Comparison: Estrela Mountain Dog and Rafeiro of Alentejo

Estrela Mountain Dog and Rafeiro of Alentejo are marked as similar in our database. The table compares only the data we have on the breeds.

Estrela Mountain Dog
Photo: gailhampshire from Cradley, Malvern, U.K, CC BY 2.0, source
Rafeiro of Alentejo
Photo: Canarian, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Estrela Mountain DogRafeiro of Alentejo
FCI group2. Pinscher and Schnauzer, Molossoid breeds, Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs2. Pinscher and Schnauzer, Molossoid breeds, Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs
Country of originPortugalPortugal
CategoryLargeLarge
Height at withers62–75 cm64–74 cm
Weight35–60 kg35–60 kg
Recognition features
  • Large molossoid mastiff-type dog with long or short coat
  • Coat resembles goat hair, with an undercoat lighter than the topcoat
  • Distrustful of strangers, faithful to its master
  • Large, powerful, rustic and calm dog, slightly longer than high
  • Thick short to medium-length coat in black, wolf-grey, fawn or yellow, with or without brindle
  • Always with white markings, or white with patches
CoatTwo coat varieties, long and short; abundant, slightly coarse, goat-like coat with fine, lighter undercoat; fawn, wolf grey or yellow, with or without mask.Short or medium-length (preferred), thick, straight, dense coat evenly spread down to between the toes; black, wolf grey, fawn or yellow, with or without brindle, always with white markings, or white with patches.
PurposeA Portuguese mountain dog from the Serra da Estrela, a livestock and farm guard also used for draught work.A Portuguese guard dog for property and livestock, believed to descend from Middle Eastern molossers.

Breed page: Estrela Mountain Dog · Breed page: Rafeiro of Alentejo

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The information is indicative. Texts are based on available sources and may contain inaccuracies; for binding details (e.g. for breeding or shows) use the official breed standard.