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Basic Description: Rafeiro do Alentejo are often claimed to be descended from huge dogs on the vast Tibetan highlands, thousands of years
ago. The Rafeiro looks and function is between the Anatolian Shepherd Dog and the Spanish Mastiff. In Portugal, with the geographic and climatic
differences between North and South, the need arose of moving the cattle annually in search of better pastures. Consequently, for centuries, huge
herds, accompanied by powerful mastiffs, were driven between the northern region of Douro and the Alentejo hinterland. As the population settled
down, the dogs eventually remained in the southern prairies, where they adapted and began to be used to guard, not only the herds, but
especially, in time, the big rural estates.
The Rafeiro do Alentejo has been assigned the Working Group designation.
Another name for Rafeiro do Alentejo is Alentejo Mastiff as referred to by the UKC.
Rafeiro do Alentejo is the biggest Portuguese canine breed. The dog impresses by its corpulence: the male height ranges from 26 to 29 inches
and the female height ranges from 25 to 27.5 inches.
Rafeiro do Alentejo are more active during the night than during the day.
Rafeiro do Alentejo watch sheep and also cattle. They often work alone in prairies and will defend the herd against any intruders.
Rafeiro do Alentejo were used, since the beginning of the breed history, as a hunting-dog in packs, for big game. This function has gradually
disappeared over time.
The Rafeiro do Alentejo has been recorded in the Foundation Stock Service since 2005.
The official standard of the Rafeiro of Alentejo was first established in 1953 in Portugal.
No official AKC standard yet.
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Note: Any Club that wishes to provide a better quality description of this breed is invited to contact the web master.
Your assistance in making this a useful site is greatly appreciated. Also, if corrections or additions are found, please let me know at once.
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American Kennel Club Link
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Canadian Kennel Club Link
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See AKC site for contact address - no website found
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National Rescue Group Link(s)
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Additional Information on local Clubs (Obedience, Agility etc.) and Rescue groups can be found under their respective heading in the Content section.
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Breed Fanciers that have agreed to share their knowledge of this breed.
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Would you like to be listed here – go to Invitation and if you agree with the simple requirements – WE WANT YOU –
then go to Fancier Questionnaire and fill out the form. The form is sent directly to the webmaster.
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