Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison

Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed ComparisonRafeiro do Alentejo is originated from Portugal but Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) is originated from Belgium. Rafeiro do Alentejo may grow 9 cm / 4 inches higher than Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael). Rafeiro do Alentejo may weigh 30 kg / 67 pounds more than Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael). Both Rafeiro do Alentejo and Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) has almost same life span. Both Rafeiro do Alentejo and Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) has same litter size. Rafeiro do Alentejo requires Moderate maintenance. But Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) requires High maintenance

History

rafeiro do alentejo - historyKnown 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.

belgian shepherd dog groenendael - historyLooking much like a pitch black German Shepherd dog, the Belgian Shepherd is a beautiful looking dog. Their roots go back to the 1800s to Groenendael, Belgium. This is where they were bred by a certain Nicolas Rose in 1910. The Groenendael is one of four different Belgian Sheepdog varieties but the Groenendael is sometimes treated as a distinct breed.

They have always been used for their intelligence, serving for instance in the police force and being message carriers in war situations. Originally, Belgian Shepherds were used to herd livestock. It was in 1911 that the Groenendael was registered in the United States, and not much later the first Belgian Sheepdog Club of America formed. The breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1912.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Working dog
Origin:
Portugal
Belgium
Height Male:
64 - 75 cm
25 - 30 inches
60 - 66 cm
23 - 26 inches
Height Female:
64 - 75 cm
25 - 30 inches
56 - 62 cm
22 - 25 inches
Weight Male:
45 - 60 kg
99 - 133 pounds
25 - 30 kg
55 - 67 pounds
Weight Female:
45 - 60 kg
99 - 133 pounds
23 - 30 kg
50 - 67 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
12 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 10
6 - 10
Size:
Large dog
Large dog
Other Names:
Portuguese Mastiff
Belgian Groenendael, Belgian Shepherd, AKC: Belgian Sheepdog
Colors Available:
Fawn, cream and black. , white, a wolf grey
Black
Coat:
Short to medium length, dense
Dense double coat
Shedding:
Moderate
Constant, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
High maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

rafeiro do alentejo puppy - descriptionThe 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.

Large, Strong and Well Proportioned

belgian shepherd dog groenendael puppy - descriptionWith his alert, bright brown eyes, the Groenendael, referred to often as the Belgian Sheepdog, has erect ears with a long, feathered tail. The straight, strong legs are also feathered. He is well proportioned, athletic and strong. He has a dense double coat, and this working dog’s coat is black, but you sometimes find some small white markings around his paws and muzzle. The size of the Groenendael is roughly 60-66cm at the withers with the females sometimes being slightly smaller. The weight of the dog is roughly 25–30 kilograms.

He’s a Social Dog who Craves Companionship

The Groenendael is an active, intelligent breed and training and socializing will be necessary to ensure he knows how to behave around his human family. He is a big, social dog and won’t do well when left alone day after day in the back yard. In fact he may even show signs of separation anxiety if you leave him indefinitely. He makes for an excellent family dog, just loving their companionship and he becomes very protective of them.

An Intelligent, Alert Breed

He is used to making use of his intelligence and therefore he will need mental stimulation as opposed to lying around all day. He gets on well with adults, children and other pets, but he needs to grow up with children and not be put among children when he is already an adult. He is loyal and loving to his human family, forming a deep bond, especially with just one member of the family.

Characteristics

rafeiro do alentejo dog - characteristicsThe 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.

belgian shepherd dog groenendael dog - characteristicsYour Belgian Shepherd is an intelligent, active, loyal companion for you. He is highly intelligent too, and will need the right owner who can meet his energetic needs. He therefore wouldn’t do well with in a small place where the owners are couch potatoes. He is a working dog and will require being kept busy.

Provide him with good food, look after that thick, lustrous coat of his, provide him with a warm, dry place to sleep and plenty of exercise, love and attention and he will turn out to be the wonderful pet that makes him such a popular breed.

Health Problems

rafeiro do alentejo puppies - health problemsThe 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.

belgian shepherd dog groenendael puppies - health problemsThe Belgian Groenendael is a healthy, strong breed with no major health problems and with an average lifespan of 12-14 years.

As with every dog breed, there will be some health issues to be aware of. Skin allergies, epilepsy, eye problems and hip- and joint dysplasia are some areas to look out for

Dental disease for instance, is a common problem with pets, and your Belgian Shepherd can have serious problems with their teeth. Tartar build-up on the teeth ca take you down a trail of infections and gum disease. If you don’t want to make use of a special canine toothbrush and toothpaste, your vet will do it for you.

Your Groenendael will also be susceptible to ticks, fleas and bacterial and viral infections. As a puppy of 6 – 8 weeks, vaccinations for parvo, rabies, and distemper will be necessary. You’ll also need to be generally watching your pet’s health and to get him to the vet when he shows signs of being run-down and ill.

Caring The Pet

Grooming:

rafeiro do alentejo dogs - caringMake 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.

belgian shepherd dog groenendael dogs - caringThe Groenendael has a double coat and because it is also fairly long, his black coat may well be high maintenance and brushing every 2nd day will be necessary to keep the coat unmatted and to also get rid of those loose hairs. In fact, heavy shedding is part of this breed’s life and while heavy shedding happens twice a year, light shedding continues throughout the year. Sometimes is may be necessary to send him to a dog grooming parlour to snip his hair and to wash it.

Other care routines to watch for -

A healthy, quality diet it absolutely imperative. Speak to your vet about the best kind of wet- or dry food suited to an energetic breed like this and appropriate to his age. You need to include raw meat into your pets diet every day now and then to avoid skin problems. Always ensure a bowl of clean, cool water is available, The bowl will need to be washed out every other day.

make sure his ears are cleaned. Once again you have to be careful when prodding in a dog’s ear and your veterinarian will show you how.

keep him well exercised with long walks and ball games.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Samoyed vs Rafeiro do Alentejo - Breed Comparison
  2. Sarplaninac vs Rafeiro do Alentejo - Breed Comparison
  3. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  4. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  5. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  6. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  7. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  8. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Alaskan Malamute - Breed Comparison
  9. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Bullmastiff - Breed Comparison
  10. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Great Pyrenees - Breed Comparison
  11. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  12. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Presa Canario - Breed Comparison
  13. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  14. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Labrador Husky - Breed Comparison
  15. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Argentine Dogo - Breed Comparison
  16. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Giant Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  17. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  18. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  19. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Goldador - Breed Comparison
  20. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Bandog - Breed Comparison
  21. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  22. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Dogo Cubano - Breed Comparison
  23. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Dogo Sardesco - Breed Comparison
  24. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Beauceron - Breed Comparison
  25. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Central Asian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  26. Samoyed vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  27. Alaskan Malamute vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  28. Bullmastiff vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  29. Great Pyrenees vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  30. Boerboel vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  31. Presa Canario vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  32. Labrador Husky vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  33. Argentine Dogo vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  34. Giant Schnauzer vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  35. Goldador vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  36. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  37. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  38. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  39. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  40. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  41. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  42. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  43. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  44. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Bandog - Breed Comparison
  45. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Beauceron - Breed Comparison
  46. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Alano Espanol - Breed Comparison
  47. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  48. Dogo Cubano vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  49. Dogo Sardesco vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  50. Central Asian Shepherd vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds