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View 8 More +It’s likely you’ve never heard of the Brazilian Terrier and for a good reason: They are only one of a few Brazilian breeds and quite rare. If you’re reading this, you are clearly interested in learning more about this breed, and fortunately, we have plenty of information for you.
Read on to have a much better understanding of the Brazilian Terrier and what it’s like to take care of this unique and affectionate dog!
Breed Overview
Height:
13–16 inches
Weight:
14–20 pounds
Lifespan:
12–14 years
Colors:
White and tan with black, brown, or blue markings
Suitable for:
Active families and singles, house with a yard
Temperament:
Active, loving, fearless, spirited, playful, friendly
The background of the Brazilian Terrier, also known as the Fox Paulistinha, is not entirely known. It’s believed that they were developed sometime in the 1800s from a mixture of terriers—specifically, the Jack Russell Terrier and the Fox Terrier.
Brazilian Terriers became quite popular in their native land due to their strong tracking skills and eradication of small prey, but they are largely unknown outside of Brazil. These dogs are roughly medium in size, mainly due to their long legs, and are short-haired and tri-colored. They can be white and tan with black, brown, or blue markings.
Brazilian Terrier Characteristics
Brazilian Terrier Puppies
Unless you live in Brazil or find a Brazilian breeder willing to fly a puppy to your location, finding one of these dogs locally will be next to impossible. Having a puppy flown to you will also add to the expense of the puppy themselves.
If you are on the lookout for a Brazilian Terrier breeder, you should take steps to ensure that they are ethical and responsible. If you can’t travel to the breeder’s location, speak to them via video chat, and ask them as many questions as you deem important. We usually recommend adopting dogs in need of good homes, but given the rarity of the Brazilian Terrier, this isn’t a likely outcome.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Brazilian Terrier 🧠
Like all terriers, the Brazilian Terrier is quite intelligent and stubborn. They are highly energetic with an independent streak and are known to be vocal. Since they are wary of strangers, they will alert the family if there are intruders, and they are fearless with respect to protecting their loved ones. This fearlessness extends to taking on any adversary, regardless of size! But they are affectionate dogs and quite friendly with their families and make wonderful companions.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪
They absolutely are! They are playful and loving and make excellent companions for children. But like all breeds, if young children are in the home, there must be constant supervision around the dog, regardless of how much they are trusted.
It’s vital that children are taught to respect their dog and take part in caring for the pet as a way to learn responsibility and an understanding of the importance of being gentle. If mishandled, the Brazilian Terrier will likely be prone to nipping.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽
All terriers have a high prey drive, and the Brazilian Terrier is no different, so they shouldn’t be trusted around smaller animals. The best case scenario is for a puppy to be raised alongside the smaller pets, but leaving them alone with small animals still might not end well.
Things to Know When Owning a Brazilian Terrier
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
The Brazilian Terrier needs high-quality dog food formulated for their current age, weight, and activity level. Since they are energetic dogs, they need plenty of food. Once you’ve chosen the right brand, check in with your vet, and read the guidelines found on the packaging to determine how much and how often you need to feed your dog.
It’s best to keep treats to a minimum, which should be no more than 10% of your dog’s daily diet. Beyond this, ensure that your dog has fresh and clean water available at all times.
Exercise 🐕
With such a high-energy dog, exercise is vital! This is not a breed for apartments and quiet, stay-at-home dog owners. While these dogs aren’t that large, they need roughly 80 to 90 minutes of exercise daily, which should include walks and active playtime.
Without the right physical and mental exercise, the Brazilian Terrier will absolutely become bored and develop destructive and behavioral issues.
Training 🦮
Like all terriers, the Brazilian Terrier is prone to being stubborn, which can make training challenging. For this reason, experienced dog owners might fare better with them. These intelligent dogs respond best to consistent and firm training using only positive reinforcement. They need training and socialization starting as young as possible. They will develop problem behaviors otherwise, and their stubbornness and independent nature will become more pronounced.
Grooming ✂️
Since this breed has a short and smooth coat, brushing the Brazilian Terrier is easy! They only need brushing about once a week, though probably more often during the shedding seasons of fall and spring. Baths should be roughly once a month or when necessary and only with a good dog shampoo.
You’ll also need to brush their teeth every day, check and clean their ears about once a month, and trim their nails every 3 to 4 weeks.
Health and Conditions ❤️
The Brazilian Terrier is a healthy breed, but like all dogs, they are susceptible to a few health conditions.
- Skin allergies
- Ear infections
- Luxating patella
- Hip dysplasia
- Epilepsy
- Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS VII)
Male vs. Female
There aren’t too many differences between male and female Brazilian Terriers. However, the females are slightly smaller and lighter than the males. Females are about 13 to 15 inches in height and 15 to 18 pounds, and males are roughly 14 to 16 inches in height and 16 to 20 pounds.
As far as differences in personality, it’s widely believed that male dogs tend to mature slower and consequently, act like big, goofy puppies for longer. It’s also thought that males are more affectionate but more challenging to train than females. But bear in mind that the training and socialization of the dog and how they are treated are what will truly impact their personalities.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Brazilian Terrier
1. The Brazilian Terrier Is Considered a Landrace Breed
A landrace breed is a breed of animal that occurs naturally rather than intentionally through human interference. Such a breed tends to be hardier than a purebred. It’s believed that the Brazilian Terrier came about from terrier breeds brought into Brazil, along with other breeds like the Portuguese Podengo, that were already in the country.
2. The Brazilian Terrier Is Not Widely Recognized
This might not be a surprise, but the Brazilian Terrier is only recognized by the Brazilian Kennel Club and the Federation Cynologique Internationale. The American Kennel Club did enter the Brazilian Terrier in its Foundation Stock Service quite recently, though, in May 2023.
3. There Are Only Six Brazilian Breeds
The Brazilian Terrier and the Fila Brasileiro, also known as the Brazilian Mastiff, are the only two officially recognized Brazilian breeds. The other four breeds are the Campeiro Bulldog, the Mountain Bulldog, the Brazilian Collie, and the Brazilian Dogo.
Final Thoughts
Brazilian Terriers are beloved in their native land but are rare and not well-known outside of Brazil. Still, this breed is definitely worth getting to know! They are spirited and playful while also being loving and gentle. They make wonderful companions but only for the right owners, as they need someone who can keep up with them and know how to handle that famous terrier stubbornness.
If you have your heart set on a Brazilian Terrier but don’t live in Brazil, expect to pay a chunk of change. That said, if you take the plunge, you’re definitely in for a truly amazing dog!
Featured Image Credit: Pawel Rajtar, Shutterstock
