Is the Estrela a good family dog?
It is potentially an excellent family dog, very patient with children, due to its great docility and dedication to its owners, but it needs to be taught to respect them, from the first day with them, to prevent a possible tendency to be dominant from taking hold and becoming difficult to control and that the protective instinct leads him to try to bite people he doesn't know. People who are too permissive, who cannot impose themselves, should not have an Etrela.
Is he good with children?
Yes. They are very attracted to them and let them do things they probably wouldn't tolerate from an adult. They are very patient with them, sweet, playful and very protective. If they grow up with a child, they will be completely devoted to them.
Is it aggressive?
Although the temperamment is partially determined by genetics and there may be some lineages in which there tend to be dogs with a stronger and more dominant temperament, potentially with some aggression, as a rule the Estrela is not an aggressive dog, unless it grows up without education, without limits, which could lead to them biting if confronted. They are, in essence, and if educated with common sense and some basic rules, defensive and deterrent and will only bite as a last resort, to protect themselves and their human family or the animals in thrir care, as well as the property they'r supposed to keep.
Do they need to be taught how to guard?
No, their guarding and protection instinct is innate but it is very important that they are socialized, so as not to become aggressive or shy and to learn to direct this instinct, peacefully accepting the visits that their owners welcome.
Is it recommended to take them to obedience classes?
Definitely, as long as they are administered by an ethical and qualified trainer and preferably when they are still puppies. These classes, in which owners must participate, will help them to be able to control the animal better, prevent them from becoming excessively dominant or overcome any insecurity, make them happier animals, but also, for example , they will teach them to refuse food that is not given by the people in their household, in order to avoid possible poisoning.
Is it difficult to walk aa Estrela on a leash?
As long as they get used to using the leash, there should be no difficulty, because, as a general rule, they do not tend to pull, walking calmly at their owner's side. However, it is important to remain alert, because if you come across a cat or especially another large, agitated or dominant dog, the Estrela will tend to react and give a strong enough pull to make the owner fall.
Does the Estrela learn quickly and easily?
Yes, being very intelligent and observant, they learn easily, sometimes even doing things they shouldn't do (opening taps and doors, including the refrigerator's, removing cables and plugs from electricity sockets, etc.). Due to their stubbornness, they rarely obeys at once, requiring persistence to educate them.
I would like to teach my Estrela to do agility. Is it possible?
Yes, although it largely depends on their physical constitution. Larger and heavier Estrelas will have more difficulty practicing the sport, but many specimens are very agile and athletic, thus having adequate body conditions. On the other hand, the individual temperament of each one will determine the degree of difficulty or ease of learning this practice: although most Estrelas are stubborn, there are also others who are obedient and easy to train.
Frequently asked questions
I live in an apartment with a large terrace. Can I have an Estrela?
It is not advisable. Although they like to spend time indoors, with their humans, the Estrela is an animal suited for large spaces and life in freedom, so confinement in an apartment or on a terrace or small patio will tend to make them apathetic and depressed or engaging in destructive behaviour, scraping doors and chewing on furniture, especially if they are not given the opportunity to take long walks or run every day.
At what age should an Estrela be introduced into a herd so that it can easily adapt to it?
As early as possible, preferably right after weaning. Many shepherds make their bitches give birth next to the cattle, so that the puos get used to it early. However, puppies up to 4 months old should not have any difficulty adapting and there are success stories of some being placed later.
Do I need to teach them how to guard livestock?
No, because the protective instinct of the Estrela is directed towards the beings with which it has emotional ties. However, in a growing puppy, the protective attitude may take a few months to manifest itself,and teey will learn their job faster if they are accompanied by an older dog that fulfills that role.
My Estrela puppy wants to nibble the lambs' ears. How can I fix it?
This behaviour is common in pups, especially during the teething phase, when they feel the need to nibble on everything they come across, but on the other hand because it is also a form of play. They must be prevented from doing so, with a reprimand or possibly a light tapping on the back. If they persist in this behavior, they should be separated from the lambs by a fence, but remain close to them. Over time they will learn to respect. Always bear in mind that, when they behave well, that should be encouraged by praising and a rewarding treat, which usually works a lt better than punishment..
