The Estrela Mountain Dog originates from the Estrela Mountains in Portugal. Also known as the Portuguese Shepherd and Cao da Serra da Estrela, these large dogs are courageous and loyal, making a wonderful family pet that will protect their humans at all times. Although these dogs are not normally found outside of their native Portugal, you may get lucky at your local shelter!
These loving dogs certainly have some care needs that some owners can’t match, most of which relate to their size. If you’re interested in learning more about this ancient breed and whether they might be the right pup for you, keeping reading to find out all about the Estrela Mountain Dog.
The Estrela Mountain Dog comes from Portugal and, while these dogs are still primarily used as herding dogs in Portugal, they are also know favored as companion dogs in other parts of the world. They are not very common outside of the country, but it is still possible to add one of these wonderful pups to your household when you live in the United States. Certain breed organizations and breed specific rescues will be able to help.
The Estrela Mountain Dog is recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), the Kennel Club and Fédération Cynologique Internationale.
The exact origins of the Estrela Mountain Dog are unknown, but they are one of the oldest breeds in the Estrela Mountains region. They were originally used in the Serra da Estrela mountains as herd-guarding dogs, which is know known as Portugal.
In the 1900s, the Estrela Mountain Dog as we know it today was bred. They were favored by farmers for their ability to identify and scare off wolves and other large predators. These dogs were known for being brave, fierce and courageous, which is what made them such great herding dogs.
Before World War II, shepherds and farmers were the main breeders of the Estrela Mountain Dog. However, in the 1950s their popularity began to grow and people began to breed these working dogs more and more. It is during this time that residents of Serra da Estrela were encouraged to keep to breed standards when breeding these pups.
There is no record of the Estrela Mountain Dog outside of Portugal before 1972. In 1972 and 1973, the first of these dogs were imported into the United States. The first registered dog reached the US in 1988.
The Estrela Mountain Dog has a breed standard that must be adhered to by breeders. That being said, there are variations within the Estrela Mountain Dog, particularly relating to their size and coat.
These dogs are normally born in litter sizes of between seven to eight puppies. An Estrela Mountain Dog puppy will cost at least $1200, if not more if you are buying from a top breeder of show dogs. This is due to the fact they are very rare outside of Portugal. You may also have to go on a waiting list. Always make sure you are buying from a reputable breeder.
The Estrela Mountain Dog is large! However, many of these dogs vary in size and some may be bigger or smaller than average. Normally, the Estrela Mountain Dog weights between 75 to 130 pounds and stands between 24 to 30 inches tall. Males are usually bigger than females.
These dogs are athletic and powerful. They have a lot of fur, almost like a big teddy bear! They have a long head with small ears that sit reasonably high on their head and fall backwards against the side of the head. Their tail is long, too, and very fluffy!
The Estrela Mountain Dog can have one of two coats — long and short. Both coat types should resemble the texture of goat hair; it is thick and coarse yet softer around the face and ears. Short coats are more common among working Estrela Mountain Dogs.
The short coat is dense and may have some feathering. The long coat has a thick undercoat with a lighter color than the coarse outer coat. It’s not curly, but it can be a bit wavy or lie flat. The males can also have a lions main.
Both of the coats are double coats and neither are hypoallergenic. This means that the Estrela Mountain Dog is not for those with allergies. Grooming will help keep them in the best condition, although we will go into more detail about that later on.
The main colors of the Estrela Mountain Dog include fawn, yellow, and gray. Sometimes these colors will be solid and other time they will be mixed. There may be brindling, white markings or shadings of black throughout the coat, too. All the coats have a black mask around the muzzle.
A very family-orientated dog, the Estrela Mountain Dog is protective and loyal of those they know and will want to be around their humans at all times, making sure they are there to ward off any intruders that might cause harm! Thanks to their loyalty, these dogs are very happy curling up on the couch next to you all day and going wherever you go. They won’t be afraid to bark if something is out of place, either.
The Estrela Mountain Dog is a very intelligent breed, but they will need a strong and confident owner to guide them. They can be stubborn at times and will need someone to show them who is the boss. This way they will learn to socialize with other people and animals properly.
Despite their loyalty and willingness to follow you around all day, the Estrela is an agile dog and they like to be kept entertained. They won’t really want to be left alone for too long and, if you have to leave them, will want somewhere to be able to stretch their legs and games to play with.
