A Detailed Comparison of the Cocker Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog.

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Cocker Spaniel Versus Estrela Mountain Dog: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Cocker 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 Cocker 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 Cocker 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 Cocker Spaniel or the Estrela Mountain Dog

Cocker Spaniel versus Estrela Mountain Dog: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Cocker Spaniel belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

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.

Cocker Spaniel versus Estrela Mountain Dog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Cocker 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 Cocker Spaniel Estrela Mountain Dog
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 2/5
Height 1 foot, 2 inches to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the s 24 to 30 inches
Life Span 12 to 15 years 11 to 15 years
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 3/5
Weight 24 to 28 pounds 75 to 130 pounds
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 3/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 3/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 1/5
Easygoing 1/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Easy To Train 5/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 5/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 13.0 years
Average Price $1760 $2000
Price Range $1200 – $2000 $2000 – $2000
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • 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 Cocker 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 Cocker Spaniel is 77 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 Cocker Spaniel. 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 Cocker 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 Cocker Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog

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

  • Cocker Spaniels 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.
  • Cocker Spaniels adapt well to apartment living. However, Estrela Mountain Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Cocker 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.
  • Cocker Spaniels 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.
  • The Similarities Between the Cocker Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog

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

  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Cocker 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 Cocker Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog are very playful.
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog are very easy to train.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Cocker Spaniel versus Estrela Mountain Dog

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

    Cocker Spaniels weigh 24 to 28 pounds when fully grown. Cocker Spaniels are 1 foot, 2 inches to 1 foot, 3 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.

    Price of Cocker Spaniel versus Price of Estrela Mountain Dog

    The average price of the Cocker Spaniel puppy is $1760. The price of the Cocker Spaniel typically ranges from $1200 – $2000. However, the price of a Cocker Spaniel can be as low as $700 and as high as $4125. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 297 Cocker 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 Estrela Mountain Dog is more expensive than the Cocker Spaniel.

    Cocker Spaniel Estrela Mountain Dog
    Average Price $1760 $2000
    Price Range $1200 to $2000 $2000 to $2000

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Cocker Spaniels. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Cocker 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 Cocker 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 Cocker 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 Cocker 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 more genetic health problems than the Cocker Spaniel.

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

    2 health tests are recommended for Cocker Spaniel while 4 tests are recommended for the Estrela Mountain Dog.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Cocker Spaniels and in Estrela Mountain Dogs.

    Cocker Spaniel Health Problems

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

  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Cocker 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: Cocker Spaniel versus Estrela Mountain Dog

    Cocker 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 Cocker Spaniel or the Estrela Mountain Dog

    Cocker Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs drool moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Cocker Spaniel or the Estrela Mountain Dog?

    Cocker Spaniels 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.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Cocker Spaniel or the Estrela Mountain Dog?

    Cocker Spaniels are OK for new dog owners.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs are OK for new dog owners.

    Can Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Estrela Mountain Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Cocker Spaniels 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.

    How Kid-friendly are Cocker Spaniels and Estrela Mountain Dogs?

    Cocker Spaniels get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

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

    Do Cocker Spaniels shed more than Estrela Mountain Dogs?

    Cocker Spaniels shed moderately.

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

    Do Cocker Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Estrela Mountain Dogs?

    Cocker Spaniels bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Estrela Mountain Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Cocker Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Cocker Spaniel or the Estrela Mountain Dog?

    Cocker Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Wanderlust Potential: Cocker Spaniel vs. Estrela Mountain Dog

    Cocker Spaniels 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.

    Is the Cocker Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Estrela Mountain Dog?

    Cocker Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Are Cocker Spaniels good family dogs? What about Estrela Mountain Dogs?

    Cocker Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

    Is the Cocker Spaniel Easier to Train than the Estrela Mountain Dog?

    Cocker Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs are very easy to train.

    Does the Cocker Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Estrela Mountain Dog?

    Cocker Spaniels 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.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Cocker Spaniel

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Cocker 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 Cocker Spaniel:

  • Bichon Frise (77 percent match with Cocker Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Estrela Mountain Dog vs Bichon Frise.
  • English Cocker Spaniel (76 percent match with Cocker Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Estrela Mountain Dog vs English Cocker Spaniel.
  • 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 Cocker Spaniel vs Akbash.
  • Dutch Shepherd (75 percent match with Estrela Mountain Dog). Here is our comparison of the Cocker Spaniel vs Dutch Shepherd.
  • Pyrenean Mastiff (75 percent match with Estrela Mountain Dog). Here is our comparison of the Cocker Spaniel vs Pyrenean Mastiff.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Cocker Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Cocker Spaniel versus Field Spaniel     Cocker Spaniel versus Newfoundland     Cocker Spaniel versus Shihpoo     Cocker Spaniel versus Puli     Cocker Spaniel versus American Eskimo Dog     Cocker Spaniel versus Weimaraner     Cocker Spaniel versus Kuvasz     Cocker Spaniel versus Afador     Cocker Spaniel versus Sheepadoodle     Cocker Spaniel versus Coton de Tulear     

    Estrela Mountain Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Estrela Mountain Dog versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Boykin Spaniel     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Greyhound     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Puli     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Akita Chow     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Black Russian Terrier     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Bouvier des Flandres     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Maltese     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Cane Corso     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Maltese     

    Conclusion: Cocker 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 Cocker Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog better suits you and your family.