Living
Mastiff or Brittany, which fits your home?
Want a calm giant with room to spare, go Mastiff; want an active dog that fits smaller spaces, go Brittany.
Brittany Spaniel vs Mastiff (English Mastiff): Which Suits Your Home?
Brittany Spaniel or Mastiff (English Mastiff)? On paper they differ most on exercise need, 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 Brittany Spaniel and Mastiff (English Mastiff) and deciding between them. For this pair the decision usually turns on exercise need and energy level, so those are covered first and in most detail. Anyone choosing from a flat has a clear answer here: Brittany Spaniel rates 3/5 against 2/5. It is written for the decision rather than the breed history.
Quick verdict
Between Brittany Spaniel and Mastiff (English Mastiff), exercise need is what separates them; neither is the lower-effort dog overall.
Choose brittany if...
Choose Brittany Spaniel 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 your walking routine is modest, the dog will be alone during the working day and you want a dog that is more watchful with visitors.
Head-to-head comparison
| Feature | brittany | mastiff | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size class | medium | giant | Equal |
| Weight | 30–40 lbs | 120–250 lbs | Equal |
| Height | 17–20 in | 27–32 in | Equal |
| Lifespan | 12–15 years | 9–11 years | brittany |
| Exercise need | High (4/5) | Low (2/5) | mastiff |
| Grooming need | Low (2/5) | Low (2/5) | Equal |
| Shedding | Moderate (3/5) | Moderate (3/5) | Equal |
| Energy level | High (4/5) | Low (2/5) | Equal |
| Barking | Low (2/5) | Very low (1/5) | mastiff |
| Apartment suitability | Moderate (3/5) | Low (2/5) | brittany |
| Good for first-time owners | High (4/5) | Low (2/5) | brittany |
| Tolerates being alone | Low (2/5) | Moderate (3/5) | mastiff |
| Trainability | Very high (5/5) | Moderate (3/5) | brittany |
| Good with kids | Very high (5/5) | Very high (5/5) | Equal |
| Good with other dogs | Very high (5/5) | Moderate (3/5) | brittany |
| Friendly to strangers | High (4/5) | Moderate (3/5) | brittany |
| Cost level | Moderate (3/5) | Very high (5/5) | brittany |
| Coat | Medium, wavy coat | Short, dense | Equal |
| Origin | France | England | Equal |
| Typical monthly cost | $90–$180 | $150–$350 | Equal |
| Typical first-year cost | $1,300–$2,500 | $2,200–$4,500 | Equal |
Deep dive
Size and build
The Mastiff is enormous, 120-250 lbs and up to 32 inches tall, against the Brittany's 30-40 lbs and 20 inches. At the top of its range, a Mastiff can weigh as much as six or seven Brittanys combined.
Energy and exercise
Despite its size, the Mastiff needs far less exercise than the Brittany, low (2/5) against high (4/5). Mastiffs are famously low-drive for their bulk, content with short walks and long naps; the Brittany, by contrast, is a field dog that wants to move.
Grooming and shedding
Grooming ties low (2/5) for both, and shedding ties moderate (3/5) too, an unusual amount of overlap given how different these two breeds otherwise are. Neither will demand much from your brush or your vacuum.
Apartment living, noise and time alone
The Mastiff barks less than the Brittany, very low (1/5) against low (2/5), but its sheer size still drags its apartment suitability down to low (2/5) versus the Brittany's moderate (3/5). Interestingly, the Mastiff tolerates being alone better, moderate (3/5), than the Brittany's low (2/5), a rare edge for a giant breed.
Training and owner experience
The Brittany is the more trainable dog, 5/5 against the Mastiff's moderate 3/5, and it fits a first-time owner far better too, high (4/5) versus the Mastiff's low (2/5). A Mastiff's size means a poorly trained adult is a genuine handling problem in a way a Brittany never becomes.
Kids, other dogs and visitors
Both score very high (5/5) with kids, the Mastiff's gentle-giant reputation holds up here. The Brittany pulls ahead with other dogs (5/5 vs 3/5) and strangers (high vs moderate), where the Mastiff's protective instincts make it a bit more reserved.
