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.
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.
Due to this constant migration up and down the Portuguese countryside, there are also many Rafeiros do Alentejo in the Northern region of Portugal called Trás os Montes, so much so, that some of their local people started to call it “Cão do Gado Transmontano”.
The Cäo de Gado Transmontano has now been recognized by the Portuguese Kennel Club as a separate breed.

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.

Fernando Julião,
contact person for the ACRA - Associação de Criadores do Rafeiro do Alentejo in Portugal.