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

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Estrela Mountain Dog Versus Shetland Sheepdog: Introduction

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

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

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 Shetland Sheepdog

Estrela Mountain Dog versus Shetland Sheepdog: Overview

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

Furthermore, both the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Shetland Sheepdog are Herding Dogs. This means both the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Shetland Sheepdog 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.

Estrela Mountain Dog versus Shetland Sheepdog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Estrela Mountain Dog to the Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdog
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 5/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 5/5 4/5
Life Span 11 to 15 years 12 to 15 years
Easygoing 4/5 1/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 5/5
Height 24 to 30 inches 13 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 4/5
Does NOT Drool 3/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 1/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Easy To Train 4/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Intelligence 5/5 5/5
Weight 75 to 130 pounds Starts at 20 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 13.5 years
Average Price $2000 $1590
Price Range $2000 – $2000 $1000 – $2000
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Dentition
  • Eye Examination- Recommend evaluation every year until age 5, every 2 years thereafter until age 9.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • *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 Shetland Sheepdog. 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 Shetland Sheepdog is 85 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Shetland Sheepdog is not better or worse than the Estrela Mountain Dog. So, you can get the Shetland Sheepdog or 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 Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdog

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

  • 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. However, Shetland Sheepdogs 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.
  • Estrela Mountain Dogs are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Shetland Sheepdogs are very friendly towards strangers.
  • The Similarities Between the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Shetland Sheepdog

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

  • Both the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Shetland Sheepdog do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Shetland Sheepdog do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Both the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Shetland Sheepdog require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Shetland Sheepdog are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Shetland Sheepdog can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Shetland Sheepdog shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdog are very easy to train.
  • Both the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Shetland Sheepdog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Shetland Sheepdog get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Shetland Sheepdog are highly intelligent.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Estrela Mountain Dog versus Shetland Sheepdog

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

    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, Shetland Sheepdogs weigh Starts at 20 pounds when fully grown. Shetland Sheepdogs are 13 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Price of Estrela Mountain Dog versus Price of Shetland Sheepdog

    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 Shetland Sheepdog puppy is $1590. The price of the Shetland Sheepdog typically ranges from $1000 – $2000. However, the price of a Shetland Sheepdog can be as low as $500 and as high as $3145. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 153 Shetland Sheepdog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Estrela Mountain Dog is more expensive than the Shetland Sheepdog.

    Estrela Mountain Dog Shetland Sheepdog
    Average Price $2000 $1590
    Price Range $2000 to $2000 $1000 to $2000

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Estrela Mountain Dog and Shetland Sheepdog. For different price points, the charts show how many Estrela Mountain Dog puppies or how many Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdogs

    A breakdown of the prices of Shetland Sheepdogs

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Estrela Mountain Dog puppy or the Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdog

    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 Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdog is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the Estrela Mountain Dog.

    4 health tests are recommended for Estrela Mountain Dog while 4 tests are recommended for the Shetland Sheepdog.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Estrela Mountain Dogs and in Shetland Sheepdogs.

    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.

    Shetland Sheepdog Health Problems

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

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Dentition
  • Eye Examination- Recommend evaluation every year until age 5, every 2 years thereafter until age 9.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Shetland Sheepdogs here.

    Is the Estrela Mountain Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Shetland Sheepdog?

    Estrela Mountain Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Shetland Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    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.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Estrela Mountain Dog vs. Shetland Sheepdog

    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.

    Shetland Sheepdogs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

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

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

    Shetland Sheepdogs 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 Shetland Sheepdog?

    Estrela Mountain Dogs are OK for new dog owners.

    Shetland Sheepdogs are OK for new dog owners.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Estrela Mountain Dog versus Shetland Sheepdog

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

    Shetland Sheepdogs do not like to be left alone.

    Can Estrela Mountain Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shetland Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Shetland Sheepdogs 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 Shetland Sheepdog?

    Estrela Mountain Dogs get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Shetland Sheepdogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Which one drools more, the Estrela Mountain Dog or the Shetland Sheepdog

    Estrela Mountain Dogs drool moderately.

    Shetland Sheepdogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Do Estrela Mountain Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Shetland Sheepdogs?

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

    Shetland Sheepdogs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Estrela Mountain Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shetland Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Estrela Mountain Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Shetland Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Do Estrela Mountain Dogs shed more than Shetland Sheepdogs?

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

    Shetland Sheepdogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Is the Estrela Mountain Dog Easier to Train than the Shetland Sheepdog?

    Estrela Mountain Dogs are very easy to train.

    Shetland Sheepdogs are very easy to train.

    Are Estrela Mountain Dogs good family dogs? What about Shetland Sheepdogs?

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

    Shetland Sheepdogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Estrela Mountain Dogs and Shetland Sheepdogs?

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

    Shetland Sheepdogs 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 Shetland Sheepdog vs Akbash.
  • Dutch Shepherd (75 percent match with Estrela Mountain Dog). Here is our comparison of the Shetland Sheepdog vs Dutch Shepherd.
  • Pyrenean Mastiff (75 percent match with Estrela Mountain Dog). Here is our comparison of the Shetland Sheepdog vs Pyrenean Mastiff.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shetland Sheepdog

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

  • Collie (81 percent match with Shetland Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Estrela Mountain Dog vs Collie.
  • Pembroke Welsh Corgi (79 percent match with Shetland Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Estrela Mountain Dog vs Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Estrela Mountain Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Estrela Mountain Dog versus Sussex Spaniel     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Dutch Shepherd     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Alaskan Malamute     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Dutch Shepherd     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Australian Cattle Dog     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Frenchton     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Black Mouth Cur     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Scottish Deerhound     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Pug     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Akbash     

    Shetland Sheepdog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Shetland Sheepdog versus Leonberger     Shetland Sheepdog versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Shetland Sheepdog versus Aussiedoodle     Shetland Sheepdog versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Shetland Sheepdog versus Westiepoo     Shetland Sheepdog versus Dogo Argentino     Shetland Sheepdog versus Kooikerhondje     Shetland Sheepdog versus Boxer     

    Conclusion: Estrela Mountain Dog versus Shetland Sheepdog. 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 Shetland Sheepdog better suits you and your family.