My Estrela puppy always tries to nibble my hands. Is this normal or will he become an aggressive adult?
It is normal but they must be taught that this behavior is not acceptable. A firm “no” whenever this happens may be enough to dissuade them, although a small tap on their back is sometimes necessary. An alternative that usually works is to open the mouth and press a finger on the back of the tongue. However, positive reinforcement from an early age, as mentioned in the previous answer, generlly produces better outcomes.
Do Serras not harm poultry or other domestic animals smaller than themselves?
The typical Serra da Estrela Dog has a low prey drive, which means it has no predatory tendency. Therefore, if you are used to other animals from an early age, such as cats, birds, rodents, for example, you will tend to become attached to and protect them.
Does the Estrela get along well with other dogs?
They tend to get along well with other dogs as long as these are not dominant or hyperactive. They are usually patient and tolerant with small dogs. However, caution is necessary when interacting with large dogs, especially if they are energetic, dominant and of the same gender. For this reason, it is advisable that, if you already have an Estrela and want to purchase another, you choose one of the opposite gender. However, many people own two or more Estrela males, or females, without there being any conflict; Normally in these cases, they are littermates or grew up together, or their relationship is friendly simply because they do not live with any intact bitch (in the case of males) or male dogs (in the case of females) or because at least one of them has been neutered/spayed.
Is it true that there are estrelas acting as assisted therapy dogs?
Yes, at least in Portugal and the United States, a country in which dogs must be officially certified in an American Kennel Club program (Canine Good Citizen) to be able to carry out this activity.
Is the Estrela a one-owner dog?
Not necessarily. Within the family, he will be able to choose a person to whom he will dedicate himself and obey more, although, if well educated, he will respect and love the entire family. In circumstances where they have to change ownership, many Estrelas adapt easily, especially if they are cared for and respected in their new life.
How long does an Estrela live?
The norm is between 12 and 14 years, although some live longer (16 or more years)
Do they tend to suffer from any illness?
As with most large or giant breeds, there is a tendency in the Estrela to develop problems such as hip and elbow dysplasia, dilated cardiomyopathy and hypothyroidism, so it is inadvisable to acquire a puppy whose parents were not screened for at least some of these diseases. This cwon't in itself guarantee the dog's health, but it indicates an ethical attitude on the part of those who bred them and a greater likelihood that they will not suffer from one of these problems.
My Estrela's parents don't have hip dysplasia but he does and it's serious. Why did this happen?
Because, despite having normal hips, his parents are both, most likely, carriers of many genes responsible for causing hip dysplasia and your dog inherited them from both of them. If he had inherited them from just one of them, he would not have dysplasia, but having received these recessive genes (or rather, copies of genes) in duplicate, he should be affected. There may possibly be another environmental cause for your dog's dysplasia, such as being overweight, running over a slippery floor or if he has suffered a serious accident, for example, in the case of being ran over or a serious blow, although in some cases an experienced orthopedic veterinarian might detect radiographically if an injury was caused by an accident.
I heard that Estrelas must have their ears pulled back and a hook at the end of their tail. Why?
Because these are two typical breed traits that help telling them from others, such as the Alentejo Mastiff or the Castro Laboreiro Dog. There are two functional reasons why the ears should be pulled back: they are less exposed to the bite of their ancestral enemy, the Wolf, and they are less likely to be affected by ear infections. As for the hook, there is no practical reason for its existence. In fact, certain types of hooks, formed by bone degeneration, are dysfunctional, because they tend to get caught, for example, in more or less dense vegetation.
Is an Estrela purebred if they have dewclaws and a black palate?
Not necessarily. Many dogs, whether of other breeds or mixed breeds, have both traits.
Are dewclaws useful?
