Estrelas are calm, confident, and highly devoted. They are affectionate with their family but naturally aloof with strangers. They tend to be protective, serious, and intelligent. These traits make them outstanding guardians but also require thoughtful handling. Puppies need proper early training and socialization, to become trustworthy companions and responsible watchdogs. They tend to be higher energy for the first 2 years of life but more relaxed in adulthood. They are quite agile and capable when they need to be, and they do not miss anything that happens around their owners house and property. Most Estrela's will accept outside visitors with the owners blessing and are able to go out in public with good behavior. But they are not the kind of dog that always enjoys pets from strangers in public. They are selective with their affection and known for ignoring people they do not know. 

Estrela Mountain Dog Temperament and Personality

Estrelas are large, powerful dogs with a rugged and majestic presence. Males typically weigh 90–110 lbs, and females 75–95 lbs. They come in both short and long coat varieties, with colors including fawn, brindle, and wolf gray. Their thick double coat provides protection from weather and predators, and may feature a lion-like mane.
The short-haired Estrela has a dense, flat double coat that lies close to the body and offers excellent protection against the elements with less maintenance than the long coat. It is especially well-suited for working dogs in hot or wet climates. While it lacks the feathering and mane of the long coat, the short coat highlights the breed's strong, athletic structure and powerful silhouette. The short-haired Estrela Mountain Dog has become almost extinct outside of Portugal, but they are the original coat of the breed, and should be respected as such. An authentic short-haired Estrela is a national treasure. 

Estrela Mountain Dogs are known for their longer lifespan and overall good health compared to many other large breeds. With proper care, it’s not uncommon for Estrelas to live 10–12 years, and some reach beyond that. Thanks to their diversity and the mountain climate where they originated, many Estrelas have avoided the extreme conformational issues seen in other guardian breeds brought on by show focused kennels and tight inbreeding. While health concerns like hip and elbow dysplasia, DCM, cancer, neurological issues, allergies, bloat and stomach torsion and autoimmune issues can occur, responsible breeders work diligently to minimize these risks.  The diversity, health and lifespan of the Estrela Mountain Dog Breed needs to remain at the forefront of any responsible breeding program. 

Health, Lifespan, and Genetic Considerations of the Estrela Mountain Dog Breed

Estrela Mountain Dogs are best suited to owners who value structure, boundaries, and working partnership. They thrive on purpose and do best in rural or semi-rural settings. The breed needs a fenced property and proper socialization and training as a pup. If you are looking for a gentle loyal dog that can serve as a livestock guardian, estate protector, or steady companion, the Estrela Mountain Dog may be the right fit. However, they are not ideal for first-time dog owners who are not willing to educate themselves about the breed or apartment dwellers. Not sure if this breed is right for you? Take our quiz: Is the Estrela Mountain Dog Right for You? linked below and find out in just a few minutes.

Early training is essential. Estrelas benefit from a structured, step-by-step training program that begins in puppyhood and continues through adolescence. Our 5-level Estrela training program is designed to develop:

Foundation skills (house training, crate training, name recognition)

Leash manners and impulse control

Boundary setting and socialization

Advanced obedience and real-world reliability

Guardian-specific behaviors such as territory awareness and livestock introduction

Starting before 16 weeks is crucial—this is when over 1 million neural connections are formed per second. Waiting too long can lead to missed socialization windows and preventable behavioral issues. For more information about our Estrela Mountain Dog Training Program check out the link below. 

Training the Estrela Mountain Dog: What Does the Puppy Stage Look Like?

Because this is a rare breed, finding a responsible breeder is essential. Look for breeders who:

Prioritize health testing and temperament

Breed for working ability and structure

Offer support, transparency, and placement guidance

Provide training and onboarding support

We welcome you to learn more about our breeding program at Casa de Taveras, where we specialize in raising Life-Ready Estrelas for both companionship and purpose.