Estrela Mountain Dog vs American Eskimo Dog - Breed Comparison

Estrela Mountain Dog vs American Eskimo Dog - Breed ComparisonAmerican Eskimo Dog is originated from United States but Estrela Mountain Dog is originated from Portugal. American Eskimo Dog may grow 24 cm / 9 inches shorter than Estrela Mountain Dog. American Eskimo Dog may weigh 34 kg / 74 pounds lesser than Estrela Mountain Dog. American Eskimo Dog may live 3 years more than Estrela Mountain Dog. American Eskimo Dog may have less litter size than Estrela Mountain Dog. American Eskimo Dog requires High Maintenance. But Estrela Mountain Dog requires Moderate Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Herding dogs
Herding dogs
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United States
Portugal
Height Male:
23 - 48 cm
9 - 19 inches
65 - 72 cm
25 - 29 inches
Height Female:
23 - 40 cm
9 - 16 inches
62 - 70 cm
24 - 28 inches
Weight Male:
4 - 16 kg
8 - 36 pounds
40 - 50 kg
88 - 111 pounds
Weight Female:
3 - 12 kg
6 - 27 pounds
30 - 50 kg
66 - 111 pounds
Life Span:
13 - 15 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
1 - 5
2 - 8
Size:
Small
Large
Other Names:
, Spitz
Cao da Serra de Estrela
Colors Available:
White with cream or biscuit markings
Fawn, gray, yellow, brindle
Coat:
Heavy, thick, double
Short or long - coarse and thick
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Courageous, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Stubborn
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
High Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

american eskimo dogThe American Eskimo is derived from the Nordic Spitz breed and most closely related to the German Spitz in particular. There were many German Spitzes in the United States at the time of the second World War and anti-German sentiment caused its name to change to the American Eskimo Dog. However, as the breed developed over time in the States, the American Eskimo became its own separate breed. In addition to the German Spitz, the American Eskimo is also related to the white Keeshond, the Samoyed, the white Italian Spitz and the white Pomeranian. The history is beginning to show that the Spitzes that were brought to the US in the early 1900’s was white. This color was not popular in Europe but was quickly the favorite in the United States. They were originally working dogs on farms and ranches. They have excellent herding instincts, make goo watch and guard dogs, and good law enforcement sniff dogs. However, their first introduction to the American public was through the Cooper Brothers’ Railroad Circus and Stout’s Pal Pierre at the Barnum and Baily Circus. Eskimo puppies were sold after the circus show.

It was then that the breed became one of America’s favorite breeds and they quickly became house pets. Following World War II, Japan exported the Japanese Spitz into America and it was crossed with the Eskimo also. The American Eskimo Dog breed was not recognized by AKC until 1985. Still in 1958 there was no official breed club in the States but there were growing numbers of the dogs. It was not until 1970 did the National American Eskimo Dog Association (NAEDA) come into being. They collected the pedigrees of the first 1750 dogs to be AKC registered.

Since the American Eskimo Dog is not recognized internationally, those wishing to participate in international competition such as England’s prestigious Cruft’s Dog Show must register their dogs a German Spitz. Despite this the American Eskimo and German Spitz remain two very different breeds.

estrela mountain dogAlso known as the Cao da Serra de Estrela, the large Estrela Mountain Dog from Portugal is an ancient breed, having been used for centuries to guard homesteads and livestock.

The Estrela, as a herding dog, has been developed over a long period of time because shepherds particularly wanted a dog that could survive in the mountains and be strong enough to guard livestock from predators.

The first official recorded breed standard was published in 1933, with an attempt to make the Estrela a distinct breed with a hooked tail and double dew claws.

Today the Estrela is a dog which can be found in other countries beyond Portugal, and in fact in 1973 pairs of the dogs were imported to the United States.

Description

american eskimo dog puppy - descriptionThis small to medium dog is beautiful and resembles a miniature Samoyed. There are three sizes of American Eskimothe standard, miniature, and the toy. The Eskimo’s head is wedge shaped with tall, triangular, erect ears. It has a heavily plumed tail with a sharp curl over the back. The Eskimo can burst into bold action due to their good legs and feet.

The coat is a double one with a harsh outer coat and plush inner one. The coat is always white or white with cream or biscuit markings, and visible skin in gray or pink. The American Eskimo’s ruff or mane is very heavy, and the nose, eyelids, pads and gums are black. They have dark eyes and blue are not allowed.

estrela mountain dog puppy - descriptionThe large Estrela Mountain Dog stands between 62 and 72cm and weighs between 30kg and 50kg.

The dog has 2 coat types – short and long but always coarse and thick. The coat is available in a number of colors, from fawn to gray to yellow and brindle and there can be white and black mixed throughout the coat.

The head of the dog is large and long, the neck fairly short and thick, he has dark brown eyes, a bright, intelligent expression with small, floppy ears which are set high on the skull, falling backwards against the side of the head. The tail is long and thick and the dog has a deep chest.

Temperament:

A large, athletic dog, the Estrela Mountain Dog is actually a calm dog, while still being protective towards his human family.

He is an intelligent dog who responds well to training and socialization. He is an independent dog, so this training and socialization is important - will be good for him, turning him into an obedient, relaxed pet who gets on well with other pets in the home as well as with children.

