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ESTRELA MOUNTAIN DOG — BREED DESCRIPTION & INFORMATION
Breed Description / Health Issues / Breed Standards / Grooming / Training / Additional Information
Breed Description
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Note: The all-breed registries indicated above are the most recognized all-breed registries. The breed may be recognized by other registries not indicated here. For further details about dog registries, please see the document: Dog Breed Registries in North America.
Notes:
— From the AKC May 2007 Board Meeting, the Estrela Mountain Dog is now eligible to compete in AKC Companion events held on and after January 1, 2008. See http://www.akc.org/reg/fss_news.cfm for full details.
— The Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) is the World Canine Organisation, which includes members (one member per country) that each issue their own pedigrees and train their own judges. The FCI recognizes 332 breeds, with each being the "property" of a specific country. The FCI is not a breed registry nor does it issue pedigrees.
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| Origin: |
Portugal |
| Height: |
Males: 25 ½ to 28 ½ inches
Females: 24 ½ to 27 inches |
| Weight: |
Males: Average weight is between 88 and 110 lbs.
Females: Weight ranges between 66 and 88 lbs. |
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The Estrela Mountain Dog, Cão da Serra da Estrela, is believed to be one of the oldest breeds of dogs from the Iberian Peninsula. During the summer, the dogs were used to protect the sheep in the high mountain pastures in mid-Portugal. During the winter months, when the flocks were moved to the foot of the mountains, the Estrelas were used to guard the shepherds' homes. The first breed standard was produced in Portugal in 1933 and the breed was introduced to the U.S. in 1974. The United Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1996.
The Estrela Mountain Dog is a large, powerful and athletic dog. There are two coat varieties, the long and short coats, and colours include shades of fawn, wolf gray, yellow, they may or may not have brindling, white markings, or shades of black throughout the coat. They may also wear a dark facial mask.
The Estrela is known to be intelligent, loyal, affectionate to his family but independent. He is an excellent guardian, very quick to react yet he has a calm disposition. In Portugal, the breed is used to work with Marine and Portuguese Police.
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Health Issues:
If you are considering the adoption of a Estrela Mountain Dog puppy, or any breed, it is very important to be selective in choosing a responsible and reputable breeder. Ensure that the prospective puppy's parents have all health clearances. Breeding of any dog should not be done until after they have been proven to be free of evidence of significant hereditary diseases. (For more information on selecting a breeder, see the articles on the main Breed Listing and Breeders page.)
Health Resources:
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Breed Standards:
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Grooming:
- Grooming — This growing section of Canada's Guide to Dogs includes grooming information, tips and techniques as well as listings of Groomers from across Canada.
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Training Resources:
- Training — For information on training your Estrela Mountain Dog, see this growing section of Canada's Guide to Dogs for tips, articles, as well as listings of training centres across Canada.
- Starting the LGD Pup
by Catherine de la Cruz
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Additional Information:
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Note: If you have a photo that is a good representative of this breed and would like to have it shown on the top left section of this page, please e-mail it to us. In order to give proper credit, please include the dog's full name (including titles if any), the owner/kennel name as well as the website to be linked if available.
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Copyright © P.Mitchell 2004,2005. All Rights Reserved.
All content, including graphics, on the Canada's Guide to Dogs Website is Copyright-P.Mitchell,
unless otherwise noted, and may not be copied or reproduced without prior written permission.
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Last Updated: 5 June 2007
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