Hi all, I've been following this whole post and I really don't know what's the big deal ... The Transmontano and the Rafeiro are very similar. I personally even consider them as the same breed .. If you show a bad Rafeiro as Transmontano nodoby will notice. You can even make a RI of a Transmontano with a Rafeiro and Vice-Versa. Bodies and colour are simillar. The main (small) difference is the shape of the head and a few centimeters. The best option would be, as some people tried a few years ago, to join the Rafeiro and the Transmontano in one breed - the Portuguese Mastiff. However some Rafeiros breeder didn't wanted (and i'm sure that they have their reasons) so we ended up with two very similar breeds. Now let's wait and see their future ... of both of them. I just find amusing that we are recognizating new breeds when we cannot even take care of the ones that we have .. Also the Rafeiro' standard was changed a bit, just to "put" more diferences between the breeds. About the Estrela ... the estrela is very diferent of the Rafeiro or of the Transmontano. Size, body and head shape, coat and size of the coat ... two diferent breeds - in function - temperament - body However, as Cindy stated, the standard of the Estrela have been changed a few times, making the breed "more homogenous" - eg, less white. I must also say that I don't necessarily agree with this changes and in the last years I don't see the breed getting better ... by the contrary, only worse (excpet some honorable breeders ).. in everyway Regards Nanci PS - Skipe, I don't know if you're the author of those photos (of the Transmontano and of the Rafeiros) but if you're not those photo are copyright.