Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Estrela Mountain Dog Versus Portuguese Water Dog: Introduction
- Estrela Mountain Dog versus Portuguese Water Dog: Overview
- Estrela Mountain Dog versus Portuguese Water Dog: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Portuguese Water Dog
- The Similarities Between the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Portuguese Water Dog
- Size (Weight and Height) of Estrela Mountain Dog versus Portuguese Water Dog
- Price of Estrela Mountain Dog versus Price of Portuguese Water Dog
- Health Problems of Estrela Mountain Dog versus Health Problems of Portuguese Water Dog
- Does the Estrela Mountain Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Portuguese Water Dog?
- Wanderlust Potential: Estrela Mountain Dog vs. Portuguese Water Dog
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Estrela Mountain Dog or the Portuguese Water Dog?
- Tolerates Being Alone: Estrela Mountain Dog versus Portuguese Water Dog
- Can Estrela Mountain Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Estrela Mountain Dog or the Portuguese Water Dog?
- Which one drools more, the Estrela Mountain Dog or the Portuguese Water Dog
- Do Estrela Mountain Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?
- Can Estrela Mountain Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Do Estrela Mountain Dogs shed more than Portuguese Water Dogs?
- Is the Estrela Mountain Dog Easier to Train than the Portuguese Water Dog?
- Are Estrela Mountain Dogs good family dogs? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?
- How Kid-friendly are Estrela Mountain Dogs and Portuguese Water Dogs?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Estrela Mountain Dog
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Portuguese Water Dog
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Estrela Mountain Dog versus Portuguese Water Dog. Which One is a Better Pet?
Estrela Mountain Dog Versus Portuguese Water Dog: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Portuguese Water 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 Estrela Mountain Dog and the Portuguese Water 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 Estrela Mountain Dog and the Portuguese Water Dog.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Portuguese Water 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 Estrela Mountain Dog and for the Portuguese Water 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 Estrela Mountain Dog and the Portuguese Water Dog.
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 Portuguese Water Dog
Estrela Mountain Dog versus Portuguese Water Dog: Overview
A very important difference between the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Portuguese Water Dog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Estrela Mountain Dog is a large-sized dog while the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.
Estrela Mountain Dog versus Portuguese Water Dog: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Estrela Mountain Dog to the Portuguese Water 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 | Estrela Mountain Dog | Portuguese Water Dog |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 10 to 14 years |
| Easygoing | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Height | 24 to 30 inches | 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the |
| 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 | 5/5 |
| 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 | 1/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| 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 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 75 to 130 pounds | 35 to 60 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 13.0 years | 12.0 years |
| Average Price | $2000 | $2860 |
| Price Range | $2000 – $2000 | $2500 – $3300 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
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*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 Portuguese Water 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 Estrela Mountain Dog is 85 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Portuguese Water Dog is 84 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Estrela Mountain Dog is a better pet than the Portuguese Water Dog. 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 Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog
Below is a list of where the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Portuguese Water Dog are most different:
The Similarities Between the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Portuguese Water Dog
The Estrela Mountain Dog and the Portuguese Water Dog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Portuguese Water Dog are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Estrela Mountain Dog versus Portuguese Water Dog
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Portuguese Water Dog.
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, Portuguese Water Dogs weigh 35 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Portuguese Water Dogs are 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the when fully grown.
Price of Estrela Mountain Dog versus Price of Portuguese Water Dog
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 Portuguese Water Dog puppy is $2860. The price of the Portuguese Water Dog typically ranges from $2500 – $3300. However, the price of a Portuguese Water Dog can be as low as $900 and as high as $5000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 140 Portuguese Water Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Portuguese Water Dog is more expensive than the Estrela Mountain Dog.
| Estrela Mountain Dog | Portuguese Water Dog | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $2000 | $2860 |
| Price Range | $2000 to $2000 | $2500 to $3300 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Estrela Mountain Dog and Portuguese Water Dog. For different price points, the charts show how many Estrela Mountain Dog puppies or how many Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dogs
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Estrela Mountain Dog puppy or the Portuguese Water 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 Estrela Mountain Dog versus Health Problems of Portuguese Water 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 Estrela Mountain Dog and the Portuguese Water 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 Portuguese Water Dog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Estrela Mountain Dog.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Portuguese Water Dog than for the Estrela Mountain Dog.