Characteristics

american eskimo dog dog - characteristicsThe Eskimo is affectionate, playful and love children of all ages. They are intelligent and want to please you. They can be trained easily and are champions of the obedience trial. They are fun and confident. At the same time, they need a confident pack leader. He is prone to Little Dog Syndrome where the dog thinks they oversee the home and display all sorts of behaviors. Under these circumstances the American Eskimo can become obsessive, aggressive, and engaging in obsessive resource guarding and barking.

estrela mountain dog dog - characteristicsThe Estrela Mountain Dog loves his human family and takes guarding them and protecting them seriously. He is a strong willed, independent dog that will require training and socialization. He makes an excellent pet, and is calm and gentle with children.

The Estrela Mountain Dog has so much going for him – he is beautiful to look at, he is loyal and protective with his human family, he is intelligent, loving and a healthy type of breed, and he is just waiting to become a member of your family.

Health Problems

american eskimo dog puppies - health problemsThe American Eskimo Dog is prone to hip dysplasia. Their eyes and tear ducts are potential issues with progressive retinal atrophy. They are allergic to fleas and have a tendency to be overweight.

We deal with PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy) in greater detain in a following section but it is not as destructive as it used to be. It is much more treatable now.

There are potentially some dental issues that some American Eskimo Dogs are prone to.

estrela mountain dog puppies - health problemsThe Estrela Mountain Dog can live to be between 10 and 14 years of age, but as with any large dog, he will have a tendency to suffer from hip- and elbow dysplasia.

Dilated cardiomyopathy is another common heart failure disease found particularly in large-breed dogs. The Estrela is prone to this disease and you’ll notice he has shortness of breath, abdominal swelling and coughing. The disease may not be curable, but there are certainly treatments for it.

Caring The Pet

Feeding

american eskimo dog dogs - caringYour American Eskimo Dog needs a high quality food so they will not get overweight. Make sure you know how much is appropriate for your particular dog and her specific age. The puppies should be fed twice a day but adults only once.

Health issues

As previously mentioned the American Eskimo Dog is prone to eye issue such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy or (PRA) – this disease is inherited and used to cause blindness as the rods in the retina died. New medical discoveries mean this is no longer a hopeless disease. Their eyes are also susceptible to other issues so make sure you check them and the tear ducts regularly.

Like so many other breeds the American Eskimo is also susceptible to hip dysplasia and a moving patella in the knee. For this reason watch their weight. They can also be very allergic.

Exercise and games

This small dog has more energy than his size can handle. He needs a lot of exercise and a place to run. If he will become hyperactive and destructive. They are prone to disturbing behaviors such as spinning (spinning in circles) when they don’t get enough exercise. The American Eskimo Dog is smart and agile, Play games like catch or agility. They are also great at herding, competitive obedience or detection.

Diet:

estrela mountain dog dogs - caringThe Estrela Mountain Dog is a large dog and thankfully, when it comes to feeding him, experts in dog feeding have come up with commercially manufactured dog feeds that particularly cater for a dog’s age, his size and any illnesses he may have.

As a large dog, your Estrela Mountain Dog can suffer with joint problems such as hip dysplasia. For hip dysplasia you want to be looking at a dog food for large dogs which contains joint-health ingredients. An ingredient in the dog food such as glucosamine can work to reduce the damage brought about by hip dysplasia.

Mix in some cooked brown rice, vegetables and chicken into his kibble from time to time. You want your pet to live a long, healthy life and raw meat added in occasionally can increase your pets energy levels, reduce the risk of joint disease and ensure a shiny, soft coat. Raw meat can provide iron, zinc, vitamins, minerals and potassium.

Grooming:

The Estrela isn’t a huge shedder, but his beautiful, thick coat will require brushing twice a week. It’s your chance to check him over for fleas and ticks as well, and the entire grooming process – checking his ears, nails and teeth – is an excellent bonding experience for you and your canine friend.

Exercise:

The Estrela may be large, but he is fairly calm. He’ll love to join you on your daily walks or for a ball game in the garden. He can adapt to life in the city or the country, but his big size will mean he isn’t suited to a tiny property.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. American Eskimo Dog vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. American Eskimo Dog vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. American Eskimo Dog vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. American Eskimo Dog vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. American Eskimo Dog vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. American Eskimo Dog vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. American Eskimo Dog vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. American Eskimo Dog vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. American Eskimo Dog vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. American Eskimo Dog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. American Eskimo Dog vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. American Eskimo Dog vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. American Eskimo Dog vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. American Eskimo Dog vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. American Eskimo Dog vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. American Eskimo Dog vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. American Eskimo Dog vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. American Eskimo Dog vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. American Eskimo Dog vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. American Eskimo Dog vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. American Eskimo Dog vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. American Eskimo Dog vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. American Eskimo Dog vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. American Eskimo Dog vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. American Eskimo Dog vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Estrela Mountain Dog vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Estrela Mountain Dog vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Estrela Mountain Dog vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Estrela Mountain Dog vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Estrela Mountain Dog vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Estrela Mountain Dog vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Estrela Mountain Dog vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Estrela Mountain Dog vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Estrela Mountain Dog vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Estrela Mountain Dog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Estrela Mountain Dog vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Estrela Mountain Dog vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Estrela Mountain Dog vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Estrela Mountain Dog vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Estrela Mountain Dog vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Estrela Mountain Dog vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Estrela Mountain Dog vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Estrela Mountain Dog vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Estrela Mountain Dog vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Estrela Mountain Dog vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Estrela Mountain Dog vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Estrela Mountain Dog vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Estrela Mountain Dog vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Estrela Mountain Dog vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Estrela Mountain Dog vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison