Breed comparison
Great Dane
vs Mastiff.
Both are true giant breeds known as gentle giants, calm and affectionate with family despite their intimidating size. The Great Dane is the taller, leaner, more elegant of the two, built more for presence than for guarding. The Mastiff is heavier and more solidly built, with a calmer, more deliberate way of moving through the world.
The practical differences come down to build, exercise tolerance, and drool: the Dane is more active and needs more genuine daily movement, the Mastiff is even lower energy but comes with more of a slobber commitment.
Quick answer
Both are gentle giants for owners with the space, budget, and patience giant breeds demand. Choose the Great Dane for a taller, more active, more elegantly built companion; choose the Mastiff for an even lower-energy, heavier dog and more drool. Either way, a health-tested breeder and joint-conscious puppy exercise are non-negotiable.
Great Dane
- Trainability
- 8/10
- Energy
- Medium
- Training difficulty
- 33/100
- Group
- Working
Mastiff
- Trainability
- 7/10
- Energy
- Low
- Training difficulty
- 35/100
- Group
- Working
Scores from the TailorPup Dog Training Difficulty Index.
Key differences
Size and build
The Mastiff is the heavier of the two, often outweighing the Great Dane despite being somewhat shorter, a dense, powerfully built dog. The Great Dane is taller and more elegantly built, its height alone (countertop access, tail-sweeping furniture) is the daily management issue.
Energy
The Great Dane runs medium energy and appreciates a real daily walk, plus careful exercise limits while growing. The Mastiff is low energy, one of the more sedentary giant breeds, and content with short, gentle activity. Neither needs vigorous exercise, but the Dane needs more than the Mastiff.
Trainability
The Great Dane scores 8/10, generally eager to please and food-motivated. The Mastiff scores 7/10, willing but more deliberate and occasionally stubborn, it thinks things through rather than reacting fast. Both need calm, consistent, reward-based handling given their size and strength.
Health and drool
Both are giant breeds with shortened lifespans and a real bloat risk (gastric dilatation-volvulus), slow feeding and rest after meals matters for both. The Mastiff tends to drool more heavily and is prone to joint issues from its sheer mass; the Dane is also prone to heart conditions. A health-tested breeder is essential either way.
Which is easier to train?
Both are trainable (Great Dane 8/10, Mastiff 7/10) and both need calm, confident, reward-based handling from puppyhood, harsh corrections are unwise on a breed that will outweigh most adults. The Dane is a touch quicker and more food-driven; the Mastiff is willing but moves and decides more slowly. Early leash and impulse-control training matter enormously for both, well before either dog reaches full size.
Which one is right for you?
Choose the Great Dane
Families who want a tall, affectionate, easygoing giant with a bit more activity tolerance and the space and furniture-proofing patience that comes with real height.
Great Dane training guide →Choose the Mastiff
Owners who want an even calmer, more sedentary giant and can accept heavier drool and the physical management that comes with a dense, extremely heavy dog.
Mastiff training guide →The verdict
Both are gentle giants for owners with the space, budget, and patience giant breeds demand. Choose the Great Dane for a taller, more active, more elegantly built companion; choose the Mastiff for an even lower-energy, heavier dog and more drool. Either way, a health-tested breeder and joint-conscious puppy exercise are non-negotiable.
Frequently asked questions
Which is bigger, a Great Dane or a Mastiff?
The Great Dane is typically taller, while the Mastiff is usually heavier and more densely built. Both are true giant breeds that need significant space, a strong budget, and careful management around children and furniture.
Which needs more exercise?
The Great Dane, though only modestly. It runs medium energy and benefits from a real daily walk. The Mastiff is low energy and one of the more sedentary giant breeds, content with short, gentle activity.
Which drools more?
The Mastiff generally drools more heavily thanks to its jowlier build. Great Danes drool too, especially after eating or drinking, but usually less dramatically than a Mastiff.
Whichever you pick, train it right
TailorPup builds a personalized 12-week program around your dog's exact breed, age, and behavior, no generic one-size plan.
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