Estrela Mountain Dog

Bred and kept to guard sheep and goats in the Estrela Mountains in northern Portugal, this dog’s origins are unclear but were possibly developed from the Mastiff-type dogs the Romans had with them when they arrived on the Iberian Peninsula, or brought in with the invading Visigoths. 

It is easy to see the similarities between the Estrela and other mountain livestock guarding breeds such as the Pyrenean Mountain Dog, Kuvasz, Maremma and others, and whether they are closely related or have developed similar appearances due to performing the same function in similar environments, we can’t be certain. 

Regardless of exact origins however, the Estrela is one of the oldest breeds in Portugal, and their popularity as livestock guardians only waned when the wolf and bear numbers reduced to the point that owning such a large dog became an expense rather than a benefit. 

First seen in the show-ring in Lisbon in 1908, they were not bred in the UK until the 1970’s with a litter born in quarantine in 1974 and the first truly British litter produced in 1976. 

The Estrela Mountain Dog owner needs to live rurally, have access to a variety of long walks, and have a strong interest in dog training. You’ll also need to understand that even with training and excellent socialisation, this breed does not like strangers and really, does not want to like strangers. A super secure garden and a home that does not have frequent visitors will be safest. You’ll need to be competent at grooming, fit and capable of managing a large and heavy dog. Not suited for those with very young children or frail older people living in the home or visiting regularly 

The Estrela is capable of a long, steady walks and possesses great stamina but an hour or two of dog exercise per day around a variety of walking routes should keep them satisfied. Exercise should include time spent on training, dog games and puzzle solving on top of this as they have a clever and quick brain that needs to be kept amused. Once fully grown, the Estrela is capable of a variety of dog sports and activities including scent work, hoppers and much more. While they are unlikely to be competitive, such activities will keep them content and foster a strong working bond with their owner.

This is a big dog with a heavy coat that will shed and pick up mud and vegetable matter – so space to groom and dry off an enormous wet, muddy dog will be needed. A large home with plenty of ground floor space is necessary as this is a breed who will not cope with stairs well, particularly when young. As with all guardian breeds, a large and very securely fenced garden is needed and they will cope better in the rural suburbs or truly rural house with access to plenty of safe walking routes. 
 

Large breed dogs, such as the Estrela Mountain Dog, as well as having large appetites, benefit from a different balance of nutrients including minerals and vitamins compared to smaller-breed dogs. Discover more about how to offer your dog a balanced diet with our easy-to-follow guide. 

There are two coat types with the Estrela Mountain Dog – long and short. In both, the double coat is made up of a dense undercoat and a thick topcoat that is slightly coarse in texture. There is shorter hair on the head and the front of the legs, and longer hair (feathering) on the tail and the back of the legs. The long variety has longer hair, of course, and a thicker 'mane' around the neck and chest, which is especially noticeable in male dogs. The Estrela should be groomed around twice a week, paying particular attention to the areas of longer hair that are prone to tangling. You can find out more about dog grooming and daily care with our article. 

Best suited to an experienced knowledgeable home, early socialisation and dog training is vital as the Estrela is bred to make rapid decisions by themselves over what does or does not pose a threat. Any owners first job is to ensure their Estrela cannot make mistakes and this will include ongoing management as well as early training. Positive reinforcement training will ensure a strong bond with the owner, and will foster a desire to work and listen to that person. Harsh handling of such a big dog or the use of confrontational methods can easily result in a very large, dangerous animal who behaves unpredictably. 

The Estrela Mountain Dog is very devoted to their family, and they get on well with children if raised with them. Take into account that this is a large, playful and potentially clumsy breed as a puppy, easily capable of knocking small children over. As an adult they require a lot of exercise and training, and may view strangers with suspicion. This may not suit the child-oriented family with a lot of young visitors. Older teens who are interested in training and working dogs may find the Estrela an excellent companion. 

While many dogs are traditionally thought of as being good with children, all dogs and children need to be taught to get on with each other and be safe together. Even so, dogs and young children should never be left alone together and adults should supervise all interactions between them.