Estrela Mountain Dog

My breeding stock and the dogs I use at stud were health tested for disorders known to exist in the breed (hip and elbow dysplasias, dilated cardiomyopathy) and the matings’ purpose is to produce healthy, balanced, typical puppies. Although I cannot promise that any such puppy will never develop a genetic disease, they’re sold with warranties that, if that ever happens and the disorder is dysfunctional or debilitating, I’ll offer a compensation puppy. Warranties regarding puppies purchased for breeding are extended to any genetic disorders that should prevent them from being bred. In any case, the compensation puppy will be offered when one is available and after having received veterinary reports, copies of health tests and proof of spaying or neutering of the original dog).

I don’t use brood bitches under 2 years old and I avoid using males younger than that too (exceptions might be made if needed for preserving important traits); usually, I wait until they reach the age of 3 to have their first litter; by that time, not only will they have already matured, but also, in case they’re carriers for detrimental genes that might cause a hereditary disorder, they will have had more time for it to show up – in which case, should it be a serious disorder, the dogs will not be bred from.

Even if they already had a litter, whelping bitches are needy and sensitive, requiring support and assistance throughout labour – not only to calm them down but also to act in case of an emergency (uterine inertia, puppies’ wrong position in the uterus, etc.). Therefore, my puppies are born inside my house, with adequate comfort and hygiene conditions and under permanent surveillance during their first days (when they’re more vulnerable and require constant attention). After the 5th week (when they get their first parvovirus shot), they’re moved to the fenced yard, alongside their mother, and gradually allowed to play in the estate, always under supervision.

By staying indoors, in the house, during their first weeks, my babies start being socialised very soon, from their first days, getting used to music, voices and various sounds (telephones, television, vacuum cleaner, washing machine, etc.), seing visitors who cuddle them, interacting with other bitches as soon as their mother allows these to approach her puppies.

I rarely breed more than 3 litters by each of my females (actually, most have been bred only twice), in order not to burden them and not to produce too many puppies from the same bloodlines.

Not just anyone has the right profile and conditions to have an Estrela Mountain Dog. Therefore, I choose my puppies’ owners. Any person living in continental Portugal who wants to purchase one of my puppies will have to come to Ponta da Pinta, so that we can meet and establish a confidance basis. Exceptional situations aside, someone who won’t spend a few hours to fetch one of my pups is letting out they contacted me out of random and not because they appreciate my breeding programme and that they won’t give the puppy the time and attention it needs. The only clients to whom I might agree on shipping a puppy to are people from overseas who cannot come to fetch the pup – but even so I only agree on selling after making sure that person has all it takes to get a dog bred by me.

My puppies are sold after having got 2 shots (at 6 and 9 weeks of age), been regularly dewormed (every fortnight, after their second week) and microchipped (registered in an official Portuguese database). More than being mandatory, the microchip and its registry are a security measure to protect the puppy but also the owner and myself, as the breeder, since it is proof of ownership and origin, in case of theft or fraud.

I don’t sell puppies to people who plan to breed them to dogs I think are morphologically and genetically incompatible to them.

I only sell puppies for breeding purposes if I think they are of excellent quality overall.

Before I sell a puppy, I tell the prospect buyer about any genetic defects that I know it might be a carrier for.

When I sell a puppy, I give health guarantees and ask the owner to update me with its development.

To puppy buyers who live in other countries and are starting a breeding project for the breed, I give thorough advice and choose the best possible puppy.

I always inform prospect buyers about the breed’s traits that might be unpleasant (i.e. loud barking, digging holes, destroying plants and other things) and if I notice they seem worried or doubtful about it, I try to talk them out of buying an Estrela puppy.

I might choose to produce a litter from a dog or bitch that has some genetic disorder that I don’t consider too serious, if that animal’s positive traits more than make up for the fault. In that case, I will tell prospect buyers about that fault and the puppies’ odds of being carriers or affected.

My dogs are as important for me as my breeding project. It’s them I dedicate most of spare time to, as well as energy and financial resources. I try to offer them a happy, healthy life, pamper them and make them feel useful and active. If I happen to find out that a dog I have chosen and kept for breeding does not have what it takes to be bred, I keep them as a pet and guardian or place them with someone who can provide them with a happy life and will not breed them.

My dogs’ happiness is my priority so I don’t keep them kennelled. They live freely in a 2-acre estate, with lots of space to run and play, and several of them sleep in the house. I have spacious kennels and a fenced 150-square-yards court, which are used occasionally (for litters, bitches in season, convalescent or rescued dogs).

I always try to sell the puppy with the temperament and traits the most adequate to the buyers’ expectations, so they will be completely satisfied and the puppy will have a happy life.

Whenever the owner of a dog bred by me can't keep them any longer, I take them back and ensure to find them new owners who can make them happy.

My commitment to the Estrela Mountain Dog goes far beyond my dogs and or breeding programme: whenever possible, I shelter and/or help find new owners for Estrelas who need rescuing, no matter their origin and am involved in activities to help the breed.