A Detailed Comparison of the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Estrela Mountain Dog.

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Chinese Shar-Pei Versus Estrela Mountain Dog: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei and the Estrela Mountain Dog.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei or the Estrela Mountain Dog

Chinese Shar-Pei versus Estrela Mountain Dog: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Chinese Shar-Pei 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.

Chinese Shar-Pei versus Estrela Mountain Dog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei Estrela Mountain Dog
Tolerates Hot Weather 1/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 1/5 3/5
General Health 1/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 5/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 1/5 3/5
Height 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder 24 to 30 inches
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 3/5
Easygoing 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 2/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 2/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 3/5
Intelligence 2/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 4/5 3/5
Easy To Train 3/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 3/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 4/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Weight 40 to 55 pounds 75 to 130 pounds
Easy To Groom 5/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 1/5 3/5
Life Span 8 to 12 years 11 to 15 years
Average Lifespan 10.0 years 13.0 years
Average Price $1620 $2000
Price Range $1100 – $2000 $2000 – $2000
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • 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 Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei is 68 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 Estrela Mountain Dog is a better pet than the Chinese Shar-Pei. 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 Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei and the Estrela Mountain Dog

    Below is a list of where the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Estrela Mountain Dog are most different:

  • Chinese Shar-Peis have the tendency to develop certain health problems. However, Estrela Mountain Dogs are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Chinese Shar-Peis are not affectionate with family. They are not good family dogs. However, Estrela Mountain Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Chinese Shar-Peis 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.
  • Chinese Shar-Peis not very intelligent. However, Estrela Mountain Dogs are highly intelligent.
  • Chinese Shar-Peis adapt well to apartment living. However, Estrela Mountain Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Chinese Shar-Peis are very easy to groom. However, Estrela Mountain Dogs require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Chinese Shar-Peis are prone to nip and chew at things. However, Estrela Mountain Dogs are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • The Similarities Between the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Estrela Mountain Dog

    The Chinese Shar-Pei and the Estrela Mountain Dog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Estrela Mountain Dog are most similar:

  • Both the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Estrela Mountain Dog are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Estrela Mountain Dog 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.
  • Both the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Estrela Mountain Dog are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Estrela Mountain Dog do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Estrela Mountain Dog have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei and the Estrela Mountain Dog have low energy levels. They do not require a lot exercise time.
  • Both the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Estrela Mountain Dog can be left alone for some time without problems.
  • Both the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Estrela Mountain Dog gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Chinese Shar-Pei versus Estrela Mountain Dog

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Estrela Mountain Dog.

    Chinese Shar-Peis weigh 40 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Chinese Shar-Peis are 18 to 20 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.

    Price of Chinese Shar-Pei versus Price of Estrela Mountain Dog

    The average price of the Chinese Shar-Pei puppy is $1620. The price of the Chinese Shar-Pei typically ranges from $1100 – $2000. However, the price of a Chinese Shar-Pei can be as low as $300 and as high as $5000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 238 Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Estrela Mountain Dog is more expensive than the Chinese Shar-Pei.

    Chinese Shar-Pei Estrela Mountain Dog
    Average Price $1620 $2000
    Price Range $1100 to $2000 $2000 to $2000

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Chinese Shar-Pei and Estrela Mountain Dog. For different price points, the charts show how many Chinese Shar-Pei puppies or how many Estrela Mountain Dog puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Chinese Shar-Peis. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Chinese Shar-Peis. 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 Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei is prone to more genetic health problems than the Estrela Mountain Dog.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Chinese Shar-Pei than for the Estrela Mountain Dog.

    5 health tests are recommended for Chinese Shar-Pei while 4 tests are recommended for the Estrela Mountain Dog.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Chinese Shar-Peis and in Estrela Mountain Dogs.

    Chinese Shar-Pei Health Problems

    Chinese Shar-Peis are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Peis for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Chinese Shar-Peis 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.

    Can Chinese Shar-Peis Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Estrela Mountain Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Chinese Shar-Peis 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.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chinese Shar-Pei or the Estrela Mountain Dog?

    Chinese Shar-Peis do not get along well with other dogs.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Chinese Shar-Pei or the Estrela Mountain Dog?

    Chinese Shar-Peis are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs are OK for new dog owners.

    Can Chinese Shar-Peis Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Estrela Mountain Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Chinese Shar-Peis cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Are Chinese Shar-Peis good family dogs? What about Estrela Mountain Dogs?

    Chinese Shar-Peis are not affectionate with family. They are not good family dogs.

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

    How Kid-friendly are Chinese Shar-Peis and Estrela Mountain Dogs?

    Chinese Shar-Peis do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

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

    Do Chinese Shar-Peis shed more than Estrela Mountain Dogs?

    Chinese Shar-Peis 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 Chinese Shar-Pei or the Estrela Mountain Dog

    Chinese Shar-Peis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs drool moderately.

    Does the Chinese Shar-Pei Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Estrela Mountain Dog?

    Chinese Shar-Peis 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.

    Wanderlust Potential: Chinese Shar-Pei vs. Estrela Mountain Dog

    Chinese Shar-Peis 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.

    Is the Chinese Shar-Pei Easier to Train than the Estrela Mountain Dog?

    Chinese Shar-Peis are fairly easy to train.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs are very easy to train.

    Is the Chinese Shar-Pei Better for Apartment Owners than the Estrela Mountain Dog?

    Chinese Shar-Peis adapt very well to apartment living.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Chinese Shar-Pei versus Estrela Mountain Dog

    Chinese Shar-Peis can be left alone for some time without problems.

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

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Chinese Shar-Pei or the Estrela Mountain Dog?

    Chinese Shar-Peis are very easy to groom.

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

    Do Chinese Shar-Peis Bark and Howl? What about Estrela Mountain Dogs?

    Chinese Shar-Peis are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

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

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Chinese Shar-Pei

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei:

  • Chow Chow (63 percent match with Chinese Shar-Pei). Here is our comparison of the Estrela Mountain Dog vs Chow Chow.
  • Affenhuahua (62 percent match with Chinese Shar-Pei). Here is our comparison of the Estrela Mountain Dog vs Affenhuahua.
  • 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 Chinese Shar-Pei vs Akbash.
  • Dutch Shepherd (75 percent match with Estrela Mountain Dog). Here is our comparison of the Chinese Shar-Pei vs Dutch Shepherd.
  • Pyrenean Mastiff (75 percent match with Estrela Mountain Dog). Here is our comparison of the Chinese Shar-Pei vs Pyrenean Mastiff.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Chinese Shar-Pei and how the Estrela Mountain Dog compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Chinese Shar-Pei and of the Estrela Mountain Dog to other breeds:

    Chinese Shar-Pei Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Chinese Shar-Pei versus Dogo Argentino     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Brittany     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Barbet     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Stabyhoun     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Pug     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Pomeranian     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Afador     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Maltese     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Standard Schnauzer     

    Estrela Mountain Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Estrela Mountain Dog versus Toy Poodle     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Plott     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Carolina Dog     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Sussex Spaniel     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Spanish Mastiff     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Cairn Terrier     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Chinook     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Irish Terrier     

    Conclusion: Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei and the Estrela Mountain Dog better suits you and your family.