Irish Mastiff Hound vs Estrela Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison

Irish Mastiff Hound vs Estrela Mountain Dog - Breed ComparisonIrish Mastiff Hound is originated from United States but Estrela Mountain Dog is originated from Portugal. Irish Mastiff Hound may grow 19 cm / 8 inches higher than Estrela Mountain Dog. Irish Mastiff Hound may weigh 24 kg / 53 pounds more than Estrela Mountain Dog. Both Irish Mastiff Hound and Estrela Mountain Dog has same life span. Irish Mastiff Hound may have more litter size than Estrela Mountain Dog. Both Irish Mastiff Hound and Estrela Mountain Dog requires Moderate maintenance.

History

irish mastiff hound - historyThe Irish Mastiff Hound is a huge dog – a mix of the English Mastiff and the Irish Wolfhound.

Both of these dogs have been around for a long time and actually have ancient histories. The Mastiff for instance has origins that date back to ancient times in China, while the Irish Wolfhound has origins that date far back to 391 AD.

Today this dog is regarded as an excellent companion for any home.

estrela mountain dog - historyAlso known as the Cao da Serra de Estrela, the large Estrela Mountain Dog from Portugal is an ancient breed, having been used for centuries to guard homesteads and livestock.

The Estrela, as a herding dog, has been developed over a long period of time because shepherds particularly wanted a dog that could survive in the mountains and be strong enough to guard livestock from predators.

The first official recorded breed standard was published in 1933, with an attempt to make the Estrela a distinct breed with a hooked tail and double dew claws.

Today the Estrela is a dog which can be found in other countries beyond Portugal, and in fact in 1973 pairs of the dogs were imported to the United States.

Description

irish mastiff hound puppy - descriptionThis is a large crossbreed which can stand at 85 to 91 cm in height and weigh in the region of 47kg to 74kg.

He essentially has the short, smooth coat of the Mastiff but other dogs may well inherit the longer, more wiry coat of the Wolfhound. Coloring of the coat can be quite varied and can be brown, grey, white, tan or black. Some dogs take more after the Mastiff while others have more Wolfhound characteristics. They have a large head, some have a somewhat wrinkly face because of the Mastiff side, the ears are fairly small and floppy and the tail is long.

Temperament:

Even though they're so huge, these are easy going dogs that are able to fit in well with most human families. Described as gentle giants, they are loving, loyal, easy-going, even-tempered and eager to please.

The Irish Mastiff does well in the city or in the country because he isn't particularly active and will be happy to have a comfortable spot to lie close to you, however with such a large dog, you will certainly need a garden.

estrela mountain dog puppy - descriptionThe large Estrela Mountain Dog stands between 62 and 72cm and weighs between 30kg and 50kg.

The dog has 2 coat types – short and long but always coarse and thick. The coat is available in a number of colors, from fawn to gray to yellow and brindle and there can be white and black mixed throughout the coat.

The head of the dog is large and long, the neck fairly short and thick, he has dark brown eyes, a bright, intelligent expression with small, floppy ears which are set high on the skull, falling backwards against the side of the head. The tail is long and thick and the dog has a deep chest.

Temperament:

A large, athletic dog, the Estrela Mountain Dog is actually a calm dog, while still being protective towards his human family.

He is an intelligent dog who responds well to training and socialization. He is an independent dog, so this training and socialization is important - will be good for him, turning him into an obedient, relaxed pet who gets on well with other pets in the home as well as with children.

Characteristics

irish mastiff hound dog - characteristicsYour big Irish Mastiff Hound is cool, confident and calm. He isn't particularly energetic and as long as he gets a nice walk as well as some mental stimulation, he'll be happy, wanting to spend a good part of the day lying close to where you are.

Socialization and training will be good for him and he learns easily. He is just a big gentle giant who promises to make you a wonderful canine friend.

estrela mountain dog dog - characteristicsThe Estrela Mountain Dog loves his human family and takes guarding them and protecting them seriously. He is a strong willed, independent dog that will require training and socialization. He makes an excellent pet, and is calm and gentle with children.

The Estrela Mountain Dog has so much going for him – he is beautiful to look at, he is loyal and protective with his human family, he is intelligent, loving and a healthy type of breed, and he is just waiting to become a member of your family.

Health Problems

irish mastiff hound puppies - health problemsMany people find giant dogs irresistible because they're usually gentle, patient and loving. However, it is their very size which makes them more prone to certain health concerns and gives them a shorter lifespan.

It is why it is so important to ensure you feed your pet a healthy diet to ward off illness. A large dog like the Irish Mastiff doesn't have a particularly long lifespan, and with good care he can get to 9, 10, 11, 12 years of age.

Hip Dysplasia:

This condition is more common in large dogs and it can lead to joint degeneration, arthritis and pain. Your pet may even be reluctant to get up and greet you when you come home which can be very sad. Vet intervention will certainly be required.

Dilated Cardiomyopathy:

This heart disease is commonly seen in large dog breeds where the heart becomes weak so that it can't pump blood throughout the body. Coughing, difficulty with breathing, weakness and lethargy are just some of the symptoms of this disease and will also require veterinary intervention.

estrela mountain dog puppies - health problemsThe Estrela Mountain Dog can live to be between 10 and 14 years of age, but as with any large dog, he will have a tendency to suffer from hip- and elbow dysplasia.

Dilated cardiomyopathy is another common heart failure disease found particularly in large-breed dogs. The Estrela is prone to this disease and you’ll notice he has shortness of breath, abdominal swelling and coughing. The disease may not be curable, but there are certainly treatments for it.

