Rafeiro do Alentejo

The Rafeiro Do Alentejo is a Portuguese watch dog. These dogs were first seen in several parts of Spain. These dogs are essentially work dogs. They were originally bred as farm dogs. They make very good herding dogs and are capable or guarding the livestock as well. Rafeiro in Portuguese means Mongrel. These dogs are very large in size. They are built for the cold and can live in extreme climates. They do not like living in very warm weather. Their thick double layered coat is good for cold snowy winters. These dogs have bear like features. They stand at 73 cms tall and weigh in at about 48 kgs. These dogs are not very furry. They have short yet dense hair. The hair has an almost coarse feel to it.

These dogs have very large and broad heads. Their heads are almost round with striking resemblance to a bears face. These dogs have very beautiful and expressive eyes. They have a very intelligent expression on their face. Their eyes are usually seen in a dark color that compliments the color of the coat. These dogs have triangular ears that have nice rounded tips. Their ears dangle at the bottom and are not very large. For their size the ears are quite small. The male dog is bigger than the female. The males have a broader and more muscular frame. Their heads are also noticeably larger than the females. They have bulky, robust and muscular bodies. These dogs have a nice deep chest that in considerably broad. They have beautifully muscular, strong and upright limbs.

The Rafeiro do Alentejo dog is seen in a black with either a tawny or yellowish coat. The coat can either have a striped or spotted appearance with traces of white. These dogs have a very long tail. The tail is noticed in a definite curl with lots of feathering. These dogs make unbeatable watch dogs. They are vigilant and alert. These dogs self confident, brave and safe animals. They will be able to fight against any intruders and ensure their family is safe. This breed is not recommended for first time dog owners. These dogs need a firm and strong leader. These dogs are steadfast and calm but never aggressive. They can be aggressive only if they sense a threat.

These dogs are very affectionate and lovable with their own family. They become more alert and wary of strangers after dark. This dog is independent and self assured.

These dogs are not very active but will need to be taken on a long jog or walk on a regular basis. They are not very playful but will enjoy a game of fetch. These dogs have a life expectancy of about 12 years. They will need to be brushed regularly to ensure the removal of dead skin. These dogs have a very peaceful and noble attitude. They are not excitable and noisy dogs. These dogs are very friendly with children but not strangers.