Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Curly-Coated Retriever Versus Mastiff: Introduction
- Curly-Coated Retriever versus Mastiff: Overview
- Curly-Coated Retriever versus Mastiff: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Mastiff
- The Similarities Between the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Mastiff
- Size (Weight and Height) of Curly-Coated Retriever versus Mastiff
- Temperament of the Mastiff Versus the Curly-Coated Retriever
- The Intelligence of the Curly-Coated Retriever versus the Intelligence of the Mastiff
- The Popularity of Curly-Coated Retriever versus Popularity of Mastiff
- Health Problems of Curly-Coated Retriever versus Health Problems of Mastiff
- Which one drools more, the Curly-Coated Retriever or the Mastiff
- Tolerates Being Alone: Curly-Coated Retriever versus Mastiff
- Do Curly-Coated Retrievers shed more than Mastiffs?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Curly-Coated Retriever or the Mastiff?
- Do Curly-Coated Retrievers Bark and Howl? What about Mastiffs?
- Can Curly-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Mastiffs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Can Curly-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Mastiffs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Curly-Coated Retriever or the Mastiff?
- Is the Curly-Coated Retriever Easier to Train than the Mastiff?
- Wanderlust Potential: Curly-Coated Retriever vs. Mastiff
- Are Curly-Coated Retrievers good family dogs? What about Mastiffs?
- How Kid-friendly are Curly-Coated Retrievers and Mastiffs?
- Does the Curly-Coated Retriever Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Mastiff?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Curly-Coated Retriever
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Mastiff
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Curly-Coated Retriever versus Mastiff. Which One is a Better Pet?
Curly-Coated Retriever Versus Mastiff: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Mastiff? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Curly-Coated Retriever and the 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 Curly-Coated Retriever and the Mastiff.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Curly-Coated Retriever and the 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 Curly-Coated Retriever and for the Mastiff. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Mastiff.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Curly-Coated Retriever or the Mastiff
Curly-Coated Retriever versus Mastiff: Overview
A very important difference between the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Mastiff is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Curly-Coated Retriever is a medium-sized dog while the Mastiff is a giant-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Curly-Coated Retriever belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.
On the other hand, the 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.
Curly-Coated Retriever versus Mastiff: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Curly-Coated Retriever to the 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.
| Factor | Curly-Coated Retriever | Mastiff |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Height | 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the | 27 to 32 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Does NOT Drool | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 65 to 100 pounds | 130 to 220 pounds |
| Life Span | 9 to 12 years | 6 to 10 years |
| Average Lifespan | 10.5 years | 8.0 years |
| Price Range | No Data | $1100 – $2200 |
| Average Price | No Data | $1740 |
| Temperament Score | 91.7 percent | 100.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 162 | 28 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 41 | 72 |
*Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Curly-Coated Retriever 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 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 a Curly-Coated Retriever is 77 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Mastiff is 72 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Curly-Coated Retriever is a better pet than the Mastiff. So, you should get the Curly-Coated Retriever!
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 Curly-Coated Retriever and the Mastiff so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Mastiff
Below is a list of where the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Mastiff are most different:
The Similarities Between the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Mastiff
The Curly-Coated Retriever and the Mastiff are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Mastiff are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Curly-Coated Retriever versus Mastiff
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Mastiff.
Curly-Coated Retrievers weigh 65 to 100 pounds when fully grown. Curly-Coated Retrievers are 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the when fully grown.
On the other hand, Mastiffs weigh 130 to 220 pounds when fully grown. Mastiffs are 27 to 32 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Temperament of the Mastiff Versus the Curly-Coated Retriever
The Mastiff has a better temperament than the Curly-Coated Retriever.
This is because the temperament score for the Mastiff is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Curly-Coated Retriever is 91.7 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).
The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.
Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and they are protective of their owners.
The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.
With its temperament score of 91.7 percent, the Curly-Coated Retriever has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 100.0 percent, the Mastiff has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Mastiff by measuring the temperaments of 181 Curly-Coated Retrievers and 8 Mastiffs.
The Intelligence of the Curly-Coated Retriever versus the Intelligence of the Mastiff
| Curly-Coated Retriever | Mastiff | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 41 out of 130 dog breeds | 72 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 80 To 100 Repetitions Or More! |
Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.
According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:
Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.
This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.
To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.
Prof. Coren found that the Curly-Coated Retriever has an obedience intelligence rank of 41 out of 130 dog breeds. The Curly-Coated Retriever belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Curly-Coated Retrievers tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.
The Mastiff has an obedience intelligence rank of 72 out of 130 dog breeds. The Mastiff belongs to the `Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Mastiffs tend to learn new commands after 80 to 100 repetitions or more!.
The Curly-Coated Retriever is more intelligent than the Mastiff.
However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.
The Popularity of Curly-Coated Retriever versus Popularity of Mastiff
Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).
The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Mastiff over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Mastiff is more popular with dog owners than the Curly-Coated Retriever. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Mastiff is 28 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Curly-Coated Retriever is 162 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Curly-Coated Retriever
Popularity of Mastiff
| Year | Curly-Coated Retriever Popularity Rank | Mastiff Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 163 | 26 |
| 2014 | 163 | 26 |
| 2015 | 151 | 25 |
| 2016 | 164 | 28 |
| 2017 | 171 | 28 |
| 2018 | 162 | 29 |
| 2019 | 163 | 32 |
| 2020 | 159 | 33 |
Health Problems of Curly-Coated Retriever versus Health Problems of Mastiff
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. Therefore, there is nothing like a perfect puppy.
Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Mastiff are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.
The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.
Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Mastiff is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the Curly-Coated Retriever.
