Breed Comparison: Collie Versus Spanish Mastiff

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Collie Versus Spanish Mastiff: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Collie 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 Collie 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 Collie 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 Collie or the Spanish Mastiff.

Collie versus Spanish Mastiff: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Collie belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

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.

Collie versus Spanish Mastiff: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Collie 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 Collie and the Spanish Mastiff

Factor Collie Spanish Mastiff
Does NOT Drool 5/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 5/5 4/5
Life Span 10 to 14 years 10 to 12 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 4/5
Height 22 to 26 inches all at the shoulder 26 to 35 inches
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 2/5
Easy To Train 4/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 5/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Easygoing 1/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 3/5
Weight 50 to 70 pounds 140 to 220 pounds
Average Lifespan 12.0 years 11.0 years
Average Price $1480 $1050
Price Range $1000 – $1800 $1000 – $1050
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Dermatomyositis
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • No Data

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Collie 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 Collie is 83 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 not better or worse than the Collie. So, you can get the Spanish Mastiff or the Collie!

    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 Collie 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 Collie and the Spanish Mastiff

    Below is a list of where the Collie and the Spanish Mastiff are most different:

  • Collies are good for new dog owners. However, Spanish Mastiffs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Collies have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Spanish Mastiffs have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Collies are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl. However, Spanish Mastiffs are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • The Similarities Between the Collie and the Spanish Mastiff

    The Collie and the Spanish Mastiff are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Collie and the Spanish Mastiff are most similar:

  • Both the Collie and the Spanish Mastiff do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Collie and the Spanish Mastiff do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Both the Collie and the Spanish Mastiff do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Collie and the Spanish Mastiff require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Collie and the Spanish Mastiff do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Collie and the Spanish Mastiff can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Collie and the Spanish Mastiff are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Collie and the Spanish Mastiff are very playful.
  • Both the Collie and the Spanish Mastiff are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Collie and the Spanish Mastiff get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Collie versus Spanish Mastiff

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Collie and the Spanish Mastiff.

    Collies weigh 50 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Collies are 22 to 26 inches all 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 Collie versus Spanish Mastiff

    The lifespan of Collies is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Collies is 12.0 years.

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

    Collies live longer than Spanish Mastiffs.

    Price of Collie versus Price of Spanish Mastiff

    The average price of the Collie puppy is $1480. The price of the Collie typically ranges from $1000 – $1800. However, the price of a Collie can be as low as $300 and as high as $15000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 356 Collie 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 Collie is more expensive than the Spanish Mastiff.

    Collie Spanish Mastiff
    Average Price $1480 $1050
    Price Range $1000 to $1800 $1000 to $1050

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Collies. 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 Collie 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: Collie versus Spanish Mastiff

    Collies do not like to be left alone.

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

    Do Collies shed more than Spanish Mastiffs?

    Collies shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Spanish Mastiffs shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Collie or the Spanish Mastiff

    Collies do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Spanish Mastiffs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Collie or the Spanish Mastiff?

    Collies require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Spanish Mastiffs are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Spanish Mastiff?

    Collies have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other 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 Collies Bark and Howl? What about Spanish Mastiffs?

    Collies 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 Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Spanish Mastiffs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Collies can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Spanish Mastiffs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Collie vs. Spanish Mastiff

    Collies do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    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 Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Spanish Mastiffs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Collies 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 Collie or the Spanish Mastiff?

    Collies get along very well with other dogs.

    Spanish Mastiffs do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Collies good family dogs? What about Spanish Mastiffs?

    Collies 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 Collies and Spanish Mastiffs?

    Collies get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Collie Easier to Train than the Spanish Mastiff?

    Collies are very easy to train.

    Spanish Mastiffs are not easy to train.

    Is the Collie Better for Apartment Owners than the Spanish Mastiff?

    Collies adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Spanish Mastiffs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Collie or the Spanish Mastiff?

    Collies are very good for new dog owners.

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

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Collie

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Collie 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 Collie:

  • Keeshond (84 percent match with Collie). Here is our comparison of the Spanish Mastiff vs Keeshond.
  • 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 Collie vs Akbash.
  • Hovawart (81 percent match with Spanish Mastiff). Here is our comparison of the Collie vs Hovawart.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Collie Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Collie versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Collie versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Collie versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Collie versus Lhasa Apso     Collie versus Doberman Pinscher     Collie versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Collie versus Maltipoo     Collie versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Collie versus Irish Wolfhound     Collie versus American Water Spaniel     Collie versus Norwich Terrier     Collie versus Patterdale Terrier     Collie versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Collie versus Finnish Spitz     Collie versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Collie versus Patterdale Terrier     Collie versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Collie versus Patterdale Terrier     Collie versus Alaskan Malamute     Collie versus Bedlington Terrier     Collie versus Gordon Setter     Collie versus Scottish Terrier     Collie versus Schnoodle     Collie versus Scottish Deerhound     Collie versus Goldendoodle     

    Spanish Mastiff Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Spanish Mastiff versus Irish Terrier     Spanish Mastiff versus Sloughi     Spanish Mastiff versus Rottweiler     Spanish Mastiff versus Border Terrier     Spanish Mastiff versus Finnish Spitz     Spanish Mastiff versus Valley Bulldog     Spanish Mastiff versus Bolognese     Spanish Mastiff versus Lancashire Heeler     Spanish Mastiff versus Brittany     Spanish Mastiff versus German Shepherd Dog     Spanish Mastiff versus Labradoodle     Spanish Mastiff versus Valley Bulldog     Spanish Mastiff versus Doberman Pinscher     Spanish Mastiff versus Basenji     Spanish Mastiff versus Golden Retriever     Spanish Mastiff versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Spanish Mastiff versus Gordon Setter     Spanish Mastiff versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Spanish Mastiff versus Norfolk Terrier     Spanish Mastiff versus American Hairless Terrier     Spanish Mastiff versus Bracco Italiano     Spanish Mastiff versus Spinone Italiano     Spanish Mastiff versus Basenji     Spanish Mastiff versus Weimaraner     Spanish Mastiff versus Saint Berdoodle     

    Conclusion: Collie 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 Collie and the Spanish Mastiff better suits you and your family.