A Detailed Comparison of the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Spanish Mastiff.

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American Pit Bull Terrier Versus Spanish Mastiff: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the American Pit Bull Terrier 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 American Pit Bull Terrier 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 American Pit Bull Terrier and the Spanish Mastiff.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the American Pit Bull Terrier 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 American Pit Bull Terrier 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 American Pit Bull Terrier 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 American Pit Bull Terrier or the Spanish Mastiff.

American Pit Bull Terrier versus Spanish Mastiff: Overview

A very important difference between the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Spanish Mastiff is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The American Pit Bull Terrier is a medium-sized dog while the Spanish Mastiff is a giant-sized dog.

Furthermore, the American Pit Bull Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

On the other hand, the Spanish Mastiff belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs 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.

American Pit Bull Terrier versus Spanish Mastiff: Comparison Table

The table below compares the American Pit Bull Terrier 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 American Pit Bull Terrier and the Spanish Mastiff

Factor American Pit Bull Terrier Spanish Mastiff
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 4/5
Life Span 12 to 16 years 10 to 12 years
Height 17 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder 26 to 35 inches
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 5/5
Weight 30 to 85 pounds 140 to 220 pounds
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 3/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Easy To Train 4/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 14.0 years 11.0 years
Average Price $1140 $1050
Price Range $400 – $1200 $1000 – $1050
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data No Data

Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the American Pit Bull Terrier 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 American Pit Bull Terrier is 75 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Spanish Mastiff is 83 out of 125.

Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Spanish Mastiff is a better pet than the American Pit Bull Terrier. So, you should get the Spanish Mastiff!

Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Spanish Mastiff so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

The Most Remarkable Differences Between the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Spanish Mastiff

Below is a list of where the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Spanish Mastiff are most different:

  • American Pit Bull Terriers are very friendly towards strangers. However, Spanish Mastiffs are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • American Pit Bull Terriers are prone to nip and chew at things. However, Spanish Mastiffs are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • American Pit Bull Terriers do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful. However, Spanish Mastiffs do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.

    • The Similarities Between the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Spanish Mastiff

    The American Pit Bull Terrier and the Spanish Mastiff are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Spanish Mastiff are most similar:

  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Spanish Mastiff do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Spanish Mastiff do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Spanish Mastiff are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Spanish Mastiff are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Spanish Mastiff shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Spanish Mastiff are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Spanish Mastiff are highly intelligent.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Spanish Mastiff have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Spanish Mastiff require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Spanish Mastiff are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Spanish Mastiff get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Spanish Mastiff are very playful.

    • Size (Weight and Height) of American Pit Bull Terrier versus Spanish Mastiff

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Spanish Mastiff.

    American Pit Bull Terriers weigh 30 to 85 pounds when fully grown. American Pit Bull Terriers are 17 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Spanish Mastiffs weigh 140 to 220 pounds when fully grown. Spanish Mastiffs are 26 to 35 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of American Pit Bull Terrier versus Spanish Mastiff

    The lifespan of American Pit Bull Terriers is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of American Pit Bull Terriers is 14.0 years.

    The lifespan of Spanish Mastiffs is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Spanish Mastiffs is 11.0 years.

    American Pit Bull Terriers live longer than Spanish Mastiffs.

    Price of American Pit Bull Terrier versus Price of Spanish Mastiff

    The average price of the American Pit Bull Terrier puppy is $1140. The price of the American Pit Bull Terrier typically ranges from $400 – $1200. However, the price of a American Pit Bull Terrier can be as low as $100 and as high as $15000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 877 American Pit Bull Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Spanish Mastiff puppy is $1050. The price of the Spanish Mastiff typically ranges from $1000 – $1050. However, the price of the Spanish Mastiff can be as low as $1000 and as high as $1200. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 4 Spanish Mastiff puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The American Pit Bull Terrier is more expensive than the Spanish Mastiff.

    American Pit Bull Terrier Spanish Mastiff
    Average Price $1140 $1050
    Price Range $400 to $1200 $1000 to $1050

    The charts below show the price distribution for the American Pit Bull Terrier and Spanish Mastiff. For different price points, the charts show how many American Pit Bull Terrier puppies or how many Spanish Mastiff puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of American Pit Bull Terriers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of American Pit Bull Terriers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Spanish Mastiffs

    A breakdown of the prices of Spanish Mastiffs

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the American Pit Bull Terrier 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: American Pit Bull Terrier versus Spanish Mastiff

    American Pit Bull Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Spanish Mastiffs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do American Pit Bull Terriers shed more than Spanish Mastiffs?

