Rafeiro Of Alentejo

The Rafeiro do Alentejo is the largest Portuguese dog and one of the oldest flock guardians of the Iberian Peninsula. For centuries, it accompanied the transhumance drives between the Alentejo and the Serra da Estrela, protecting sheep and cattle from wolf attacks. Its name — "rafeiro" — derives from the Latin "rapax" (rapacious), a reference to its ability to capture predators. It is most active at night, a legacy of its traditional work.

The Rafeiro do Alentejo is serene, confident, and highly dedicated to its territory and what is entrusted to it. With its family, it is affectionate but not overly demonstrative. With strangers, it is reserved and cautious — it should never be aggressive without cause, but its imposing presence is deterring. It has a characteristic gait described in the standard as "rolling and heavy", reflecting its size and powerful structure.