Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Estrela Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison

Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Estrela Mountain Dog - Breed ComparisonRhodesian Ridgeback is originated from Zimbabwe but Estrela Mountain Dog is originated from Portugal. Both Rhodesian Ridgeback and Estrela Mountain Dog are having almost same height. Rhodesian Ridgeback may weigh 9 kg / 19 pounds lesser than Estrela Mountain Dog. Both Rhodesian Ridgeback and Estrela Mountain Dog has almost same life span. Both Rhodesian Ridgeback and Estrela Mountain Dog has almost same litter size. Rhodesian Ridgeback requires Low maintenance. But Estrela Mountain Dog requires Moderate maintenance

History

rhodesian ridgeback - historyKnown as the African Lion Dog, the courageous Rhodesian Ridgeback hails from Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe.

He was bred essentially to be a hunter as well as a home guardian. These dogs were crossed with European dogs, with the original breed standard being drafted by F.R. Barnes By the 1860s, European colonisers had imported certain European dog breeds to the area such as Greyhound, Terriers, Bloodhounds as well as other breeds. These were mixed with the indigenous African dogs.

The Ridgeback Club was also founded. It was in 1955 that the American Kennel Club recognized the dog as a member of the Hound group.

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.

Basic Information

Group:
Hound dog
Herding dogs
Origin:
Zimbabwe
Portugal
Height Male:
61 - 69 cm
24 - 28 inches
65 - 72 cm
25 - 29 inches
Height Female:
61 - 69 cm
24 - 28 inches
62 - 70 cm
24 - 28 inches
Weight Male:
27 - 41 kg
59 - 91 pounds
40 - 50 kg
88 - 111 pounds
Weight Female:
27 - 41 kg
59 - 91 pounds
30 - 50 kg
66 - 111 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 14 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
7 - 10
2 - 8
Size:
Large dog
Large dog
Other Names:
African Lion Dog
Cao da Serra de Estrela
Colors Available:
wheaten, tan, Fawn
Fawn, gray, yellow, brindle
Coat:
Short, smooth, glossy
Short or long - coarse and thick
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
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, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

rhodesian ridgeback puppy - descriptionPerhaps the most noticeable thing with this large, handsome formidable looking dog is the ridge of hair that runs along his back and gives him his name. The rest of the coat is short and smooth and can be a reddish tan color or wheaten shade.

He is a slender, athletic dog with an alert, intelligent face. The ears of the dog are floppy and carried close to the head, being broad and then narrowing to a rounded ear. The tail is long,broad at the base and tapers. He is a large dog that stands at between 61 and 69cm and weighs between 29 and 41kg.

Temperament:

In spite of his athletic build, he isn’t an overly active dog like many other breeds but will require a walk ever day as well as ball- and rope games.

He is a quiet, gentle dog, strong and confident, while also being strong willed and independent. He is tolerant around children, but isn’t the kind of dog that relishes being around little kids who try to climb over him.

He is smart and can be easily trained. Training and socialization turn him into an awesome pet.

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

rhodesian ridgeback dog - characteristicsYour Ridgeback is a dignified dog who is devoted to his human family, being aloof around strangers.

He is a territorial dog and takes his job as guard dog seriously. He is confident and independent, and with his good looks, his loyalty and devotion, he is guaranteed to make you a most splendid pet and companion.

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

rhodesian ridgeback puppies - health problemsRhodesian Ridgebacks are generally healthy, robust dogs, but like with all breeds, they can also have their share of some of the common dog illnesses there are.

If you’re buying a puppy, make sure it comes from a good breeder.

Hip Dysplasia:

This is a hereditary disease which can become worse because of environmental factors such as rapid growth. The thighbone doesn’t fit properly into the hip joint.

It is sad when you see such a strong dog succumbing to hip dysplasia as it can cause a lot of pain and also make your dog lame. Arthritis can also occur.

Bloat:

For such a life threatening illness with a dog, it is wise to familiarize yourself with an emergency vet in your area. A dog with bloat needs to be rushed to the vet as soon as possible.

