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Basset Hound vs Mastiff (English Mastiff): Which Suits Your Home?

Basset Hound or Mastiff (English Mastiff)? On paper they differ most on apartment suitability, and on the scales Mastiff (English Mastiff) is the heavier at 120–250 lbs. Here is how the two compare on everything that shapes an ordinary week.

This is for someone already down to Basset Hound and Mastiff (English Mastiff) and deciding between them. For this pair the decision usually turns on apartment suitability and good for first-time owners, so those are covered first and in most detail. Anyone choosing from a flat has a clear answer here: Basset Hound rates 4/5 against 2/5. Breed history is left out; what follows is what you will actually live with.

Quick verdict

Between Basset Hound and Mastiff (English Mastiff), apartment suitability is what separates them, and Basset Hound is the lower-effort dog of the two to keep.

Choose basset hound if...

Choose Basset Hound if you are in a flat or a smaller home, this is your first dog and you already have another dog.

Choose mastiff if...

Choose Mastiff (English Mastiff) if you do not want a standing grooming appointment, the dog will be alone during the working day and you want a dog that picks up training quickly.

Head-to-head comparison

Feature	basset hound	mastiff	Winner
Size class	medium	giant	Equal
Weight	40–65 lbs	120–250 lbs	Equal
Height	12–15 in	27–32 in	Equal
Lifespan	10–12 years	9–11 years	basset hound
Exercise need	Low (2/5)	Low (2/5)	Equal
Grooming need	Moderate (3/5)	Low (2/5)	mastiff
Shedding	Moderate (3/5)	Moderate (3/5)	Equal
Energy level	Low (2/5)	Low (2/5)	Equal
Barking	Low (2/5)	Very low (1/5)	mastiff
Apartment suitability	High (4/5)	Low (2/5)	basset hound
Good for first-time owners	High (4/5)	Low (2/5)	basset hound
Tolerates being alone	Low (2/5)	Moderate (3/5)	mastiff
Trainability	Low (2/5)	Moderate (3/5)	mastiff
Good with kids	Very high (5/5)	Very high (5/5)	Equal
Good with other dogs	Very high (5/5)	Moderate (3/5)	basset hound
Friendly to strangers	Very high (5/5)	Moderate (3/5)	basset hound
Cost level	Moderate (3/5)	Very high (5/5)	basset hound
Coat	Short, dense	Short, dense	Equal
Origin	France	England	Equal
Typical monthly cost	$80–$150	$150–$350	Equal
Typical first-year cost	$1,300–$2,300	$2,200–$4,500	Equal

Deep dive

Size and build

There's no comparing these two by weight, a Mastiff runs 120 to 250 pounds, up to six times heavier than a 40-to-65-pound Basset Hound, and stands 27 to 32 inches at the shoulder against the Basset's 12 to 15. This is a giant breed against a short, long-bodied one; a Mastiff will outweigh most adult humans, while a Basset stays low enough to trip over.

Energy and exercise

Surprisingly, these two are evenly matched here, both rate a low 2 out of 5 for exercise need and energy level. Despite its size, a Mastiff is not a high-drive dog, it was bred to stand its ground, not run for miles. Neither breed will pressure you into daily jogs, though a Mastiff's bulk still needs space to move around comfortably at home.

Grooming and shedding

Grooming actually favors the Mastiff, a low 2 out of 5 versus the Basset's moderate 3 out of 5, thanks to a short coat with none of the skin-fold upkeep a Basset needs. Shedding ties at moderate (3/5) for both, so a Mastiff's much larger body still means more total hair, even at the same shedding rating.

Apartment living, noise and time alone

The Basset suits small spaces better, 4 out of 5 for apartment living against the Mastiff's 2 out of 5, mostly down to sheer physical size. On barking, the Mastiff is actually quieter, a very low 1 out of 5 against the Basset's low 2 out of 5. It also tolerates being alone slightly better (3/5 versus 2/5), though a giant breed in a cramped apartment brings its own problems.

Training and owner experience

The Mastiff trains a bit more readily (moderate 3/5 versus the Basset's low 2/5), but the Basset is rated the easier first dog overall, 4 out of 5 against the Mastiff's 2 out of 5. A Mastiff's size means training mistakes have bigger consequences than the same mistakes with a Basset.

