Estrela Mountain Dog
USD $1,000 - $2,500 Price Avg.
Pastoral Dogs (Herding Dogs)
Group
Purebred
Breed Type
Giant
Size
10-14 years
Lifespan
Breed Information
| Group | Pastoral Dogs (Herding Dogs) |
|---|---|
| Popularity/Rank | 500 |
| Origin | Portugal |
| Other Names | Cao da Serra da Estrela, Portuguese Shepherd |
| Breed Type | Purebred |
| Price (Avg.) |
USD $1,000 - $2,500
How much does a Estrela Mountain Dog cost? According to a rough estimate, you will spend between $1,000 to $2,500 on your Estrela Mountain Dog if you purchase it from a reputable breeder. If you select a dog with exceptional bloodlines, the price may be higher. The price might even be higher if the dog has already been trained. You'll usually pay less if you get a Estrela Mountain Dog from a shelter. |
| Size | Giant |
| Weight |
Male: 99–132 pounds (45-60 kg),
Female: 77–99 pounds (35-45 kg) |
| Height | Male: 25–30 inches (63.5-76 kg) Female: 24–28 inches (61-71 cm) |
| Lifespan | 10-14 years |
| Recognized by |
FCI
Not recognized by the American Kennel Club. And FCI in the Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs group, in the Molossian type section. |
| Purpose | Livestock Guardian |
| Date of Origin | Unknown |
| Ancestry | Mountain Dog |
Appearance & Maintenance
| Coat | Coarse, Thick, Wavy |
|---|---|
| Coat Colors | Fawn, Wolf Gray, Yellow |
| Grooming Level | |
| Shedding Level | |
| Eye Color Possibilities | Brown |
| Nose Color Possibilities | Black |
| Coat Color Possibilities | Brindle, Fawn, Gray |
| Coat Length | Large |
| Coat Density | Dense |
| Coat Texture | Wavy |
| Recommended Brushes | Clipper, Dematter, Pin Brush, Slicker Brush |
| Brushing Frequency | Weekly |
Breed Characteristics
| Temperament | Alert, Defensive, Dignified, Keen, Loyal, Protective, Stubborn, Suspicious, Vigilant |
|---|---|
| Intelligent | |
| Trainability | |
| Playfulness | |
| Sensitivity Level | |
| Affection Level | |
| Social Interaction Required | |
| Barking | |
| Watchdog Ability | |
| Territorial | |
| Biting Force | Low |
| Mouthiness | |
| Impulse to Wander or Roam | |
| Prey Drive | |
| Adaptability | |
| Tolerates Being Left Alone | |
| Fighting Dog | Not really |
Good & Friendly with
| Apartment Life Friendly | |
|---|---|
| Stranger Friendly | |
| Kid-Friendly | |
| Cat Friendly | |
| Dog Friendly | |
| Office Friendly | No |
| Senior Citizens Friendly | |
| Pet Friendly | |
| Friendly with First Time Owners | No |
| Service Dog | Not really |
| Therapy Dog | Not really |
| Detection, Sniffer or Security Dog | Not really |
| Search and Rescue Dog (SAR) | Not really |
| Boat Dog | Not really |
| Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog | Yes |
Health Elements
| Health Issues | |
|---|---|
| Hypoallergenic | No |
| Energy Level | |
| Exercise Required | |
| Sleeping Required | |
| Weight Gain Potential | |
| Weather & Climate | Prefers cold weather |
| Stinkiness | Medium |
| Drooling tendency | |
| Activity Level | High |
| Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week | 30 miles |
| Minutes of Activity Per Day | 60 minutes |
Food & Costing
| Avg. Daily Food | 6 to 8 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. |
|---|---|
| Cups Per Day | 3-4 cups |
| Daily Cost | $10-$20 |
| Monthly Cost | $50-$100 |
Reproducibility
| Gestation Duration | 60-64 days |
|---|---|
| How often can the Estrela Mountain Dog have a litter? | Once a year. |
| Litter Size | 7-8 puppies (Once a year.) |
Description
The Estrela Mountain Dog is a large, powerful breed of dog that originated in the mountains of Portugal. It is an ancient breed, with a long history of being used as a guard and herding dog. The Estrela Mountain Dog has a strong, muscular body and an alert expression. Its coat is thick and dense, usually white or cream in color with shades of gray or yellow.
