Is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Better than the Estrela Mountain Dog as a Pet? Answer…

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Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Versus Estrela Mountain Dog: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Estrela Mountain Dog

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Estrela Mountain Dog: Overview

A very important difference between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small-sized dog while the Estrela Mountain Dog is a large-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

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.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Estrela Mountain Dog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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.

Factor Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Estrela Mountain Dog
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 3/5
Height 12 to 13 inches at the shoulder 24 to 30 inches
Weight 13 to 18 pounds 75 to 130 pounds
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 5/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 2/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 3/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 5/5 3/5
Easygoing 1/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 3/5
Life Span 9 to 15 years 11 to 15 years
Average Lifespan 12.0 years 13.0 years
Average Price $2440 $2000
Price Range $1800 – $3000 $2000 – $2000
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination;
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • *Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 91 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Estrela Mountain Dog is 85 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a better pet than the Estrela Mountain Dog. So, you should get the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel!

    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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog

    Below is a list of where the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog are most different:

  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniels adapt well to apartment living. However, Estrela Mountain Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 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.
  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very friendly towards strangers. However, Estrela Mountain Dogs are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • The Similarities Between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog

    The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog are most similar:

  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog are very easy to train.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Estrela Mountain Dog

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels weigh 13 to 18 pounds when fully grown. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are 12 to 13 inches 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.

    Price of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Price of Estrela Mountain Dog

    The average price of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy is $2440. The price of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel typically ranges from $1800 – $3000. However, the price of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel can be as low as $300 and as high as $29550. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1217 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Estrela Mountain Dog puppy is $2000. The price of the Estrela Mountain Dog typically ranges from $2000 – $2000. However, the price of a Estrela Mountain Dog can be as low as $2000 and as high as $2000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 1 Estrela Mountain Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is more expensive than the Estrela Mountain Dog.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Estrela Mountain Dog
    Average Price $2440 $2000
    Price Range $1800 to $3000 $2000 to $2000

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Estrela Mountain Dog. For different price points, the charts show how many Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies or how many Estrela Mountain Dog puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Estrela Mountain Dogs

    A breakdown of the prices of Estrela Mountain Dogs

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy or the Estrela Mountain Dog puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking from a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Health Problems of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Health Problems of Estrela Mountain Dog

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

    Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 the same number of genetic health problems as the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

    4 health tests are recommended for Cavalier King Charles Spaniel while 4 tests are recommended for the Estrela Mountain Dog.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and in Estrela Mountain Dogs.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Health Problems

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination;
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 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: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Estrela Mountain Dog

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

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

    Which one drools more, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Estrela Mountain Dog

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs drool moderately.

    Can Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Estrela Mountain Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

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

    Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Estrela Mountain Dogs?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs. Estrela Mountain Dog

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Estrela Mountain Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels shed more than Estrela Mountain Dogs?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels shed moderately.

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

    Does the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Estrela Mountain Dog?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and 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.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Estrela Mountain Dog?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very easy to groom.

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

    Is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Easier to Train than the Estrela Mountain Dog?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs are very easy to train.

    Is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Estrela Mountain Dog?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Estrela Mountain Dog?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs are OK for new dog owners.

    Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels good family dogs? What about Estrela Mountain Dogs?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Estrela Mountain Dogs?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Estrela Mountain Dog?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel:

  • Cavachon (84 percent match with Cavalier King Charles Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Estrela Mountain Dog vs Cavachon.
  • Cockalier (81 percent match with Cavalier King Charles Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Estrela Mountain Dog vs Cockalier.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Estrela Mountain Dog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Estrela Mountain Dog that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Estrela Mountain Dog:

  • Akbash (81 percent match with Estrela Mountain Dog). Here is our comparison of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs Akbash.
  • Dutch Shepherd (75 percent match with Estrela Mountain Dog). Here is our comparison of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs Dutch Shepherd.
  • Pyrenean Mastiff (75 percent match with Estrela Mountain Dog). Here is our comparison of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs Pyrenean Mastiff.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and how the Estrela Mountain Dog compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and of the Estrela Mountain Dog to other breeds:

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Australian Cattle Dog     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus American Eskimo Dog     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Miniature Schnauzer     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Golden Retriever     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Pug     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Papipoo     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Kooikerhondje     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Border Terrier     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Puli     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Scottish Deerhound     

    Estrela Mountain Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Estrela Mountain Dog versus Saint Berdoodle     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Bearded Collie     Estrela Mountain Dog versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Airedale Terrier     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Bedlington Terrier     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Affenhuahua     Estrela Mountain Dog versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Yorkipoo     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Estrela Mountain Dog versus German Shorthaired Pointer     

    Conclusion: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog better suits you and your family.