Living
Which to choose overall?
Small space and want an alert trainable companion, Papillon; room to spare and want a calm gentle giant with kids, Mastiff.
Mastiff (English Mastiff) vs Papillon: Which Suits Your Home?
Mastiff (English Mastiff) or Papillon? 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 Mastiff (English Mastiff) and Papillon and deciding between them. For this pair the decision usually turns on apartment suitability and barking, so those are covered first and in most detail. Anyone choosing from a flat has a clear answer here: Papillon rates 5/5 against 2/5. Breed history is left out; what follows is what you will actually live with.
Quick verdict
Between Mastiff (English Mastiff) and Papillon, apartment suitability is what separates them, and Papillon is the lower-effort dog of the two to keep.
Choose mastiff if...
Choose Mastiff (English Mastiff) if your walking routine is modest, the dog will be alone during the working day and there are young children at home.
Choose papillon if...
Choose Papillon if you are in a flat or a smaller home, this is your first dog and shedding is a problem in your house.
Head-to-head comparison
| Feature | mastiff | papillon | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size class | giant | small | Equal |
| Weight | 120–250 lbs | 5–10 lbs | Equal |
| Height | 27–32 in | 8–11 in | Equal |
| Lifespan | 9–11 years | 14–16 years | papillon |
| Exercise need | Low (2/5) | Moderate (3/5) | mastiff |
| Grooming need | Low (2/5) | Low (2/5) | Equal |
| Shedding | Moderate (3/5) | Low (2/5) | papillon |
| Energy level | Low (2/5) | High (4/5) | Equal |
| Barking | Very low (1/5) | High (4/5) | mastiff |
| Apartment suitability | Low (2/5) | Very high (5/5) | papillon |
| Good for first-time owners | Low (2/5) | High (4/5) | papillon |
| Tolerates being alone | Moderate (3/5) | Low (2/5) | mastiff |
| Trainability | Moderate (3/5) | Very high (5/5) | papillon |
| Good with kids | Very high (5/5) | Moderate (3/5) | mastiff |
| Good with other dogs | Moderate (3/5) | High (4/5) | papillon |
| Friendly to strangers | Moderate (3/5) | High (4/5) | papillon |
| Cost level | Very high (5/5) | Low (2/5) | papillon |
| Coat | Short, dense | Long, silky single coat | Equal |
| Origin | England | Various | Equal |
| Typical monthly cost | $150–$350 | $80–$150 | Equal |
| Typical first-year cost | $2,200–$4,500 | $1,100–$2,300 | Equal |
Deep dive
Size and build
This might be the most extreme size mismatch in the whole database: the Mastiff at 120-250 lbs against the Papillon's 5-10 lbs, a Mastiff can weigh twenty-five times more than a Papillon. Height runs 27-32 inches versus 8-11. A Papillon could, in principle, ride comfortably in a Mastiff's food bowl, and daily handling for each dog looks nothing alike.
Energy and exercise
The Papillon is the more active dog despite its size, exercise need 3/5 against the Mastiff's 2/5, and energy level rates high (4/5) versus the Mastiff's low (2/5). Toy breeds often carry more nervous energy than their giant counterparts, and the Papillon fits that pattern here with quick bursts of activity indoors.
Grooming and shedding
Grooming needs are low for both, 2/5 each, despite very different coats; the Papillon's long silky coat doesn't mat the way some long coats do, and the Mastiff's short coat is naturally easy-care. Shedding tips slightly toward the Papillon (2/5) over the Mastiff (moderate 3/5), an unusual result given the Mastiff's much larger surface area.
Apartment living, noise and time alone
The Papillon barks noticeably more, high (4/5) against the Mastiff's very low (1/5), a small dog with a big voice. Apartment suitability flips accordingly: Papillon 5/5, Mastiff a low 2/5. If barking is tolerated in your building, the Papillon is by far the better small-space fit, and it needs far less square footage to feel content.
Training and owner experience
The Papillon trains extremely well, 5/5, among the highest trainability scores on this site, against the Mastiff's moderate 3/5, and it's also better suited to first-time owners, 4/5 versus 2/5. Its quick-witted temperament tag matches that top trainability number, making obedience and trick work come fairly easily.
