Is the English Mastiff or the Irish Wolfhound better for families with children?

Both the English Mastiff and the Irish Wolfhound are considered good with children when properly socialized and supervised.

Which sheds more, the English Mastiff or the Irish Wolfhound?

The English Mastiff and Irish Wolfhound shed a similar amount (medium).

Which is easier to train, the English Mastiff or the Irish Wolfhound?

Both breeds have comparable trainability. Consistency and positive reinforcement work well for each.

Is English Mastiff or Irish Wolfhound bigger?

English Mastiff and Irish Wolfhound are a similar size (Giant).

Which barks more, English Mastiff or Irish Wolfhound?

English Mastiff tends to be the more vocal of the two, so Irish Wolfhound is the quieter choice.

Which is better for apartment living, English Mastiff or Irish Wolfhound?

For apartment or apartment living, Irish Wolfhound has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.

English Mastiff vs Irish Wolfhound: Which Guards Better?

English Mastiff vs Irish Wolfhound: full comparison

Trait	English Mastiff	Irish Wolfhound
Size	Giant	Giant
Energy level	Low	Low
Trainability	Medium	Medium
Friendliness	High	Very High
Good with children	Very High	Very High
Grooming needs	Low	Medium
Shedding	Medium	Medium
Barking	Low	Very Low
Protectiveness	High	Low
Adaptability	Low	Low
Typical lifespan	8 years	7 years
Hypoallergenic	No	No

Key differences at a glance

The English Mastiff has noticeably higher protectiveness than the Irish Wolfhound.

Size and living space

The English Mastiff is one of the true giant breeds that demands a large home, and everything about keeping it costs more. By comparison, the Irish Wolfhound is one of the true giant breeds that demands a large home, and everything about keeping it costs more. Because they are a similar size, neither has a clear space advantage — both will suit the same kind of home.

Exercise and energy needs

The English Mastiff does well on one steady walk a day plus a little play. The Irish Wolfhound does well on one steady walk a day plus a little play. Their exercise needs are broadly the same, so this is unlikely to be a deciding factor.

Grooming and shedding

The English Mastiff asks for a light brush once or twice a week and loses a fair amount of coat, especially seasonally. The Irish Wolfhound wants brushing on a regular schedule to stay tidy and loses a fair amount of coat, especially seasonally. If low upkeep matters to you, factor this in — the difference adds up over a dog's lifetime.

Temperament, training and family life

The English Mastiff picks things up at a fair pace with steady practice, keeps fairly quiet, barking occasionally and has a reputation for being wonderfully tolerant with kids. The Irish Wolfhound picks things up at a fair pace with steady practice, stays notably quiet indoors and has a reputation for being wonderfully tolerant with kids. On guarding instinct, English Mastiff is naturally alert and defends its people, whereas Irish Wolfhound shows limited protectiveness and is friendly to callers.

Which is better for…

For apartment or apartment living, Irish Wolfhound has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.
For families with young children, Irish Wolfhound has the edge, being the more naturally child-friendly and sociable of the two.
For first-time dog owners, Irish Wolfhound has the edge, as it is easier to train and more forgiving of beginner mistakes.
For being left alone during the workday, English Mastiff has the edge, coping better with independence and being quieter when unsupervised.
For allergy sufferers, English Mastiff and Irish Wolfhound are an even match — either can work well.

Which should you choose?

Choose the English Mastiff if you want a more protective, watchful guardian, you prefer lower grooming upkeep, or you want a longer-lived breed.

Choose the Irish Wolfhound if you want a more outgoing, sociable dog or you prefer a quieter dog.

Not sure which breed is right for you?

Take the free DoggyQ quiz and get a personalized match from 321 breeds based on your lifestyle, home and preferences — plus a full report on what living with that breed actually costs.

Find your perfect match

Frequently asked questions

Is the English Mastiff or the Irish Wolfhound better for families with children?: Both the English Mastiff and the Irish Wolfhound are considered good with children when properly socialized and supervised.
Which sheds more, the English Mastiff or the Irish Wolfhound?: The English Mastiff and Irish Wolfhound shed a similar amount (medium).
Which is easier to train, the English Mastiff or the Irish Wolfhound?: Both breeds have comparable trainability. Consistency and positive reinforcement work well for each.
Is English Mastiff or Irish Wolfhound bigger?: English Mastiff and Irish Wolfhound are a similar size (Giant).
Which barks more, English Mastiff or Irish Wolfhound?: English Mastiff tends to be the more vocal of the two, so Irish Wolfhound is the quieter choice.
Which is better for apartment living, English Mastiff or Irish Wolfhound?: For apartment or apartment living, Irish Wolfhound has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.

English Mastiff vs Irish Wolfhound