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Rafeiro do Alentejo

History

The Rafeiro do Alentejo are often claimed to be descended from huge dogs on the vast Tibetan highlands, thousands of years ago. These powerful mastiffs are commonly said to have migrated slowly westwards into Asia Minor. They are thought to have crossed the Balkans, following the Roman legions from the Black Sea to the shores of the Atlantic. Over so vast an area and through centuries of natural selection, they acquired characteristics of their own, which eventually differentiated them from region to region. In the Iberian Peninsula, tribes whose subsistence was based on the exploitation of cattle undoubtedly gave these dogs of great strength and size the unique task of protecting them against rival tribes and cattle rustlers. One could say that the Rafeiro, regarding its origin, looks, character and function is between the Anatolian Shepherd Dog and the Spanish Mastiff, (the perfect dog). In Portugal, with the geographic and climatic differences between North and South, the need soon arose of moving the cattle annually in search of better pastures. Consequently, for centuries, huge herds, accompanied by powerful mastiffs, were driven between the northern region of Douro and the Alentejo hinterland. As the population settled down, the dogs eventually remained in the southern prairies, where they adapted and began to be used to guard, not only the herds, but especially, in time, the big rural estates. However, it was not before 1953 that, thanks to a census carried out at the end of the 1940's by two distinguished sinologists (António Cabral and Filipe Romeiras), the official standard of the Rafeiro of Alentejo was established. In the 60's and 70's this breed declined dramatically, both in quality and quantity, the most critical point being reached in the early 80's. It is, however, with great satisfaction that we can say that at the turn of the century this situation has been overcome, thanks to the zeal of a small but resolute group of breeders, who, with dedication and perseverance, are carrying out the rewarding task of ensuring the continuity of the Rafeiro do Alentejo. Today, even though the work must continue unabated, we can say that this precious heritage will be bestowed on future generations.

General appearance and aptitude
A large dog, strong and sober. From profile slightly convex. An excellent watch dog, particularly at night, it is used to watch property and of sheep herds.
Devoted to is master, but mistrusting and aggressive to strangers

HEAD A bear-like head. Wider at the end of the skull, narrower and less domed at the base, well proportioned to the size of the body. Females have in proportion a smaller head.

Nose * Oval, with the tip slightly blunted, from up down and towards the back; black.

Muzzle Arched, straight, shorter then the skull length, medium width.

Lips * Slightly arched in front, overlapping and well cut. Thin and firm. The inferior profile slightly arched too.

Jaws* Strong well developed and well set.

Stop* Not pronounced, the upper longitudinal axes of muzzle and skull should be divergent.

Skull:
Broad, slightly round eye sockets not projecting, slight furrow between and above the eyes. Occipital not too marked, with the space between the ears slightly and regularly arched.

Eyes* Calm expression, eyes almost levelled with the face, dark, horizontal elliptical and small. Black pigmented lids.

Ears* Set on medium height, folded and hanging at the sides. Little mobility when the dog is attentive, they still keep folded, but rise and fold in vertical wrinkles at the base. Triangular with a narrow base and the size about the same as the furrow, small.

Neck: Well set into the shoulders, straight, short, strong, with dewlap.
Forequarters * Strong, straight, either viewed from the front or profile.
Shoulder and arm * Strong, medium size, rather apart, slightly sloping, well developed and muscled. Open shoulder angulations.
Forearm* Vertical and long; thick and well muscled.

Carpus * Thick.

Pastern* Medium length, thick, slightly sloping.

Foot Thick toes, well closed and long, not too arched, strong nails. The colour varies according to the coat. Pads thick and tough. The foot should not be flat.

Body* Strong and well muscled, long, bulky, slightly sloping from fore to rear, and moderately hollow. The bottom line raising gently from the brisket to the groin.

BRreast* Wide, but not very marked.

Chest Well down, wide, deep and with the sternum almost horizontal.
Ribs* Straight, slightly oblique.
Back* Level, moderately sloping; long.
Loin* Medium size and straight; wide; slightly hollowed; well muscled.
Belly and flanks* Proportioned to size; following the brisket line.
Croup* Medium size, broad and high, slightly drooping.

Hindquarters Strong, well apart, upright viewed from the rear, as well as from profile.
Thigh* Long, broad, well muscled but not to marked.
Hindleg* Slightly sloping, medium sized, well muscled.
Hock* Medium height and length; lean, moderately angulated.
Foot* Similar to the forefoot.
Tail* Set on at medium height; thick, smoothly curved to the tip; long and not broken. When at rest, should fall between the hocks and reach below them. In action, may curl upwards.

Coat Short or medium length hair, heavy, dense, straight and evenly covering the body down to the toes and between them.
Colour, * Black, wolf, tawny or yellow, marked with white, are white marked with those colours; bicoloured, roan or dappled, often streaked or grizzled.
Skin *
Thick and close fitting. Internal and external membranes partially or totally pigmented with black.
Height*
Males 66 to 74 cm, Females 64 to 70 cm.
Weight*
Males 45 to 55 Kg. Females 40 to 50 Kg.

Fotnote (relating to size and weight)
This standard his based on the original standard that dates from 1953, today due to better living conditions and better food we see that this breed gets taller and heavier then described on the standard. It is allowed for the dog to be bigger and heavier as long has it does not interfere with the job and functionality of the animal, and as long as it is not big to the point of gigantism.
Gait* Heavy, slow and wavy movements.

Faults * Penalties Appearance * obesity, underdevelopment, generally poor appearance.
Nose * too thin or pointed, blunted.
Muzzle * too long.
Neck * with no dewlap.
Croup * too low.
Tail - inserted too high or too low; curled at rest.
Coat - poorly presented, lightness.

Disqualifications
Head - long and narrow.
Muzzle - excessively long or arched.
Jaws - overshot or undershot.
Skull - flat or narrow.
Eyes - light, of different colour or shape; partially covered by third lid.
Ears - inserted too high or too low; big or round.
Tail - nonexistent or cut off.
Hair - too short. Lack of black pigmentation in the tip of the nose, nostrils, mouth or lips. Albinism.

Faults Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

Note ** Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.