Is the Estrela Mountain Dog Better than the Kooikerhondje as a Pet? Answer…

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Estrela Mountain Dog Versus Kooikerhondje: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Kooikerhondje 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 Estrela Mountain Dog and for the Kooikerhondje. 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 Estrela Mountain Dog and the Kooikerhondje.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Estrela Mountain Dog or the Kooikerhondje

Estrela Mountain Dog versus Kooikerhondje: Overview

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

Furthermore, 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.

On the other hand, the Kooikerhondje 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.

Estrela Mountain Dog versus Kooikerhondje: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Estrela Mountain Dog to the Kooikerhondje 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 Estrela Mountain Dog Kooikerhondje
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 5/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 5/5 3/5
Life Span 11 to 15 years 12 to 14 years
Easygoing 4/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 3/5
Height 24 to 30 inches 14 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 3/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 3/5
General Health 4/5 5/5
Easy To Train 4/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 2/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Weight 75 to 130 pounds 20 to 25 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 13.0 years
Average Price $2000 No Data
Price Range $2000 – $2000 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
    		•  No Data

    *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 Estrela Mountain Dog 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 Kooikerhondje. 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 Estrela Mountain Dog is 85 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Kooikerhondje is 70 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Estrela Mountain Dog is a better pet than the Kooikerhondje. 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 Estrela Mountain Dog and the Kooikerhondje so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Kooikerhondje

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

  • Estrela Mountain Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Kooikerhondjes adapt well to apartment living.
  • Estrela Mountain Dogs are very easy to train. However, Kooikerhondjes are not easy to train.
  • Estrela Mountain Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly. However, Kooikerhondjes do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    • The Similarities Between the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Kooikerhondje

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

  • Both the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Kooikerhondje are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Kooikerhondje require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Kooikerhondje are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Kooikerhondje can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Kooikerhondje shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Kooikerhondje are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Kooikerhondje are highly intelligent.

    • Size (Weight and Height) of Estrela Mountain Dog versus Kooikerhondje

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

    Estrela Mountain Dogs weigh 75 to 130 pounds when fully grown. Estrela Mountain Dogs are 24 to 30 inches when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Kooikerhondjes weigh 20 to 25 pounds when fully grown. Kooikerhondjes are 14 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

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

    Estrela Mountain Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Kooikerhondjes adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    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.

    Kooikerhondjes have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Wanderlust Potential: Estrela Mountain Dog vs. Kooikerhondje

    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.

    Kooikerhondjes have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

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

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

    Kooikerhondjes require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

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

    Estrela Mountain Dogs are OK for new dog owners.

    Kooikerhondjes are OK for new dog owners.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Estrela Mountain Dog versus Kooikerhondje

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

    Kooikerhondjes do not like to be left alone.

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

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

    Kooikerhondjes can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

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

    Estrela Mountain Dogs get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Kooikerhondjes do not get along well with other dogs.

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

    Estrela Mountain Dogs drool moderately.

    Kooikerhondjes do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Do Estrela Mountain Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Kooikerhondjes?

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

    Kooikerhondjes bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Estrela Mountain Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Kooikerhondjes can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Do Estrela Mountain Dogs shed more than Kooikerhondjes?

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

    Kooikerhondjes shed moderately.

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

    Estrela Mountain Dogs are very easy to train.

    Kooikerhondjes are not easy to train.

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

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

    Kooikerhondjes are good family dogs. They are affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Estrela Mountain Dogs and Kooikerhondjes?

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

    Kooikerhondjes do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    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 Kooikerhondje vs Akbash.
  • Dutch Shepherd (75 percent match with Estrela Mountain Dog). Here is our comparison of the Kooikerhondje vs Dutch Shepherd.
  • Pyrenean Mastiff (75 percent match with Estrela Mountain Dog). Here is our comparison of the Kooikerhondje vs Pyrenean Mastiff.

    • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Kooikerhondje

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

  • Lakeland Terrier (75 percent match with Kooikerhondje). Here is our comparison of the Estrela Mountain Dog vs Lakeland Terrier.
  • Lhasapoo (75 percent match with Kooikerhondje). Here is our comparison of the Estrela Mountain Dog vs Lhasapoo.

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Estrela Mountain Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Estrela Mountain Dog versus Bracco Italiano     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Dogo Argentino     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Lowchen     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Chinook     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Miniature Poodle     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Labradoodle     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Bolognese     

    Kooikerhondje Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Kooikerhondje versus English Toy Spaniel     Kooikerhondje versus Papipoo     Kooikerhondje versus Bernedoodle     Kooikerhondje versus Great Dane     Kooikerhondje versus Dogo Argentino     Kooikerhondje versus Aussiedoodle     Kooikerhondje versus Boykin Spaniel     Kooikerhondje versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Kooikerhondje versus Chinook     Kooikerhondje versus Norwegian Lundehund     

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