Many people, especially shepherds, believe so, that the dewclaws or spurs (the fifth nail on the hind legs) help the dog to stabilize walking on snow or slopes. However, this will depend on the type, configuration and positioning of the dewclaus: if they are made up solely of skin, instead of tendon or bone, they are useless and may even be dysfunctional, especially if they are double and the second dewclaws are turned one towards the other, because they may tend to hook on and tear each other, and the dog adopts a defensive posture, rotating the hindquarters so that the spurs do not touch and developing a deformity called metatarsal rotation, which may cause hip dysplasia and, if severe, require surgery. On the other hand, the dog is the only spurred canid: no other, in the wild, has this trait (the only wolves with spurs are hybrids, the result of mating with dogs) - which contradicts the theory that spurs are necessary for the working dog. Some breeders remove dewclaws of newborn puppies. An adult dog can have its dewclaws removed by a veterinarian, as long as they are not made up of bone or tendon.
Can an Estrela be black or white?
No. There are brindle Estrelas whose brindling is very heavy and set on a coat with a lot of black pigment (dark fawn or wolfgrey), which for this reason appear to be black. And there are many light ones, with a cream or greyish appearance, shades that result from a gene that produces less intensity of the fawn color. Occasionally, you see some Estrelas who are, in fact, black but that colour is not accepted in the breed standard.
Is there any difference between the long-haired Estrela and the short-haired one, besides coat length?
No. The only differences that exist are not related to the variety but to the bloodlines (in addition to the individual differences in the temperament of each dog, of course).
Some say you should not mate the two varieties together because half-coated dogs are born. Is that true?
The so-called “half-coat” can appear both in inter-variety matings and in those of just one of them. It is the result of the action of genes called “modifiers”, which can change the length of the hair. It is due to the action of these genes that there are, within both varieties, variants in coat length. For example, some long-haired Estrelas that have a shorter coat may, especially in the summer, after shedding the winter undercoat, appear to be short-haired.
Is Serra da Estrela the place where the best Estrelas are to be found?
No. There, as anywhere else, there are typical and atypical dogs and bitches. The safest way to obtain a typical dog is to purchase it from a breeder who provides guarantees (registered dogs with pedigree, control of hereditary diseases such as hip dysplasia, after-sales assistance). It is not advisable to buy a dog by the roadside in Serra da Estrela, because: 1st it may be a mutt; 2nd it has not been vaccinated and has a high probability of having contracted parvovirus or distemper, in addition to being infested with internal and external parasites, such as roundworms, fleas, ticks and mange.
How regularly should I brush my Estrela?
In the case of long-haired dogs, at least every fortnight, preferably once or twice a week, although when the undercoat is molting it is advisable to comb it every day. It will largely depend on the condition of the coat. Short-haired Estrelas do not need frequent brushing, usually only during the moulting season. In any case, regular brushing, whatever the variety, is advisable to check the condition of the skin and the possible presence of dangerous spikes (foxtails) capable of piercing it, or parasites such as fleas or ticks.
My young Estrela is shedding a lot. Is this normal?
Estrelas tend to lose and renew their undercoat twice a year, in spring and autumn, to prepare for the following season, and many of them have radical sheds, which greatly alter their appearance. In most cases, this is the explanation, although it may happen that hair loss is caused by problems such as mange or others.
Should the Estrela's coat be sheared in the summer?
Unless there is some exceptional (health) reason, no, as the fur protects from heat but also from ultra-violet rays. In spring, they lose their winter undercoat, acquiring another, less dense, more suitable for the hot season. In some long-haired dogs, the summer undercoat is so thin that it makes them appear short-haired. In others, generally with a very dense, long and profuse coat, on the contrary, the moulting season is barely noticeable. As a general rule, frequent brushing throughout this period (about a month) is enough to keep the coat well-groomed and better able to withstand the heat – but in some cases, especially in Estrelas that have been neutered and whose coat has become longer and more profuse , eventually growing continuously, it may be advisable to do a slight shearing.
Should they be bathed regularly?
