Bernese Mountain Dog Versus Estrela Mountain Dog. Differences and Similarities

Last Updated: Nov 07, 2022

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Bernese Mountain Dog Versus Estrela Mountain Dog: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Bernese Mountain Dog and for the Estrela Mountain Dog. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Estrela Mountain Dog.

Bernese Mountain Dog versus Estrela Mountain Dog: Overview

A very important difference between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Bernese Mountain Dog is a giant-sized dog while the Estrela Mountain Dog is a large-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Bernese Mountain Dog belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

On the other hand, the Estrela Mountain Dog belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

Bernese Mountain Dog versus Estrela Mountain Dog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Bernese Mountain Dog to the Estrela Mountain Dog based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog

FactorBernese Mountain DogEstrela Mountain Dog
Adapts Well To Apartment Living1/51/5
Tolerates Being Alone1/53/5
Tolerates Hot Weather1/53/5
General Health1/54/5
Good For Novice Owners2/53/5
Height23 to 28 inches24 to 30 inches
Dog Friendly3/53/5
Easy To Groom3/52/5
Tendency NOT to Wander3/55/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor3/53/5
Minimal Exercise Needs3/53/5
Easygoing2/54/5
Does NOT Drool2/53/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight2/53/5
Easy To Train4/54/5
Intelligence4/55/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl2/53/5
NOT Rambunctious2/53/5
Potential For Playfulness4/53/5
Tolerates Cold Weather5/54/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Kid-Friendly5/55/5
Friendly Toward Strangers5/52/5
Does NOT Shed1/52/5
Does NOT chew on things1/54/5
Low Prey Drive1/55/5
Life Span6 to 10 years11 to 15 years
Weight70 to 115 pounds75 to 130 pounds
Average Lifespan8.0 years13.0 years
Average Price$2390$2000
Price Range$1500 – $2995$2000 – $2000
Temperament Score86.6 percent100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • AKC DNA Profile
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degeneratative Mylopathy (DM) DNA results for both SOD1-A and SOD1-B, or an at-risk result for either SOD1-A or SOD1-B registered with the OFA.
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • *Data from AKC.org (The American Kennel Club),dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (The American Temperament Test Society)

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Bernese Mountain Dog in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Estrela Mountain Dog. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Bernese Mountain Dog is 66 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Estrela Mountain Dog is 85 out of 125.

    Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Estrela Mountain Dog, we still believe that the Bernese Mountain Dog is a better pet than the Estrela Mountain Dog.

    This is because Bernese Mountain Dogs are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the Bernese Mountain Dog will come out on top.

    Also, we are biased in favor of the Bernese Mountain Dog :-). We are for the Bernese Mountain Dog. So get a Bernese Mountain Dog!

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog

    Below is a list of where the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog are most different:

  • Bernese Mountain Dogs have the tendency to develop certain health problems. However, Estrela Mountain Dogs are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Bernese Mountain Dogs are very friendly towards strangers. However, Estrela Mountain Dogs are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Bernese Mountain Dogs are prone to nip and chew at things. However, Estrela Mountain Dogs are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Bernese Mountain Dogs have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Estrela Mountain Dogs have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • The Similarities Between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog

    The Bernese Mountain Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog are most similar:

  • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog have a very high tendency to drool.
  • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog are very easy to train.
  • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog are very playful.
  • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Size Comparison of the Bernese Mountain Dog versus Estrela Mountain Dog

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog.

    The Bernese Mountain Dog weighs 70 to 115 pounds when fully grown. The Bernese Mountain Dog is 23 to 28 inches when fully grown.

    On the other hand, the Estrela Mountain Dog weighs 75 to 130 pounds when fully grown. The Estrela Mountain Dog is 24 to 30 inches when fully grown.

    Size of Bernese Mountain Dog versus Size of Estrela Mountain Dog

    Lifespan of Bernese Mountain Dog versus Estrela Mountain Dog

    The lifespan of the Bernese Mountain Dog is between 6 to 10 years. The average lifespan of the Bernese Mountain Dog is 8.0 years.

    The lifespan of the Estrela Mountain Dog is between 11 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Estrela Mountain Dog is 13.0 years.

    The Estrela Mountain Dog lives longer than the Bernese Mountain Dog.

    Temperament of the Bernese Mountain Dog Versus the Estrela Mountain Dog

    The Estrela Mountain Dog has a better temperament than the Bernese Mountain Dog.

    This is because the temperament score for the Estrela Mountain Dog is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Bernese Mountain Dog is 86.6 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 86.6 percent, the Bernese Mountain Dog has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 100.0 percent, the Estrela Mountain Dog has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog by measuring the temperaments of 194 Bernese Mountain Dogs and 1 Estrela Mountain Dogs.

