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> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://www.pedibase.com/llms.txt)
+12
Dogs
# The Portuguese Mountain Dog: temperament, price, health, and breeders
Portugal
A large rustic and loyal guardian, attached to its own and made for life in the great outdoors.
Size LargeLife expectancy 11–13 yearsBudget ≈ €140/monthPuppy €800 – €1,200
[Find a breeder 4](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-portuguese-mountain-dog) [ Compare with other breeds](https://www.pedibase.com/en/compare-dog-breeds?races=portuguese-mountain-dog)
The right choice?
## Is this breed right for you?
[Find your ideal breed with our online quiz!](https://www.pedibase.com/en/choose-your-dog)
Families and children Very good
Daily exercise needs Moderate
Apartment living Limited
First-time owners Good
Other pets Good
Tolerance of being alone Fair
Guarding instinct Excellent
Strengths and weaknesses
- Guarding instinct: He naturally protects his territory, his herd or his family with great vigilance.
- Hardiness: His solid build and thick coat allow him to withstand the cold well and life outdoors.
- Family attachment: With his own, he shows himself loyal, close and generally balanced when he is well socialized.
- Not well suited to apartment living: Its large size and need for space make life in a small home difficult.
- Wary of strangers: Without serious socialization, its protective instinct can become intrusive in everyday life.
- Joint vigilance: Like many large dogs, it requires careful management of weight and exercise.
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- House with land: He thrives best in a spacious environment with a well-secured outdoor area.
- Calm and consistent owners: He responds well to a stable, composed and consistent framework in training.
- Outdoor living: His rustic temperament and dense coat are well suited to cool regions and moderate outdoor activities.
Not recommended for
- Apartment living: Lack of space and close quarters do not match its usual needs.
- Owners often absent: This dog, attached to its home, does not cope well with overly distant management of its daily life.
- People looking for a dog that is very sociable with everyone: Its natural reserve toward strangers does not match this expected profile.
Meet the breed
## What does it look like?
1,75 mHuman
68 cmPortuguese Mountain Dog
- Height at the withers
- 62–73 cm
- Weight
- 35–60 kg
- Coat
- Long or short, dense
- FCI group
- 2
- Origin
- Portugal
- Grooming
- Moderate grooming needs
## Photos and videos
See the Portuguese Mountain Dog in photos and videos: coat colors, size, and distinctive expressions.
Origins
## Where does it come from?
The Portuguese Mountain Dog, also called the Serra da Estrela Dog or Cão da Serra da Estrela, is among the oldest breeds of the Iberian Peninsula. It originated in the Serra da Estrela, a vast mountainous region of Portugal, where shepherds long selected it to protect herds and farms. Its strength also earned it use as a draft dog. The breed was definitively recognized by the FCI on 23 June 1955.
Appearance
## What does it look like?
The Portuguese Mountain Dog is a large dog of the molossoid and mastiff type, robust, rustic and well proportioned, a little longer than tall. Its head is powerful and long, the body is solidly built with a broad chest and a well-muscled back. The breed exists in a long-haired or short-haired variety, with an abundant, dense coat, of harsh texture, associated with a fine and tight undercoat. The accepted coat colors are yellow, fawn, gray, wolf-gray or brindle, often with a dark mask.
Temperament
## Temperament and personality
The Portuguese Mountain Dog is a calm, self-assured and naturally protective dog. Very attached to its owner and its family, it is docile with its own while remaining wary of strangers. Its guarding instinct is very pronounced, which makes it an excellent protector of livestock as well as property.
Affectionate Intelligent Sociable Protective
Living together
## Living with children and other pets
This dog needs space, freedom of movement and a stable environment to thrive. A house with a large fenced garden suits it much better than an apartment. Its daily activity is mainly based on one to two walks and a few games, without seeking overly intense efforts in order to preserve its large-dog joints.
Training
## Training and socialization
His training must be put in place early with firmness, consistency and calm. The Portuguese Mountain Dog understands well what is expected of him, but his assertive temperament requires a clear framework. Brutal methods must be avoided in favor of positive reinforcement and serious socialization, especially when faced with strangers.
Budget
## Price and budget for the Portuguese Mountain Dog
The purchase price of this breed varies depending on the origin of the line, the reputation of the kennel, the tests carried out on the breeding dogs and compliance with the standard. A consistent budget must also include the long-term upkeep of a large dog.
[See cost breakdown](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/portuguese-mountain-dog/price)
Health
## Health at a glance
The Portuguese Mountain Dog is overall a hardy and robust breed when it benefits from an appropriate lifestyle, a quality diet and regular veterinary follow-up. Its large size nevertheless requires particular vigilance regarding the musculoskeletal system and weight management.
[Prevention and things to watch for](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/portuguese-mountain-dog/health)
Nutrition
## Feeding your pet well
The Portuguese Mountain Dog needs a complete, digestible diet adapted to its large size. Its diet can be based on good-quality kibble or on a properly formulated home-prepared ration, with particular attention paid to energy balance.
[Our feeding advice](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/portuguese-mountain-dog/food)
Did you know?
## Fun facts and popularity
This breed is closely linked to the Serra da Estrela, the highest point of mainland Portugal. It exists in two coat varieties, long and short, which remains quite rare among large livestock guardian dogs. Historically, it did not only guard the herds, it was also used for pulling thanks to its strength.
FAQ
## Frequently asked questions about the Portuguese Mountain Dog
Answers to common questions from future owners before their new companion arrives.
### Can the Portuguese Mountain Dog live in an apartment?
No, this breed is not well suited to apartment living. Its large size, guarding instinct and need for space make it better suited to a house with a well-fenced outdoor area.
### Is it a good family dog?
Yes, it can be a very good family companion when it is well trained and properly socialized. It is attached to its family and generally good with children, while remaining vigilant with strangers.
### Is the Portuguese Mountain Dog easy to train?
It is fairly receptive, but its strong-willed temperament requires a consistent, calm owner who is able to set a clear framework from an early age.
## Find a Portuguese Mountain Dog breeder
The areas where Pedibase lists the most Portuguese Mountain Dog breeders, along with their litters and typical prices.
### Portuguese Mountain Dog breeders by country
[4 breeders of Portuguese Mountain Dog in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-portuguese-mountain-dog) [1 breeder of Portuguese Mountain Dog in Belgium](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-portuguese-mountain-dog/belgium) [1 breeder of Portuguese Mountain Dog in the Netherlands](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-portuguese-mountain-dog/netherlands) [1 breeder of Portuguese Mountain Dog in Portugal](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-portuguese-mountain-dog/portugal)
[All breeders of Portuguese Mountain Dog in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-portuguese-mountain-dog)
## Ready to welcome a Portuguese Mountain Dog?
Find a registered, verified breeder near you and meet your future companion with confidence.
[View breeders](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-portuguese-mountain-dog)
## Discover other breeds
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