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Rescue
a Rafeiro do Alentejo
Rafeiro do Alentejo
Puppies for Sale
Rafeiro do Alentejo
(Portuguese Watchdog) (Alentejo Mastiff)
Photo Courtesy of Fernando Julião. An official foreign affairs agent of the Portuguese A.C.R.A.
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Description |
Conformity to the physical type, temperament and
movements are basic factors to take into account. Head with a broad,
rounded skull, proportional to the corpulence, eyes dark and very
characteristically expressive, ears small to medium-sized, triangular, with
rounded tips placed halfway along the skull, bending at the base and
dangling. Its silhouette is slightly convex and males are bigger and have
a bulkier head than females. The neck is short and strong, with a regular
dewlap, the trunk is robust, bulky and muscular, the chest broad and deep.
Strong, upright limbs, both front and rear. Long and curving tail, on a
line with the rump and falling underneath and between the hocks, when in action
it may curl up. Hair of medium length, thick, straight and dense, its
color black, wolf like, tawny or yellowish, in a fair, striped or white-spotted
pattern. |
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Temperament |
An excellent, safe and self-confident guard dog
particularly alert at night. It's not a dog for beginners. It needs
a handler who naturally radiates leadership. Calm, steadfast, and brave,
but not aggressive. Independent, very watchful, and self-assured.
Affectionate with their own family, but suspicious of strangers, especially
after dark. The dog can be stubborn and dominant. When training the
Rafeiro do Alentejo, the best results are achieved by motivational training
methods with a determined, consistent and loving approach. It is very
important to begin training as early as possible, because a fully grown dog may
be too strong and too big to be corrected and because this dog has his own ideas
and will not cater to his owner's every whim. Sensitive to reprimands and
eager to receive affection. They will generally get along with other
animals provided they have been introduced to them when they are still
young. It is important to socialize them while they are still young.
These dogs mature quite slowly, reaching full adulthood at about four years
old. They guard, but do not herd, livestock. They do not eat much
for their size. Extensive early socialization, obedience training and
consistent dominant leadership are very important when owning a Rafeiro do
Alentejo. This is not the kind of dog to learn useless tricks; they
usually want to keep their energy for the real work. Do not allow the
Rafeiro do Alentejo to over exert themselves, such as, jumping, running and
going up and down stairs, when it is a puppy. The reason is; it needs to save
time and energy to develop healthy bones, muscles and tendons. With its
highly noble character, it is tough to strangers but docile with children.
Undoubtedly a dog more for defense than attack, unmistakable by the low, deep
tone of its barking, which can be heard a long way off. Because of its
powerful fangs, its courage, and for a dog of its size it is (very fast) it is
often used in packs for game, wild boar and other large game hunting. This
is a corpulent, sober dog, a dog of peaceful demeanor. |
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Height, Weight |
Height: Males 27-28 inches (66-75 cm.) Females
25-28 inches (64 - 70 cm.)
(maximum limits may be slightly surpassed, provided that proportions and
functions are respected).
Weight: Males 110-132 pounds (50-60 kg.) Females 100-121 pounds (45-55
kg.) |
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Health Problems |
Hip dysplasia may occur, but is not very common. |
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Living Conditions |
The Rafeiro do Alentejo is not
recommended for apartment life. It is relatively inactive indoors and will
do best with at least a large yard. This breed is very suspicious of
strangers, and it is therefore necessary to provide a secure, fenced yard. |
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Exercise |
When fully mature, this breed has an (average, low)
need for exercise. If not actively working, it needs to be taken on a daily
walk or jog. |
Life Expectancy |
About 12 years |
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Grooming |
This breed requires little grooming. The coat
needs thorough brushing-out during the twice a year shedding season. You
can get away with little attention the rest of the year. The Rafeiro do
Alentejo is a seasonal, heavy shedder. |
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Origin |
The Rafeiro do Alentejo are often
claimed to be descended from huge dogs on the vast Tibetan highlands, thousands
of years ago. These powerful mastiffs are commonly said to have migrated
slowly westwards into Asia Minor. They are thought to have crossed the
Balkans, following the Roman legions from the Black Sea to the shores of the
Atlantic. Over so vast an area and through centuries of natural selection,
they acquired characteristics of their own, which eventually differentiated them
from region to region. In the Iberian Peninsula, tribes whose subsistence
was based on the exploitation of cattle undoubtedly gave these dogs of great
strength and size the unique task of protecting them against rival tribes and
cattle rustlers. One could say that the Rafeiro, regarding its origin,
looks, character and function is between the Anatolian
Shepherd Dog and the Spanish Mastiff, (the
perfect dog). In Portugal, with the geographic and climatic differences
between North and South, the need soon 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. However, it was not before 1953 that, thanks to a census carried
out at the end of the 1940's by two distinguished sinologists (António Cabral
and Filipe Romeiras), the official standard of the Rafeiro of Alentejo was
established. In the 60's and 70's this breed declined dramatically, both
in quality and quantity, the most critical point being reached in the early
80's. It is, however, with great satisfaction that we can say that at the
turn of the century this situation has been overcome, thanks to the zeal of a
small but resolute group of breeders, who, with dedication and perseverance, are
carrying out the rewarding task of ensuring the continuity of the Rafeiro do
Alentejo. Today, even though the work must continue unabated, we can say that
this precious heritage will be bestowed on future generations. |
| Group |
Flock and Property Guard |
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Recognition |
CPC, CCP, FCI, CPRA, ACRA, RBKGN, KNK, CAC-QC, CACIB,
APRI, ACR, DRA, NAPR |
DRA = Dog Registry of America, Inc.
NAPR = North American Purebred Registry, Inc.
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2 month old Rafeiro do Alentejo puppy
Photo Courtesy of Fernando Julião. An official foreign affairs agent of the Portuguese A.C.R.A.
Photo Courtesy of Fernando Julião. An official foreign affairs agent of the Portuguese A.C.R.A.
Photo Courtesy of Fernando Julião. An official foreign affairs agent of the Portuguese A.C.R.A.
Photo Courtesy of Fernando Julião. An official foreign affairs agent of the Portuguese A.C.R.A.
Rafeiro do Alentejo Pictures 1
Understanding Dog Behavior
| Many Thanks to Fernando Julião for providing Dog Breed Info with this
information. Before you buy Contact Fernando Julião (an official foreign
affairs agent of the Portuguese A.C.R.A.) for help and more information. |
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