    Price of Bernese Mountain Dog versus Price of Estrela Mountain Dog

    The average price of the Bernese Mountain Dog puppy is $2390. The price of the Bernese Mountain Dog typically ranges from $1500 – $2995. However, the price of a Bernese Mountain Dog can be as low as $300 and as high as $10000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 920 Bernese Mountain Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Estrela Mountain Dog puppy is $2000. The price of the Estrela Mountain Dog typically ranges from $2000 – $2000. However, the price of the Estrela Mountain Dog can be as low as $2000 and as high as $2000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 1 Estrela Mountain Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Bernese Mountain Dog is more expensive than the Estrela Mountain Dog.

    Bernese Mountain Dog Estrela Mountain Dog
    Average Price $2390 $2000
    Price Range $1500 to $2995 $2000 to $2000

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Bernese Mountain Dog and Estrela Mountain Dog. For different price points, the charts show how many Bernese Mountain Dog puppies or how many Estrela Mountain Dog puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Bernese Mountain Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Bernese Mountain Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Estrela Mountain Dogs

    A breakdown of the prices of Estrela Mountain Dogs

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Bernese Mountain Dog puppy or the Estrela Mountain Dog puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Health Problems of Bernese Mountain Dog versus Health Problems of Estrela Mountain Dog

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Bernese Mountain Dog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Estrela Mountain Dog.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Bernese Mountain Dog than for the Estrela Mountain Dog.

    6 health tests are recommended for Bernese Mountain Dog while 4 tests are recommended for the Estrela Mountain Dog.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Bernese Mountain Dogs and in Estrela Mountain Dogs.

    Bernese Mountain Dog Health Problems

    Bernese Mountain Dogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Bernese Mountain Dog puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Bernese Mountain Dog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Bernese Mountain Dog breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Bernese Mountain Dogs for:

  • AKC DNA Profile
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degeneratative Mylopathy (DM) DNA results for both SOD1-A and SOD1-B, or an at-risk result for either SOD1-A or SOD1-B registered with the OFA.
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Bernese Mountain Dogs here.

    Estrela Mountain Dog Health Problems

    Estrela Mountain Dogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Estrela Mountain Dog puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Estrela Mountain Dog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Estrela Mountain Dog breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Estrela Mountain Dogs for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Estrela Mountain Dogs here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Bernese Mountain Dog versus Estrela Mountain Dog

    Bernese Mountain Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Bernese Mountain Dogs shed more than Estrela Mountain Dogs?

    Bernese Mountain Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Estrela Mountain Dog?

    Bernese Mountain Dogs are moderately easy to groom.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Estrela Mountain Dog?

    Bernese Mountain Dogs get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Bernese Mountain Dogs good family dogs? What about Estrela Mountain Dogs?

    Bernese Mountain Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the Bernese Mountain Dog Easier to Train than the Estrela Mountain Dog?

    Bernese Mountain Dogs are very easy to train.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs are very easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Estrela Mountain Dog

    Bernese Mountain Dogs have a very high tendency to drool.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs drool moderately.

    How Kid-friendly are Bernese Mountain Dogs and Estrela Mountain Dogs?

    Bernese Mountain Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Does the Bernese Mountain Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Estrela Mountain Dog?

    Bernese Mountain Dogs have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Do Bernese Mountain Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Estrela Mountain Dogs?

    Bernese Mountain Dogs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Bernese Mountain Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Estrela Mountain Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Bernese Mountain Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Bernese Mountain Dog vs. Estrela Mountain Dog

    Bernese Mountain Dogs have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can Bernese Mountain Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Estrela Mountain Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Bernese Mountain Dogs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Is the Bernese Mountain Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Estrela Mountain Dog?

    Bernese Mountain Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Estrela Mountain Dog?

    Bernese Mountain Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs are OK for new dog owners.

    Bernese Mountain Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    You may also be interested in how the Bernese Mountain Dog compares to other breeds aside from the Estrela Mountain Dog. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Bernese Mountain Dog to other breeds:

    Bernese Mountain Dog versus Vizsla     Bernese Mountain Dog versus Saint Bernard     Bernese Mountain Dog versus Golden Retriever     Bernese Mountain Dog versus Alaskan Malamute     Bernese Mountain Dog versus Tibetan Mastiff     Bernese Mountain Dog versus Irish Wolfhound     Bernese Mountain Dog versus Leonberger     Bernese Mountain Dog versus Newfoundland     Bernese Mountain Dog versus Great Pyrenees     Bernese Mountain Dog versus Mastiff     Bernese Mountain Dog versus Cane Corso     Bernese Mountain Dog versus Dalmatian     Bernese Mountain Dog versus Labrador Retriever     Bernese Mountain Dog versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Bernese Mountain Dog versus Bernedoodle     Bernese Mountain Dog versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Bernese Mountain Dog versus Rottweiler     Bernese Mountain Dog versus Bullmastiff     

    Conclusion: Bernese Mountain Dog versus Estrela Mountain Dog. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Estrela Mountain Dog better suits you and your family.