Kids, other dogs and visitors

Both breeds tie at 5 out of 5 with kids, and Mastiffs are well known for gentleness despite their size. The Basset pulls ahead with other dogs and strangers though, 5 out of 5 in both against the Mastiff's moderate 3 out of 5, reflecting the Mastiff's more protective, watchful streak.

Health and lifespan

The Basset lives longer on average, 10 to 12 years against the Mastiff's 9 to 11, a common pattern for giant breeds. Both share hip dysplasia and bloat risk, worth watching closely given the Mastiff's size raises bloat danger further. The Mastiff's list also includes several cancer risks and heart conditions not part of the Basset's profile.

Cost to keep

This isn't close: the Mastiff rates a very high 5 out of 5 for cost against the Basset's moderate 3 out of 5. Monthly costs run $150-$350 for the Mastiff versus $80-$150 for the Basset, and first-year costs can hit $4,500 for the Mastiff against $2,300 for the Basset. Food alone for a 200-pound dog adds up fast.

Basset Hound vs Mastiff (English Mastiff) at a glance

Basset Hound weighs 40–65 lbs and lives 10–12 years; Mastiff (English Mastiff) weighs 120–250 lbs and lives 9–11 years. The two diverge most on apartment suitability, good for first-time owners and good with other dogs and 2 other rated axes. They are level on energy level, exercise need and good with kids, so those cannot decide it. The comparison marks an easier option only where one exists. Facts like weight and country of origin are not scored. Both dogs are rated from the same dataset, which is what makes the numbers comparable with each other even though any individual dog sits somewhere inside its breed's range.

Frequently asked questions

How much heavier is a Mastiff than a Basset Hound?

Dramatically, a Mastiff can weigh 120 to 250 pounds, while a Basset tops out around 65. That's potentially four times the weight.

Which sheds more?

Neither, both tie at moderate (3/5) for shedding, though the Mastiff's sheer size means more total hair even at the same rate.

Which barks more?

The Basset, slightly, rated low (2/5) against the Mastiff's very low (1/5). Mastiffs have a reputation as surprisingly quiet dogs for their size.

Is either a good first dog?

The Basset is rated notably better for first-time owners (4/5 versus 2/5), a Mastiff's sheer size makes handling mistakes more consequential.

Can a Mastiff live in an apartment?

Not comfortably, it rates just 2 out of 5 for apartment suitability against the Basset's 4 out of 5, mainly due to space needs.

Which is more expensive to keep?

The Mastiff by a wide margin, $150-$350 monthly versus $80-$150 for the Basset, and up to $4,500 in the first year alone.

Do they share health risks?

Yes, hip dysplasia and bloat appear on both lists. Bloat risk is worth watching especially closely with the Mastiff given its size and deep chest.

Quick answers

View more answers

Living

Which breed fits most households?

The Basset fits far more households, especially smaller homes, the Mastiff's size alone rules out a lot of apartments.

Costs

What does each cost per month?

$80-$150 monthly for the Basset versus $150-$350 for the Mastiff, nearly double at the low end.

Living

How much exercise does each need?

Both are surprisingly low-energy, tied at 2/5 exercise need, a Mastiff's size doesn't mean it's active.

Health

How long do they typically live?

10-12 years for the Basset, 9-11 for the Mastiff, typical for a giant breed.

Related DogBreedCompass guides

Basset Hound breed guide – Readers comparing the two usually want the full profile of Basset Hound before deciding.
Mastiff (English Mastiff) breed guide – The same for Mastiff (English Mastiff), so the comparison can be checked against the detail.
Basset Hound vs Bulldog (English) – Bulldog (English) is the closest breed to Basset Hound on the measured axes, so it is the natural next comparison.
Mastiff (English Mastiff) vs Saint Bernard – Saint Bernard sits closest to Mastiff (English Mastiff), which makes it the alternative worth ruling out.
What Basset Hound costs to keep – Anyone weighing these two is usually also pricing them, and the cost pages carry city-level figures.
Mastiff (English Mastiff) health problems – The health pages set out what each breed is actually screened for.

Related guides

List

Important reminder

Health information here is general and is not veterinary advice. If your dog shows pain, sudden behaviour change, or worsening symptoms, consult a licensed veterinarian.

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