Collie versus Estrela Mountain Dog. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

Last Updated: May 01, 2022

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Collie Versus Estrela Mountain Dog: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Collie 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 Collie 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 Collie and the Estrela Mountain Dog.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Collie 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 Collie 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 Collie 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 Collie or the Estrela Mountain Dog.

Note that the Collie breed comes in two varieties based on coat texture. There is the smooth collie and the rough collie. Read our article on rough collie versus smooth collie.

Furthermore, the border collie dog breed is very different from the collie dog breed. Learn about the differences between these two dog breeds in our border collie versus collie article.

See this article that compares the Border Collie to the Estrela Mountain Dog.

Finally, just like the collie, the border collie also comes in two varieties. There is the rough border collie and the smooth border collie. To learn about the differences and similarities between them, check out our article on rough-coat border collie versus smooth-coat border collie.

Collie versus Estrela Mountain Dog: Overview

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

Furthermore, both the Collie and the Estrela Mountain Dog are Herding Dogs. This means both the Collie and the Estrela Mountain Dog 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.

Collie versus Estrela Mountain Dog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Collie 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 Collie and the Estrela Mountain Dog

FactorCollieEstrela Mountain Dog
Does NOT Drool5/53/5
Tendency NOT to Wander5/55/5
Life Span10 to 14 years11 to 15 years
Tolerates Being Alone2/53/5
Easy To Groom2/52/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor4/53/5
Height22 to 26 inches all at the shoulder24 to 30 inches
Adapts Well To Apartment Living3/51/5
Tolerates Hot Weather3/53/5
General Health3/54/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight3/53/5
Does NOT chew on things3/54/5
NOT Rambunctious3/53/5
Minimal Exercise Needs3/53/5
Good For Novice Owners4/53/5
Tolerates Cold Weather4/54/5
Dog Friendly4/53/5
Friendly Toward Strangers4/52/5
Easy To Train4/54/5
Intelligence4/55/5
Low Prey Drive2/55/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl2/53/5
Potential For Playfulness4/53/5
Easygoing1/54/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Kid-Friendly5/55/5
Does NOT Shed1/52/5
Weight50 to 70 pounds75 to 130 pounds
Average Lifespan12.0 years13.0 years
Average Price$1480$2000
Price Range$1000 – $1800$2000 – $2000
Temperament Score80.8 percent100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Dermatomyositis
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • 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 Collie 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 Collie is 83 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 Collie is a better pet than the Estrela Mountain Dog.

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

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

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

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

  • Collies 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.
  • Collies are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone. However, Estrela Mountain Dogs are not very sensitive to their enviroment. They can tolerate noisy environments. They are also not very sensitive to the tone of your voice, firm or gentle.
  • The Similarities Between the Collie and the Estrela Mountain Dog

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

  • Both the Collie and the Estrela Mountain Dog do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Both the Collie and the Estrela Mountain Dog do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Collie and the Estrela Mountain Dog require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Collie and the Estrela Mountain Dog do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Collie and the Estrela Mountain Dog are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Collie and the Estrela Mountain Dog can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Collie and the Estrela Mountain Dog get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Collie and the Estrela Mountain Dog are very easy to train.
  • Both the Collie and the Estrela Mountain Dog are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Collie and the Estrela Mountain Dog are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Collie and the Estrela Mountain Dog are very playful.
  • Both the Collie and the Estrela Mountain Dog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Collie and the Estrela Mountain Dog get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Collie and the Estrela Mountain Dog shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Size Comparison of the Collie versus Estrela Mountain Dog

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

    The Collie weighs 50 to 70 pounds when fully grown. The Collie is 22 to 26 inches all at the shoulder 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 Collie versus Size of Estrela Mountain Dog

    Lifespan of Collie versus Estrela Mountain Dog

    The lifespan of the Collie is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of the Collie is 12.0 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 live longer than the Collie.

    Temperament of the Collie Versus the Estrela Mountain Dog

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

    This is because the temperament score for the Estrela Mountain Dog is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Collie is 80.8 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 80.8 percent, the Collie has a below-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 Collie and the Estrela Mountain Dog by measuring the temperaments of 896 Collies and 1 Estrela Mountain Dogs.

    Price of Collie versus Price of Estrela Mountain Dog

    The average price of the Collie puppy is $1480. The price of the Collie typically ranges from $1000 – $1800. However, the price of a Collie can be as low as $300 and as high as $15000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 356 Collie 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 Estrela Mountain Dog is more expensive than the Collie.

    Collie Estrela Mountain Dog
    Average Price $1480 $2000
    Price Range $1000 to $1800 $2000 to $2000

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Collies. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Collies. 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 Collie 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.

    Check out our list of best Collie breeders here

    Health Problems of Collie 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 Collie 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 Estrela Mountain Dog is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the Collie.

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

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

    Collie Health Problems

    Collies are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Collie 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 Collie puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Collie 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 Collies for:

  • Clear By Parentage
  • Dermatomyositis
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Collies 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: Collie versus Estrela Mountain Dog

    Collies do not like to be left alone.

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

    Do Collies shed more than Estrela Mountain Dogs?

    Collies 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 Collie or the Estrela Mountain Dog?

    Collies require a lot of grooming and they are not very 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 Collie or the Estrela Mountain Dog?

    Collies get along very well with other dogs.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs get along fairly well with other dogs.

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

    Collies 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 Collie Easier to Train than the Estrela Mountain Dog?

    Collies are very easy to train.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs are very easy to train.

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

    Collies do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs drool moderately.

    How Kid-friendly are Collies and Estrela Mountain Dogs?

    Collies get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

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

    Collies 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 Collies Bark and Howl? What about Estrela Mountain Dogs?

    Collies are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

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

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

    Collies can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Collie vs. Estrela Mountain Dog

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

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

    Collies can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

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

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

    Collies adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Collies are very good for new dog owners.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs are OK for new dog owners.

    Collie Versus Other Dog Breeds

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

    Collie versus Finnish Spitz     Collie versus Cairn Terrier     Collie versus Tibetan Terrier     Collie versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Collie versus Great Pyrenees     Collie versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Collie versus Norwegian Lundehund     Collie versus Irish Wolfhound     Collie versus Pharaoh Hound     Collie versus Pomchi     Collie versus Beagle     Collie versus Cavachon     Collie versus Mountain Cur     Collie versus Scottish Terrier     Collie versus Silky Terrier     Collie versus Akita Chow     Collie versus Rottweiler     

    Conclusion: Collie 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 Collie and the Estrela Mountain Dog better suits you and your family.