Estrela Mountain Dog vs Carolina Dog - Breed Comparison

Estrela Mountain Dog vs Carolina Dog - Breed ComparisonCarolina Dog is originated from United States but Estrela Mountain Dog is originated from Portugal. Carolina Dog may grow 11 cm / 4 inches shorter than Estrela Mountain Dog. Carolina Dog may weigh 30 kg / 66 pounds lesser than Estrela Mountain Dog. Carolina Dog may live 3 years more than Estrela Mountain Dog. Both Carolina Dog and Estrela Mountain Dog has almost same litter size. Both Carolina Dog and Estrela Mountain Dog requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Miscellaneous dogs
Herding dogs
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United States
Portugal
Height Male:
45 - 61 cm
17 - 25 inches
65 - 72 cm
25 - 29 inches
Height Female:
42 - 61 cm
16 - 25 inches
62 - 70 cm
24 - 28 inches
Weight Male:
15 - 20 kg
33 - 45 pounds
40 - 50 kg
88 - 111 pounds
Weight Female:
12 - 20 kg
26 - 45 pounds
30 - 50 kg
66 - 111 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 6
2 - 8
Size:
Medium
Large
Other Names:
North American Native Dog, Dixie Dingo, American Dingo, Yellow Dog
Cao da Serra de Estrela
Colors Available:
Fawn, Yellow, Gingerish, black and tan
Fawn, gray, yellow, brindle
Coat:
Short and dense
Short or long - coarse and thick
Shedding:
Moderate, Seasonal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Detached, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

carolina dogThe Carolina dog comes from wild dogs that used to run with the Paleo-Indians of North America, and today they can still be found in their wild state near the Georgia-South Carolina border.

Many scientists believe that the dog was first domesticated from the wolf thousands and thousands of years ago. Today there aren’t many records on the Carolina Dog’s history and it isn’t sure how long they lived their feral lifestyle in the American South, but it seems as though it was for hundreds of years.

You could say that the modern history of the Carolina Dog started in the 1980s. Dr. Pam Brisbin found a puppy at a dump site which looked like the Australian Dingo. Dr Brisbin and other scientists concluded that the Carolina Dog was a remnant of primitive dogs. Since those times the Carolina Dog has adapted well to being a domesticated pet.

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

carolina dog puppy - descriptionThe Carolina dog is part of the Sighthounds Group and looks a bit like a Dingo, German Shepherd and Wolf mix. He has fairly long, pointed erect ears, a sharp wolf-like snout and a long tail that curves when raised.

The Carolina dog has been re-discovered however and when trained and socialized, they make splendid pets. It’s a medium sized dog standing at 45–61cm and weighing from 15–20kg. He is slender, muscular and athletic with a coat that is short and fairly smooth. Colors for the Carolina dog vary and he can be fawn colored, a gingerish color, black and tan and can have some white areas on the paws, chest, muzzle and tail.

Temperament:

The Carolina Dog has been a wild dog, belonging to a pack and while he isn’t aggressive, he is nervous and aloof around strangers. Good training and socialization provides him with the skills to get along well with his human family as well as with children and other pets in the home.

Because this dog has always been wild, they tend to maintain some of their wild, independent nature and they can be difficult to train and it requires firmness and patience with him, but he is an intelligent breed.

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

carolina dog dog - characteristicsThe Carolina Dog is a medium-sized dog which has managed to survive well in the wild environment. It is this life in the wilds which has made the dog to be shy and aloof around strangers.

They are skilled and intelligent and when domesticated they make extraordinary pets even though he isn’t an overly affectionate dog. It is why he requires early socialization so that he doesn’t grow up shunning humans.

With training however, the Carolina Dog becomes a well-adjusted, loving and social member of the family.

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

carolina dog puppies - health problemsThe Carolina Dog is a fairly healthy breed. You won’t have to be rushing off to the vet often with him if you look after him well in terms of a good diet, a food amount of exercise and plenty of love and attention. In fact breeders of the Carolina Dog have noted that they haven’t seen any cases of genetically inheritable diseases with this robust dog.

However with all dogs, no matter how healthy they are, there can be problems. Problems common to domestic dogs can include skeletal and visual problems. Many dog owners have their pets tested to identify some of the potential health defects that some dogs are prone to. This can include hip dysplasia, cataracts, cancer and PRA or Progressive Retinal Atrophy.

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

Grooming:

carolina dog dogs - caringThe Carolina Dog is a seasonal shedder and the shortish coat will simply require a thorough brushing twice a week to keep him in tip top condition.

This dog, with his upright ears, isn’t prone to ear infections as other breeds, but nonetheless as part of his grooming routine, its a good idea to to check his ears inside for wax build-up and dirt. Certainly his teeth should be brushed 2 or 3 times a week with special dog toothbrush and toothpaste. This keeps the gums and teeth healthy and also avoids other diseases that come about because of dental disease.

Diet:

Whether you feed your Carolina Dog once or twice a day, you want to ensure the very best quality diet to avoid skin problems and illness. You also have to ensure your dog has 24/7 access to fresh, cool drinking water to help him with digesting his food.

There are some excellent commercially manufactured dog foods on the market which have been manufactured for certain stages of your dogs life. Add in some rice, vegetables and meat from time to time and every now and again you can give him some raw meat too.

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

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  6. Estrela Mountain Dog vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
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  8. Estrela Mountain Dog vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Estrela Mountain Dog vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Estrela Mountain Dog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Estrela Mountain Dog vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
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  25. Estrela Mountain Dog vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Carolina Dog vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Carolina Dog vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Carolina Dog vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Carolina Dog vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Carolina Dog vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Carolina Dog vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Carolina Dog vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Carolina Dog vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Carolina Dog vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Carolina Dog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Carolina Dog vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Carolina Dog vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Carolina Dog vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Carolina Dog vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Carolina Dog vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Carolina Dog vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Carolina Dog vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Carolina Dog vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Carolina Dog vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Carolina Dog vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Carolina Dog vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Carolina Dog vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Carolina Dog vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Carolina Dog vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Carolina Dog vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison