Rafeiro Do Alentejo

The Rafeiro Do Alentejo’s past is somewhat of a mystery. Many believe he has descended from the massive dogs found in the highlands of Tibet over thousands of years. Some think that his descendants migrated westward into Asia Minor, crossing the Balkans with the Roman legions. Throughout the years, the Rafeiro Do Alentejo developed his own physical characteristics and personality traits, differentiating them between the regions. He evolved into a mighty livestock guardian dog that fearlessly protected sheep or cattle from predators or cattle rustlers. As he evolved, many historians believe that the Anatolian Shepherd and Spanish Mastiff were bred into the bloodlines to create a quick-witted, territorial dog. In Portugal, cattle needed to be moved throughout the year, seeking better pastures and warmer climates. The Rafeiro Do Alentejo would follow the herds from pasture to pasture. They followed the herds for centuries and adapted to life migrating between the regions of Douro and Alentejo. As ranchers settled permanently, the Rafeiro Do Alentejo remained in the southern region near Alentejo and along with his livestock guarding duties, he was used to guard big rural estates. Around 1953 Antonio Cabral and Filipe Romeiras began taking an interest in these large dogs. They worked together to develop the first official breed standard. The breed began to disappear in the 1960s and 1970s and by the 1980s the breed was almost extinct. With the determination of a small group of breeders in Portugal, the Rafeiro Do Alentejo began to rebound and today, while he is still rare, is gaining in numbers. People began importing him into the United States and in 2006 he was recognized by the United Kennel Club. He has yet to be officially recognized by the American Kennel Club.