Rafeiro do Alentejo

Character of the Rafeiro do Alentejo

At night, the Rafeiro do Alentejo comes into its own: Its sharp eyes, keen sense of smell, and excellent hearing miss nothing. Anyone daring to enter its territory will be confronted without warning and attacked if necessary. Shepherds who own a Rafeiro do Alentejo certainly have no need to fear livestock thieves or wandering animals. 

A Herding Dog as a Family Pet? 

As a pure companion dog, whose only task is to accompany and protect its family, the Portuguese breed is entirely unsuitable. While it stands by its family loyally, its innate sharpness is challenging to control, even with consistent training.

The intelligent and self-confident Rafeiro is used to working and acting independently, and subservience and obedience are not its strengths. 

Training the Rafeiro do Alentejo 

Anyone who wants to keep a Rafeiro do Alentejo should provide it with a large territory where it can freely exercise its guarding instincts. This does not mean letting the dog roam unchecked.

A responsible owner socialises and trains their dog from the beginning, making it clear who is in control and where its boundaries lie. However, they must also accept that their pet needs its freedom. The Rafeiro will never be a “tame lapdog.” 

Rafeiro do Alentejo Appearance 

When the Rafeiro do Alentejo appears, livestock thieves and wild animals quickly flee: Who would want to face such a large and powerful dog? 

The Portuguese breed, with a height of up to 76cm at the withers and a weight of about 50kg, is very noticeable. Its massive head and strong, muscular body convey a formidable impression. It gazes calmly from small, brown eyes with a slight furrow between them, but nothing escapes its vigilant eyes.

© Photo Art / stock.adobe.com

The Portuguese Mastiff’s Massive Build 

Despite its massive stature and somewhat lumbering gait, the Rafeiro’s body appears more long than wide. The neck provides a good transition to the shoulder, and the back is straight. The well-haired and thickened at the base tail is set rather low and forms a slight upward curve when excited.

At rest, it reaches the hock joint. The Rafeiro’s ears, which are not very mobile, are medium-sized and fall folded to the side. 

Dense Coat in Many Colours 

The dense, smooth coat of the Portuguese herding dog is short to medium-length and has plenty of undercoat, providing reliable protection in all weathers. The Rafeiro do Alentejo comes in black, wolf grey, fawn, or yellow with and without white patches. A white base colour with yellow patches and brindled or speckled specimens are also permitted by the breed standard. 

History Behind the Rafeiro do Alentejo 

As the name suggests, the Rafeiro do Alentejo comes from the Portuguese region of Alentejo, stretching south of the Tejo River to the Algarve. The breed, belonging to FCI Group 2 (Molossians), Subsection Mountain Dogs, has a long history as a herding dog.

Although little is known about the exact origins of this rare breed, it is believed that its ancestors are found in the Molossian dogs of the Middle East. The Portuguese Herding Dog, Cao da Serra da Estrela (Estrela Mountain Dog), likely also played a role in its development. 

Herding Dog and Status Symbol 

In the lowlands of Alentejo, shepherds used the large dog to herd and drive livestock. Additionally, the fearless four-legged friend reliably protected the assigned flock from wild animals or livestock thieves.

At night, the Rafeiro de Alentejo defended its herd to the death. Wealthy landowners valued the imposing dog not only as a vigilant protector but also as a status symbol of strength and power. 

Saved from Extinction 

With progressing industrialisation and the decrease in large estates, the Rafeiro became increasingly rare. At the beginning of the 20th century, dogs of this type were almost extinct. Nevertheless, a small group of enthusiasts ensured the breed’s survival. In 1940, a first breed standard was established. Fourteen years later, the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) officially recognised the breed. 

Rafeiro do Alentejo Breeding and Distribution Today 

Despite the efforts of its enthusiasts, the breed of the Rafeiro do Alentejo has only established itself to a small extent today. The path to becoming a family dog, which many original working and utility dogs have taken, is largely closed off to it due to its somewhat challenging character. Thus, only a few breeders have taken up this special breed. 

What to Consider Before Buying 

Those interested in a purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo may have to travel long distances to find a suitable breeder. However, people who want this dog solely for companionship should reconsider purchasing one. The Rafeiro remains an excellent herding dog and should be kept in such a context. Turning it into a family-friendly companion dog does not benefit anyone, including the dog. 

Health and Life Expectancy of the Rafeiro do Alentejo

Breed-specific diseases are hardly known due to the breed’s limited spread. The Rafeiro is a very robust dog with a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years, which is relatively high. However, like all dogs of its size and build, it can suffer from joint problems, such as HD (hip dysplasia) or ED (elbow dysplasia). 

Rafeiro do Alentejo Nutrition 

The Rafeiro do Alentejo does not have any specific dietary requirements. However, a balanced and healthy diet is essential for this dog, particularly in regard to possible joint problems. After the energy-rich puppy food, a lower-protein diet should initially be provided to avoid rapid growth in the young dog.

Once fully grown, the energy content of the food can be increased again. Fresh meat, providing the necessary amount of animal protein, should primarily fill the adult dog’s bowl, with fresh vegetables and rice as healthy side dishes. Fish can be given as an alternative to meat. 

Individual Nutrient Needs Must Be Considered 

The exact quantity and ingredients of the food should be tailored to the individual needs of each dog, which can vary considerably depending on age, size, and activity level. Generally, the total essential nutrients should come from high-quality ingredients rather than quantity.

Even a large and heavy dog like the Rafeiro do Alentejo can be well-fed with one to two meals per day. Regardless, it should always have plenty of fresh drinking water available. 

Rafeiro do Alentejo Care 

The Rafeiro do Alentejo is a relatively low-maintenance dog whose short, smooth coat requires no special care. Regular brushing is necessary due to the dense and sturdy fur. Teeth, claws, and ears should also be checked and cleaned occasionally.

It is beneficial if the Rafeiro is accustomed to the necessary care procedures as a puppy, as holding such a large and strong dog still is challenging if it does not willingly “sit”. 

Keeping and Training the Rafeiro do Alentejo

Despite its slow gait and calm, slightly bored expression, the Rafeiro do Alentejo is extremely enduring – and fast when necessary. It loves running and roaming for hours through its “territory” to ensure everything is in order and acts immediately if it is not.

City life, with small gardens, houses, and limited dog parks, is as unsuitable for this freedom-loving dog as kennel keeping. The Rafeiro needs a large area, away from traffic and neighbours, where it can indulge in its passion – protecting and guarding the home, farm, and livestock. 

Excellent Herding Dog and Fearless Guard 

The owner’s primary task should be taken seriously. If the original herding dog cannot oversee an entire flock, it should at least have a large property to guard. The Rafeiro’s high alertness and fearlessness make it an excellent watchdog, especially at night. However, this sharpness requires a very experienced dog handler. 

Only Suitable for Experienced Dog Handlers 

The Rafeiro de Alentejo is not for beginners. While it is family-oriented and loyal, its self-confident and dominant nature makes daily life challenging. Without early socialisation and firm, consistent training, this Portuguese powerhouse will be uncontrollable.

Playful training tasks and treat rewards alone will not suffice for this incorruptible and somewhat stubborn dog. The Rafeiro wants to be taken seriously and needs tasks appropriate to its nature to cope with modern society.

Therefore, its training requires not only experience and skill but also patience and understanding for the needs of this powerful guardian dog.