7 health tests are recommended for Curly-Coated Retriever while 7 tests are recommended for the Mastiff.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Curly-Coated Retrievers and in Mastiffs.
Curly-Coated Retriever Health Problems
Curly-Coated Retrievers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Curly-Coated Retriever puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Curly-Coated Retriever puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Curly-Coated Retriever breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Curly-Coated Retrievers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Curly-Coated Retrievers here.
Mastiff Health Problems
Mastiffs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Mastiff puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Mastiff puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Mastiff breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Mastiffs for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Mastiffs here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Curly-Coated Retrievers and Mastiffs
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Curly-Coated Retriever Breed is Exercise Induced Collapse problems.
This is because the Curly-Coated Retriever ranks 1 out of 6 dog breeds for Exercise Induced Collapse problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 145 Curly-Coated Retrievers, 12 of them had Exercise Induced Collapse problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Curly-Coated Retrievers, and how common these diseases are in Curly-Coated Retrievers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Mastiff Breed is Canine Multifocal Retinopathy problems.
This is because the Mastiff ranks 3 out of 6 dog breeds for Canine Multifocal Retinopathy problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 891 Mastiffs, 14 of them had Canine Multifocal Retinopathy problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Mastiffs, and how common these diseases are in Mastiffs relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Curly-Coated Retriever and in Mastiff and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Mastiff:
| Disease | Curly-Coated Retriever Rank | Mastiff Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Induced Collapse problems | 1 out of 6 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems | 10 out of 32 dog breeds | 12 out of 32 dog breeds |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 24 out of 159 dog breeds | 53 out of 159 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 73 out of 198 dog breeds | 39 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 84 out of 182 dog breeds | 43 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | 136 out of 144 dog breeds | 26 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Canine Multifocal Retinopathy problems | Not Common | 3 out of 6 dog breeds |
| Cystinuria problems | Not Common | 3 out of 6 dog breeds |
| Shoulder problems | Not Common | 9 out of 22 dog breeds |
| Advanced Cardiac problems | Not Common | 39 out of 71 dog breeds |
| Degenerative Myelopathy problems | Not Common | 49 out of 70 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | Not Common | 72 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Patella problems | Not Common | 131 out of 145 dog breeds |
*To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.
Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.
Is the Curly-Coated Retriever Better for Apartment Owners than the Mastiff?
Curly-Coated Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Mastiffs do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which one drools more, the Curly-Coated Retriever or the Mastiff
Curly-Coated Retrievers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Mastiffs have a very high tendency to drool.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Curly-Coated Retriever or the Mastiff?
Curly-Coated Retrievers are OK for new dog owners.
Mastiffs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Tolerates Being Alone: Curly-Coated Retriever versus Mastiff
Curly-Coated Retrievers can be left alone only for a short time.
Mastiffs can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Curly-Coated Retrievers shed more than Mastiffs?
Curly-Coated Retrievers shed moderately.
Mastiffs shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Curly-Coated Retriever or the Mastiff?
Curly-Coated Retrievers are moderately easy to groom.
Mastiffs are moderately easy to groom.
Do Curly-Coated Retrievers Bark and Howl? What about Mastiffs?
Curly-Coated Retrievers bark and howl, but not very much.
Mastiffs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Curly-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Mastiffs Tolerate Cold Weather?
Curly-Coated Retrievers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Mastiffs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Can Curly-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Mastiffs Tolerate Hot Weather?
Curly-Coated Retrievers can tolerate hot weather.
Mastiffs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Curly-Coated Retriever or the Mastiff?
Curly-Coated Retrievers get along very well with other dogs.
Mastiffs do not get along well with other dogs.
Is the Curly-Coated Retriever Easier to Train than the Mastiff?
Curly-Coated Retrievers are very easy to train.
Mastiffs are fairly easy to train.
Wanderlust Potential: Curly-Coated Retriever vs. Mastiff
Curly-Coated Retrievers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Mastiffs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Are Curly-Coated Retrievers good family dogs? What about Mastiffs?
Curly-Coated Retrievers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Mastiffs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Curly-Coated Retrievers and Mastiffs?
Curly-Coated Retrievers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Mastiffs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Curly-Coated Retriever Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Mastiff?
Curly-Coated Retrievers 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.
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.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Curly-Coated Retriever
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Curly-Coated Retriever 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 Curly-Coated Retriever:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Mastiff
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the 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 Mastiff:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Curly-Coated Retriever and how the Mastiff compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Curly-Coated Retriever and of the Mastiff to other breeds:
Curly-Coated Retriever Versus Other Dog Breeds
Curly-Coated Retriever versus Bracco Italiano Curly-Coated Retriever versus Golden Cocker Retriever Curly-Coated Retriever versus Bergamasco Sheepdog Curly-Coated Retriever versus Redbone Coonhound Curly-Coated Retriever versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Curly-Coated Retriever versus Beagle Curly-Coated Retriever versus West Highland White Terrier Curly-Coated Retriever versus Portuguese Pointer Curly-Coated Retriever versus Ibizan Hound Curly-Coated Retriever versus English Springer Spaniel
Mastiff Versus Other Dog Breeds
Mastiff versus Manchester Terrier Mastiff versus Basset Hound Mastiff versus Vizsla Mastiff versus Black Russian Terrier Mastiff versus Goldador Mastiff versus American Bulldog Mastiff versus Irish Water Spaniel Mastiff versus Black Mouth Cur Mastiff versus Briard Mastiff versus Chinook
Conclusion: Curly-Coated Retriever versus 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 Curly-Coated Retriever and the Mastiff better suits you and your family.