ESTRELA MOUNTAIN DOG

COUNTRY: Portugal

WEIGHT: 66-110 pounds

HEIGHT: 24¹/2-28¹/2 inches

COAT: Medium-short or long; coarse and abundant, with dense feathering on tail; in long coats, dense feathering on chest and backs of legs and thighs

COLOR: Brindle, wolf gray and all shades of fawn; usually with black shadings and mask

OTHER NAMES; Portuguese Sheepdog, Cao da Serra da Estrela

Group:Flock Gaurd




The Estrela range in the central part of Portugal was the home of this ancient breed. One of the flock guards that spread from Asia to Iberia, the Estrela represents one of the Portuguese branches of the family. Flocks annually moved from the high Estrela plains where they grazed in summer to lower elevations where they stayed from October to March. These Portuguese Transumancias, like those in Spain, followed the same routes for centuries, and the migrations were always accompanied by large flock-guarding dogs. As they traveled in search of fresh pastures, the aristocracy confiscated a few of the dogs, finding them excellent guards for their large country estates.

The dogs that cast their lot with the wealthy naturally received better food and care—and more of it. Less agility was needed than that demanded in traipsing over mountains. The estate dogs grew larger, with bigger bone. Eventually, the herds diminished and the flock guards with them, so that the larger dog became more common. With the revival of interest in Portuguese native breeds in the 1930s, the Estrela found many friends, first at home, and later abroad.

The Estrela needs large doses of loving contact and should not be chained or isolated. Yet, they are not demanding of attention and accept what is given them with contentment. As these dogs watched over their flocks, they slept in whatever shelter they could find, often in the open, and they lived on shepherd's leftovers. Little wonder they are easily satisfied now.

As guard dogs, their bark is loud and threatening, and they are sometimes aggressive with other dogs of the same sex. Affectionate with their masters and good with children, Estrelas are suspicious of strangers. They can be obstinate and need to be handled with a firm hand, convinced that your way is better than theirs.

Outdoor activity is a necessity. Barking and a passion for wandering, even to jumping fences, can be annoying, both to owners and neighbors. For pet owners, some of this energy can be channeled into obedience work or other chores. Early socialization is recommended.

Planned breedings face "lousy" odds. As breeder/author Roger F. Pye said, "If you start trying when she is just . . . two, you may get her mated by the time she is three and a half."

A breed club fosters their preservation in Portugal, where they still guard flocks and estates. The first Portuguese show recording Estrela entries was Lisbon's in 1908 and a standard was published in 1933. Each year in the Serra da Estrela region, proud owners still gather to compare dogs and talk about their chosen breed at the concursos (rather like informal specialty shows). A good number of these dogs have been brought into England where they are exhibited at the larger shows.