Which is Better between the English Toy Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog? A Very Detailed Review.

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

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

English Toy Spaniel versus Estrela Mountain Dog: Overview

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

Furthermore, the English Toy 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.

English Toy Spaniel versus Estrela Mountain Dog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the English Toy 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 Toy Spaniel Estrela Mountain Dog
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 1/5 5/5
Height 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder 24 to 30 inches
Life Span 10 to 12 years 11 to 15 years
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 3/5
General Health 2/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 5/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Easy To Train 3/5 4/5
Intelligence 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 3/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 3/5
Easygoing 2/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 5/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 2/5
Weight 8 to 14 pounds 75 to 130 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.0 years
Average Price $2350 $2000
Price Range $2250 – $2525 $2000 – $2000
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination
  • 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 English Toy 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 Toy Spaniel is 74 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 Toy 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 Toy 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 Toy Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog

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

  • English Toy Spaniels 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.
  • English Toy Spaniels adapt well to apartment living. However, Estrela Mountain Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • English Toy 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 Toy Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog

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

  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the English Toy 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 English Toy Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog have low exercise needs.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog are very playful.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Estrela Mountain Dog shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of English Toy Spaniel versus Estrela Mountain Dog

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

    English Toy Spaniels weigh 8 to 14 pounds when fully grown. English Toy Spaniels are 10 to 11 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 English Toy Spaniel versus Price of Estrela Mountain Dog

    The average price of the English Toy Spaniel puppy is $2350. The price of the English Toy Spaniel typically ranges from $2250 – $2525. However, the price of a English Toy Spaniel can be as low as $2000 and as high as $2550. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 3 English Toy 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 English Toy Spaniel is more expensive than the Estrela Mountain Dog.

    English Toy Spaniel Estrela Mountain Dog
    Average Price $2350 $2000
    Price Range $2250 to $2525 $2000 to $2000

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of English Toy 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 Toy 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 Toy 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 Toy 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 English Toy Spaniel.

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

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

    English Toy Spaniel Health Problems

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

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for English Toy 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 Toy Spaniel versus Estrela Mountain Dog

    English Toy Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

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

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

    English Toy Spaniels do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

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

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

    English Toy Spaniels cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

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

    English Toy 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.

    Which one drools more, the English Toy Spaniel or the Estrela Mountain Dog

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

    Estrela Mountain Dogs drool moderately.

    Wanderlust Potential: English Toy Spaniel vs. Estrela Mountain Dog

    English Toy 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.

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

    English Toy Spaniels are fairly easy to train.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs are very easy to train.

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

    English Toy Spaniels bark and howl, but not very much.

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

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

    English Toy 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 English Toy Spaniel or the Estrela Mountain Dog?

    English Toy Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs are OK for new dog owners.

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

    English Toy Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs get along fairly well with other dogs.

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

    English Toy Spaniels are very easy to groom.

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

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

    English Toy 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.

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

    English Toy Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

    Do English Toy Spaniels shed more than Estrela Mountain Dogs?

    English Toy Spaniels shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

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

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the English Toy Spaniel

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

  • Japanese Chin (74 percent match with English Toy Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Estrela Mountain Dog vs Japanese Chin.
  • Pug (73 percent match with English Toy Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Estrela Mountain Dog vs Pug.
  • French Bulldog (74 percent match with English Toy Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Estrela Mountain Dog vs French Bulldog.
  • 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 Toy Spaniel vs Akbash.
  • Dutch Shepherd (75 percent match with Estrela Mountain Dog). Here is our comparison of the English Toy Spaniel vs Dutch Shepherd.
  • Pyrenean Mastiff (75 percent match with Estrela Mountain Dog). Here is our comparison of the English Toy Spaniel vs Pyrenean Mastiff.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    English Toy Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    English Toy Spaniel versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     English Toy Spaniel versus Boxerdoodle     English Toy Spaniel versus Lhasapoo     English Toy Spaniel versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     English Toy Spaniel versus Cavachon     English Toy Spaniel versus Kai Ken     English Toy Spaniel versus French Spaniel     English Toy Spaniel versus Shih Tzu     English Toy Spaniel versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     English Toy Spaniel versus Golden Cocker Retriever     

    Estrela Mountain Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Estrela Mountain Dog versus Boerboel     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Toy Poodle     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Fila Brasileiro     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Brittany     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Dutch Shepherd     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Peek A Poo     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Estrela Mountain Dog versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     

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