The frequency of baths for dogs of this breed (or even the eventual need for them) depends on the type of life they have. For Estrelas who live in the countryside, outside, and who lie on dirt or straw, baths will be useless, unless they get very dirty or need them for health reasons or to prepare them for dog shows. A good regular brushing will free the coat and skin from dust and dry vegetation, and is generally enough to keep them in good condition. On the other hand, frequent baths remove a layer of fat necessary for the skin, without which it will tend to dry out and eventually flake off, but also for the coat, as this fat coats the hair, forming a kind of waterproofing layer, which protects it from humidity, rain and snow.
Is it true that they hate swimming and even getting wet?
If they are accustomed to contact with water from an early age, in lakes, swimming pools or even the sea, they may enjoy swimming. Otherwise, as a rule, they will avoid water.
Can they withstand very low temperatures? And highs ones?
Yes. The Estrela, whatever the variety, adapts to different climates, developing a denser and more profuse coat and undercoat when living in cold climates, which allows it to stay warm, and acquiring a lighter thinner coaat as a way of adapting to high temperatures.
Why do Estrelas tend to run away?
In spite of being dedicated to their owner, the Estrela retains an independent nature, in addition to the curiosity inherent in their protective instinct, which makes them want to inspect the surroundings to check that everything is ok. When performing their original function, if in a pack, one of them tends to patrol the area, while the others stay close to the cattle. Therefore, it is very important to make sure that your property is properly fenced by a solid, high wall or fence (at least 180 cm) and impregnable, to prevent them from escaping. Otherwise, they could be run over or poisoned, cause an accident, etc.
Is it true they bark a lot? Yes, especially when youngsters. It's their way of deterring intruders and potential threats. As adults, they tend to calm down and be less noisy.
Why do some Serras have their heads all black and others only have their muzzles? Which is more correct?
The so-called “mask”, black or just dark, is one of the typical Estrela traits. At its origin is a gene, which can be expressed in its minimum extent, only around the nose, or in its maximum extent, throughout the head, neck and chest. It is believed that the mask that extends to the skull, currently so popular, would not have existed in the past, given the photos of Esrelas from the first half of the 20th century, all of them with the mask occupying only the muzzle and possibly a small area over the eyes or around them.
I heard that it's not a good idea to get two puppies from the same litter. Why?
The adaptation of two pups that grew up together to a new life, in a new home, with new owners and new habits, can be a little more difficult or time-consuming, because they will tend to seek each other's company more than that of their new humans. However, this does not necessarily happen, it will depend a lot on the teperament of each one and mainly on the attitude of the owners and the time they dedicate to them. Unless they have a fearful temperament or have suffered some trauma, they will not resist their humans' plays and cuddles.
I don't know if I should choose to buy a male or a female dog. Which is the best?
In many cases, more important than the dog's gender is choosing its individual temperament. There are calmer Estrelas and more energetic ones, often littermates. It is important to evaluate the temperament of the parents and ask the breeder for help in selecting the puppy that seems best suited to you. Many people prefer females due to the widespread idea that they are more submissive and less likely to run away, although this idea does not always correspond to reality. Others choose males because they don't want to deal with the constraints of heats, although their tendency to mark their territory can be a deterrent, especially for those who want to keep the dog indoors.
Why should I pay a high price for an Estrela puppy from a breeder if I can buy one for a low price in Serra da Estrela, on the roadside?
Although some traders sell so-called “roadside” puppies with a vaccine, not all do so and there is a risk that the animal may contract or have already incubated a potentially lethal infectious disease, such as distemper or parvovirus. Furthermore, they are not usually dewormed or treated against fleas and ticks, it is not uncommon for them to have mange and they are often weaned early, with the possible behavioural problems that may arise from this. On the other hand, you won't know if they are purebred nor will you have any idea what their parents' temperaments is like. What if they are aggressive and the puppy inherits this temperament? If, on the contrary, you choose to purchase from a serious breeder, you will meet at least the puppy's dam, and possibly also the sire (many breeders often mate their bitches with males from other owners); he will be vaccinated, dewormed internally and externally, will have been raised in good hygiene conditions, with a much lower risk of contracting an infectious disease. In addition, the parents must have been screened for genetic diseases, such as hip and elbow dysplasia and dilated cardiomyopathy, to try to reduce the chances of the puppy ending up suffering from these problems. On the other hand, some of these breeders give health warranties, which cannot completely guarantee that the dog will not have a hereditary disease but, if this happens, they will offer some form of compensation and support.
