ESTRELA MOUNTAIN DOG
APPEARANCE
The Estrela Mountain Dog is a large, powerful, athletic and strongly muscled dog with a short back and a thick tail. The Estrela Mountain Dog comes in two coat types. Both types should have coat resembling the texture of goat hair. Colors are fawn, wolf gray and yellow with white markings or shadings of black throughout the coat. All colors have a dark facial mask, preferably black. The ears are set with the root being set level with the eyes. Height for males is 25½ - 28½ inches and for females is 24½ - 27 inches. Males weigh between 88 and 110 pounds. Females weigh between 66 and 88 pounds.
PERSONALITY
The Estrela temperament should be loyal, affectionate to his owners, aloof, intelligent and alert and inclined to be stubborn. This breed will become your true soulmate if you treat him right. This fierce loyalty to its owners makes it difficult for the Estrela Mountain Dog to accept a new owner in adulthood.
TRAINING
The Estrela Mountain Dog will learn very easily - it is reported that some of these dogs have done very well at obedience competitions. These dogs are supple and clever enough to do well in skills trials. The Estrela Mountain dog has a tendency to be obstinate and to make up their own minds. A calm and quiet training environment should have a positive effect on these dogs.
EXERCISE
The Estrela Mountain Dog needs at least one long period of exercise per day. This can be a long walk, an off the leash run or just a good romp in the yard or the park with kids or a companion dog. They are wonderful dogs for active families that love to hike, jog or run.
SOCIALIZATION
The Estrela Mountain Dog is a true companion dog and does very well with children. the Estrela Mountain Dog is friendly towards other dogs and will be well behaved even with non-canine pets. Proper and frequent socialization will ensure that this compatible behavior continues as the dog matures. They are wary of strangers but will quickly learn what people are family friends.
LIVING CONDITIONS
They do not do well in small spaces and are not recommended for apartments or small houses without a yard. This breed loves to be outdoors and to have a medium to large yard to explore and walk around in.
GROOMING
The long coated variety of Estrela Mountain Dog will require more regular grooming to prevent the furnishings from matting. The shorter haired variety is less prone to tangles in the furnishings but still requires at least twice a week grooming. A slicker brush and a rake are the best options for grooming tools. First use the grooming rake following with the slicker brush. Do not bathe this breed unless necessary.
HEALTH ISSUES
The Estrela Mountain Dog life span is about 9-14 years. As with all large breeds the Estrela Mountain Dog may have difficulties with canine hip dysplasia. Various types of cancers may also be present in the breed. The Estrela Mountain Dog may also have growth problems known as OCD or osteochondritis dissecans that occurs when the cartilage in young dogs grows incorrectly around joints.
HISTORY
The earliest of the Estrela ancestors were herd-guarding dogs in the Serra da Estrela, in what is now Portugal. Today, the Estrela Mountain Dog remains true to its guardian heritage. It is still a working dog, guarding flocks in its native Portugal and elsewhere.
