Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Kai Ken - Breed Comparison

Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Kai Ken - Breed ComparisonRafeiro do Alentejo is originated from Portugal but Kai Ken is originated from Japan. Rafeiro do Alentejo may grow 19 cm / 8 inches higher than Kai Ken. Rafeiro do Alentejo may weigh 38 kg / 84 pounds more than Kai Ken. Rafeiro do Alentejo may live 4 years less than Kai Ken. Rafeiro do Alentejo may have more litter size than Kai Ken. Both Rafeiro do Alentejo and Kai Ken requires Moderate 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.

kai ken - historyThe Kai Ken dog hails from Japan and is both an ancient and rare dog. In fact the dog was discovered in 1929 in the Kai province near Mount Fuji. The dog has the nickname Tora Inu in Japan which means 'Tiger Dog'. Maybe its got to do with the brindle striped coat or his bravery.

He falls into the working class category. In 1931, the Kai Ken Aigokai registry was formed to preserve the dog. In fact in this year Dasuke Adachi discovered these dogs and in 1934 was actually designated a Natural Monument in Japan and also protected by law.

The Kai Ken was recognized in 1934 by the Japanese Kennel Club. It is not 100% certain but it is thought that the dog was brought to the United States in the 1950s.

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.

kai ken puppy - descriptionThe Kai Ken has always been used for hunting purposes. He comes as recommended for hunting people and those who are active.

It is a medium sized dog standing at between 43 to 56cm in height both male and female and weighing between 14 and 22kg.

The ears of the dog are erect, the muzzle is fairly tapered and the nose is black. The tail is bushy like that of a fox and curls over the back. The double coat of the dog is of medium length and harsh and is a brindle color in a reddish or black shade.

Puppies are born black and then the brindle stripe-like pattern comes in later. He has an athletic body and is a keen swimmer.

Temperament:

The Kai Ken is an intelligent dog, loyal to his human family while being somewhat reserved around strangers. They are amicable with both children in the home as well as other pets.

He is a friendly, intelligent dog, forming close bonds with his family. Have him trained and socialized and he'll make you a splendid pet who will be willing to guard you if anyone threatens.

One look at that bright face and you can see that he is an intelligent, independent dog. He is also courageous and fearless and makes a great watchdog, especially because he is naturally reserved and suspicious with strangers.

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.

kai ken dog - characteristicsThe Kai Ken is a working- and hunting dog, so he is used to being active and will want a home where he can be played with and exercised regularly.

He can be slightly stubborn and independent so training and socialization are imperative. This is also because the dog’s curiosity and his athletic skills can lead to trouble if he isn’t properly trained.

Treat him the way he deserves and you’ll see that he is able to develop a strong bond with you and be altogether an excellent family pet.

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.

kai ken puppies - health problemsWith a lifespan of 14 to 16 years, and given the genetic purity of the Kai Ken, you aren't likely to battle with congenital health problems with your dog, but it is always good to be aware of certain minor health issues that he could succumb to.

He can suffer from a few common dog diseases such as progressive retinal atrophy or hip dysplasia.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy:

This is a disease of the eye where there is wasting of certain parts, and in this case the cells of the retina develop abnormally. This can eventually lead to blindness. It’s an inherited disease that can occur in pure- and mixed breeds, and dogs with PRA shouldn’t be used for breeding.

It isn’t a painful condition, and the first symptom usually noticed in a dog is night blindness where you may notice him bumping into things at night and being reluctant to walk around in the dark.

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.

kai ken dogs - caringEven though the coat is thick, the Kai Ken will require basic canine care, so a brush twice a week will be enough to keep the coat free of loose hair. He sheds more heavily a couple of times a year and then he will require more brushing.

He has always been used to hunt so he is a dog that will require regular exercise such as walks, hikes, swimming and ball games.

The nails of the dog should be trimmed regularly once they become long as long nails can be hazardous and can hook onto things, causing injury to the nail area.

The ears of the dog should be checked regularly for fleas and ticks, and teeth should also be brushed with canine toothbrush and toothpaste.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Working dog
Origin:
Portugal
Japan
Height Male:
64 - 75 cm
25 - 30 inches
43 - 56 cm
16 - 23 inches
Height Female:
64 - 75 cm
25 - 30 inches
43 - 56 cm
16 - 23 inches
Weight Male:
45 - 60 kg
99 - 133 pounds
14 - 22 kg
30 - 49 pounds
Weight Female:
45 - 60 kg
99 - 133 pounds
14 - 22 kg
30 - 49 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
14 - 16 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 10
2 - 7
Size:
Large dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Portuguese Mastiff
Tiger Dog, Tora Inu
Colors Available:
Fawn, cream and black. , white, a wolf grey
Brindle color in black or red shade
Coat:
Short to medium length, dense
Medium length and coarse
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate, 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, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

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. Sakhalin Husky vs Kai Ken - Breed Comparison
  27. Portuguese Water Dog vs Kai Ken - Breed Comparison
  28. Puli vs Kai Ken - Breed Comparison
  29. McNab vs Kai Ken - Breed Comparison
  30. Porcelaine vs Kai Ken - Breed Comparison
  31. Hokkaido vs Kai Ken - Breed Comparison
  32. Petit Bleu de Gascogne vs Kai Ken - Breed Comparison
  33. Pumi vs Kai Ken - Breed Comparison
  34. Karelian Bear Dog vs Kai Ken - Breed Comparison
  35. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs Kai Ken - Breed Comparison
  36. Kintamani vs Kai Ken - Breed Comparison
  37. Osterreichischer Kurzhaariger Pinscher vs Kai Ken - Breed Comparison
  38. Russo-European Laika vs Kai Ken - Breed Comparison
  39. Ryukyu Inu vs Kai Ken - Breed Comparison
  40. Seppala Siberian Sleddog vs Kai Ken - Breed Comparison
  41. Serbian Mountain Hound vs Kai Ken - Breed Comparison
  42. Shiba Inu vs Kai Ken - Breed Comparison
  43. Sulimov vs Kai Ken - Breed Comparison
  44. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs Kai Ken - Breed Comparison
  45. Tahltan Bear Dog vs Kai Ken - Breed Comparison
  46. Kai Ken vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  47. Kai Ken vs Border Collie - Breed Comparison
  48. Kai Ken vs Alaskan Husky - Breed Comparison
  49. Kai Ken vs Catahoula Leopard - Breed Comparison
  50. Kai Ken vs German Pinscher - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds