Irish Wolfhound vs English Mastiff

Side-by-side comparison of two popular breeds — temperament, exercise, grooming, lifespan and common health issues. Use it to decide which breed fits your home.

Irish Wolfhound vs English Mastiff — at a glance

The Irish Wolfhound (48–70 kg, 6–8 years) and the English Mastiff (54–104 kg, 6–10 years) sit in different — or sometimes overlapping — corners of dog ownership. Here's how they really compare for an everyday Irish or UK family.

Both breeds have similar energy demands — Irish Wolfhound tips slightly higher but neither is a couch dog.

Insurance premiums for breeds with brachycephalic, joint or cancer predispositions run 20–40% above average — check before you commit. We have a free quote calculator here.

	Irish Wolfhound	English Mastiff
Group	Hound	Working
Origin	Ireland	England
Weight	48–70 kg	54–104 kg
Height	76–86 cm	70–84 cm
Lifespan	6–8 years	6–10 years
Energy level
Trainability
Grooming needs
Good with kids
Good with other pets
Hypoallergenic
Watchdog instinct
Novice-owner OK

Irish Wolfhound

Temperament

Calm, dignified, surprisingly low-energy indoors. Wolfhounds bond deeply with family, are patient with children and tolerant of other dogs. They have a strong prey drive — cats and small fluffy dogs may trigger chase. Not aggressive guardians; their size alone deters intruders.

Exercise

Despite their size, Wolfhounds need only moderate exercise: 40–60 minutes daily of walking + a chance to gallop in a safe enclosed space. Puppies under 18 months must NOT over-exercise — their growing joints are extraordinarily vulnerable.

Grooming

Harsh, rough double coat — brush 1–2× weekly with a slicker. Stripping every 6 months keeps texture correct. Light shedder year-round. Check ears weekly.

Health

Sadly the breed is plagued by serious health issues. Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), osteosarcoma (bone cancer), gastric torsion (bloat) and hip/elbow dysplasia are all common. Average lifespan is 6–8 years. Insurance is expensive and many providers cap large-breed coverage. Choose a breeder who DNA-tests for cardiac issues.

Full Irish Wolfhound profile →

English Mastiff

Temperament

Calm, affectionate, dignified, protective. Mastiffs are famously good with children of their own family. Wary of strangers but rarely aggressive — they tend to body-block rather than attack.

Exercise

30–45 minutes a day of moderate walking. Heavy-bodied breeds shouldn't jog or run on hard surfaces. Puppies must avoid impact until 18 months+.

Grooming

Short coat, weekly brush. Drool prevention bibs help.

Health

Bloat / GDV. Hip / elbow dysplasia. Cardiomyopathy. Cancers (lymphoma, osteosarcoma). Eye conditions. Lifespan 6–10 years.

Full English Mastiff profile →

Which is right for you?

Pick the Irish Wolfhound if

Quiet families with space (garden essential), experienced dog owners willing to face short lifespan, those with deep pockets for vet care.

Pick the English Mastiff if

Calm households with space, owners who can budget for giant-breed care.

🎯 Take the breed match quiz → 💰 Compare lifetime cost

Irish Wolfhound vs English Mastiff