Health and lifespan
The size gap shows up hardest in lifespan: the Brittany's 12-15 years against the Mastiff's 9-11. Shared risks include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, bloat, progressive retinal atrophy, and hypothyroidism. The Mastiff's added list, cancer, heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy, arthritis, reflects the physical cost of carrying that much weight.
Cost to keep
Feeding a 200-lb dog isn't cheap: the Mastiff runs $150-350 a month against the Brittany's $90-180, and $2,200-4,500 in year one versus $1,300-2,500. Budget close to double, and that's before factoring in giant-breed-sized everything, bed, crate, medication doses.
Brittany Spaniel vs Mastiff (English Mastiff) at a glance
Brittany Spaniel weighs 30–40 lbs and lives 12–15 years; Mastiff (English Mastiff) weighs 120–250 lbs and lives 9–11 years. The two diverge most on exercise need, energy level and good for first-time owners and 3 other rated axes. They are level on grooming need, good with kids and shedding, so those cannot decide it. In the table, a "winner" means easier for an ordinary household — not better. Size, coat and origin are recorded without a verdict. Because both breeds are scored the same way, the gaps are reliable even where the absolute numbers are rough.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Mastiff weigh compared to a Brittany?
Up to 250 lbs against the Brittany's 30-40 lbs, one of the largest size gaps in any comparison here.
Which needs more exercise?
The Brittany, high (4/5) versus the Mastiff's low (2/5), surprising, since Mastiffs are much bigger but far less driven to move.
Is a Mastiff good for a first-time owner?
Not really, low (2/5) versus the Brittany's high (4/5), its size raises the stakes on training mistakes.
Which tolerates being alone better?
The Mastiff, moderate (3/5) versus the Brittany's low (2/5), a rare edge for a giant breed.
Which is cheaper to keep?
The Brittany by a wide margin, $90-180 a month versus the Mastiff's $150-350.
Which lives longer?
The Brittany, 12-15 years versus the Mastiff's 9-11.
Do they share health risks?
Yes, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, bloat, progressive retinal atrophy, and hypothyroidism appear on both lists.
Quick answers
View more answersCosts
What's the monthly cost gap?
Brittany $90-180 versus Mastiff $150-350.
Training
Which needs more daily exercise?
The Brittany, high (4/5), against the Mastiff's surprisingly low (2/5).
Health
Which lives longer?
The Brittany, 12-15 years, versus the Mastiff's 9-11 years.
Related DogBreedCompass guides
- Brittany Spaniel breed guide – Readers comparing the two usually want the full profile of Brittany Spaniel before deciding.
- Mastiff (English Mastiff) breed guide – The same for Mastiff (English Mastiff), so the comparison can be checked against the detail.
- Brittany Spaniel vs Beagle – Beagle is the closest breed to Brittany Spaniel 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.
- Brittany Spaniel vs Saint Bernard – Saint Bernard is the other breed Mastiff (English Mastiff) is most often weighed against.
- Mastiff (English Mastiff) health problems – The health pages set out what each breed is actually screened for.
Related guides
Cost
Yorkshire Terrier Cost in Salt Lake City: What to Expect
CostRead guide->
Cost
Yorkshire Terrier Cost in Wilmington: What to Expect
CostRead guide->
Guide
Best Dog for Runners Half Marathon: Complete Guide
GuideRead guide->
Guide
Best Dog for Small Apartment No Yard: A Complete Guide
GuideRead guide->
Comparison
Vizsla vs Weimaraner: Size, Shedding, Cost & Temperament
ComparisonRead guide->
Comparison
Vizsla vs Welsh Springer Spaniel: Size, Cost & Temperament
ComparisonRead guide->
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.
Some links on this site are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you, and we only suggest products we believe are helpful for dog owners.
Find Your Perfect Breed
Match your lifestyle to the right dog.
Take quizFind your match
Not sure which breed is right for you? Take our 2-minute quiz to find out.
Take the quiz