That is why it is better to feed your pet smaller meals daily rather than one big meal. Bloat is an ailment where there is rapid accumulation of gas in the stomach.

Dogs with deep chests are at a greater risk of bloat. Typical symptoms of bloat include restlessness, a swollen, hard stomach and trying to vomit.

Canine bloat or gastric dilatation and volvulus is a killer with dogs, with the gas accumulation causing the stomach to twist.

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:

rhodesian ridgeback dogs - caringThe Rhodesian Ridgeback only sheds a little so you can keep him looking good with a brush twice a week.The shiny coat can be maintained by wiping him down with a damp cloth. Look out for any unusual lumps you might find.

He has floppy ears so during your grooming session check inside his ears and make sure they aren’t red. You can suspect an ear infection when you see your Ridgeback shaking his head or scratching his ears.

Check inside your Ridgeback’s mouth too as dogs can’t tell you when they’ve got a rotten tooth that is causing terrible pain and also poisoning their entire system.

Trim his nails too if they don’t wear down naturally.

Diet:

Your large Rhodesian Ridgeback will need good food from you if you want to have less visits to the vet because of illness.

If you have a puppy feed him 4 bowls of food a day, but once your dog is one year of age he can have two bowls of food. Two bowls are better than one as with one bowl, your dog becomes ravenous and gobble his food down. This can lead to bloat.

It is always convenient to feed him one of the top quality commercially manufactured dog foods but he will also need some tasty home-made food too. Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots are a healthy choice for your pet – plain and simple dog food, just like dogs want.

They don’t want exotic, spicy foods that humans eat as it upsets their stomach. Chop this home-made food up ad put it into his dry kibble twice a week for a treat. Also try to give him a bit of raw meat occasionally. Never leave him without a constant source of fresh, cool water.

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.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Bloodhound - Breed Comparison
  2. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  3. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Francais Blanc et Noir - Breed Comparison
  4. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs American Foxhound - Breed Comparison
  5. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Borzoi - Breed Comparison
  6. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Black and Tan Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  7. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Mountain Cur - Breed Comparison
  8. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Black Mouth Cur - Breed Comparison
  9. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Rajapalayam - Breed Comparison
  10. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs American English Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  11. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Plott Hound - Breed Comparison
  12. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Petit Gascon Saintongeois - Breed Comparison
  13. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Otterhound - Breed Comparison
  14. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Mudhol Hound - Breed Comparison
  15. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Ibizan Hound - Breed Comparison
  16. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Rampur Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  17. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Austrian Black and Tan Hound - Breed Comparison
  18. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Galgo Espanol - Breed Comparison
  19. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Azawakh - Breed Comparison
  20. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Hanover Hound - Breed Comparison
  21. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Majestic Tree Hound - Breed Comparison
  22. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Chart Polski - Breed Comparison
  23. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Polish Hunting Dog - Breed Comparison
  24. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Grand Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  25. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Hortaya Borzaya - Breed Comparison
  26. Old English Sheepdog vs Estrela Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  27. Rough Collie vs Estrela Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  28. Saarlooswolfhond vs Estrela Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  29. Estrela Mountain Dog vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  30. Estrela Mountain Dog vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  31. Estrela Mountain Dog vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  32. Estrela Mountain Dog vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  33. Estrela Mountain Dog vs Bouvier des Flandres - Breed Comparison
  34. Estrela Mountain Dog vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  35. Estrela Mountain Dog vs Czechoslovakian Wolfdog - Breed Comparison
  36. Huntaway vs Estrela Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  37. Perro de Pastor Mallorquin vs Estrela Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  38. South Russian Ovcharka vs Estrela Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  39. Mioritic Sheepdog vs Estrela Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  40. Samoyed vs Estrela Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  41. Labradoodle vs Estrela Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  42. Mixed vs Estrela Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  43. German Shorthaired Pointer vs Estrela Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  44. Great Pyrenees vs Estrela Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  45. Presa Canario vs Estrela Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  46. Labrador Husky vs Estrela Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Perro de Presa Canario vs Estrela Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  48. Irish Setter vs Estrela Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  49. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Estrela Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds