Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Large Munsterlander - Breed Comparison

Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Large Munsterlander - Breed ComparisonLarge Munsterlander is originated from Germany but Rafeiro do Alentejo is originated from Portugal. Large Munsterlander may grow 10 cm / 3 inches shorter than Rafeiro do Alentejo. Large Munsterlander may weigh 28 kg / 61 pounds lesser than Rafeiro do Alentejo. Both Large Munsterlander and Rafeiro do Alentejo has almost same life span. Both Large Munsterlander and Rafeiro do Alentejo has same litter size. Both Large Munsterlander and Rafeiro do Alentejo requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Gun dog
Working dog
undefined
Germany
Portugal
Height Male:
60 - 65 cm
23 - 26 inches
64 - 75 cm
25 - 30 inches
Height Female:
60 - 65 cm
23 - 26 inches
64 - 75 cm
25 - 30 inches
Weight Male:
28 - 32 kg
61 - 71 pounds
45 - 60 kg
99 - 133 pounds
Weight Female:
28 - 32 kg
61 - 71 pounds
45 - 60 kg
99 - 133 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 14 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
5 - 10
4 - 10
Size:
Medium
Large
Other Names:
Grosser Munsterlander Vorstehhund, Vorstehhund
Portuguese Mastiff
Colors Available:
Black and white, Reddish brown with patches with ticking
Fawn, cream and black. , white, a wolf grey
Coat:
Long and dense
Short to medium length, dense
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
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, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

large munsterlanderThe Large Münsterländer hails from the Münster region in Germany. It was in 1919 that the first breed club was founded.

The dog’s ancestors were different Spaniel breeds as well as the German Longhaired Pointer. The dog quickly became a sought after hunting dog in Europe.

The Large Munsterlander Association of America is the only official breed organization for this dog. The dog was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 2006.

rafeiro do alentejoKnown 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.

Description

large munsterlander puppy - descriptionThe medium to large Large Munsterlander stands between 60 to 65cm at the withers and weighs about 28 to 32kg.

When you look at him, you get the feeling that you’re looking at a springer spaniel. He has long broad feathery ears and also a long feathery tail. The head is fairly broad and somewhat rounded.

The coat of the dog is long and dense, and is quite wavy with feathering around the legs and tail. He can be black and white or be a reddish brown with patches or ticking because of the piebald gene. If you allow your Large Munsterlander to become a parent, the average litter of this dog is 5 to 10 puppies.

Temperament:

The Large Munsterlander is essentially a tracking, retrieving dog. He makes an excellent hunting dog and these instincts are strong within this particular breed. It is why some breeders only give their puppies to serious hunters.

He is an active dog, and because he loves to retrieve, ball games will suit him down to the ground. Take him with you on your walks as he is a naturally athletic, active dog.

He loves water too and won’t need a second invitation from you to jump right into dams or pools. He is such an easy going dog, getting on well with children and pets in the home and being a good first choice for first time dog owners too. However, he requires plenty of exercise.

Because he is a hunting and retrieving dog, he will be far better suited to living in a home where there is a fair sized garden. He isn’t regarded as a city dwelling dog. These are dogs that just love to be outside and running around.

The Large Munsterlander can be a boisterous dog, so teaching him some basic commands such as ‘come, stay, lie-down, sit or heel’ will improve the way he behaves inside the home and when in the company of other people.

Training and socialization will do him the world of good and it means you can take your dog anywhere – he’ll always be well behaved, becoming a calm, gentle dog.

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.

Characteristics

large munsterlander dog - characteristicsAs a sporting dog, the Large Munsterlander loves his exercise. You can involve him in all kinds of outdoor activities, and he’ll readily join in, from swimming, to hiking to ball games to just plain running for the fun of it.

Always be careful with puppies though, before you involve such a young dog with such strenuous exercise. For a better chance of avoiding hip dysplasia, it is better to wait till he is about 12 months old before you involve him in too many lively activities.

He’s an easily trainable dog too, and the fact that he is a calm, gentle dog who is loving and loyal makes him an excellent pet choice.

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.

Health Problems

large munsterlander puppies - health problemsAll dogs can develop some health problems no matter how healthy they are, but when they are happy dogs, they’re well fed, exercised and loved, they have a better chance of reaching a ripe old age.

Large Munsterlanders are generally healthy dogs. Some conditions reported in the breed which are highly unlikely to affect your dog, but are good knowing about are hip dysplasia, cataracts and osteochondrosis.

Osteochondrosis:

This is a common condition where the joints of quickly growing puppies are affected. The surface of the joint doesn’t convert into bone in certain areas. The result is thickened cartilage which detaches from the surrounding normal cartilage, forming a flap.

Osteochondrosis causes the development of osteoarthritis, affecting certain joints of the dog. Both genetics and the wrong diet are causes of osteochondrosis.

It isn’t always possible to feed your dog wholesome food, but always try to get the very best quality food there is. Also, don’t allow your young Large Munsterlander to be involved in strenuous exercise before he reaches one year of age. Pounding around can put abnormal weight on the joints which can spell problems when the dog is older. Osteochondrosis mostly affects large and giant breed dogs.

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.

Caring The Pet

Diet:

large munsterlander dogs - caringThe Large Munsterlander puppy will require 4 meals a day. When he reaches a year of age, you can give him two smaller meals a day.

He is a large, active dog and if you feed him manufactured dog food, make sure its high quality and that it caters to his age and energy levels. His dry kibble can be mixed with cooked chicken, brown rice or pasta and cooked or raw vegetables occasionally.

Raw meat can be expensive, but every dog requires some raw meat in the diet every now and then. Without some raw meat, you dog may well suffer with skin problems and a dull coat.

If your dog is still an active hunting dog, a high fat, high protein diet will be good for him. When in any kind of doubt, speak to a dog expert or your vet about how to feed him for health and longevity.

Exercise:

As a sporting hunting dog, the Large Munsterlander has high exercise needs. He most certainly won’t do well in a tiny city garden as he is an outdoor dog wanting to be running and exercising. If you choose this particular dog breed, make sure that you take him on walks, allow him off his leash in the park, play ball games with him and take him with you when you go on hikes.

Grooming:

With his silky coat, you want to be brushing your pet twice a week. If he has been out hunting with you, while brushing him, check for twigs, grass and burrs tangled in the hair.

Other basic care includes trimming the nails, keeping the ears clean and dry inside, brushing the teeth with a canine-approved pet toothpaste and toothbrush for good overall health.

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.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Large Munsterlander vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Large Munsterlander vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Large Munsterlander vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Large Munsterlander vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Large Munsterlander vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Large Munsterlander vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Large Munsterlander vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Large Munsterlander vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Large Munsterlander vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Large Munsterlander vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Large Munsterlander vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Large Munsterlander vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Large Munsterlander vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Large Munsterlander vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Large Munsterlander vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Large Munsterlander vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Large Munsterlander vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Large Munsterlander vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Large Munsterlander vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Large Munsterlander vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Large Munsterlander vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Large Munsterlander vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Large Munsterlander vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Large Munsterlander vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Large Munsterlander vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison