Estrela Mountain Dog
A large, rugged Portuguese mountain guardian, gentle with its family and serious about protecting its home and animals.
At a glance
- Size
- Giant
- Height at the withers
- Males 65–73 cm · Females 62–69 cm
- Weight
- Males 45–60 kg · Females 35–45 kg
- Life expectancy
- 10–13 years
- Exercise
- 60–90 min a day
- Grooming
- A few times a week
- Coat
- Double coat, short, long
- Colours
- Fawn, Wolf grey, Yellow, Brindle
- Bred for
- Guarding livestock, Guarding
- Country of origin
- Portugal
- FCI
- Group 2, no. 173 · Pinschers, molossers & mountain dogs
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 5/5 – Very high |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Good with other dogs | 2/5 – Low |
| Good with cats | 2/5 – Low |
| Open to strangers | 1/5 – Very low |
| Energy | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Playfulness | 2/5 – Low |
| Needs mental stimulation | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Easy to train | 2/5 – Low |
| Prey drive | 2/5 – Low |
| Watchful and protective | 5/5 – Very high |
| Barking | 4/5 – High |
| Shedding | 4/5 – High |
| Grooming effort | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Drooling | 2/5 – Low |
| Good for first-time owners | 1/5 – Very low |
| Suits apartment living | 1/5 – Very low |
| Adaptability | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with being alone | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with heat | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with cold | 5/5 – Very high |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- have a large, securely fenced property
- want a loyal family guardian
- live in a cool climate
Think twice if you …
- live in a flat
- want a dog that is friendly with every stranger
- mind barking at night
Care
Temperament
Loyal and affectionate at home, independent and protective by nature. Suspicious of strangers and quick to guard, especially at night.
Exercise
Daily walks and room to roam in a safely fenced area; long country walks and hiking suit it.
Grooming
The long-haired variety needs brushing a few times a week, more during the heavy seasonal moult; the short coat needs less.
Training
Independent and sometimes stubborn, so start socialisation early and use consistent, calm training.
Health
Hip and elbow dysplasia are the main concerns, and bloat can occur as in other large deep-chested breeds. Ask the breeder for the parents' hip and elbow results.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Hips (HD)
- Elbows (ED)
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Estrela Mountain Dog has guarded flocks in the Serra da Estrela, Portugal's highest mountains, for centuries. Shepherds valued it for its strength, stamina and independence when facing wolves, and it later also served with the Portuguese police.
It comes in a long-haired and a short-haired variety. With its family it is affectionate and calm, and it tends to be patient with children it knows. It is watchful, barks at anything unusual and is wary of strangers, so it does best with a secure garden, early socialisation and an experienced owner.
Did you know?
The Estrela Mountain Dog is one of the oldest breeds of the Iberian Peninsula and was used by the Portuguese police force.