Caring The Pet

Grooming:

irish mastiff hound dogs - caringHe has a short coat, and grooming of this laid-back dog will include brushing him twice a week, trimming his nails and making sure that you check inside his ears for ear infection.

Diet:

Large dogs have special nutritional needs, particularly because they are more prone to illnesses such as hip dysplasia. You want to make sure that the foods he eats are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, chondroitin, amino acids and antioxidants because these will ensure proper joint health.

You've got to be careful what you feed a large breed dog because of the weight management issue too. Excess weight puts stress on the joints and promotes the development of osteoarthritis. Speak to your vet about portion control and meat protein for your pet and how to ensure excellent nutrition to avoid common dog illnesses.

Fresh, cool water needs to be available to your pet every minute of the night and day.

Diet:

estrela mountain dog dogs - caringThe Estrela Mountain Dog is a large dog and thankfully, when it comes to feeding him, experts in dog feeding have come up with commercially manufactured dog feeds that particularly cater for a dog’s age, his size and any illnesses he may have.

As a large dog, your Estrela Mountain Dog can suffer with joint problems such as hip dysplasia. For hip dysplasia you want to be looking at a dog food for large dogs which contains joint-health ingredients. An ingredient in the dog food such as glucosamine can work to reduce the damage brought about by hip dysplasia.

Mix in some cooked brown rice, vegetables and chicken into his kibble from time to time. You want your pet to live a long, healthy life and raw meat added in occasionally can increase your pets energy levels, reduce the risk of joint disease and ensure a shiny, soft coat. Raw meat can provide iron, zinc, vitamins, minerals and potassium.

Grooming:

The Estrela isn’t a huge shedder, but his beautiful, thick coat will require brushing twice a week. It’s your chance to check him over for fleas and ticks as well, and the entire grooming process – checking his ears, nails and teeth – is an excellent bonding experience for you and your canine friend.

Exercise:

The Estrela may be large, but he is fairly calm. He’ll love to join you on your daily walks or for a ball game in the garden. He can adapt to life in the city or the country, but his big size will mean he isn’t suited to a tiny property.

Basic Information

Group:
Companion dog
Herding dogs
Origin:
United States
Portugal
Height Male:
85 - 91 cm
33 - 36 inches
65 - 72 cm
25 - 29 inches
Height Female:
85 - 91 cm
33 - 36 inches
62 - 70 cm
24 - 28 inches
Weight Male:
47 - 74 kg
103 - 164 pounds
40 - 50 kg
88 - 111 pounds
Weight Female:
47 - 74 kg
103 - 164 pounds
30 - 50 kg
66 - 111 pounds
Life Span:
9 - 12 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
5 - 12
2 - 8
Size:
Giant dog
Large dog
Other Names:
Irish Mastiff
Cao da Serra de Estrela
Colors Available:
grey, Brown, tan or black, white
Fawn, gray, yellow, brindle
Coat:
Short and smooth or long and wiry
Short or long - coarse and thick
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Shiloh Shepherd vs Irish Mastiff Hound - Breed Comparison
  2. Irish Mastiff Hound vs Great Dane - Breed Comparison
  3. Newfoundland Dog vs Irish Mastiff Hound - Breed Comparison
  4. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Irish Mastiff Hound - Breed Comparison
  5. Leonberger vs Irish Mastiff Hound - Breed Comparison
  6. Irish Wolfhound vs Irish Mastiff Hound - Breed Comparison
  7. Mountain Burmese vs Irish Mastiff Hound - Breed Comparison
  8. Pyrenean Mastiff vs Irish Mastiff Hound - Breed Comparison
  9. Moscow Watchdog vs Irish Mastiff Hound - Breed Comparison
  10. Nebolish Mastiff vs Irish Mastiff Hound - Breed Comparison
  11. Scottish Deerhound vs Irish Mastiff Hound - Breed Comparison
  12. Irish Mastiff Hound vs Bernese Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  13. Irish Mastiff Hound vs English Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  14. Irish Mastiff Hound vs Anatolian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  15. Irish Mastiff Hound vs American Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  16. Irish Mastiff Hound vs Alaunt - Breed Comparison
  17. Irish Mastiff Hound vs Bully Kutta - Breed Comparison
  18. Irish Mastiff Hound vs Alangu Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  19. Irish Mastiff Hound vs Francais Blanc et Orange - Breed Comparison
  20. Irish Mastiff Hound vs Gaddi Kutta - Breed Comparison
  21. Irish Mastiff Hound vs Billy - Breed Comparison
  22. Irish Mastiff Hound vs Bisben - Breed Comparison
  23. Irish Mastiff Hound vs American Molossus - Breed Comparison
  24. Old English Sheepdog vs Estrela Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  25. Rough Collie vs Estrela Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  26. Saarlooswolfhond vs Estrela Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  27. Estrela Mountain Dog vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Estrela Mountain Dog vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  29. Estrela Mountain Dog vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  30. Estrela Mountain Dog vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  31. Estrela Mountain Dog vs Bouvier des Flandres - Breed Comparison
  32. Estrela Mountain Dog vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  33. Estrela Mountain Dog vs Czechoslovakian Wolfdog - Breed Comparison
  34. Huntaway vs Estrela Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  35. Perro de Pastor Mallorquin vs Estrela Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  36. South Russian Ovcharka vs Estrela Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  37. Mioritic Sheepdog vs Estrela Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  38. Samoyed vs Estrela Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  39. Labradoodle vs Estrela Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  40. Mixed vs Estrela Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  41. German Shorthaired Pointer vs Estrela Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  42. Great Pyrenees vs Estrela Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  43. Presa Canario vs Estrela Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  44. Labrador Husky vs Estrela Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  45. Perro de Presa Canario vs Estrela Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  46. Irish Setter vs Estrela Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Estrela Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds