Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Other - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

Dog lovers are thrilled because there is such diversity to choose from when looking for a pet.

There are so many other dogs that don’t have any particular breed name, and these can be tiny dogs or massive dogs that you would have to think twice about before buying one, as a large dog can eat you out of hearth and home.

All dogs, pedigreed or other, have descended from the wolf but it is unsure about when dogs were actually domesticated. One thing is sure, it is amazing to think that dogs descended from wolves but that you get so many varieties to day – different sizes, different coat colors and lengths, some have erect ears, others floppy, some are lean and mean and others muscular and heavily-set. They have all originated from different parts of the world.

There are well over 100 different pure dog breeds as well as plenty of other dogs. In fact you can create many different dogs by breeding certain of them to get the looks and characteristics you want.

Known also as the Portuguese Mastiff, the Rafeiro do Alentejo comes from Portugal and has always been used as guardian for livestock. Their numbers declined quite a bit when there was no longer a need for this kind of job.Today it is essentially a companion dog.

The official standard of the Rafeiro do Alentejo was established in 1953. The dog is is recognized as a breed by the Portuguese Caniculture Club as well as the Federation Cynologique Interationale.

Dogs today come with so many looks. ‘Other’ dogs are vast and varied. They may be pedigreed dogs that are ‘off the radar’ or they may be among the many ‘cross-breed’ dogs there are.

You can get a tiny Chihuahua, measuring just 9cm in height, but you can also get a huge dog like the Great Dane that can stand at up to 90cm in height. It isn't however, a heavily built dog like the giant Newfoundland which can weigh up to 117 kg or so.

Temperament:

Some dogs are intelligent, others not so much. Others are social and others more reserved. Some won’t be able to tolerate being cooped up indoors and not being able to be outdoors involved in an activity, while others are more indoor dogs.

Some dog are friendly, others indifferent, some boisterous and sporty, others docile and lazy. There are so many other dogs that don’t make the pedigreed list, but they’re adored by their human family for being so utterly unique.

The Alentejo is a large dog standing at between 64 and 75cm in height and weighing 45 to 60kg. He is a powerful dog with a deep chest, dark eyes, floppy ears. His coat is short to medium length, thick and straight. The color of the coat is a mix of fawn, a wolf grey, white, cream and black.

Temperament:

This is a serious dog with a calm demeanour about him. It doesn’t matter how calm he is though, as every dog will require training ad socialization if you want to enjoy having an obedient, well mannered dog around you. This is particularly important with a large, independent, self-confident, territorial dog like this.

He isn’t an aggressive dog but he is protective, wanting to guard and look out for his human family. They are dogs that get on well with children and other pets in the home, being wary of strangers.

They’re not recommended for life in small properties in the city as he requires a large garden at least.

There are so many dogs, some are pedigree dogs and some aren’t. Some dogs are registered with kennel clubs and others aren’t.

Every dog has some amazing characteristics that make them so adorable. These kennel clubs divide dogs into categories such as Terriers, working dogs, herding dogs, toy breeds, hounds and so on. Pedigree breeds belong to these groups.

Other dogs are just as special, even if they don’t fall into the many dog breeds recognized by major kennel clubs.

There are so many other dog breeds, and if you want to bring some canine magic into your home and heart, apart from the very many expensive dog breeds out there, there are other dogs.

These are hybrids or true one-of-a-kind pavement specials that come at a fraction of the price but with the most amazing and wonderful characteristics you can imagine and which will make a most splendid pet.

The Rafeiro do Alentejo is a quiet dog, but intelligent and strong-willed. Training and socialization will make him easy to get on with.

He will become an excellent companion, and can come indoors because he is well mannered and considerate. He was bred to be a guard dog, and the responsibilities he had taking care of livestock has been transferred to looking out for- and protecting his human family.

He makes a wonderful pet and companion, even with children and other pets, more so when brought up correctly by loving, firm, consistent dog owners.

Other dogs are considered somewhat healthier than purebred dogs because they come from a broader gene pool. Nonetheless you still need to be aware of certain dog illnesses that your dog can develop -

Allergies:

This is a common ailment in dogs, and skin allergies can cause your dog a lot of discomfort and pain. They lick and lick and aggravate the situation. Sometimes fleas, chemicals and dog shampoos can aggravate the skin too. There are several things to look at – from making environmental changes to changing your dog’s food.

Cancer:

Cancer is common in dogs, just as in human beings, with there being a number of different cancers. Whenever you brush your dog, run your hands over him to check if there are any unusual lumps on him and have them examined if you do discover a lump.

Other dog illnesses to watch out for include bloat, ear and eye infections, cataracts, hip dysplasia and obesity, among others.

The Rafeiro do Alentejo is a generally healthy dog breed, and with good care can get to 11, 12 or 13 years of age.

Of course with a large dog like this, it is always a good idea to be aware of canine hip dysplasia, particularly because this is a large dog with a deep chest.

This makes him also vulnerable to bloat, a condition where the stomach swells with gas and which can be life threatening. Other things to watch for are ear infections and parasites.

Responsible dog owners know that their dogs require adequate food and water, lots of love and attention, exercise, a warm, dry bed, shelter from the elements when outdoors and medical attention when they’re sick.

One advantage with other dogs which aren’t pedigreed, is that by their very nature, they have good genetic diversity, and this means good overall health. Other dogs breeds are generally cheaper to buy and cheaper in terms of vet’s fees as they tend to be healthier.

Grooming:

Other dogs have a variety of different coat types, so whatever dog you have, you’ll need to be looking at brushing him, stripping him or having him professionally clipped. Whether erect or floppy ears, check inside for infection. The eyes will also need to be checked for infection and other eye ailments. All dogs will also have to have their nails clipped.

Diet:

The size of all dogs, pedigree or other will determine the amount of food you give him. Big or small, pedigreed or other, every dog wants the same when it comes to diet. They want food which is nutritious, tasty and simple. They want a high quality commercially manufactured food high in minerals and vitamins.

They will benefit from some raw meat added into the kibble whenever its possible. They will also require some home-made food – simple, uncomplicated homemade food such as boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and vegetables such as sweet potato, carrots and spinach. Such a diet will keep your pet free from digestive problems. Make sure he has a constant supply of cool, fresh water.

Exercise:

Exercise is important for every dog, but some dogs will require more exercise than others. Some dogs will be content with a walk every day while others will require far more – running beside you while you cycle, swimming, a run in the park, rope- and ball games and going with you on hikes.

Exercise is both entertaining for your dog and healthy too.

Grooming:

Make your grooming time with this serious, calm canine friend of yours a special bonding time. His coat simply requires a brush twice a week to keep it healthy and shiny.

While bushing him, run your hands over him to make sure there aren’t any unusual lumps. Check inside the floppy ears to make sure they’re not red which could be the start of a painful ear infection.

Look a his nails and trim them if they’ve become too long. Check inside his mouth and make sure there aren’t any black, rotten teeth as this can seriously impact the health of your pet.

Exercise:

Options for exercise will include long walks and a chance to run off his leash. In the back yard it will be to his benefit to throw balls for him to fetch. You can even bring him indoors and play some calm games with him. He should have exercise every single day.

Diet:

Good food is needed for good health. It is always convenient to make use of the commercially manufactured dog foods there are on the market.

You don’t want to feed this to your dog day after day so provide your pet with some tasty home-made food too. Dogs want simplicity and consistency with their diets so they don’t battle with upset stomachs and an unnecessary trip to the vet.

Some home-cooked food twice a week and added to the dry kibble can keep him healthy and happy. Boiled chicken, sweet potatoes, brown rice or pasta, carrots and spinach will be perfect for him. Chop the food up finely and add it into the dry kibble once or twice a week.

Some people even cook it in bulk, refrigerate it and warm up small portions to add to the kibble. Raw meat added in occasionally can also be a good treat. Make sure your pet is never without a constant supply of fresh, cool water.