Spanish Mastiffs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Great Dane Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the Great Dane compares to other breeds aside from the Spanish Mastiff. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Great Dane to other breeds:
Great Dane versus Chinese Shar-Pei Great Dane versus Miniature Schnauzer Great Dane versus Coton de Tulear Great Dane versus Black Russian Terrier Great Dane versus Japanese Chin Great Dane versus Mudi Great Dane versus Afghan Hound Great Dane versus Standard Poodle Great Dane versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog Great Dane versus Icelandic Sheepdog Great Dane versus Scottish Deerhound Great Dane versus Lhasapoo Great Dane versus Cesky Terrier Great Dane versus Black and Tan Coonhound Great Dane versus Berger Picard Great Dane versus Catahoula Leopard Dog Great Dane versus Harrier Great Dane versus Puggle Great Dane versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne Great Dane versus Yorkshire Terrier
Conclusion: Great Dane versus Spanish Mastiff. Which One is a Better Pet?
In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Great Dane and the Spanish Mastiff better suits you and your family.