A Detailed Comparison of the Anatolian Shepherd Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog.

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Anatolian Shepherd Dog Versus Estrela Mountain Dog: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Anatolian Shepherd Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Anatolian Shepherd Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Anatolian Shepherd Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Anatolian Shepherd Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Anatolian Shepherd Dog and for the Estrela Mountain Dog. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Anatolian Shepherd Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Anatolian Shepherd Dog or the Estrela Mountain Dog.

Anatolian Shepherd Dog versus Estrela Mountain Dog: Overview

A very important difference between the Anatolian Shepherd Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is a giant-sized dog while the Estrela Mountain Dog is a large-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Anatolian Shepherd Dog belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

On the other hand, the Estrela Mountain Dog belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

Anatolian Shepherd Dog versus Estrela Mountain Dog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Anatolian Shepherd Dog to the Estrela Mountain Dog based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Anatolian Shepherd Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog

Factor Anatolian Shepherd Dog Estrela Mountain Dog
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 1/5 2/5
Life Span 11 to 13 years 11 to 15 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 2/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 3/5
Height 2 feet, 3 inches to 2 feet, 5 inches tall at the s 24 to 30 inches
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 3/5 3/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 3/5
Easygoing 2/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 2/5
Easy To Train 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 5/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 4/5
Weight 80 to 150 pounds 75 to 130 pounds
Average Lifespan 12.0 years 13.0 years
Average Price $990 No Data
Price Range $750 – $1150 No Data
Temperament Score 83.3 percent 100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Anatolian Shepherd Dog in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Estrela Mountain Dog. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Anatolian Shepherd Dog is 75 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Estrela Mountain Dog is 85 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Estrela Mountain Dog is a better pet than the Anatolian Shepherd Dog. So, you should get the Estrela Mountain Dog!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Anatolian Shepherd Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Anatolian Shepherd Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog

    Below is a list of where the Anatolian Shepherd Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog are most different:

    • Anatolian Shepherd Dogs do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly. However, Estrela Mountain Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Anatolian Shepherd Dogs have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects. However, Estrela Mountain Dogs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    The Similarities Between the Anatolian Shepherd Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog

    The Anatolian Shepherd Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Anatolian Shepherd Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog are most similar:

    • Both the Anatolian Shepherd Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog do not adapt well to apartment living.
    • Both the Anatolian Shepherd Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog are not very friendly towards strangers.
    • Both the Anatolian Shepherd Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
    • Both the Anatolian Shepherd Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog do not get along well with other dogs.
    • Both the Anatolian Shepherd Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog are not prone to nip and chew at things.
    • Both the Anatolian Shepherd Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
    • Both the Anatolian Shepherd Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
    • Both the Anatolian Shepherd Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog are very easy to train.
    • Both the Anatolian Shepherd Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Anatolian Shepherd Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog can tolerate cold weather.

    Size Comparison of Anatolian Shepherd Dog versus Estrela Mountain Dog

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Anatolian Shepherd Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog.

    Anatolian Shepherd Dogs weigh 80 to 150 pounds when fully grown. Anatolian Shepherd Dogs are 2 feet, 3 inches to 2 feet, 5 inches tall at the s when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Estrela Mountain Dogs weigh 75 to 130 pounds when fully grown. Estrela Mountain Dogs are 24 to 30 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Anatolian Shepherd Dog versus Estrela Mountain Dog

    The lifespan of Anatolian Shepherd Dogs is between 11 to 13 years. The average lifespan of Anatolian Shepherd Dogs is 12.0 years.

    The lifespan of Estrela Mountain Dogs is between 11 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Estrela Mountain Dogs is 13.0 years.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs live longer than Anatolian Shepherd Dogs.

    Temperament of the Estrela Mountain Dog Versus the Anatolian Shepherd Dog

    The Estrela Mountain Dog has a better temperament than the Anatolian Shepherd Dog.

    This is because the temperament score for the Estrela Mountain Dog is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Anatolian Shepherd Dog is 83.3 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 83.3 percent, the Anatolian Shepherd Dog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 100.0 percent, the Estrela Mountain Dog has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Anatolian Shepherd Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog by measuring the temperaments of 36 Anatolian Shepherd Dogs and 1 Estrela Mountain Dogs.

    Health Problems of Anatolian Shepherd Dog versus Health Problems of Estrela Mountain Dog

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Anatolian Shepherd Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Estrela Mountain Dog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Anatolian Shepherd Dog.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Estrela Mountain Dog than for the Anatolian Shepherd Dog.

    2 health tests are recommended for Anatolian Shepherd Dog while 4 tests are recommended for the Estrela Mountain Dog.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Anatolian Shepherd Dogs and in Estrela Mountain Dogs.

    Anatolian Shepherd Dog Health Problems

    Anatolian Shepherd Dogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Anatolian Shepherd Dog puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Anatolian Shepherd Dog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Anatolian Shepherd Dog breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Anatolian Shepherd Dogs for:

  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Anatolian Shepherd Dogs here.

    Estrela Mountain Dog Health Problems

    Estrela Mountain Dogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Estrela Mountain Dog puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Estrela Mountain Dog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Estrela Mountain Dog breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Estrela Mountain Dogs for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Estrela Mountain Dogs here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Anatolian Shepherd Dog versus Estrela Mountain Dog

    Anatolian Shepherd Dogs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Anatolian Shepherd Dogs shed more than Estrela Mountain Dogs?

    Anatolian Shepherd Dogs do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Anatolian Shepherd Dog or the Estrela Mountain Dog

    Anatolian Shepherd Dogs drool moderately.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs drool moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Anatolian Shepherd Dog or the Estrela Mountain Dog?

    Anatolian Shepherd Dogs are very easy to groom.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Anatolian Shepherd Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Estrela Mountain Dog?

    Anatolian Shepherd Dogs have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Do Anatolian Shepherd Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Estrela Mountain Dogs?

    Anatolian Shepherd Dogs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Anatolian Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Estrela Mountain Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Anatolian Shepherd Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Anatolian Shepherd Dog vs. Estrela Mountain Dog

    Anatolian Shepherd Dogs have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can Anatolian Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Estrela Mountain Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Anatolian Shepherd Dogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Anatolian Shepherd Dog or the Estrela Mountain Dog?

    Anatolian Shepherd Dogs do not get along well with other dogs.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Anatolian Shepherd Dogs good family dogs? What about Estrela Mountain Dogs?

    Anatolian Shepherd Dogs are good family dogs. They are affectionate with family.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Anatolian Shepherd Dogs and Estrela Mountain Dogs?

    Anatolian Shepherd Dogs do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Anatolian Shepherd Dog Easier to Train than the Estrela Mountain Dog?

    Anatolian Shepherd Dogs are very easy to train.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs are very easy to train.

    Is the Anatolian Shepherd Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Estrela Mountain Dog?

    Anatolian Shepherd Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Anatolian Shepherd Dog or the Estrela Mountain Dog?

    Anatolian Shepherd Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs are OK for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Anatolian Shepherd Dog versus Estrela Mountain Dog. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Anatolian Shepherd Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog better suits you and your family.