Which is Better Between the Australian Shepherd and the Estrela Mountain Dog?

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Australian Shepherd Versus Estrela Mountain Dog: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd and the Estrela Mountain Dog.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd or the Estrela Mountain Dog.

Australian Shepherd versus Estrela Mountain Dog: Overview

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

Furthermore, both the Australian Shepherd and the Estrela Mountain Dog are Herding Dogs. This means both the Australian Shepherd and the Estrela Mountain Dog 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.

Australian Shepherd versus Estrela Mountain Dog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd and the Estrela Mountain Dog

Factor Australian Shepherd Estrela Mountain Dog
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 2/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 11 to 15 years
Height 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder 24 to 30 inches
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 3/5
General Health 2/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 3/5
Weight 40 to 65 pounds 75 to 130 pounds
Easygoing 1/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 3/5
Easy To Train 5/5 4/5
Intelligence 5/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 3/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 13.0 years
Average Price $1210 No Data
Price Range $800 – $1500 No Data
Temperament Score 82.2 percent 100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Collie Eye Anomaly
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity
    		•
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
    		•

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd is 70 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 Australian Shepherd. 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 Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd and the Estrela Mountain Dog

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

    • Australian Shepherds have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Estrela Mountain Dogs have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
    • Australian Shepherds are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone. However, Estrela Mountain Dogs are not very sensitive to their enviroment. They can tolerate noisy environments. They are also not very sensitive to the tone of your voice, firm or gentle.
    • Australian Shepherds 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 Australian Shepherd and the Estrela Mountain Dog

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

    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Estrela Mountain Dog do not adapt well to apartment living.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Estrela Mountain Dog require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Estrela Mountain Dog are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Estrela Mountain Dog do not like to be left alone.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Estrela Mountain Dog can tolerate cold weather.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Estrela Mountain Dog can tolerate hot weather.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Estrela Mountain Dog get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Estrela Mountain Dog gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Estrela Mountain Dog are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Estrela Mountain Dog do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Estrela Mountain Dog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Estrela Mountain Dog are very easy to train.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Estrela Mountain Dog are highly intelligent.

    Size Comparison of Australian Shepherd versus Estrela Mountain Dog

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

    Australian Shepherds weigh 40 to 65 pounds when fully grown. Australian Shepherds are 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder 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 Australian Shepherd versus Estrela Mountain Dog

    The lifespan of Australian Shepherds is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Australian Shepherds is 13.5 years.

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

    Australian Shepherds live longer than Estrela Mountain Dogs.

    Temperament of the Australian Shepherd Versus the Estrela Mountain Dog

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

    This is because the temperament score for the Estrela Mountain Dog is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Australian Shepherd is 82.2 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 82.2 percent, the Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd and the Estrela Mountain Dog by measuring the temperaments of 702 Australian Shepherds and 1 Estrela Mountain Dogs.

    Health Problems of Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd is prone to more genetic health problems than the Estrela Mountain Dog.

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

    7 health tests are recommended for Australian Shepherd while 4 tests are recommended for the Estrela Mountain Dog.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Australian Shepherds and in Estrela Mountain Dogs.

    Australian Shepherd Health Problems

    Australian Shepherds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherds for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Collie Eye Anomaly
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Australian Shepherds 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: Australian Shepherd versus Estrela Mountain Dog

    Australian Shepherds do not like to be left alone.

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

    Do Australian Shepherds shed more than Estrela Mountain Dogs?

    Australian Shepherds shed moderately.

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

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

    Australian Shepherds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs drool moderately.

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

    Australian Shepherds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

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

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

    Australian Shepherds have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not 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 Australian Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Estrela Mountain Dogs?

    Australian Shepherds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

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

    Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Estrela Mountain Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Australian Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Australian Shepherd vs. Estrela Mountain Dog

    Australian Shepherds 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 Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Estrela Mountain Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Australian Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.

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

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

    Australian Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Australian Shepherds good family dogs? What about Estrela Mountain Dogs?

    Australian Shepherds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

    How Kid-friendly are Australian Shepherds and Estrela Mountain Dogs?

    Australian Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

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

    Australian Shepherds are very easy to train.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs are very easy to train.

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

    Australian Shepherds 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 Australian Shepherd or the Estrela Mountain Dog?

    Australian Shepherds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs are OK for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd and the Estrela Mountain Dog better suits you and your family.