4 health tests are recommended for Estrela Mountain Dog while 11 tests are recommended for the Portuguese Water Dog.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Estrela Mountain Dogs and in Portuguese Water Dogs.
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:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Estrela Mountain Dogs here.
Portuguese Water Dog Health Problems
Portuguese Water Dogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Portuguese Water 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 Portuguese Water Dog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Portuguese Water 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 Portuguese Water Dogs for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Portuguese Water Dogs here.
Is the Estrela Mountain Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Portuguese Water Dog?
Estrela Mountain Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.
Portuguese Water Dogs adapt very well to apartment living.
Does the Estrela Mountain Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Portuguese Water Dog?
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.
Portuguese Water Dogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Wanderlust Potential: Estrela Mountain Dog vs. Portuguese Water Dog
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.
Portuguese Water Dogs 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 Portuguese Water Dog?
Estrela Mountain Dogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Portuguese Water Dogs 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 Portuguese Water Dog?
Estrela Mountain Dogs are OK for new dog owners.
Portuguese Water Dogs are OK for new dog owners.
Tolerates Being Alone: Estrela Mountain Dog versus Portuguese Water Dog
Estrela Mountain Dogs can be left alone only for a short time.
Portuguese Water Dogs do not like to be left alone.
Can Estrela Mountain Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
Estrela Mountain Dogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Portuguese Water Dogs 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 Portuguese Water Dog?
Estrela Mountain Dogs get along fairly well with other dogs.
Portuguese Water Dogs get along very well with other dogs.
Which one drools more, the Estrela Mountain Dog or the Portuguese Water Dog
Estrela Mountain Dogs drool moderately.
Portuguese Water Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.
Do Estrela Mountain Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?
Estrela Mountain Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.
Portuguese Water Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.
Can Estrela Mountain Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
Estrela Mountain Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Portuguese Water Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Do Estrela Mountain Dogs shed more than Portuguese Water Dogs?
Estrela Mountain Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Portuguese Water Dogs do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Is the Estrela Mountain Dog Easier to Train than the Portuguese Water Dog?
Estrela Mountain Dogs are very easy to train.
Portuguese Water Dogs are very easy to train.
Are Estrela Mountain Dogs good family dogs? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?
Estrela Mountain Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Portuguese Water Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Estrela Mountain Dogs and Portuguese Water Dogs?
Estrela Mountain Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Portuguese Water Dogs 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:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Portuguese Water Dog
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Portuguese Water 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 Portuguese Water Dog:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Estrela Mountain Dog and how the Portuguese Water Dog compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Estrela Mountain Dog and of the Portuguese Water Dog to other breeds:
Estrela Mountain Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds
Estrela Mountain Dog versus Boerboel Estrela Mountain Dog versus Lhasa Apso Estrela Mountain Dog versus Irish Terrier Estrela Mountain Dog versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier Estrela Mountain Dog versus Goldador Estrela Mountain Dog versus American Staffordshire Terrier Estrela Mountain Dog versus Kuvasz Estrela Mountain Dog versus Affenhuahua Estrela Mountain Dog versus Lowchen Estrela Mountain Dog versus Spinone Italiano
Portuguese Water Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds
Portuguese Water Dog versus Dachshund Portuguese Water Dog versus Bracco Italiano Portuguese Water Dog versus Chinese Shar-Pei Portuguese Water Dog versus Coton de Tulear Portuguese Water Dog versus Saluki Portuguese Water Dog versus Australian Shepherd Portuguese Water Dog versus Irish Terrier Portuguese Water Dog versus Peek A Poo Portuguese Water Dog versus Silky Terrier Portuguese Water Dog versus Mal Shi
Conclusion: Estrela Mountain Dog versus Portuguese Water 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 Estrela Mountain Dog and the Portuguese Water Dog better suits you and your family.