Appearance: The Estrela Mountain Dog has a strong, muscular body with well-defined muscles and an alert expression. Its head is broad and its muzzle is slightly pointed. Its ears are triangular in shape and hang close to the head. The tail is long and curved over the back when the dog is at rest.
Lifespan: The average lifespan for an Estrela Mountain Dog is 10-12 years.
Size: Males typically weigh between 75-90 pounds (34-41 kg) while females typically weigh between 65-80 pounds (29-36 kg).
Weight: Males typically weigh between 75-90 pounds (34-41 kg) while females typically weigh between 65-80 pounds (29-36 kg).
Colors: White or cream are the most common colors for this breed but they can also be found in shades of gray or yellow.
Personality: The Estrela Mountain Dog has a calm yet protective personality that makes it an excellent guard dog as well as family pet. They are loyal to their owners but can be wary of strangers if not properly socialized from puppyhood onwards. They are intelligent dogs that respond well to training but can be stubborn at times if not given enough mental stimulation throughout their lives.
Friendliness: This breed tends to get along well with other dogs, cats, children, and other animals if they have been properly socialized from puppyhood onwards; however they may still show some signs of aggression towards unfamiliar animals or people if not properly trained from an early age on how to behave around them appropriately .
Temperament: The Estrela Mountain Dog has a calm yet protective temperament which makes them excellent guard dogs as well as family pets; however they may still show some signs of aggression towards unfamiliar animals or people if not properly trained from an early age on how to behave around them appropriately . They are loyal to their owners but can be wary of strangers if not properly socialized from puppyhood onwards; however they do respond very well to training when given enough mental stimulation throughout their lives .
Health: This breed generally enjoys good health overall; however there have been reports of hip dysplasia occurring in some lines so it’s important for potential owners to research any breeder before purchasing one . Additionally this breed may also suffer from eye problems such as cataracts so regular checkups should be done by your veterinarian .
Adaptability Level : This breed does best when living indoors with its family; however it does need plenty of exercise so access to outdoor space such as a yard would be beneficial for this active breed . Additionally due its size it may not do very well living in apartments unless given plenty opportunities for exercise outside each day .
Benefits : As pets ,Estrelas make great companions due their loyal ,protective nature ; additionally they require minimal grooming making them ideal for busy households who don’t have time for extensive grooming routines each week . Furthermore ,they tend to get along very well with children making them great additions families looking for canine companionship !
History
The Estrela Mountain Dog is a large breed of dog that is native to the mountains of Portugal. The breed is named for the mountain range in which it was first found, the Serra da Estrela. The Estrela Mountain Dog is one of the oldest breeds of dogs in the world, and it is thought to be descended from the Molosser dogs of ancient Greece. The breed nearly became extinct in the early 20th century, but was saved by a few dedicated breeders who began a breeding program to revive the breed. Today, the Estrela Mountain Dog is a popular breed in Portugal and other parts of Europe, and it is recognized by several kennel clubs.
The history of the Estrela Mountain Dog breed can be traced back to ancient Greece, where they were used as guard dogs by the Molosser people. These dogs were brought to Portugal by Roman soldiers, and they eventually became known as Cão da Serra da Estrela, or "dog of the Starry Mountains." The Estrela Mountain Dog was used for centuries as a working dog in Portugal, guarding sheep and properties from predators such as wolves and bears. In the early 20th century, however, the breed began to decline in popularity due to changes in farming practices and increased competition from other breeds of dogs. By the 1970s, there were only a handful of Estrela Mountain Dogs left in Portugal.
A few dedicated breeders began a breeding program to save the Estrela Mountain Dog from extinction. They imported dogs from other countries with similar climates and working abilities, such as Switzerland and Austria. Through their efforts, they were able to revive the breed and increase its numbers. Today, there are an estimated 1,500 Estrela Mountain Dogs in Portugal alone. The breed has also gained popularity in other parts of Europe, such as France and Italy. In recent years, someEstrelas have even been exported to North America where they are becoming increasingly popular as companion animals and working dogs.
The Ancestry of anEstrella can be found through many different routes however most lead back too either Switzerland or Austria due their climate similarities with that off Portugal where this dog was originally bred.. From here we see that this dog was mainly used for herding however because off their large size they were also used for hunting large game such as boar or deer.. This dog became very popular throughout Europe but especially so In their home country off Portugal.. It wasn't until recently that this dog made Its way over too North America where It has slowly been gaining popularity..