My Estrela bitch has a false pregnancy every time she is in heat. My vet says if she has a litter, this tendency will go away. Will it be a good idea?
Some veterinarians advise bitches owners to have them have at least one litter, as a way of preventing the appearance of tumors in the reproductive organs and helping to maintain their psychological balance. However, if this were to happen, it would further increase the already excessive global dog population. Although many people want their beloved bitch to have a litter so that they can have one of her offspring, they should carefully ponder this decision: on the one hand, the puppies are very likely to not look like their mother; on the other hand, they would take away the possibility of adopting other dogs, abandoned, needy, possibly in danger of death (and there are so many!). There is also another important issue: the only two reasons for breeding a litter should be to contribute to improving a breed or, in the case of mixed breed dogs, to generate balanced puppies, with exceptional working skills. When considering mating your bitch, you should first take her to be evaluated at a dog show or a breed confirmation exam, to determine if she has the desirable qualities to breed, and have her screened for the most common hereditary diseases in the breed ( hip and elbow dysplasias, dilated cardiomyopathy); take the same care when choosing the male with which she will mate (you must be aware that, by breeding a poor quality litter, you will be doing the breed a disservice, contributing to its degeneration). Still, these procedures are not an absolute guarantee that dogs will not develop hereditary diseases, which will cause suffering to both the animals and their owners. You should also take into account that: 1st, due to lack of experience as a breeder, if something goes wrong the puppies could die, as well as the bitch, or it could be necessary to perform a cesarean section; 2nd, the market is saturated, with much more supply than demand; It may be difficult to sell or even give away the puppies and, if this is not possible, the costs of feeding, vaccinating and deworming until the puppies finally leave will be enormous.
Is it a bad idea to let my Estrela mate with his mother or a daughter or sister? As a general rule, yes. The practice of inbreeding (or, preferably, linebreeding, not so tight), which many breeders use to obtain good results more quickly, should only be carried out sparingly and occasionally, by breeders who have known well and for several generations the lineages they work with and who have tested them for hereditary diseases, with good results. It can be very useful for, for example, preserving and fixing important characteristics in a breed. However, there is always some risk, the greater the tighter the inbreeding and especially in untested bloodlines, of which little or nothing is known. The reason is that every animal carries recessive genetic mutations – and the probability of two related dogs carrying the same mutation, which could cause health or temperament problems, and of both passing it on to their offspring (which will be affected by it) is high.
Can I give my Estrela milk? Cow's milk contains a high level of lactose, which is harmful to dogs' intestinal flora. If a dog likes milk or a puppy needs to be weaned early, they can be given goat's or sheep's milk or a mixture of low-fat cow's milk with egg yolk and a little olive oil. Alternatively, you can opt for commercial puppy milk.
Do Estrelas eat a lot?
Usually, they don't. Depending on their size and weight, as well as the quality of the food, an adult one eats, on average, between 400 and 900 grams.
Can them eat bones? Bones, a great food rich in calcium, should be an important part of a dog's diet. In their original condition, in nature, dogs, like most other canines, have to hunt and feed not only on meat but also on viscera, organs and bones. Like any dog, Estrelas can and should chew beef or veal bones, which do not splinter – and they should be cooked, or eaten raw after frozen for three days, in order to eliminate bacteria. They help keep the dog's teeth clean, but should not be given to puppies due to the risk of breaking or misaligning the teeth. Estrelas can also eat chicken carcass bones, but avoid turkey, duck or rabbit bones, which can puncture their stomach, leading to death.
Which is better, kibble or natural food?
A natural diet that contains meat, bones, tripe and organs (preferably raw, although they must be previously frozen for three days to eliminate bacteria) but also cooked vegetables (or raw but reduced to puree) and legumes is healthy, however its preparation requires some time, as well as care so that it is balanced. If this is not possible, a good quality food is a practical alternative.