The origins of the Estrela Mountain Dog have been lost in time, but it is known the Estrela is one of the oldest breeds of the Iberian Peninsula. The breed is thought to have evolved from the mastiff type dogs brought in by the Romans, though this theory cannot be proven nor disproved.
Over time the Estrela became the shepherds most dedicated and trusted companion, accompanying the shepherd and his flock into the Estrela mountain range. The Estrela was often left to independantly guard the flock in the mountains, whilst the shepherd went into the village. Note that the Estrela is a flock guard dog and not a herding dog. The Estrela is still used for this same purpose today in its native land of Portugal.
Centuries ago, travel in the mountain region was difficult and the breed was kept fairly pure by the use of dogs that occured only locally. The Estrela had to be capable of dealing with a full-grown wolf, and even bears, and so it developed into a strong, powerful, supple, and agile dog, conveying an impression of vigour and strength. The Estrela is a very agile breed and is capable of moving easily over rough terrain and in times before the wolf was wiped out, they often wore spiked metal collars to protect them against attack.
The Estrela is known for its courage, intelligence, calmness, determination, reliability, loyalty, patience and gentleness with children. This makes the Estrela an excellent guard and wonderful family pet. The combinations of these characteristics are inclined to make this breed a sometimes head-strong/self-willed dog......some may call it stubborn.....but this by no means makes the Estrela untrainable. Though the Estrela is loyal and affectionalte to its owners, it is indifferent to others and watchful of strangers.
Not only does the Estrela excel in its natural ability as guardian and companion, it is also capable of performing tasks such as agility, obedience, draught work, therapy dog, and rescue dog. There are Estrelas performing all these tasks today as confirmation of this breeds versatility.
The Estrela was introduced into the UK in 1975 and though it is very popular in its native land of Portugal, it is still quite rare in other countries where it now lives. As well as Portugal and the UK, there are Estrelas in Sweden, Holland, France, Finland, USA, Brazil, and possibly one or two others.
Daily exercise for the Estrela is a must, from as little as 20 minutes to 2 hours or more. A daily run off-lead is greatly appreciated by the Estrela and it is a falicy to assume that as a large breed the Estrela requires copious amounts of daily exercise and food.
A thorough grooming once a week is sufficient, but during moulting the Estrela will benefit greatly from a daily brush/comb through to remove loose and dead hair.
The average life expectancy is around 10 years, although some have reached 13 and beyond.
Early socialisation and training is a must. Continuous socialisation and training is very beneficial to yourself and your Estrela!
The Estrela does not seem prone to any particular diseases and health problems and generally enjoys good health throughout its life. As with all large breeds there is a possibility of hip displaysia and the Estrela Mountain Dog Association is promoting awareness of HD and is working with owners and breeders wherever possible, to advise, monitor and maintain records.
The Estrela should not be likened to the Leonberger at all. They are two VERY DIFFERENT breeds. The Estrela does not have the Leo in its evolvement and it is not believed that the Estrela was used in the make-up of the Leo (remember that the Estrela has been around for centuries and the Leo was 'made' in the late 1800s).
The Estrela is a large breed and will grow very quickly! Good nutrition and minimal exercise whilst growing through puppyhood is of the utmost importance. Remember that it is possible that your Estrela will go through a juvenile delinquent stage and you will have a hard task convincing some people that the big hairy dog running up to greet them is still only a puppy!
The average litter size is 8 - 10, but there have been litters ranging from
1 - 14.
The Estrela is capable of living in harmony with other types of animal as well as their own kind.
(Cao da Serra da Estrela)
General Appearance
A sturdy, well built dog of mastiff type, conveying an impression of strength and vigour. Never cumbersome. Has distinctive small ears, folding backwards, and hook to tail.
Characteristics
A hardy guard dog, active and of considerable stamina.
Temperament
Loyal, affectionate to owners, indifferent to others, intelligent and alert, inclined to be stubborn, but trainable.
Head and Skull
Head long and powerful with broad, slightly rounded skull. Moderate stop mid-way between the end of the nose and the slightly defined occiput. Muzzle tapers moderately, but a narrow head and pointed muzzle are undesirable. Nose black, a pale or partly pigmented nose being undesirable. Nostrils wide. Jaws well developed. Lips black, meeting closely and not pendulous. Roof of mouth intensely pigmented with black.
Eyes
Neither deep nor prominent, of medium size, oval in shape with calm and intelligent expression, preferably amber or darker. Black-rimmed eyelids closing well, with rather prominent eyebrows.
Ears
Small in relation to body, thin, triangular, rounded at the tips, moderately high set, carried falling backwards against the side of the head with a small portion of the inner edge showing.. Carried close to skull.
Mouth
Teeth very strong. Jaw strong with perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, ie upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
Neck
Short, thick and well set on. What may appear to be a dewlap especially in dogs, should be a thick tuft of hair under the throat. A true dewlap is undesirable.
