Estrela Mountain Dog Breeder: Better Breeder Institute Certified

At Casa de Taveras, we believe in the power of integrity, knowledge, and ethical practices when it comes to breeding Estrela Mountain Dogs. That’s why we are incredibly proud to be Better Breeder Institute (BBI) certified—the first and only Estrela Mountain Dog breeder in the USA to hold this certification.

As a breeder, our commitment goes far beyond just producing puppies; we are dedicated to advancing the Estrela Mountain Dog breed while preserving its integrity, temperament, and working capabilities. The Better Breeder Institute’s Code of Ethics and rstandards align with our own program goals, ensuring we provide families with healthy, well-bred puppies that adhere to the breed standard.

In this post, we’ll explore what it means to be BBI certified, why it matters for the future of the Estrela Mountain Dog, and how it benefits you as a potential puppy owner.

What Does It Mean to Be Better Breeder Institute Certified?

The Better Breeder Institute is a respected organization focused on raising the standards of dog breeding in the United States. It promotes the responsible breeding of purebred dogs through a comprehensive certification program that emphasizes ethics, health testing, breed standards, and responsible ownership. BBI certified breeders must adhere to a Code of Ethics, which ensures that they are breeding for health, temperament, and working ability, all while avoiding common unethical practices that could harm the breed.

For us, becoming BBI certified was not just about getting a seal of approval—it was about aligning our breeding practices with a philosophy that puts the health and well-being of our breed first.

This certification aligns with our high standards in every aspect of our breeding program, from health testing to genetic research, ensuring that we breed with purpose and integrity.

The Better Breeder Institute Code of Ethics

One of the key pillars of BBI certification is the Code of Ethics. This set of guidelines ensures that certified breeders breed dogs responsibly, prioritize health, and work to improve the breed. The Code of Ethics includes:

• Health Testing: All breeding dogs undergo health testing to screen for common genetic conditions and ensure they are healthy enough to breed. This helps prevent passing on inherited diseases to future generations.
• Breed Standards: Certified breeders must follow the official breed standard, maintaining the physical and temperamental traits that make Estrela Mountain Dogs such an exceptional breed.
• Ethical Breeding Practices: The Code of Ethics promotes breeding with the goal of preserving and advancing the breed.
• Commitment to Education: BBI certified breeders continually educate themselves about genetics, health, and breed-specific needs to ensure they are breeding the healthiest dogs possible.

Why Is BBI Certification Important for Estrela Mountain Dogs?

The Estrela Mountain Dog is a majestic and powerful breed, originally from Portugal, where it was used as a livestock guardian. Known for its loyalty, intelligence, and calm temperament, the Estrela Mountain Dog is a versatile working dog, highly valued for its ability to protect livestock and property.

However, like many breeds, the Estrela Mountain Dog faces the challenges of maintaining its integrity as the breed grows in popularity. Unfortunately, not all breeders are committed to upholding the breed standard, and some may cut corners for the sake of profits. This is where being BBI certified comes in.

By holding ourselves to the highest standards set by the Better Breeder Institute, we are doing our part to protect the Estrela Mountain Dog breed.

BBI certification ensures that we:

• Preserve the Estrela Mountain Dog’s Working Abilities: By carefully selecting breeding pairs based on health, temperament, and working ability, we ensure that our puppies retain the strong instincts and protective nature that make this breed such an exceptional guardian.
• Promote the Breed’s Health: Health testing and genetic screening are vital to ensuring that future generations of Estrela Mountain Dogs remain free from hereditary health problems. Our commitment to health testing means that the puppies you receive from us will be healthier and better equipped to thrive in your home.
• Maintain Breed Standards: As a BBI certified breeder, we ensure that every puppy is true to the Estrela Mountain Dog’s official breed standard. This means that not only are the puppies healthy, but they also exhibit the physical and temperamental traits that define the breed.
• Ethical Breeding Practices: We are committed to ethical breeding practices that prioritize the welfare of the dogs above all else. By breeding with purpose and care, we are able to maintain the integrity of the Estrela Mountain Dog breed for future generations.

