Brazilian Terrier Breed Details
Below are the details and specs for the Brazilian Terrier dog breed.
Brazilian Terrier Dog Breed
Fox Paulistinha
Terrier Brasileiro
The Brazilian Terrier is a purebred dog that is rarely found outside its native Brazil and is a fairly new breed when all things are considered. (It is thought to have been produced in the 1880s when large Chihuahuas were bred with Terriers and Pinschers exported from Britain.) They are highly excitable dogs with a remarkable sense of curiosity, are easily trained and possess superb watchdog capabilities.
Although they come from a hunting background, Brazilian Terriers make great family pets and will amuse and be amused by children for hours on end. They don't need much grooming but they require a great amount of exercise, and they are not good apartment dogs nor do they like cold climates — but if you have a large house with ample yard space (well-fenced; they love to burrow) in a warm area, this is the dog for you!
Brazilian Terrier Breed Description
The Brazilian Terrier is a small- to medium-sized dog that is anywhere from 13 to 16 inches in height and will weigh around 15 to 20 pounds.
The extreme curiosity and non-stop exuberance of the Brazilian Terrier makes him a great family pet that will play well with children provided the usual early socialization is practiced and the kids are taught to not play too roughly. He will also get along well with other dogs, but small, non-canine pets may trigger his firmly established hunting behavior.
When it comes to grooming, there is very little maintenance required to keep a Brazilian Terrier healthy and happy: a brushing once or twice a week and the occasional bath. Exercise, however, will demand a lot: long daily walks, lots of play time (such as hide-and-seek) and plenty of toys will be needed.
Brazilian Terrier Breed History
The Brazilian Terrier (also known as the Fox Paulistinha) is one of only two breeds native to Brazil; the other is the Brazilian Mastiff (Fila Brasileiro). Although it is recognized as a purebred dog, the Brazilian Terrier is a relatively new breed as well as one produced as late as the 1880s by dogs imported to Brazil. Those dogs, believed to have been Jack Russell Terriers and Miniature Pinschers brought from England by returning Brazilian students, were apparently cross-bred with large Chihuahuas.
Brazilian Terriers became very quickly popular due to their ability to eliminate vermin from the crops that were a huge part of Brazil's gross national product during the 19th century. They would essentially hunt down rats alone or in packs; crop yields were significantly increased, profits rose, costs lowered and the disease spread by such pests was greatly mitigated.
Despite the dog's popularity in Brazil, it remains a very rare breed outside the country. Neither the United Kennel Club nor the American Kennel Club recognize the breed, and the Fédération Cynologique Internationale only fully recognized the Brazilian Terrier in 2007.
Brazilian Terrier Appearance
The Brazilian Terrier looks remarkably like that from which the breed was produced: a Jack Russell Terrier's muzzle and tail with a Chihuahua's ears and body. It is a medium-sized, lithe dog with a strong, straight tail (usually docked) and large, erect ears that indicate the dog's perpetual curiosity. The coat is very short and rather sleek.
Brazilian Terrier Colors
The images below represent the coat colors and patterns associated with Brazilian Terriers.
White and Black
White and Blue
White and Tan
Brazilian Terrier Temperament
Your Brazilian Terrier will almost definitely be very playful, highly energetic and perpetually curious. They love to play, require a lot of exercise and should never be without toys and mental stimulation lest they misdirect their boundless exuberance to incessant barking and destructive behavior. They are extremely easy to train and are too eager to please, and they are not to be left alone for long periods of time.
Brazilian Terrier Maintenance
The Brazilian Terrier is a low- to medium-maintenance dog that will do well with a couple of weekly brushings and a bath only when she gets dirty. As with any dog, be sure to pay attention to her ears, eyes and coat to make sure that there are no injuries, odd smells or rashes. Easily the most extensive aspect of keeping your Brazilian Terrier happy will be the long daily walks to burn off all that energy, and playing with her and her toys!
Grooming Requirements
Your Brazilian Terrier has a short, coarse coat that will need to be brushed only once or twice a week. He may be prone to digging, however, so if he gets dirty, he should be bathed. Being a small dog who will probably love the attention that even bathing brings, this should be fairly easy.
Exercise Requirements
Brazilian Terriers have oodles of energy, and they will need a considerable amount of exercise to burn it. As such, long daily walks, very frequent and regular visits to the dog park and a lot of free time in a very secure outdoor space (they love to dig!) is what you should expect.
Living Requirements
Most small dogs are good for apartment living; the Brazilian Terrier is not such a dog. The more space, the better — especially securely fenced outdoor space that will prevent them from digging under fences.
Brazilian Terrier Health
Brazilian Terriers are relatively healthy dogs that can be expected to live about 12 to 14 years. Nevertheless, they may have health concerns that include eye and ear infections, skin allergies, dental and liver diseases, and injuries resulting from their gung-ho demeanor when charging through the wild — so be sure to keep an eye on them if there is a lot of heavy undergrowth and trees where they like to run.
Brazilian Terrier Health Concerns
Below are potential health concerns associated with Brazilian Terriers.
Ear infections
Skin allergies
Eye infections
Dental problems
Liver issues
About this Article
Updated:June 17, 2016