Differences and Similarities between the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Norfolk Terrier.

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Estrela Mountain Dog Versus Norfolk Terrier: Introduction

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

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

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 Norfolk Terrier

Estrela Mountain Dog versus Norfolk Terrier: Overview

A very important difference between the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Norfolk Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Estrela Mountain Dog is a large-sized dog while the Norfolk Terrier is a tiny-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 Norfolk Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

Estrela Mountain Dog versus Norfolk Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Estrela Mountain Dog to the Norfolk Terrier 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 Norfolk Terrier
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 5/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 5/5 2/5
Life Span 11 to 15 years 12 to 15 years
Easygoing 4/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 4/5
Height 24 to 30 inches 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 5/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 3/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 5/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 5/5
General Health 4/5 5/5
Easy To Train 4/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Weight 75 to 130 pounds 11 to 12 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 13.5 years
Average Price $2000 $2500
Price Range $2000 – $2000 $2500 – $2500
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Ichthyosis
  • 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 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 Norfolk Terrier. 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 Norfolk Terrier is 94 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Norfolk Terrier is a better pet than the Estrela Mountain Dog. So, you should get the Norfolk Terrier!

    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 Norfolk Terrier 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 Norfolk Terrier

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

  • Estrela Mountain Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Norfolk Terriers adapt well to apartment living.
  • 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. However, Norfolk Terriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Estrela Mountain Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies. However, Norfolk Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • The Similarities Between the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Norfolk Terrier

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

  • Both the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Norfolk Terrier have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Norfolk Terrier are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Norfolk Terrier can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Norfolk Terrier 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 Norfolk Terrier are very easy to train.
  • Both the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Norfolk Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Norfolk Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Norfolk Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Estrela Mountain Dog versus Norfolk Terrier

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

    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, Norfolk Terriers weigh 11 to 12 pounds when fully grown. Norfolk Terriers are 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Price of Estrela Mountain Dog versus Price of Norfolk Terrier

    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 reviewing the prices of 1 Estrela Mountain Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Norfolk Terrier puppy is $2500. The price of the Norfolk Terrier typically ranges from $2500 – $2500. However, the price of a Norfolk Terrier can be as low as $2500 and as high as $2500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 1 Norfolk Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Norfolk Terrier is more expensive than the Estrela Mountain Dog.

    Estrela Mountain Dog Norfolk Terrier
    Average Price $2000 $2500
    Price Range $2000 to $2000 $2500 to $2500

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Estrela Mountain Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Estrela Mountain Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Norfolk Terriers

    A breakdown of the prices of Norfolk Terriers

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Estrela Mountain Dog puppy or the Norfolk Terrier 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 Estrela Mountain Dog versus Health Problems of Norfolk Terrier

    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 Estrela Mountain Dog and the Norfolk Terrier 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 Norfolk Terrier is prone to more genetic health problems than the Estrela Mountain Dog.

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

    4 health tests are recommended for Estrela Mountain Dog while 5 tests are recommended for the Norfolk Terrier.

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

    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.

    Norfolk Terrier Health Problems

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

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Ichthyosis
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Norfolk Terriers here.

    Is the Estrela Mountain Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Norfolk Terrier?

    Estrela Mountain Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Norfolk Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    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.

    Norfolk Terriers 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.

    Wanderlust Potential: Estrela Mountain Dog vs. Norfolk Terrier

    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.

    Norfolk Terriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

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

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

    Norfolk Terriers are very easy to groom.

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

    Estrela Mountain Dogs are OK for new dog owners.

    Norfolk Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Estrela Mountain Dog versus Norfolk Terrier

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

    Norfolk Terriers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Can Estrela Mountain Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Norfolk Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Norfolk Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Estrela Mountain Dogs get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Norfolk Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Which one drools more, the Estrela Mountain Dog or the Norfolk Terrier

    Estrela Mountain Dogs drool moderately.

    Norfolk Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Do Estrela Mountain Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Norfolk Terriers?

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

    Norfolk Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Estrela Mountain Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Norfolk Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Estrela Mountain Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Norfolk Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Do Estrela Mountain Dogs shed more than Norfolk Terriers?

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

    Norfolk Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Is the Estrela Mountain Dog Easier to Train than the Norfolk Terrier?

    Estrela Mountain Dogs are very easy to train.

    Norfolk Terriers are very easy to train.

    Are Estrela Mountain Dogs good family dogs? What about Norfolk Terriers?

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

    Norfolk Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Estrela Mountain Dogs and Norfolk Terriers?

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

    Norfolk Terriers get along well with kids. They are 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 Norfolk Terrier vs Akbash.
  • Dutch Shepherd (75 percent match with Estrela Mountain Dog). Here is our comparison of the Norfolk Terrier vs Dutch Shepherd.
  • Pyrenean Mastiff (75 percent match with Estrela Mountain Dog). Here is our comparison of the Norfolk Terrier vs Pyrenean Mastiff.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Norfolk Terrier

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

  • Boston Terrier (77 percent match with Norfolk Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Estrela Mountain Dog vs Boston Terrier.
  • Cockapoo (75 percent match with Norfolk Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Estrela Mountain Dog vs Cockapoo.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Estrela Mountain Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Estrela Mountain Dog versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Silky Terrier     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Berger Picard     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Bull Terrier     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Maltese     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Finnish Spitz     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Finnish Lapphund     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Pointer     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Boykin Spaniel     Estrela Mountain Dog versus American Pit Bull Terrier     

    Norfolk Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Norfolk Terrier versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Norfolk Terrier versus Sloughi     Norfolk Terrier versus Norwegian Lundehund     Norfolk Terrier versus Cockalier     Norfolk Terrier versus Norwich Terrier     Norfolk Terrier versus Cavachon     Norfolk Terrier versus Beagle     Norfolk Terrier versus American Foxhound     Norfolk Terrier versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Norfolk Terrier versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     

    Conclusion: Estrela Mountain Dog versus Norfolk Terrier. 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 Norfolk Terrier better suits you and your family.