The Benefits of Better Breeder Institute Certification for Our Future Puppies

Health and temperament are the cornerstones of our breeding program, and BBI certification ensures we meet the highest standards in these areas. Here’s why being BBI certified benefits our puppies and the families who adopt them:

1. Health Testing for Better Puppies

One of the most important aspects of BBI certification is health testing. Every breeding dog undergoes a series of health tests to ensure they are free from genetic conditions that could affect their offspring. For Estrela Mountain Dogs, we screen for common breed-specific health issues such as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and other genetic disorders.

Health testing gives us peace of mind knowing that the puppies we produce are less likely to inherit these conditions, which means you’re more likely to receive a healthy, long-lived dog. As a family adopting an Estrela Mountain Dog, this gives you confidence that your new companion will be a strong, healthy member of your family.

2. Estrela Mountain Dog Breed Standard Preservation

The Estrela Mountain Dog is a majestic breed with distinct physical characteristics and a calm, protective temperament. By adhering to the breed standard, we ensure that each puppy is true to the breed’s history and purpose. This means that our puppies will not only be healthy but will also embody the traits that make Estrelas such amazing companions and working dogs.

The breed standard ensures that the puppies we produce have the right conformation, temperament, and instincts to excel in whatever role they take on—whether as a family companion, working dog, or show dog. By focusing on breed preservation, we help maintain the Estrela Mountain Dog’s remarkable qualities for future generations.

3. Ethical Breeding Practices for a Better Future

Ethical breeding practices are at the heart of BBI certification. This means that we never breed for profit or without a clear plan for the puppies’ future. We carefully consider each pairing, ensuring that we are breeding dogs that will improve the breed and not contribute to its decline.

As a potential puppy owner, this means you can trust that the puppies we produce are raised with care and attention, and that they are a product of thoughtful, ethical breeding practices. Ethical breeding also helps reduce the number of puppies born from irresponsible breeders, ensuring that more dogs find loving, responsible homes.

First Certified Estrela Mountain Dog Breeder

Being the first and only Better Breeder Institute certified Estrela Mountain Dog breeder in the USA is a huge honor, and it sets us apart in the world of dog breeding. Here’s why this certification makes us the best:

• Commitment to the Breed: Our passion for the Estrela Mountain Dog drives us to constantly educate ourselves and strive for excellence in every aspect of our breeding program. BBI certification ensures that we are upholding the highest standards, preserving the breed’s integrity, and working toward its future success.
• Transparency and Trust: Our certification provides transparency in our breeding practices. You can trust that we are doing everything in our power to produce healthy, well-adjusted puppies that will be a joy to have in your family.
• Health and Temperament: Thanks to BBI certification, we prioritize health testing and temperament, ensuring that the puppies we produce have the best chance of growing into strong, balanced dogs.
• Ethical Standards: As a certified breeder, we adhere to ethical practices that prioritize the well-being of our dogs. We never cut corners, and we always breed with a purpose—to preserve and improve the Estrela Mountain Dog breed.

Conclusion: A Future Built on Integrity and Excellence

At Casa de Taveras, we are incredibly proud to be Better Breeder Institute certified. This certification reflects our unwavering commitment to the Estrela Mountain Dog breed and our dedication to providing families with healthy, well-bred puppies. By adhering to the BBI Code of Ethics and standards, we ensure that our puppies are a product of ethical breeding practices, health testing, and breed preservation.

When you choose to adopt a puppy from a Better Breeder Institute certified breeder, you are choosing a future of health, happiness, and strength for your new companion. We are excited to continue our journey as the first and only certified Estrela Mountain Dog breeder in the USA, and we look forward to helping you find the perfect puppy for your family.

For more information about the Better Breeder Institute and our certification, please visit Better Breeder Institute.

If you’re interested in learning more about our Estrela Mountain Dogs and upcoming litters find our Estrela Mountain Dog Info here.

Don’t hesitate to reach out—we’d love to hear from you!