Estrela Mountain Dog

Of the several livestock guardian dogs that developed in the Iberian Peninsula, the Estrela Mountain Dog is widely believed to be the most ancient. In its native Portugal, it is also the most popular of the livestock guardian breeds. Developed in the isolated Portuguese mountain range, the Serra da Estrela, this dog protected flocks of sheep from the Iberian wolf. Today the Estrela Mountain Dog continues to enjoy a superb reputation as a livestock guardian, and has gained favor as a family companion. It is considered a good watchdog and guard dog for home and property, and is used in police and military work in its native land. The Estrela Mountain Dog is not a giant amongst the livestock guardian breeds, standing only 25 to 29 inches tall at the shoulder on average. However, it is physically very strong, muscular and thick of bone, sturdy enough to confidently take on the largest of predators. Its appearance is one of a powerful, stocky, squarish dog that is also capable of considerable agility of movement. The average weight of the male is up to 110 pounds, but within the mountains of Portugal is found a heavier variant that can weigh up to 132 pounds. This coat of this breed comes in two recognized types: one longhaired, which is the more frequently seen, and another shorter-haired variant. In both cases the coat is double, consisting of a dense, woolly insulating undercoat, and an overcoat of harsh, weather-repellent guard hairs. The long-coated variant possesses a thick ruff which covers the neck and upper chest. The coat may be brindle, light fawn, dark fawn, yellow, mahogany, or wolf gray. A dark mask, regardless of overall coat color, is highly desirable. The occasional individual presents with subtle white markings on chest, underbelly, tail and feet. The paws are large and well-padded. The tail is low-set and hangs down when the dog is relaxed, and is carried higher when the dog is alert and/or working. It is defined by a characteristic hook at the end. The ears are unusual, held back flat against the head, some of the inner ear exposed. The Estrela Mountain is one of many livestock guardian breeds that descends from the large "molosser"� type herding and livestock guarding dogs that came with nomadic tribes west from central Asia, and then traveled with the Romans as they marched over Europe. Whether these dogs came to the Iberian Peninsula when the Romans invaded it, or were later brought by the Visigoths who first conquered the Romans on their way to the Iberian Peninsula, is uncertain. But this early type laid the foundation for many of the livestock guardian dog breeds of Europe. In each case, the individual breed was developed over the centuries through selective breeding: the farmers and shepherds who used the dog carefully molded each breed with the traits suitable to its specific job, type of livestock guarded, types of predators present, and the type of terrain and weather. Many livestock guardian breeds developed in isolation for centuries within the specific regions in which they were developed to work, keeping their types pure often into the early twentieth century. The Estrela Mountain Dog is one of these. The early twentieth century saw increased transportation into remoter agricultural areas of Europe and increased contact. New livestock guardian breeds were imported to the Iberian Peninsula, and this inspired a movement to preserve and celebrate the traditional breeds of native to the region. The first standard for the Estrela Mountain Dog was written in 1933. However, the dog continued to be bred by mainly-illiterate livestock farmers according to its suitability for specific work, rather than its conformation to a written standard. By the 1950's the breed was near extinction and existed only in the remote mountains where it worked as a faithful guardian to the flocks. The Portuguese Revolution in the 1970's saved many of the rarer breeds; with the end of the Revolution came a national pride that encouraged preservation of all things unique to Portuguese heritage. While no record of the breed outside of Portugal exists until 1972, in that year a breed-specific club was formed in the United Kingdom, and thereafter various kennels were established across Europe. The Estrela Mountain Dog, like many livestock guardians, needs space to roam. It makes a good house pet, given adequate and daily opportunity for the expending of physical energy. It possesses a particularly loud bark that it uses frequently to warn the owner of any suspicious activity in the vicinity, and so it may not be suitable for the household with noise-sensitive neighbors nearby. The Estrela Mountain Dog is an agile breed and needs a tall, sturdy fenced enclosure that it cannot easily climb or jump. The coat of this breed requires occasional brushing to keep it attractive and skin healthy. Brushing will also minimize shedding in this moderately-shedding breed. It will also help when the undercoat goes through heavy shedding a few times a year, seasonally. As a housepet, this breed is protective, loyal, affectionate and mellow. The Estrela Mountain Dog is an independent thinker and required early, consistent and firm training. Without this it may become stubborn and difficult to control. It must be socialized early to other dogs, because it can tend to become dog aggressive. It is very natural for this breed to be territorial, protective of its environment and family, and suspicious of strangers. Caution should be taken when the dog is introduced to visitors. Due to its innate tendency to nurture young, the Estrela Mountain Dog has ability to be very accepting and gentle with children. The Estrela Mountain Dog makes an excellent livestock guardian, and is still used widely as such in its native country and beyond. It is also a good guard dog for farmstead or private home. Its popularity as a household companion dog has risen steadily in the last few decades. Owners of this breed may enjoy engaging the dog in search and rescue, and formal obedience training and competition.

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