Skip to content Rafeiro do alentejo is a descendant of Tibetan mastiffs brought by travelers to Portugal from China. This breed was created for grazing cattle and sheep, as well as for the protection of estates and farms. The Alentejo is a rare dog almost never found outside Portugal.
Characteristic
The powerful Rafeiro do Alentejo is strong and muscular. He is agile, fast, independent and ferocious. This dog is perfect for guarding the house, it is always on the alert, especially at night.
Character
Rafeiro do Alentejo is not recommended for inexperienced dog breeders. He is extremely jealous of his territory and his family. Affectionate to “his”, this dog is extremely suspicious of strangers. Calm and level-headed, this dog gets along well with children and gets along well with cats and other pets as long as he grew up with them.
Wool and care
The rafeiro do Alentejo has a dense, straight coat of medium length. This breed sheds profusely when the seasons change. The Alentejo dog does not require any special care: it is enough to thoroughly remove dead hair during shedding. This breed is generally healthy, but sometimes the rafeiro has hip dysplasia.
Training
Rafeiro do Alentejo needs early socialization and early obedience training. This dog is stubborn and tends to dominate, so the owner of the dog must be a brave, strong and strong-willed person who shows respect for this dog. However, harsh training methods are not suitable for this breed. Education must be consistent, motivated and fair.
Activity
Although rafeiro do Alentejo does not need strong physical activity, he certainly cannot live in a city apartment. Such a large dog needs a country house with a large fenced yard or a large farm.
