Differences and Similarities between the German Pinscher and the Spanish Mastiff.

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German Pinscher Versus Spanish Mastiff: Introduction

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

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

German Pinscher versus Spanish Mastiff: Overview

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

Furthermore, both the German Pinscher and the Spanish Mastiff are Working Dogs. This means both the German Pinscher 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.

German Pinscher versus Spanish Mastiff: Comparison Table

The table below compares the German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher and the Spanish Mastiff

Factor German Pinscher Spanish Mastiff
Does NOT Drool 5/5 4/5
Life Span 12 to 14 years 10 to 12 years
Height 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder 26 to 35 inches
Dog Friendly 2/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 2/5
Weight 25 to 45 pounds 140 to 220 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 5/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 4/5
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Easy To Train 4/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 3/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 11.0 years
Average Price $2040 $1050
Price Range $1150 – $2688 $1000 – $1050
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • von Willebrand`s Disease
  • No Data

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher is 78 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 German Pinscher. 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 German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher and the Spanish Mastiff

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

  • German Pinschers 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.
  • The Similarities Between the German Pinscher and the Spanish Mastiff

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

  • Both the German Pinscher and the Spanish Mastiff do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the German Pinscher and the Spanish Mastiff do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the German Pinscher and the Spanish Mastiff are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher and the Spanish Mastiff can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the German Pinscher and the Spanish Mastiff are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the German Pinscher and the Spanish Mastiff are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the German Pinscher and the Spanish Mastiff are highly intelligent.
  • Both the German Pinscher and the Spanish Mastiff are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of German Pinscher versus Spanish Mastiff

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

    German Pinschers weigh 25 to 45 pounds when fully grown. German Pinschers are 17 to 20 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 German Pinscher versus Spanish Mastiff

    The lifespan of German Pinschers is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of German Pinschers is 13.0 years.

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

    German Pinschers live longer than Spanish Mastiffs.

    Price of German Pinscher versus Price of Spanish Mastiff

    The average price of the German Pinscher puppy is $2040. The price of the German Pinscher typically ranges from $1150 – $2688. However, the price of a German Pinscher can be as low as $500 and as high as $3000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 10 German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher is more expensive than the Spanish Mastiff.

    German Pinscher Spanish Mastiff
    Average Price $2040 $1050
    Price Range $1150 to $2688 $1000 to $1050

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of German Pinschers. 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 German Pinscher 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: German Pinscher versus Spanish Mastiff

    German Pinschers can be left alone only for a short time.

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

    Do German Pinschers shed more than Spanish Mastiffs?

    German Pinschers shed moderately.

    Spanish Mastiffs shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the German Pinscher or the Spanish Mastiff

    German Pinschers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Spanish Mastiffs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the German Pinscher or the Spanish Mastiff?

    German Pinschers are very easy to groom.

    Spanish Mastiffs are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the German Pinscher Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Spanish Mastiff?

    German Pinschers 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 German Pinschers Bark and Howl? What about Spanish Mastiffs?

    German Pinschers bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can German Pinschers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Spanish Mastiffs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    German Pinschers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Spanish Mastiffs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: German Pinscher vs. Spanish Mastiff

    German Pinschers 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 German Pinschers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Spanish Mastiffs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    German Pinschers can tolerate hot weather.

    Spanish Mastiffs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the German Pinscher or the Spanish Mastiff?

    German Pinschers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Spanish Mastiffs do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are German Pinschers good family dogs? What about Spanish Mastiffs?

    German Pinschers 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 German Pinschers and Spanish Mastiffs?

    German Pinschers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

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

    Is the German Pinscher Easier to Train than the Spanish Mastiff?

    German Pinschers are very easy to train.

    Spanish Mastiffs are not easy to train.

    Is the German Pinscher Better for Apartment Owners than the Spanish Mastiff?

    German Pinschers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Spanish Mastiffs do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    German Pinschers are OK for new dog owners.

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

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the German Pinscher

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

  • Australian Kelpie (79 percent match with German Pinscher). Here is our comparison of the Spanish Mastiff vs Australian Kelpie.
  • Belgian Malinois (80 percent match with German Pinscher). Here is our comparison of the Spanish Mastiff vs Belgian Malinois.
  • German Wirehaired Pointer (83 percent match with German Pinscher). Here is our comparison of the Spanish Mastiff vs German Wirehaired Pointer.
  • Mudi (79 percent match with German Pinscher). Here is our comparison of the Spanish Mastiff vs Mudi.
  • 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 German Pinscher vs Akbash.
  • Hovawart (81 percent match with Spanish Mastiff). Here is our comparison of the German Pinscher vs Hovawart.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    German Pinscher Versus Other Dog Breeds

    German Pinscher versus Irish Water Spaniel     German Pinscher versus Puli     German Pinscher versus Sloughi     German Pinscher versus Siberian Husky     German Pinscher versus Spanish Mastiff     German Pinscher versus Briard     German Pinscher versus German Shepherd Dog     German Pinscher versus Lhasa Apso     German Pinscher versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     German Pinscher versus Beaglier     German Pinscher versus Peek A Poo     German Pinscher versus Afador     German Pinscher versus Swedish Vallhund     German Pinscher versus Field Spaniel     German Pinscher versus Pomapoo     German Pinscher versus Beagle     German Pinscher versus Karelian Bear Dog     German Pinscher versus Tibetan Mastiff     German Pinscher versus Irish Water Spaniel     German Pinscher versus Puggle     German Pinscher versus French Bulldog     German Pinscher versus Sloughi     German Pinscher versus Saint Berdoodle     German Pinscher versus Cairn Terrier     German Pinscher versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     

    Spanish Mastiff Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Spanish Mastiff versus Briard     Spanish Mastiff versus Sussex Spaniel     Spanish Mastiff versus English Cocker Spaniel     Spanish Mastiff versus Cockapoo     Spanish Mastiff versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Spanish Mastiff versus Weimaraner     Spanish Mastiff versus Cocker Spaniel     Spanish Mastiff versus Chinook     Spanish Mastiff versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Spanish Mastiff versus English Setter     Spanish Mastiff versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Spanish Mastiff versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Spanish Mastiff versus Golden Retriever     Spanish Mastiff versus Peek A Poo     Spanish Mastiff versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Spanish Mastiff versus Affenpinscher     Spanish Mastiff versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Spanish Mastiff versus Mastiff     Spanish Mastiff versus English Setter     Spanish Mastiff versus English Springer Spaniel     Spanish Mastiff versus Goldador     Spanish Mastiff versus English Setter     Spanish Mastiff versus German Shepherd Dog     Spanish Mastiff versus Black Mouth Cur     Spanish Mastiff versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     

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