Estrela Mountain Dog

The Estrela Mountain Dog is quite unfamiliar to just about anyone in the world besides people in Portugal. This is not to say that they don’t exist outside of this region, however, they are certainly rare. These are large, beautiful dogs that have many great qualities.

This purebred dog originated in the Estrela Mountains of Portugal and is one of the oldest dogs in the region. The breed is referred to as “Cao da Serra de Estrela” from within the region and is also sometimes referred to as the “Portuguese Shepherd”. They were primarily owned by farmers and shepherds and were used for herding and guarding. The Estrela mountain dog could fend off foxes and other large predators which made them a vital asset for farmers in the region that kept livestock.

There is a reason why the breed was able to put up a fight against vicious predators, these are large, strong dogs weighing between 75-130 pounds. The breed still holds its protective traits and will always be on alert for something out of the ordinary. You can be sure that preventing an intruder from entering your home wouldn’t be of great difficulty for them.

The Estrela Mountain Dog is not easy to beat when it comes to being the ideal family dog. This breed is even-tempered, they love being with their family, and they are easily trainable. These doggos love playing with children and are extremely protective of them. They have been natural guardians since the beginning of their existence, and nothing has changed since. This breed is highly intelligent, and you will quickly notice that all they want to do is please their people and spend as much time as possible with their beloved family.

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