Which is Better between the Dalmatian and the Estrela Mountain Dog? A Very Detailed Review.

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Dalmatian Versus Estrela Mountain Dog: Introduction

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

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

Dalmatian versus Estrela Mountain Dog: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Dalmatian 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.

Dalmatian versus Estrela Mountain Dog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian Estrela Mountain Dog
Does NOT Drool 5/5 3/5
Life Span 13 to 16 years 11 to 15 years
Height 19 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder 24 to 30 inches
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 1/5
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
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 2/5
Easygoing 2/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 3/5
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
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 5/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 3/5
Weight 48 to 55 pounds 75 to 130 pounds
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 3/5
Average Lifespan 14.5 years 13.0 years
Average Price $1410 $2000
Price Range $1000 – $1800 $2000 – $2000
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Congenital Deafness
  • 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 Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian is 80 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 Dalmatian. 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 Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian and the Estrela Mountain Dog

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

  • Dalmatians 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.
  • Dalmatians are very easy to groom. However, Estrela Mountain Dogs require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • The Similarities Between the Dalmatian and the Estrela Mountain Dog

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

  • Both the Dalmatian and the Estrela Mountain Dog do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Estrela Mountain Dog are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Estrela Mountain Dog have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Estrela Mountain Dog are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Estrela Mountain Dog can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Estrela Mountain Dog get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Estrela Mountain Dog get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian and the Estrela Mountain Dog gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Estrela Mountain Dog are very easy to train.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Estrela Mountain Dog are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Estrela Mountain Dog do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Estrela Mountain Dog are very playful.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Estrela Mountain Dog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Estrela Mountain Dog shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Dalmatian versus Estrela Mountain Dog

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

    Dalmatians weigh 48 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Dalmatians are 19 to 24 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 Dalmatian versus Price of Estrela Mountain Dog

    The average price of the Dalmatian puppy is $1410. The price of the Dalmatian typically ranges from $1000 – $1800. However, the price of a Dalmatian can be as low as $250 and as high as $2600. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 233 Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian.

    Dalmatian Estrela Mountain Dog
    Average Price $1410 $2000
    Price Range $1000 to $1800 $2000 to $2000

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Dalmatians. 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 Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian.

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

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

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

    Dalmatian Health Problems

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

  • Congenital Deafness
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Dalmatians 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.

    Which one drools more, the Dalmatian or the Estrela Mountain Dog

    Dalmatians do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs drool moderately.

    Is the Dalmatian Better for Apartment Owners than the Estrela Mountain Dog?

    Dalmatians do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Dalmatians 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 Dalmatians Bark and Howl? What about Estrela Mountain Dogs?

    Dalmatians are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

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

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

    Dalmatians are OK for new dog owners.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs are OK for new dog owners.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Dalmatian versus Estrela Mountain Dog

    Dalmatians can be left alone only for a short time.

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

    Can Dalmatians Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Estrela Mountain Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Dalmatians can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Can Dalmatians Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Estrela Mountain Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Dalmatians can tolerate hot weather.

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

    How Kid-friendly are Dalmatians and Estrela Mountain Dogs?

    Dalmatians 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 Dalmatian or the Estrela Mountain Dog?

    Dalmatians get along very well with other dogs.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Is the Dalmatian Easier to Train than the Estrela Mountain Dog?

    Dalmatians are very easy to train.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs are very easy to train.

    Wanderlust Potential: Dalmatian vs. Estrela Mountain Dog

    Dalmatians 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.

    Are Dalmatians good family dogs? What about Estrela Mountain Dogs?

    Dalmatians are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

    Do Dalmatians shed more than Estrela Mountain Dogs?

    Dalmatians shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

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

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

    Dalmatians are very easy to groom.

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

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dalmatian

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

  • Berger Picard (78 percent match with Dalmatian). Here is our comparison of the Estrela Mountain Dog vs Berger Picard.
  • Golden Cocker Retriever (80 percent match with Dalmatian). Here is our comparison of the Estrela Mountain Dog vs Golden Cocker Retriever.
  • 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 Dalmatian vs Akbash.
  • Dutch Shepherd (75 percent match with Estrela Mountain Dog). Here is our comparison of the Dalmatian vs Dutch Shepherd.
  • Pyrenean Mastiff (75 percent match with Estrela Mountain Dog). Here is our comparison of the Dalmatian vs Pyrenean Mastiff.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Dalmatian Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Dalmatian versus Redbone Coonhound     Dalmatian versus Cane Corso     Dalmatian versus Lhasa Apso     Dalmatian versus Black Mouth Cur     Dalmatian versus Peek A Poo     Dalmatian versus Cockalier     Dalmatian versus American Hairless Terrier     Dalmatian versus Swedish Vallhund     Dalmatian versus Whippet     Dalmatian versus Braque du Bourbonnais     

    Estrela Mountain Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Estrela Mountain Dog versus Border Terrier     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Belgian Malinois     Estrela Mountain Dog versus English Springer Spaniel     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Shihpoo     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Basenji     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Brussels Griffon     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Patterdale Terrier     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Affenpinscher     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Akita Chow     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Basenji     

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