At a glance the quick version
FCI gives 45-60 kg for males and 35-45 kg for females; UKC gives 88-110 lb (about 40-50 kg) and 66-88 lb (about 30-40 kg).
The Royal Kennel Club lists under 10 years.
Coat and looks how to spot one
long or short double coat
A powerful mountain dog with a thick, somewhat goat-hair-like outer coat over a fine undercoat, either long (straight or slightly wavy) or short. Folded-back ears and a tail with a hook at the tip are breed hallmarks.143
Personality what they are like
Calm, alert and independent-minded, the Estrela is gentle and loyal with its own family and handler but naturally aloof with strangers. It takes guarding its flock, home and people seriously and reacts quickly when it senses danger.134
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Up to about an hour of exercise a day.4
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Brush more than once a week; the coat sheds.4
Home where they are happiest
A working livestock guardian at heart that suits homes with space and a secure territory to watch over.43
Company who they like around
Strongly bonded to its owner; reserved with unfamiliar people.34
The story where it all began
One of the oldest breeds of the Iberian Peninsula, it guarded shepherds' flocks on high summer pastures and protected farmhouses in winter. Portuguese interest in native breeds grew in the 1930s and the first standard was written in 1933.31
Fun facts for the dinner table
Recognised by the official bits
- FCI
- Standard no. 173, Group 2, Section 2.2 Molossoid breeds, Mountain type; standard dated 30.03.2009. Long-haired and short-haired varieties.1
- The Royal Kennel Club
- Pastoral group.4
- UKC
- Guardian Dog Group; recognised in 1996.3
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Estrela Mountain Dog. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- BrushingDaily during heavy sheddingevery 3 days
- Double coats insulate against cold and heat, so shaving is not recommended
- Bathevery 10 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
- Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 6every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- FCI Standard No. 173, Cão da Serra da Estrela fci.beused for recognition, size, weight, coat, colours, temperament
- Wikipedia, Estrela Mountain Dog en.wikipedia.orgused for other names, wolf-guarding fact
- UKC Estrela Mountain Dog standard ukcdogs.comused for UKC recognition, history, size, temperament, fun facts
- The Royal Kennel Club, Estrela Mountain Dog royalkennelclub.comused for exercise, grooming, lifespan band, colours, traits
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.