The Estrela Mountain Dog has a relatively long life expectancy. These dogs can, on average, live between 11 and 15 years.
Unfortunately, like any dog, the Estrela Mountain Dog is prone to some health issues. These health problems normally relate to their size and are concerns all large dog breeds may be predisposed to.
– Hip Dysplasia — this is when the thighbone doesn’t fit snugly into the hip joint. Some dogs show pain and lameness on one or both rear legs, but you may not notice any signs of discomfort in a dog with hip dysplasia.
– Elbow Dysplasia — this is a common condition in large breed dogs. It can be caused by different growth rates and can cause lameness. It can be fixed with surgery.
– Dilated Cardiomyopathy — this is the most common cause of heart failure in large breed dogs. Symptoms include shortness of breath, coughing and abdominal swelling. The condition is not normally curable, but it can be managed with the right combination of medications.
Regular vet checkups and keeping an eye on your dog will ensure you can catch any of these issues before they become untreatable.
Remember — buy from a reputable breeder and the chances your dog will suffer any health conditions will be greatly reduced.
Now we know all about the traits and characteristics of the Estrela Mountain Dog, it is time to take a look at what living with one of these dogs is like on a day to day basis. As a large breed, they do have certain care needs that must be met. Read on below to find out more.
The amount that you feed your Estrela Mountain Dog should be based on their size, their age and their activity levels. Their food should also change over the course of their life, depending on these things. You should always check the back of the food packet to see how much of a certain food you should be feeding your Estrela, particularly based on their weight.
Because the Estrela Mountain Dog is prone to gaining weight, experts recommend you feed them a kibble that is either formulated for large breed dogs with medium energy, or a food that helps to regulate their weight. Either way, the food should be complete and balanced, ensuring they get the right nutrients for their needs. Take a look at the food we recommend below.
The Estrela Mountain Dog is a Police Dog in Portugal
Despite his big cuddly bear demeanor, this guy means business, and man nor wolf should mess with him. He appreciates the law-abiding citizens, so you best be on your most excellent behavior if you go on vacation to Portugal.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Estrela Mountain Dog
The Estrela Mountain Dog is really affectionate and loving with his immediate family. He is a big sweetie who loves to snuggle up with his humans. Being a flock protector, he has an affinity for the younger members of the family. He is also similar to the German Shepherd in that he holds a special place in his heart for his primary caregiver.
He is a fun and happy pooch who loves to play a game of fetch in the yard. He might not be the fastest dog, but he is goofy, making him just as entertaining. He is surprisingly agile, and he is also an avid swimmer. There’s not much the Estrela will turn his nose up at, so you can rely on him for plenty of entertainment.
He is very suspicious of unfamiliar people and animals, especially if they enter his estate or approach his family. Once his master has greeted them, he will stand down and watch from afar. But he’ll make sure he is in striking distance if he feels that his family is in danger.
He is a very intelligent dog, and he can survive for weeks at a time caring for his flock without his Shepard master’s help. However, with this sharp intelligence comes independence, and he is known to be stubborn if not stimulated enough. If you want a trainable Estrela, you need to stimulate his mind and body and keep him entertained and interested.
Estrela Mountain Dog Puppies – Before You Buy…
It goes without saying that you need to have space for him immediately. Even Estrela Mountain Dog puppies are significantly sized pooches who need lots of room. Apartment living is out of the question, he needs access to a yard, and you’ll need to make way for giant beds, bowls, and toys. If you think you can just slip him into your home without planning ahead, you’re mistaken.
Estrela Mountain dogs aren’t cheap either. Although their initial puppy cost isn’t that much more compared to a common dog breed, it’s everything else that you need to consider. You’ll need to purchase everything in giant size, and with that comes a giant price tag. Be sure to do your financial research and make sure you have the resources to care for him.
Although he is a clean dog with good manners, if you don’t like dog hair or drool on your furniture, you won’t be the best match. Most big dog’s drool, it’s part of the course. But really, what’s a bit of doggy drool between friends?
He is also seriously strong, so potential owners need to be able to handle him on the leash. There will also be times where he cannot move, for example, when he has an injury, and it’ll take a few people to carry him. He has a dominant character, and he will need to live with owners who have experience in handling intense canines. But, if you can handle him, he is the biggest sweety pie going.