Peruvian Hairless vs Estrela Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison

Peruvian Hairless vs Estrela Mountain Dog - Breed ComparisonEstrela Mountain Dog is originated from Portugal but Peruvian Hairless is originated from Peru. Estrela Mountain Dog may grow 22 cm / 9 inches higher than Peruvian Hairless. Estrela Mountain Dog may weigh 25 kg / 56 pounds more than Peruvian Hairless. Both Estrela Mountain Dog and Peruvian Hairless has same life span. Estrela Mountain Dog may have more litter size than Peruvian Hairless. Both Estrela Mountain Dog and Peruvian Hairless requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Herding dogs
Miscellaneous dogs
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Portugal
Peru
Height Male:
65 - 72 cm
25 - 29 inches
25 - 50 cm
9 - 20 inches
Height Female:
62 - 70 cm
24 - 28 inches
25 - 50 cm
9 - 20 inches
Weight Male:
40 - 50 kg
88 - 111 pounds
4 - 25 kg
8 - 56 pounds
Weight Female:
30 - 50 kg
66 - 111 pounds
4 - 25 kg
8 - 56 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 8
3 - 5
Size:
Large
Medium
Other Names:
Cao da Serra de Estrela
Peruvian Inca Orchid, Perro Sin Pelo de Perú, Inca Hairless Dog
Colors Available:
Fawn, gray, yellow, brindle
grey, mottled, Dark brown
Coat:
Short or long - coarse and thick
Hairless except for some hair on the head
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
Yes
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

estrela mountain dogAlso 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.

peruvian hairlessThis is an ancient breed, and he even looks like he comes from ancient times. This particular dog, the Peruvian Hairless, was part of the Inca Empire and it is amazing that depictions of Peruvian hairless dogs have been seen around around 750 A.D.

It is believed the dogs were a meal for many in those ancient times, and that together with the Spanish conquest of Peru resulted in the dog almost being wiped out.

Today the dog is held in esteem in Peru and it is looked upon as the national dog of Peru – an accolade this dog received in 2001. The Federation Cynologique Internationale has accepted this breed and also adopted an official breed standard.

Description

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.

peruvian hairless puppy - descriptionThere is no doubt that the most important feature of this dog is its hairlessness, but there is nearly always a little bit of hair on top of its head and on the tip of the tail.

The color of the dog’s skin can be dark brown, mottled or a grey shade. They can be a solid color or grey or brown but with pink spots. The eyes of the dog are brown and the ears can be floppy or erect and the tail is long.

He stands at anything between 25 to 50cm, depending on whether he is a small or medium sized Peruvian. Weights can vary too but can be 4kg for the smaller type, going up to 25 kg for the larger dogs. The dogs are always slim.

Temperament:

Peruvian Hairless dogs love their human families, being somewhat wary around strangers. They are lively, intelligent, alert and protective.

Lean and agile, they can be quick too. Just like with any other dogs, he will require training and socialization if you want him to be obedient and well behaved. He gets on well with other pets in the house and will get on well with disciplined children. This is a quiet dog but even so, he makes a good guard dog.

Characteristics

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.

peruvian hairless dog - characteristicsFrom ancient times, the Peruvian Hairless has been man’s best friend, and June 12th is the official day of the Peruvian Hairless Dog. These dogs love being surrounded by their human family. They are cheerful, playful, social dogs and they make great playmates for children when the children don’t rough play too much so as to injure him.

He is also a good watchdog and when he isn’t protecting you or playing he can be calm and quiet, and slot easily into life in the countryside or the city. Treat him well and you'll enjoy excellent friendship from this hairless canine friend.

Health Problems

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.

peruvian hairless puppies - health problemsLike all breeds there will be some health problems with your Peruvian Hairless, although with good care care this dog can live to be 12 years of age or maybe even a little older. Some things to look out for include -

Irritable Bowel Syndrome:

You may notice your dog not eating his food, having an upset stomach and vomiting. Irritable bowel syndrome in a dog is a persistent upset stomach, resulting in diarrhea and bloating. IBS isn’t reserved for older dogs, and it can affect any breed or sex. You’ll notice your pet being listless and without energy. In severe cases of IBS, you may notice blood in your pet’s feces. Don’t allow your canine friend to suffer – get him to the vet.

Seizures:

Also known as epilepsy, it can be disturbing for you to see your canine friend having a seizure. Uncontrolled bursts of electrical activity in your dog’s brain cause these seizures which are a mix of twitching and shaking. The seizure can last for less than a minute or for several minutes. A number of things can cause these seizures in dogs – head injuries, anemia, kidney disease, liver disease, electrolyte problems, brain cancer among others.

Skin Problems:

Many dogs suffer with one or other skin problems and these can be painful and frustrating. Hairless breeds are more likely to suffer with skin issues and they require special grooming and skin care to prevent dryness, insect bites, sunburn etc.

Caring The Pet

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.

peruvian hairless dogs - caringFor some, the lack of hair is appealing to some people who battle with allergies. The skin of the dog will need to be washed to remove dirt. You’ve got to be careful however, what you wash your dog with because these dogs are known to get blackheads and acne because of blocked pores.

Then again, the skin can become quite dry, so you need to strike a balance. Talk to a dog expert or your vet on how to care for such a dog’s skin.

You’ll also need to consider your dog when he goes outside into the sun. Protection against sunlight is recommended and once again you might want to find out about sun blocks. Because of the lack of hair, he may also be sensitive to the cold.

Make sure this unusual pet gets the right diet. You want to be sure that whether you feed him commercially manufactured foods or he gets some home-made food it is full of vitamins and minerals. Steer away from spicy, unusual foods as dogs love simplicity and consistency.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Peruvian Hairless vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
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  3. Peruvian Hairless vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Peruvian Hairless vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Peruvian Hairless vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Peruvian Hairless vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Peruvian Hairless vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Peruvian Hairless vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Peruvian Hairless vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Peruvian Hairless vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Peruvian Hairless vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
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  15. Peruvian Hairless vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Peruvian Hairless vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Peruvian Hairless vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Peruvian Hairless vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Peruvian Hairless vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
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  24. Peruvian Hairless vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Peruvian Hairless vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Estrela Mountain Dog vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Estrela Mountain Dog vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Estrela Mountain Dog vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Estrela Mountain Dog vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Estrela Mountain Dog vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Estrela Mountain Dog vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Estrela Mountain Dog vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Estrela Mountain Dog vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Estrela Mountain Dog vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Estrela Mountain Dog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Estrela Mountain Dog vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Estrela Mountain Dog vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Estrela Mountain Dog vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Estrela Mountain Dog vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Estrela Mountain Dog vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Estrela Mountain Dog vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Estrela Mountain Dog vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Estrela Mountain Dog vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Estrela Mountain Dog vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Estrela Mountain Dog vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Estrela Mountain Dog vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Estrela Mountain Dog vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Estrela Mountain Dog vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Estrela Mountain Dog vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Estrela Mountain Dog vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison