What are Your Top 15 Questions About Our Estrela Mountain Dog Puppies?

Instead of searching the internet and getting countless opinions when you Google “Estrela Mountain Dog puppy questions,” let us provide the answers you need to set yourself up for success with your new pup! We are always happy to answer questions about our Estrela Mountain Dog Puppies.

At Casa de Taveras, we know that bringing an Estrela Mountain Dog into your family is a big decision. We are Estrela Mountain Dog breeders dedicated to the health, well-being, and preservation of this incredible breed. And we understand that you have a lot of questions. After all, finding the right breeder is the first step toward a lifetime of joy with your new furry family member.

To help you feel confident in your decision, we’ve compiled a list of 15 essential questions that our prospective Estrela Mountain Dog families often ask us. These are the kinds of inquiries we love to answer because they show that you’re as committed to the health and happiness of your future puppy as we are.

1. Where Are Your Estrela Mountain Dog Puppies Raised?

Our puppies are raised in a home environment, in the neonatal period, ensuring they are well-socialized from an early age. Where they spend time once they are moving around, depends on the time of year. If the weather permits they spend a lot of time outdoors in areas designed to be comfortable, safe, and stimulating. It is vital that our puppies have access to the outdoors, many of our puppies later go on to work as livestock and family estate guardians. Which is the original function of the breed. Here is a video of a previous litter of puppies exploring outdoors. 

2. How Do You Handle Puppy Visitations?

For the health and safety of our dogs and puppies, we don’t offer onsite visitations. This policy helps us maintain a biosecure environment. However, we offer virtual meet-and-greets and provide regular video updates so you can stay connected and watch your puppy grow.

Why is Biosecurity a Big Deal?

We take the health and safety of your puppies very seriously, which is why we maintain a strict closed property policy and do not allow outside visitations.

Young puppies, especially in their early weeks, have developing immune systems that make them highly susceptible to zoonotic diseases—illnesses that can spread between animals and humans. Even with the best precautions, visitors can inadvertently bring in bacteria, viruses, or parasites on their shoes, clothing, or hands, potentially exposing puppies to diseases like parvovirus, giardia, or respiratory infections.

These pathogens can be devastating to a puppy’s health, sometimes leading to severe illness or death. To minimize this risk, we enforce biosecurity protocols, limiting outside contact to ensure a safe, clean environment for our puppies during their critical early development. This approach not only protects the puppies but also ensures that our families receive healthy, well-adjusted companions. We prioritize the long-term well-being of each puppy, and this policy helps safeguard them from unnecessary health risks.

3. Can I Meet the Mom and Dad?

We believe it’s important for you to see the parents of your future puppy and understand the care we put into selecting healthy, well-tempered Estrela Mountain dogs. That’s why we do our best to meet families at public events, such as dog shows or breed gatherings, where you can meet our Estrela Mountain dogs in person and experience their temperament firsthand. While in-person visits to our property aren’t possible, we can still introduce you to the dam and sire through public meetings, photos, and videos, ensuring you have plenty of opportunities to get to know them.

4. At What Age Are the Puppies Temperament Tested?

We conduct temperament testing at around 7 weeks of age. This is a critical time for us to evaluate each puppy’s personality, which helps us match them with the right family. We take into account your lifestyle and preferences to ensure a perfect fit.

5. Are the Puppies Dewormed, Microchipped, and Vaccinated Before Going Home?

Yes, every puppy from Casa de Taveras is dewormed, microchipped, and receives their first set of vaccinations before they leave our care. We want to make sure your puppy is off to the healthiest start possible.

6. What Do You Feed your Estrela Mountain Dog Puppies?

We carefully choose high-quality food that supports the puppies’ growth and development. [Insert food recommendations here]. We’ll provide you with detailed feeding instructions to help your puppy transition smoothly to your home.

7. What Is Sent Home with the Puppies?

When you bring home a Casa de Taveras puppy, you’ll receive a care package that includes [insert items sent home with the puppies], along with detailed care instructions. We aim to make the transition to your home as smooth as possible for both you and your new puppy.

8. Are Your Estrela Mountain Dogs OFA Tested for Hip and Elbow Dysplasia?

Absolutely. Both the dam and sire are OFA tested for hip and elbow dysplasia. We’re committed to breeding healthy dogs, and we’re happy to provide you with the test results.

9. Are Your Estrela Mountain Dogs Tested for DCM (Dilated Cardiomyopathy)?

Yes, we take the health of our Estrela Mountain dogs very seriously, which is why we test for conditions like DCM. We’re dedicated to ensuring that our puppies come from the healthiest possible lines.

10. How Are the Puppies Socialized?

Socialization is a key part of our breeding program. We use early neurological stimulation, Puppy Curriculum protocols, and expose the puppies to a variety of environments, livestock, sounds, and people. This helps them grow into confident, well-adjusted dogs that are ready to be Livestock guardians and companions.

11. Have Any of the Puppies’ Relatives Passed Away Prematurely?

We maintain close relationships with our puppy families and keep track of our dogs’ health throughout their lives. To date, none of the immediate relatives have passed away prematurely from health issues. We’re transparent about any health concerns and are always open to discussing the health histories of our lines. The Estrela Mountain Dog is prone to many of the typical large breed health issues. The breed tends to be vaccine, medication, and anethesia sensitive.

12. How Many Litters Do You Limit the Dam To in Her Lifetime?

At Casa de Taveras, we limit the number of litters a dam has in her lifetime to ensure she remains healthy and happy. We prioritize the well-being of our dogs above all else, and only breed under a Theriogenologists care.

13. Do You Require a Fenced Yard?

Yes, we generally ask that prospective puppy owners have a securely fenced yard or property. Estrela Mountain Dogs are active and protective by nature, and they will attempt to expand their territory to guard. The Estrela is also known for their poor recall, and having a safely fenced boundary for them is essential.

14. When Are Your Upcoming Litters Expected?

We’re excited about our upcoming 2025 litters and expect to have 1-2 litters available in 2025. The first litter will be due in late spring/early summer. If you’re interested, we’d love to discuss the timing and help you plan for your new Estrela Puppy addition.

15. Do You Have Any Reviews from Past Puppy Families?

Yes, we’re proud to say that we have wonderful feedback from families who’ve welcomed an Estrela Mountain Dog from us into their homes. Here is a page where you can see some of our previous Estrela Mountain Dog Puppies. Our goal is to provide lifelong support, and we stay connected with many of our puppy families. We’d be happy to share some testimonials and reviews with you if you’d like to hear about the experiences of others who’ve worked with us.

And there you have it: Your Top 15 Questions About our Estrela Mountain Dog Puppies

Choosing the right Estrela Mountain Dog breeder is an essential part of welcoming a healthy, happy Estrela Mountain Dog into your family. At Casa de Taveras, we’re here to answer your questions about our Estrela Mountain Dog Puppies. And provide support, and ensure that you feel confident in your decision. We’re passionate about this breed and committed to preserving its unique qualities.

If you’re considering an Estrela Mountain Dog, we invite you to reach out. We’re here to help you every step of the way, from choosing the right puppy to providing lifelong support as your Estrela grows.