    American Pit Bull Terriers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Spanish Mastiffs shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the American Pit Bull Terrier or the Spanish Mastiff

    American Pit Bull Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Spanish Mastiffs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the American Pit Bull Terrier or the Spanish Mastiff?

    American Pit Bull Terriers are very easy to groom.

    Spanish Mastiffs are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the American Pit Bull Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Spanish Mastiff?

    American Pit Bull Terriers 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 American Pit Bull Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Spanish Mastiffs?

    American Pit Bull Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Spanish Mastiffs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can American Pit Bull Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Spanish Mastiffs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    American Pit Bull Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Spanish Mastiffs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: American Pit Bull Terrier vs. Spanish Mastiff

    American Pit Bull Terriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily 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 American Pit Bull Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Spanish Mastiffs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    American Pit Bull Terriers 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.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the American Pit Bull Terrier or the Spanish Mastiff?

    American Pit Bull Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Spanish Mastiffs do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are American Pit Bull Terriers good family dogs? What about Spanish Mastiffs?

    American Pit Bull Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Spanish Mastiffs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are American Pit Bull Terriers and Spanish Mastiffs?

    American Pit Bull Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Spanish Mastiffs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the American Pit Bull Terrier Easier to Train than the Spanish Mastiff?

    American Pit Bull Terriers are very easy to train.

    Spanish Mastiffs are not easy to train.

    Is the American Pit Bull Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Spanish Mastiff?

    American Pit Bull Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Spanish Mastiffs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the American Pit Bull Terrier or the Spanish Mastiff?

    American Pit Bull Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Spanish Mastiffs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the American Pit Bull Terrier

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the American Pit Bull Terrier that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the American Pit Bull Terrier:

  • American Staffordshire Terrier (76 percent match with American Pit Bull Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Spanish Mastiff vs American Staffordshire Terrier.
  • American Water Spaniel (74 percent match with American Pit Bull Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Spanish Mastiff vs American Water Spaniel.
  • German Shepherd Dog (77 percent match with American Pit Bull Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Spanish Mastiff vs German Shepherd Dog.

    • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Spanish Mastiff

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Spanish Mastiff that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Spanish Mastiff:

  • Akbash (78 percent match with Spanish Mastiff). Here is our comparison of the American Pit Bull Terrier vs Akbash.
  • Hovawart (81 percent match with Spanish Mastiff). Here is our comparison of the American Pit Bull Terrier vs Hovawart.

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the American Pit Bull Terrier and how the Spanish Mastiff compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the American Pit Bull Terrier and of the Spanish Mastiff to other breeds:

    American Pit Bull Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    American Pit Bull Terrier versus Swedish Vallhund     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Dogo Argentino     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Lhasa Apso     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Scottish Deerhound     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Labrador Retriever     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Lowchen     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Valley Bulldog     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Pomapoo     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Spanish Mastiff     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Keeshond          American Pit Bull Terrier versus Papillon     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Black Mouth Cur     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Miniature Schnauzer     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Carolina Dog     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Havanese     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Weimaraner     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Cocker Spaniel     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Fila Brasileiro     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Brussels Griffon     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Pyrenean Mastiff     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     

    Spanish Mastiff Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Spanish Mastiff versus Shihpoo     Spanish Mastiff versus Norfolk Terrier     Spanish Mastiff versus English Cocker Spaniel     Spanish Mastiff versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Spanish Mastiff versus Dogo Argentino     Spanish Mastiff versus Belgian Tervuren     Spanish Mastiff versus Samoyed     Spanish Mastiff versus Irish Wolfhound     Spanish Mastiff versus Affenhuahua          Spanish Mastiff versus Maltese     Spanish Mastiff versus Cavapoo     Spanish Mastiff versus Silky Terrier     Spanish Mastiff versus Berger Picard     Spanish Mastiff versus Bracco Italiano     Spanish Mastiff versus Kooikerhondje     Spanish Mastiff versus Portuguese Pointer     Spanish Mastiff versus Cane Corso     Spanish Mastiff versus Pomsky     Spanish Mastiff versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Spanish Mastiff versus French Spaniel     Spanish Mastiff versus Westiepoo     Spanish Mastiff versus Chinook     Spanish Mastiff versus Dogo Argentino     

    Conclusion: American Pit Bull Terrier 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 American Pit Bull Terrier and the Spanish Mastiff better suits you and your family.