Portugal is famous for many things, from its port, wine and cheese down to the renowned pastel de nata, those deliciously custardy tarts that everyone must try.
But Portugal is also famous for its dogs, and big ones at that, and has several native dog breeds that are in no way lap dogs, but large working dogs. The Portuguese Podengo (national dog, a sighthound), the versatile Portuguese Water Dog, the large guardian Estrela Mountain Dog, the herding Portuguese Sheepdog, and robust mastiff types like the Rafeiro do Alentejo and Castro Laboreiro Dog - all known for their specific historic roles in hunting, guarding, or herding livestock across varied terrains.
Estrela Mountain Dog
These are huge hairy beasts, weighing around 40-50kg, and were bred as livestock guardians. They are surprisingly good housedogs and are gentle around children, and are believed to be Portugal’s oldest breed. Estrelas are intelligent but come with a mind of their own. They can be both alert and devoted, possessing a strong sense of duty, and need firm and patient training with adequate exercise to prevent boredom and destructive behaviour.
Portuguese Sheepdog
These are a medium-sized breed of dog of the herding dog type, and are one of the indigenous regional dogs of Portugal, nicknamed ‘cão macaco’ (monkey dog) for its furry appearance and lively attitude. Their lack of an undercoat makes them less resistant to extreme weather as a working dog. They are a lesser-known, rare breed outside their native home of Portugal. Ancestors of the modern breed were used for herding cows, sheep, goats, horses, and even pigs in the Serra de Aires and in the Alentejo. Again, they are particularly well-suited for active families or individuals who can provide consistent physical and mental stimulation.
Portuguese Water Dog
Another famous breed (just waiting to adopt one, but don’t tell The Husband) is the Portuguese Water Dog, which originated from the Algarve region of Portugal. These were taught to herd fish into fishermen’s nets, retrieve lost tackle or broken nets, or act as couriers from ship to ship, or ship to shore. Commonly, they are black, but some are brown or white, or with all three combinations, and are another intelligent breed, said to be docile, obedient, and brave. They have hair that doesn’t shed, rather than fur – perfect for those with allergies. However, they need regular brushing and professional grooming. Although bred for working in water, some might prefer to play in it rather than swim in it!
Castro Laboreiro Dog
These are also known as the Portuguese cattle dog or Portuguese watchdog, and were bred for livestock guarding, originating from Castro Laboreiro in the northern mountains of Portugal. It’s a loyal and courageous guard dog, affectionate with its family but wary of strangers, and requires socialisation and training by an experienced owner to control its strong protective instincts. While a devoted and intelligent companion, it possesses a strong and territorial personality.
Podengo
These bat-eared dogs are typically alert and full of energy, and anyone who has one as a pet will confirm this. They have high energy levels and require regular physical and mental stimulation to be happy and well-adjusted. They come in three sizes, small, medium and large, and have either smooth or wiry coats, with almond-shaped eyes, muscular bodies and sickle-shaped tails. They are the result of centuries of selective breeding for hunting, particularly rabbits and vermin in the rugged Portuguese terrain.
Rafeiro Alentejano
Also known as a Portuguese Mastiff, this is a large, powerful working dog originating from the Alentejo region. They come in many different colours, but always with white markings. From southern Portugal, they were historically used as a livestock and estate guardian, especially at night. In temperament, they are sober, calm, protective and independent.
The Two in our Household
We have adopted two of these breeds – A Rafael do Alantejo (or a ‘Raffy’ as they are affectionately known), who arrived with his giant head resting on someone’s lap, and we stood back in almost shock as this giant unfolded himself from the back of the car, and stared at us with his dopey eyes. He is typical of his breed, stubborn to the point of being headstrong, but affectionate and loyal to family members. The other we have is the Podengo – we adopted two from the same litter. These two are cross-bred with a Springer mother, but hold all the lively Podengo characteristics. These two girls are playful and energetic, and not averse to stealing stuff to chew up.
So, we now have a triple alarm system, a guarder and two hunters, who will all bark as a pack, and should someone turn up at the gate, they have no need to ring the bell, as we can tell by the cacophony of frenzied barking that there might be a potential intruder out there!