Breeds / Large
Rafeiro do Alentejo puppies
Calm, watchful and deeply loyal to their own household, the Rafeiro do Alentejo is a Portuguese livestock guardian that stays reserved with strangers and is slow to give ground.
The facts
- Size class Large
- Country of origin Portugal
- Adult weight 34.9 to 59.9 kg
- Adult weight in pounds 77 to 132 lb
- Adult height 64 to 74 cm
- Energy level Moderate
- Grooming Moderate
- Coat type Short double
- Shedding Moderate
- Typical lifespan 12 to 14 years
- Good with children Fine with supervision
- Good with other dogs Fine with supervision
About the Rafeiro do Alentejo
The Rafeiro do Alentejo comes from the plains of southern Portugal, where they moved with flocks between summer and winter grazing and guarded farms and homes through the night. This is a giant dog, 34.9 to 59.9 kg and 64 to 74 cm at the shoulder, heavy boned and slightly rectangular in outline, with a broad head and a short double coat. The character is calm and slow to rouse indoors, watchful outdoors, and firmly attached to their own household.
Exercise needs are moderate rather than punishing: several walks a day, a securely fenced garden and something to occupy the mind will cover it. The short coat asks for little beyond a weekly brush, regular nail trims and ear checks. They are rated three out of five with children and with other pets, so supervision and steady socialisation from puppyhood matter. The calm is real, but so is the guarding, so give this dog early exposure to visitors and clear boundaries about who is welcome.
What to expect at eight weeks
At eight weeks a Rafeiro do Alentejo puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A large breed puppy at eight weeks looks deceptively normal sized and will roughly double every few weeks for a while. Keep exercise short and low impact, the growth plates are wide open. Expect moderate energy, in short bursts separated by long naps. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.
Health worth knowing about
Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.
- Hip dysplasia, screened by x-ray evaluation of breeding stock
- Elbow dysplasia, screened by x-ray evaluation of breeding stock
- Bloat and gastric torsion, a surgical emergency in deep chested dogs
- Growth and joint problems in fast growing giant breed puppies, monitored by a vet through the first year
Your Rafeiro do Alentejo puppy's first six months
- Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
- Worming and parasite schedule.
- Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Large for a Rafeiro do Alentejo.
- Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 34.9 to 59.9 kg adult range.
- Puppy names and the first week checklist.
Kit sizes: crate 48 inch (48 x 30 x 32 in, 122 x 76 x 81 cm) for an adult of up to 59.9 kg, the largest size in the chart, which tops out at 49.9 kg, so measure the dog before you buy; chew toys made for large breeds. Worked out the same way as the crate size calculator. PetMD bases a crate on the dog's own measurements, not weight or breed alone, so measure once the puppy is home.
Buying guides for this
Other large breeds
Previous: Pyrenean Shepherd · Next: Rat Terrier
Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- Health notes from Rafeiro do Alentejo breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/rafeiro-do-alentejo/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.
Photo: Արարատ Թրվանց, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.