Rafeiro do Alentejo
USD $800-$1000 Price Avg.
Guard Dogs
Group
Purebred
Breed Type
Giant
Size
10-12 years
Lifespan
Breed Information
| Group | Guard Dogs |
|---|---|
| Popularity/Rank | 256 |
| Origin | Portugal |
| Other Names | Alentejo Mastiff, Mutt of Alentejo, Portuguese Mastiff |
| Breed Type | Purebred |
| Price (Avg.) |
USD $800-$1000
How much does it cost to buy a Rafeiro do Alentejo? Rafeiro do Alentejo are usually priced differently from breeder to breeder and from place to place. As a rough guide, you can expect to pay between $800 to $1000 if you purchase your dog from a reputable breeder. The price will increase if the dog has a fantastic pedigree. Dogs that already have basic training maybe even more expensive. But, most Rafeiro do Alentejos can be adopted through a shelter for a lower fee. |
| Size | Giant |
| Weight |
Male: 110-132 pounds (50-60 kg),
Female: 100-121 pounds (45-55 kg) |
| Height |
Male: 27-28 inches (66-75 cm),
Female: 25-28 inches (64-70 cm) |
| Lifespan | 10-12 years |
| Recognized by |
FCI
Not recognized by the American Kennel Club. And FCI in the Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs group, in the Molossian type section. |
| Purpose | Livestock Guardian, Protection Dog, Cart Dog |
| Date of Origin | Unknown |
| Ancestry | Mastiff-Type |
Appearance & Maintenance
| Coat | Dense, Double, Straight |
|---|---|
| Coat Colors | Black, Brindle, Fawn, Gray, Yellow |
| Grooming Level | |
| Shedding Level | |
| Eye Color Possibilities | Brown |
| Nose Color Possibilities | Black |
| Coat Color Possibilities | Black, Brindle, Fawn, Gray, Pied |
| Coat Length | Medium |
| Coat Density | Dense |
| Coat Texture | Straight |
| Recommended Brushes | Comb, Deshedder, Nail Clipper, Pin Brush |
| Brushing Frequency | Weekly |
Breed Characteristics
| Temperament | Calm, Confidence, Defensive, Independent, Protective, Selfish, Sober, Territorial |
|---|---|
| Intelligent | |
| Trainability | |
| Playfulness | |
| Sensitivity Level | |
| Affection Level | |
| Social Interaction Required | |
| Barking | |
| Watchdog Ability | |
| Territorial | |
| Biting Force | Low |
| Mouthiness | |
| Impulse to Wander or Roam | |
| Prey Drive | |
| Adaptability | |
| Tolerates Being Left Alone | |
| Fighting Dog | Not really |
Good & Friendly with
| Apartment Life Friendly | |
|---|---|
| Stranger Friendly | |
| Kid-Friendly | |
| Cat Friendly | |
| Dog Friendly | |
| Office Friendly | No |
| Senior Citizens Friendly | |
| Pet Friendly | |
| Friendly with First Time Owners | No |
| Service Dog | Not really |
| Therapy Dog | Not really |
| Detection, Sniffer or Security Dog | Not really |
| Search and Rescue Dog (SAR) | Not really |
| Boat Dog | Not really |
| Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog | Yes |
Health Elements
| Health Issues | |
|---|---|
| Hypoallergenic | No |
| Energy Level | |
| Exercise Required | |
| Sleeping Required | |
| Weight Gain Potential | |
| Weather & Climate | Tolerates warm and cold weather. |
| Stinkiness | Medium |
| Drooling tendency | |
| Activity Level | Low |
| Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week | 10 miles |
| Minutes of Activity Per Day | 60 minutes |
Food & Costing
| Avg. Daily Food | 5 to 6 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. |
|---|---|
| Cups Per Day | 3 cups |
| Daily Cost | $1.50 - $1.90 |
| Monthly Cost | $39.00 - $52.00 |
Reproducibility
| Gestation Duration | 60-64 days |
|---|---|
| How often can the Rafeiro do Alentejo have a litter? | Once a year. |
| Litter Size | 3-5 puppies (Once a year.) |
Description
The Rafeiro do Alentejo is a large, powerful breed of dog that originated in Portugal. It is a working breed that was originally used for herding and guarding livestock. The Rafeiro do Alentejo has a strong, muscular body and an alert expression. Its head is large and broad with a slightly rounded skull, and its muzzle is long and tapered. Its ears are set high on the head and hang down close to the cheeks. The eyes are almond-shaped and dark brown in color. The coat of the Rafeiro do Alentejo is short, dense, and coarse with colors ranging from fawn to brindle or black with white markings on the chest, feet, muzzle, or tail tip.
