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

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English 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 English 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 English 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 English Cocker Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog.

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

English Cocker Spaniel versus Estrela Mountain Dog: Overview

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

Furthermore, the English 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.

English Cocker Spaniel versus Estrela Mountain Dog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the English 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 English Cocker Spaniel Estrela Mountain Dog
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 3/5
Height 1 foot, 3 inches to 1 foot, 5 inches tall at the s 24 to 30 inches
Life Span 12 to 14 years 11 to 15 years
Weight 26 to 34 pounds 75 to 130 pounds
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Easy To Train 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 5/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 3/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 1/5
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 NOT to Gain Weight 1/5 3/5
Intelligence 5/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 3/5
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 13.0 years
Average Price $1500 $2000
Price Range $1200 – $1800 $2000 – $2000
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • BAER Test
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • OFA/U of MO Adult Onset Neuropathy
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • 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 English 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 English Cocker Spaniel is 82 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 English 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 English 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 English Cocker Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog

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

  • English 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.
  • English Cocker Spaniels adapt well to apartment living. However, Estrela Mountain Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • English 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.
  • English Cocker Spaniels are very friendly towards strangers. However, Estrela Mountain Dogs are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • English 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 English Cocker Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog

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

  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the English 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 English Cocker Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog are very easy to train.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog are highly intelligent.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of English Cocker Spaniel versus Estrela Mountain Dog

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

    English Cocker Spaniels weigh 26 to 34 pounds when fully grown. English Cocker Spaniels are 1 foot, 3 inches to 1 foot, 5 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 English Cocker Spaniel versus Price of Estrela Mountain Dog

    The average price of the English Cocker Spaniel puppy is $1500. The price of the English Cocker Spaniel typically ranges from $1200 – $1800. However, the price of a English Cocker Spaniel can be as low as $650 and as high as $3000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 90 English 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 English Cocker Spaniel.

    English Cocker Spaniel Estrela Mountain Dog
    Average Price $1500 $2000
    Price Range $1200 to $1800 $2000 to $2000

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of English 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 English 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 English 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 English 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 English Cocker Spaniel is prone to more genetic health problems than the Estrela Mountain Dog.

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

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

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

    English Cocker Spaniel Health Problems

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

  • BAER Test
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • OFA/U of MO Adult Onset Neuropathy
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for English 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: English Cocker Spaniel versus Estrela Mountain Dog

    English 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 English Cocker Spaniel or the Estrela Mountain Dog

    English Cocker Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs drool moderately.

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

    English 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.

    Do English Cocker Spaniels shed more than Estrela Mountain Dogs?

    English Cocker Spaniels shed moderately.

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

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

    English Cocker Spaniels are moderately 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 English Cocker Spaniel or the Estrela Mountain Dog?

    English Cocker Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs are OK for new dog owners.

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

    English Cocker Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

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

    English Cocker Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs are very easy to train.

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

    English Cocker Spaniels are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: English Cocker Spaniel vs. Estrela Mountain Dog

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

    English Cocker Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    English 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.

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

    English Cocker 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 English Cocker Spaniel or the Estrela Mountain Dog?

    English Cocker Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs get along fairly well with other dogs.

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

    English 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 English Cocker Spaniel

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

  • Cavachon (82 percent match with English Cocker Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Estrela Mountain Dog vs Cavachon.
  • Norwich Terrier (81 percent match with English Cocker Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Estrela Mountain Dog vs Norwich Terrier.
  • 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 English Cocker Spaniel vs Akbash.
  • Dutch Shepherd (75 percent match with Estrela Mountain Dog). Here is our comparison of the English Cocker Spaniel vs Dutch Shepherd.
  • Pyrenean Mastiff (75 percent match with Estrela Mountain Dog). Here is our comparison of the English Cocker Spaniel vs Pyrenean Mastiff.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    English Cocker Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    English Cocker Spaniel versus Icelandic Sheepdog     English Cocker Spaniel versus American Pit Bull Terrier     English Cocker Spaniel versus German Shepherd Dog     English Cocker Spaniel versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     English Cocker Spaniel versus Ibizan Hound     English Cocker Spaniel versus Basset Hound     English Cocker Spaniel versus Spinone Italiano     English Cocker Spaniel versus French Spaniel     English Cocker Spaniel versus King Shepherd     English Cocker Spaniel versus Flat-Coated Retriever     

    Estrela Mountain Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Estrela Mountain Dog versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Afador     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Shiranian     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Silky Terrier     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Bracco Italiano     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Miniature Schnauzer     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Borzoi     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Australian Kelpie     

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