Kids, other dogs and visitors
The Mastiff rates higher with kids, very high (5/5) against the Papillon's moderate (3/5), a small dog's fragility around boisterous play matters here despite the Papillon's friendly nature. The Papillon pulls ahead with other dogs (4/5 versus 3/5) and with strangers (4/5 versus 3/5), reflecting its outgoing, confident temperament in new situations.
Health and lifespan
The Papillon lives dramatically longer, 14-16 years against the Mastiff's 9-11, a five-year gap at the top end that's among the widest in this batch. None of the listed conditions overlap: the Mastiff's risks lean toward cancer, heart disease, and joint problems typical of giant breeds, while the Papillon's list includes patellar luxation, dental disease, and collapsing trachea, common toy-breed issues.
Cost to keep
Cost level runs opposite the size expectation only in degree, not direction, Mastiff very high (5/5), Papillon low (2/5), and the dollars confirm it: $150-350 monthly for the Mastiff against just $80-150 for the Papillon, with first-year costs of $2,200-4,500 versus $1,100-2,300. The Mastiff can cost more than double to keep across nearly every category.
Mastiff (English Mastiff) vs Papillon at a glance
Mastiff (English Mastiff) weighs 120–250 lbs and lives 9–11 years; Papillon weighs 5–10 lbs and lives 14–16 years. The two diverge most on apartment suitability, barking and cost level and 4 other rated axes. Almost every rated axis separates them at least slightly. 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 big is the size gap between these two?
About as large as it gets, the Mastiff can weigh 120-250 lbs, the Papillon just 5-10 lbs, a gap of twenty times or more.
Which barks more?
The Papillon, by a wide margin, rated high (4/5) against the Mastiff's very low (1/5).
Which is easier to train?
The Papillon, rated 5/5, one of the highest trainability scores on this site, against the Mastiff's moderate 3/5.
Which fits an apartment better?
The Papillon, 5/5 versus the Mastiff's 2/5, though check your building's tolerance for barking first.
How different are the costs?
Substantially, the Mastiff runs $150-350 monthly and $2,200-4,500 in year one; the Papillon runs $80-150 monthly and $1,100-2,300 in year one, roughly half or less.
Do they share any health risks?
No, their listed conditions don't overlap at all, reflecting how different giant-breed and toy-breed health profiles typically are.
Which lives longer?
The Papillon, by a wide margin, 14-16 years against the Mastiff's 9-11.
Quick answers
View more answersCosts
What's the monthly cost?
Mastiff $150-350 versus Papillon $80-150, the Mastiff costs roughly double or more.
Behavior
How much exercise does each need?
Papillon 3/5, Mastiff 2/5, the tiny dog is actually the more active one.
Health
Which lives longer?
Papillon 14-16 years, Mastiff 9-11 years, a five-year gap.
Related DogBreedCompass guides
- Mastiff (English Mastiff) breed guide – Readers comparing the two usually want the full profile of Mastiff (English Mastiff) before deciding.
- Papillon breed guide – The same for Papillon, so the comparison can be checked against the detail.
- Mastiff (English Mastiff) vs Saint Bernard – Saint Bernard is the closest breed to Mastiff (English Mastiff) on the measured axes, so it is the natural next comparison.
- Papillon vs Maltese – Maltese sits closest to Papillon, which makes it the alternative worth ruling out.
- Mastiff (English Mastiff) vs Maltese – Maltese is the other breed Papillon is most often weighed against.
- Papillon 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->
Guide
Best Dog That Doesnt Smell: Guide to Low-Odor Dogs
GuideRead guide->
Cost
Yorkshire Terrier Cost in Wilmington: What to Expect
CostRead guide->
Comparison
Vizsla vs Yorkshire Terrier: Size, Shedding, Cost & Temperament
ComparisonRead guide->
Guide
Best Dog for Toddlers Under 3: A Family Breed Guide
GuideRead guide->
Comparison
Siberian Husky vs Weimaraner: Size, Shedding, 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