The lifespan of the Rafeiro do Alentejo dog ranges from 10 to 12 years when properly cared for. They typically weigh between 80-110 pounds (36-50 kg) when fully grown depending on gender; males tend to be larger than females. They stand at an average height of 24-27 inches (60-68 cm).
The personality of the Rafeiro do Alentejo dog can be described as loyal but independent; they are devoted to their owners but can also be aloof towards strangers if not properly socialized from an early age. They have strong protective instincts which make them excellent guard dogs; however they should never be aggressive towards people unless provoked or trained to attack by irresponsible owners.
Rafeiro do Alentejo dogs are generally friendly with other dogs as well as children if raised together from puppyhood; however they may become territorial if not properly socialized around other animals such as cats or small pets like rabbits or hamsters due to their herding instincts.
The temperament of the Rafeiro do Alentejo dog can vary depending on its environment; it tends to be calm indoors but active outdoors where it can explore its surroundings freely without being confined by walls or fences for too long periods of time. This breed needs plenty of exercise in order to stay healthy both physically and mentally so regular walks should be part of its daily routine along with mental stimulation activities such as obedience training or agility courses which will help keep it entertained while also teaching it how to behave around people in different situations without becoming overly aggressive or territorial towards them .
The health of the Rafeiro do Alentejo dog is generally good although some individuals may suffer from hip dysplasia due to their size so regular checkups at your vet’s office should always be done in order to detect any potential problems early on before they become more serious issues later down the line .
When it comes adaptability level ,the Rafeiro do Alentejo does best when living in a home environment where there’s plenty space for them roam around freely without being confined by walls or fences for too long periods time . This breed does not require much grooming since its coat only needs occasional brushing once every few weeks ; however ,it should still receive regular baths every few months order maintain good hygiene levels .
Overall ,the benefits owning a Rafeiro do Alentejo include having loyal companion who will always protect you no matter what situation arises ; plus ,they make great watchdogs since they’re naturally alert all times . Furthermore ,this breed loves spending time outdoors so taking them out walks hikes will help keep them healthy both physically mentally while also providing you opportunity bond even further with your pet .
History
The Rafeiro do Alentejo is a large, mastiff-type dog breed from the Alentejo region of Portugal. The breed is also known as the Alentejo Mastiff, the Portuguese Mastiff, and the Rafeiro of Alentejo. The Rafeiro do Alentejo is one of the oldest breeds in Portugal, with a history dating back to Roman times. The breed almost became extinct in the early 21st century, but has since been revived and is now gaining popularity in Portugal and other countries.
The Rafeiro do Alentejo is thought to be descended from the ancient Roman Molossus dog. The Molossus was a large, mastiff-type dog used for guarding and fighting. The Rafeiro do Alentejo shares many physical characteristics with the Molossus, including a large size, a short coat, and a wrinkled face.
The Rafeiro do Alentejo nearly became extinct in the early 21st century. In 2001, there were only about 200 Rafeiros left in Portugal. However, thanks to efforts by Portuguese breeders, the population has increased to over 1000 by 2010. The breed is now recognized by several kennel clubs around the world, including the Kennel Club of Portugal and the American Kennel Club.
The Rafeiro do Alentejo is still relatively rare outside of its native Portugal. However, the breed is gaining popularity due to its loyal and protective nature. If you are looking for a large guard dog with a long history, then the Rafeiro do Alentejo may be the perfect breed for you!
