Estrela Mountain Dog

The Estrela Mountain Dog originated in Portugal's Serra da Estrela mountain range. Although the exact origins of the breed are unknown, one theory suggests that it was the Romans that brought the breed to Portugal when they invaded the Iberian Peninsula. Regardless of how the Estrela came to Portugal, one thing is undisputed – it is one of the ancient breeds in Portugal that still exists today.

Though it is believed that the Estrela Mountain Dog has existed for hundreds of years, the first recorded breed standard was published only in 1922. The first official breed standard was not written until 1933, even then the breed was not widely popular.

Several factors contributed to its minimal numbers in the 1900s. The first factor is the isolation where the Estrela is bred, which meant the breed was not known outside the region. Second, the desire of Portuguese Shepherds to prevent the Estrela dogs from leaving the flocks to mate, which drove them to castrate most of the dog breeds. Third, the disinterest of Serra residents to follow the official breed standard and reluctance to participate in dog shows. Fourth, the Portuguese preference for foreign dog breeds. Fifth, dog showing was simply for the wealthy.

The Portuguese revolution in 1974, in a way, saved the breed from total extinction. It allowed working people to present native dogs in dog shows. With the rise of crime rate after the revolution, the demand for large guard dogs such as the Estrela Mountain dog also increased. Today, the Estrella Mountain dog is still utilised as a working dog but is also becoming known as an ideal family pet.

The Estrela Mountain Dog is a large breed that weighs 88 to 110 pounds and stands 60 to 75 centimetres at the withers. It has an athletic build and is noble in appearance boasting of a very distinctive coat that resembles the texture of goat hair. The head is large for its body but should still be proportional. The muzzle is slightly convex and tapers gently to the tip. The Estrela's lips are large and well-formed while sporting a strong jaw with a perfect scissor bite. It is usually longer than it is tall but is undoubtedly compact. It has thick legs and a deep chest akin to a Mastiff-type breed but lither. Its tail is one of its important features with a well-feathered thick base tapering towards the tip. The tail should also be curved into a hood similar to a shepherd's crook.

Estrelas have two types of coat: long and short. The long-haired Estrella has a coarse and close-fitting topcoat that may be flat or slightly waved and never curly, while its undercoat is dense and is typically lighter in colour. On the other hand, the short-haired Estrella has a similar topcoat and undercoat but is significantly shorter. When it comes to coat colours, the Estrela can wear fawn, wolf grey, and brindle.

Estrelas are smart and active dog breeds, which means they will require lots of mental and physical stimulations to be truly happy. They love the great outdoors and are ideal for families who spend a great deal of time outside. They are also often stubborn, which makes training a bit difficult. With this said, Estrelas are not ideal for first-time dog owners. They will need to know their position in the pack and the owner must be someone who can exert its authority as the leader for an Estrela to look up for direction and guidance.

When the Estrela Mountain Dog is properly trained and socialised, it is extraordinarily gentle with children, often to the point of over protectiveness. It is not ideal for families with toddlers because of its large size. It can also be very tolerant to other animals, owing to its nature to protect animals such as flocks of sheep and goats.

• Senior and less active: up to 1,960 calories daily
• Typical adults: up to 2,200 calories daily
• Physically active/working dogs: up to 2,450 calories daily

The Estrela Mountain dog is a bit costly to own, not to mention difficult to find. The dog is a rare breed in the UK, which means you have to be patient since you will have to be on a waitlist. Considering its rarity, the initial purchase of an Estrela Mountain Dog does not go below £1,000 and £1,200 for a well-bred puppy. Since it's an expensive dog, it follows that paying for a pet insurance is costlier than most breeds. Pet insurance for an Estrela will cost you about £50 to £90 a month, and considerable more depending on the level of coverage and your location in the UK.

Aside from pet insurance, one must not neglect routine veterinary consultations and basic procedures such as initial vaccinations, annual boosters and even spaying when it's time to do so. All these will cost you £1,500 annually. On top of that, The Estrela is a large breed, which means it may need more in terms of food servings (4-5 cups daily) that will cost you about £50 to £60 a month. Considering the basics, caring for an Estrela Mountain Dog will set you back around £100 to £150 a month.