Forequarters
Forelegs straight, well muscled and with strong bone, shoulders moderately sloping, rounded forearms and short pasterns which appear nearly vertical when viewed from the side.
Body
Back slightly higher at the withers than at loins and preferably short. Chest deep and well sprung without being barrel chested. Loins short and well muscled. The lower line rising gradually but gently from the sternum to the groin.
Hindquarters
Thighs well muscled with moderate angulation. Hocks moderately well let down. Slightly sloping croup. Vertical pastern when viewed either from front or back. Strong bone well angulated.
Feet
Well made, neither very round nor excessively long. Thick, well closed toes with abundant hair between pads, which are thick and hard. Claws well protruding but not overgrown, dark and preferably black. Dewclaws removed from hind legs.
Tail
Long, reaching to the hock, well furnished and feathered, forming a hook at the end resembling a scimitar. When excited the tail passes the horizontal.
Gait/Movement
Distinctive free and easy with a driving, purposeful jog trot. Tendency for closeness behind acceptable without any sign of weakness. Dogs should not be penalised for carrying the head level with topline in motion.
Coat - Two types
Long coat: Outer coat is thick and moderatlely harsh, resembling goat hair, lying close over the body, flat or slightly waved, never curly. Undercoat very dense and normally lighter in colour than the outer coat. Short and smooth hair on head, diminishing in length from the base of ears to tip, is thick and abundant round the neck and chest forming a ruff, particularly in the male. Thighs, lower hocks and backs of forearms abundantly feathered, as is the tail. Front of legs, short smooth hair. A woolly or fluffy coat undesirable.
Short coat: Short thick, moderately harsh and straight, calling to mind goats hair, with shorter dense undercoat. Any feathering should be in proportion.
Colour
Recognised colours are:
Fawn - which varies from burnt yellow through reddish gold to a deep red, with or without guard hairs. The fawn should never be so pale as to be a dirty white.
Brindle - any of the previous permtted colours with the addition of streaks or smudges of black or brown varying in intesity.
Wolf Grey
All black and all white, skewbald and piebald unacceptable. Black muzzle or mask, is highly desirable. White markings on chest, underside, feet or tail are tolerated, but undesirable.
A tollerance of 4 cms (1.5 ins) above these limits is allowed.
Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.
Note
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles full descended into the scrotum.
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE ORIGINAL VALID STANDARD: 20.12.1966
(Translation: Portuguese Kennel Club, Dr.J.-M. Paschoud & Mrs R. Binder
CAO DA SERRA DA ESTRELA
Origin
Portugal
Utilization
An inseperable friend of the shepherd and a faithful watch-dog for the herds which he protects fiercely by fighting against wolves or thieves. A wonderful guardian of farms and dwellings, also a good escort to people, he can occassionally be trained as a draught-dog.
FCI Classification
Group 2 - Pinscher and Schnauzer type -Molossian and Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs
Section 2.2 Molossian, Mountain type.
Without working trial.
Brief Historical Summary
Living from the remotest time in the Serra da Estrela (high mountains in the North of Portugal), despite its obscure origin, the Estrela Mountain Dog may be considered as one of the oldest breeds of the Iberian Peninsula. He can be found from the foot of the mountains to the top, mainly in summer, when, after the snow has disappeared, the green pastures are much sought after by the herds,which he accompanies from the lower regions where the grass is totally dried up by the excessive heat. As a sheep and watchdog, he prtoects the flocks against the wild animals still existant in these regions. These dogs may also be found scattered in ther parts of the couny, mainly in the center, but all these dogs have their origin in the Estrela mountains; either they have been brought as puppies to this area or they have been bred by breeders originally from the Serra regions.
Behaviour/Temperament
Alert and dignified, his expression is calm, but keen and vivid. Imposing and remarkable for his sometimes threatening distrust against strangers; on the other hand, he excels in his dedication and his obedience to the shepherd, his master.
General Appearance
A mastiff type molossoid dog with slightly convex lines, compact and rustic. Well proportioned, of a perfect morphology, the harmonious unity revealing a long tradition of ethnic purity.
Head
Strong, big, long and slightly convex, with well developed jaws. Well inserted and in good proportion with the body, as well as the skull is proportioned with the foreface, all parts in perfect balance. Skull and cheeks smooth-skinned.
Cranial Region
Skull: Well developed, arched and convex in profile. Slurred occiput.
Stop: Not very marked, in about the same distance to the top ot the nose as to the top of the skull.
Facial Region
Nose: Nostrils straight, wide and well open. Always darker than the coat, preferably black.
Muzzle: Long, tapering towards the tip, but not pointed. Almost straight, but very slightly convex at the tip (aquiline nose).
