* Is the
Estrela for me, even though i donīt live in a farm?
The Estrela, being a lifestock guardian for centuries, has adapted himself
to new functions such as a family pet and guardian. He’s the perfect choice for
families who want a dog to keep away the intruders but to be gentle and patient to the
children as well.
* Can a Estrela live in an apartment?
As a mountain dog and livestock guardian, made to live in the open air in huge spaces, the
Estrela will adapt o be kept in an apartment. Since he’s calm, and if he gets
attention from his master, if he’s taken out for long daily walks, which he needs in
order to be psychologically and morphologically balanced.
* Can i work with my Estrela, such as obedience/Agility?
In the 80’s, the Portuguese Marines chose to train dogs of this breed. That
alone proves their capacity for learning and also their agility (in spite of their large
size), which makes them able for “obedience” and “agility” training as
well, sometimes with surprising results. Some have been successfully used as therapy dogs,
visiting children and elderly people in hospitals.
* Some say the Estrela Mountain Dog is aggressive. Is it true?
No. The Estrela’ s often suspicious, doesn’t give credit to strangers, but
he’ll only act aggressively under extreme circumstances. However, like in any dog
breed, some dogs are more aggressive and some other more gentle – and the
aggressiveness is often the result of wrong upbringing or spanking.
* Is he a good friend to the kids?
Yes. He’s strongly attracted to them and allows them to do things he would not
tolerate from adults.
He’s extremely patient with them, tender, playful e very protective. Should he
grow up together with a child, he’ll be totally devoted to him/her.
* Does he have to be taught how to guard his master’s property?
No. It’s in his nature to be a guarding dog and he begins to show that instinct
precociously, sometimes when he’s 3 months old.
* How long does he live?
The average is 11-12 years, but there are many cases of dogs living up to 16 years.
* Does the breed tend to suffer from any diseases?
No, unlike many other breeds, the Estrelas, being very rustic, do not tend to suffer
from most frailties common to breeds which have been developped by a strong human
manipulation.
The only noticed exceptions are hip dysplasia .
* Is it true there are two varieties of the breed?
Yes, the long coat variety, more popular and better known, and the short coat one, which
faces danger of extinction.
* Do the Estrelas eat a lot? It might be expensive to keep these dogs...
Normally, the Estrela doesn’t eat much – actually, much less than many smaller
dogs!
Cooked domestic food will hardly provide the dogs with the right quantities of
protein, fat, fibre, minerals and vitamins they need. A good quality dry dog food,
adequate to the dog’s age, to his size and his energetical needs is a more
economical, practical and balanced option.
Throughout his life, the Estrela Mountain Dog has different nutritional needs. Being a
giant breed, whose growth is massive throughout his first 7 months, he should be given a
specific food in order not to acquire health problems such as hip dysplasia.
* Does it take long to take care of their coat?
No. If he lives in a reasonably clean place, a good brush once a week will be enough. If
he lives in a farm, you should watch out for certain types of grass that penetrate the
coat and then the skin, causing serious infections, especially in the ears and nostrils.
One can improve the Estrela’s coat appearance with a good conditioner, which will
make it shiny, smooth and healthy.
* Does the Estrela get along well with other dogs?
The Estrela adult males can be territorial and little tolerant to other males,
especially large ones. If they grow up together with other males, they might be good
friends but there’s a serious risk they become hostile to each other when adults and
fight . Likewise, bitches can get aggressive to other females, specially when they’re
in heat..
* Is it noisy?
The Estrela usually barks a lot until he reaches full emotional maturity (around 3 or 4
years old). Afterwards, he tends to calm down (although he’s always alert to danger).
* How shall I take him for a walk?
There’s usually no problem in leading the Estrela Mountain Dog by the leash, since he
doesn’t pull. Nevertheless, you should teach him to obey but you also ought to be
ware, because a cat or another dog are more than enough for him to jump and make you
“fly”.
* Does the Estrela Mountain Dog learn well and quickly?
Yes, he’s a very intelligent dog and understands easily what he’s taught.
Besides, he can perceive exactly his master’s mood. However, sometimes he
doesn’t feel like obeying, so he simply ignores orders. It requires some patience and
discipline to make him obey no matter what. Itīs always up to the master to motivate him.
* Is it a one master dog?
Within the family, the Estrela tends to choose one person to whom he dedicates himself and
obeys more than to the others. But if he’s well brought up, he’ll respect and
love the whole family. In case he has to go live with another owner, it might take some
time for him to adapt himself to the new situation or, on the contrary, it might be very
easy (depending on how strong the bonds between him and his previous owner were).
* They say these dogs tend to run away. Is it true?
It’s true in many cases, especially when they are confined to a small space and lack
freedom. However, if they run away, they’ll come back a few hours later (unless they
loose track or if their masters treat them badly and they’re running from them).
Nevertheless, it’s advisable to create the necessary conditions to prevent him from
escaping.
* Should the Estrela have his coat shaved or cut during summertime?
It’s not advisable. On his native Estrela Mountain Range, he’s used to very
extreme temperatures, icy in the winter and hot during summer. Although he obviously
prefers cold climates, his undercoat helps him stand the heat. If his coat is given a
radical cut, it might lead to sunburnt skin. Insted, what you should do to make your dog
more comfortable is brushing him regularly in order to remove all the dead coat and
undercoat.
* Are there any specific things i need to think about when i come home with
my Estrela puppy?
There are 3 general things to keep in mind (depending ofcorse how
you want your estrela act).
1. If you want to be able to have you Estrela off the leach you need to put an effort into
this from the first day you get them, training will be needed!
2. When spotting a possible threat they bark, so.. if you do not wish your Estrela to
bark, this is also something you must train.
3. Due to them being guardians at heart, they demand socialization from day 1, they need
to meet all kinds of people in all kinds of different situation, go to somewhat strange
places and basically be forsed to deal with what ever you want them to be familiar and ok
with as adults.
This is ofcorse again depending on what purpose your Estrela will have in your
family.
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