Rafeiro do Alentejo

The Alentejo is a region in Southern Portugal, on the Spanish border, where the climate in winter is harsh and icy, while dusty and torrid in summer.

These terrible climatic conditions created the need to move the flocks regularly.

Between the Alentejo hinterland and the Northern Douro region, the cattle were always on the move, accompanied by powerful mastiffs, protecting them for several centuries.

The dogs were thus fixed for sedentarization. The Rafeiro do Alentejo is said to have appeared in the region, when he was in charge of protecting herds of sheep from many predators.

Later, he became one of preferred dogs for the protection and guarding of the large Portuguese land estates.

In 1953, the official breed standard was created, thanks to two cynologists, Filipe Romeiras and Antonio Cabral. This native breed almost completely disappeared between the 1960s and 1980s.

However, a few enthusiasts decided to undertake the rescue of the breed in order to avoid the extinction of the Rafeiro do Alentejo.

Thanks to the perseverance of these passionate breeders, who were greatly supported by the municipality of Monforte, the breed is officially recognized by the FCI, and is no longer considered endangered today.

This excellent guard and protection dog for large homes and farms in the Alentejo region is greatly appreciated in his native region for driving herds, with or without the help of his master.

This great alarm dog also makes an excellent life companion. When he is not working outside to lead or protect the herd or the land, he makes his entire family happy, while protecting them at the same time.