Mouth: Clean cut; large lips, but not thick, not hanging, and well closed. Mucous membranes of mouth and pallate and rims of the lips intensely black pigmented. Teeth strong, white, well inserted, with good occlusion.
Eyes: Horizontal, oval eyes, on a level with the socket. Medium and equal in size, well open. Keen and calm expression. Preferably dark amber in colour. Well closing black rimmed lids. Eyebrows slightly marked.
Ears: Comparitively to the body small (11 cm length to 10 cm width), thin, triangular, rounded at the tip; hanging; moderately high set; carried slightly falling backwards against the side of the head, with a small portion of the inner edge showing. Cropped ears accepted although natural ears are more eappreciated.
Neck
Straight, short and thick; well set into shoulders; with a modest tuft of hair under the throat.
Body
Upper line: Almost level back, preferably short; loins wide, short, muscled and well connected with the rump which should be slightly sloping.
Chest: Well rounded, but not barrel-shaped; wide, deep and well let down.
Underline: Belly not paunchy, well proportioned to the substance and harmoniously connected with its surroundings; underline rising gradually but gently from the sternum towards the groin.
Tail: Long, not docked, reaching the hocks when dog is at rest. Thick, scimitar shaped, set on at normal height, well furnished with hair and feathered in the long haired variety, ending with a hook. At rest below the horizontal line, hanging naturally between the thighs when dog is excited or moving, the tail raises above the horizontal curving upwards, forwards, sidewards or even downwards.
Fore and Hindquarters
Veritcal when the dog is in good stance. Forearms and second thighs approximately cylindrical in cross section. Bone well developed, solid and well muscled. Thick articulations, angles medium open allowing easy movement. Hock slightly let down, evenly angulated and well set like the vertical second thigh.
Feet
Well proportioned, well made, neither very rounded nor excessively long, more or less between catfoot and harefoot, never splay feet. Thick well closed toes with abundant hair in between them and between the pads: pads thick and hard. Dark or preferably black nails, well grown. The hindlegs may have single or double dewclaws.
Gait/Movement
Free and easy movement.
Coat
Hair: Strong, slightly thick, not too harsh, somewhat like goat hair; smooth or slightly wavy, and close over almost the whole body; very abundant in the shorthair as well as in the longhair variety. Normally the hair is of different length in certain areas of the body. On the limbs, below the elbows and the hocks it is rather short and dense as it is on the head; on the ears it gets gradually shorted from the set on towards the tip, becomming thinner and softer; it is longer on the tail which is bushy, thick and feathered in the long haired variety; it is also longer around the neck and throat where it may form a thick tuft of hair,and over the thighs where especially the longhaired dogs may present feathering on the back as well as the backside of the forearms. The undercoat is short and dense, made of fine hair entangled at the base with the coarser hair and generally lighter coloured than the coat. This is found mainly in the longhaired variety.
Colour: The only permitted colours are - fawn, wolfgray and yellow, either self-coloured or with white markings.
Height
Height at withers for males 65 - 72 cm
Height at withers for bitches 62 - 68 cm
Measurements and Weight of a normal dog
Head: Length of the skull 13.5 - 14.5 cm
Width of the skull 12.5 - 14 cm
Length of the muzzle 12 - 13 cm
Body: Girth of chest 75 - 80 cm
Width of chest 18 - 20 cm
Depth of Chest 28 - 29 cm
Upperline: Length of the trunk 63 - 65 cm
Width of the trunk 12 - 13 cm
Length/Height: Height at withers 62 - 72 cm
Length of foreleg 34 - 37 cm
Height at the rump 67 - 69 cm
Weight: Males 40 - 50 kg
Females 30 - 40 kg
Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.
Head: too narrow, long or pointed.
Nose: Too light or dudley nose.
Jaws: Under- or over-shot.
Eyes: wall eye, eyes different size.
Ears: Incorrect set on, too big, too fleshy or round.
Tail: Docked, rudimentary, congenitally absent.
Coat: Albinism, texture very different from standard type.
Corpulance
Size: much above (giantism) or much below (nanism) standard, with a tolerance of about 4 cm.
"Following the success of my recent new book, The Tibetan Mastiff Complete UK Breed Database 1982 ~ 2005, I have now completed my 2nd breed
THE ESTRELA MOUNTAIN DOG
This will be a valuable and interesting publication to breeders, show people, pet owners and all EMD fanciers - a unique piece of work with easy to read pages.
The format of the book is in A4 black/white.
For an index of what can be found within the 55 pages click here
The book is available by mail direct from the author or at EMDA Club Shows and Events.
Prices for individual copies by post are £25 each.
More details and a printable order form are available from the folowing web site
http://www.tibetanmastiffdogs.com/
Publications .htm
ANDY BRIGGS, SOUTH BARN, 2 GHYLL MOUNT, YEADON, LEEDS, LS19 7GA
