They are a livestock guardian dog bred to guard herds and homesteads and also kept as a family pet.

Fawn, wolf gray and yellow, with or without brindling, white markings or shadings of black throughout the coat.

It is calm but fearless and will not hesitate to react to danger, making it an exceptional watchdog as well as an excellent guard dog.

It needs early and continued socialization to be trustworthy around small pets and other dogs.

It's important to begin training and socializing the Serra da Estrela dog from puppyhood to nurture its acceptance of different situations.

So from 1908 to 1919, special shows called concursos were held to promote and preserve the Estrela breed in the region.

The dog was observed by judges for its reactions coming into the field and as the shepherd was ordered to move the flock, which inevitably produced stragglers.

The dog was expected to move from his spot of guarding to bring the stragglers back, and then assume a leadership position at the head of the flock.

For example, dew claws became optional by 1955, and the allowed colors have been limited a few times to achieve today's current set.

Prior to World War II, the Estrela breeders were still primarily the shepherds and farmers of the region.

Since they were mostly illiterate, they did not make any attempt to follow the official breed standard, if they even knew one existed.

Again the intent was to stimulate interest among the Serra residents and to encourage them to adhere to the official standard.

Prior to the revolution, dog showing had largely been a pastime of the wealthy, with their preference for non-Portuguese breeds as status symbols.

In 2004, a breed club was officially founded in the United States and named the Estrela Mountain Dog Association of America.

It is also an ideal family pet because of its alertness, loyalty, intelligence, and its instinct to nurture young; all features it needed in its earliest days.