Estrela Mountain Dog

The Estrela Mountain Dog is like a Mastiff, but a little more nimble. They are graceful and capable farm dogs that were bred to protect. Their coats can be long or short. Longhaired dogs have a flowing mane with a light colored undercoat, while the shorter-haired version has a dense and smooth coat. They are strongly bonded with their families and will often choose one person to answer to.

Estrela Mountain Dog Breed Overview

These dogs were originally bred in the mountains of Portugal and are sturdy farm dogs. They were bred to protect livestock and are utterly devoted to their families and their property. They can be aloof or suspicious of strangers. Smart and serious, they let their guard down around their families and enjoy relaxing with them. These dogs first came to the U.S. in the 1970s.

Estrela Mountain Dog Facts

• A type of Portuguese Mountain dog.
• They can weigh up to 132 pounds.
• They bond strongly with their family, and particularly with one person.
• These dogs have double dew claws to help them grip rough terrain.
• There are two types: long hair and short hair.
• Long-haired types have a majestic mane of hair and feathering.

How to Care for Your Estrela Mountain Dog

Here’s what you need to know about caring for your Estrela Mountain Dog, including nutrition and feeding, health and wellness, grooming and hygiene, and living with the breed.

Nutrition & Feeding

What to Feed an Estrela Mountain Dog

Your Estrela Mountain Dog is a large breed, so look for foods that cater specifically to their size to ensure they receive the necessary nutrition and kibble size. The best dog food for your dog will be one that has high-quality protein listed as the first ingredient, followed by moderate carbohydrates and good, healthy fats. You can try a food like Pro Plan Large Breed formulas. If your dog is highly active, talk with your vet to see if a formula specifically made for their activity level would be a better fit, such as Pro Plan Sport foods.

How Much to Feed an Estrela Mountain Dog

How much to feed an Estrela Mountain Dog depends on their weight, stage of life, and many other factors. Check the back of your dog’s bag of food for guidance, or speak to your vet. Estrela Mountain Dogs should be fed on scheduled feedings to make sure they can maintain their energy levels. For the most accurate food amounts, head to the Purina Feeding Calculator. There, you can enter your specific dog’s weight, age, activity level, food, and more.

Treats & Supplements

Your Estrela Mountain Dog can enjoy low-calorie, high-protein treats in conjunction with positive reinforcement training methods. Their calories from treats should not exceed more than 10% of their daily overall calories. You can speak to your vet about supplements. They will be able to advise if your dog needs them, and which kind they might need, such as glucosamine for joint health.

Health & Wellness

Veterinary Care

Establish a good rapport with your vet, and be sure to take your dog to regular checkups where you can discuss things like parasite prevention, vaccine schedules, and spaying or neutering your dog. Your vet can also advise you on health conditions, such as obesity and hip dysplasia, a joint condition that Estrela Mountain Dogs could have.

Estrela Mountain Dog Enrichment & Exercise Needs

Originally bred to be outdoors and protect livestock, your Estrela Mountain Dog will enjoy a robust exercise schedule. They have a lot of stamina, so long walks, hikes, and enrichment activities that involve performing a task, such as puzzle feeders and obedience training, are all good options to tire their big brains out. They will benefit from having a large, fenced-in yard to run. Leash training will be paramount with this breed, as they are large and powerful dogs.

Understanding Your Estrela Mountain Dog’s Behavior

The instinct to guard can be a challenge with an Estrela Mountain Dog. Socialization and consistent training will be required to make the dog well-mannered. They are naturally alert around strangers and will bark. Train them a “quiet” command, and make sure you are setting them up for success by not having easy access to windows and doors where people frequently pass by. They can be stubborn, so consistency is the name of the game with them.

What to Expect as Your Estrela Mountain Dog Ages

A healthy Estrela Mountain Dog can live to be 10 to 12 years old. A senior dog food can help them as they age, providing them with the nutrients they need for joint health, mental clarity, and more. Your vet can advise when to make the switch.

Grooming & Hygiene

Skin & Coat Health

These dogs come in two types: short-haired and long-haired. The long-haired version has feathering and a mane, while the short-haired version has a slightly denser coat. Both need frequent brushing as part of their grooming routines to remove loose and dead hairs. They shed heavily twice a year.  

Ear, Paw & Dental Care

Clean your dog’s ears with a vet-approved regimen, and be sure to check them for signs of infection, such as discharge. Their nails should be trimmed regularly to ensure they can run correctly and to prevent painful splitting and cracking, including their double dew claws. Check their paw pads frequently for cuts, scrapes, and signs of infection. Good dental hygiene should be part of your grooming routine. Brush their teeth regularly and offer dental chews if appropriate, as dental health can impact overall health.

Anal Gland Care

Your Estrela Mountain Dog may or may not be able to naturally express their anal glands. If there is a blockage and it’s not addressed, it can form an abscess, and you’ll need to ask your vet for help. You’ll know they’re struggling if they are emitting a foul-smelling odor, excessively licking, scooting, or straining to go to the bathroom.

Living With an Estrela Mountain Dog

Living Space

Active and large, these dogs need ample space to move around both inside and outside. A secure fence in a rural or suburban area is preferable, and one where not a lot of people pass by constantly. These large dogs also need ample room to be groomed, something to keep in mind.

Socialization

It’s in the Estrela Mountain Dog’s nature to be on alert around non-family members – after all, they were originally bred to protect livestock. Early and frequent socialization to introduce them to unfamiliar people and places is key. These are good family dogs that are very devoted and loving; however, because of their size, they do best with families with no children or older children.

Climate Considerations

The Estrela Mountains of Portugal, where this breed was originally created, are on the cooler side, so this breed can tolerate cooler temperatures better than warmer ones. To prevent overheating on hot days, offer plenty of shade and water, and exercise them during the coolest parts of the day. Their dense coats need to be dried fully in rainy or muddy weather to prevent trapped moisture, which can lead to skin issues and matting. No dog should be left outdoors in extreme temperatures for long periods.

Potential Challenges

Such a large dog benefits from having an experienced owner, but newer owners can succeed with the right training, especially on a leash. Estrela Mountain Dogs were originally bred as livestock guardians, so their instinct to protect – and bark to alert – is something that needs to be managed through training and socialization. Generally healthy, these dogs can be susceptible to joint issues, especially if obese, so food management is crucial. Owning an Estrela Mountain Dog also means lots of time, space, and or financial commitments to grooming them to ensure that their double coats don’t get matted. Finally, these dogs have stamina and love to work, and they’ll need owners who can match that enthusiasm for work by providing them with enough mental and physical stimulation throughout the day.  

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