Brazilian Terrier
- Small
- Foundation Stock Service
The Brazilian Terrier is a small, high-energy terrier from Brazil, also known as the Fox Paulistinha. Loving and courageous with its family yet wary of strangers, it pairs quick wits with a real drive to stay busy.
- Height
- 12.9 to 15.7
- inches at the shoulder
- Males 13.7 to 15.7, females 12.9 to 14.9 in
- Weight
- 15 to 22
- pounds, adult
- Life expectancy
- 12 to 14
- years, median 13
- Senior from
- 9.8
- years, about
Senior starts in the last quarter of a breed's expected lifespan, following the 2019 AAHA canine life stage guidelines. Individual dogs vary.
About the breed
- Temperament
- Loving, courageous, affectionate
- Coat
- Smooth, short
- Origin
- Brazil
The Brazilian Terrier is a small dog from Brazil, where it is also known as the Fox Paulistinha. It stands about 13 to 16 inches tall and weighs roughly 15 to 22 pounds, with a short, smooth coat.
Temperament leans loving, courageous, and affectionate with its own people, paired with a wariness toward strangers that gives the breed a natural watchdog streak. Like most terriers, it is bright and full of energy.
That intelligence and eagerness have a colorful track record: the breed's knack for learning tricks has even landed individual dogs jobs as circus performers. Most owners can expect a lifespan of around 12 to 14 years.
Temperament and needs
Scored 1 to 5 for the breed overall. Individual dogs vary.
- Affectionate with family5 out of 5
- Good with young children5 out of 5
- Good with other dogs3 out of 5
- Openness to strangers1 out of 5
- Playfulness3 out of 5
- Watchdog and protective nature5 out of 5
- Adaptability5 out of 5
- Trainability5 out of 5
- Energy level5 out of 5
- Mental stimulation needs5 out of 5
- Barking level3 out of 5
- Shedding3 out of 5
- Grooming frequency1 out of 5
- Drooling1 out of 5
Care
The routines that matter most for this breed. Open one at a time.
Nutrition
A good-quality commercial food suits the Brazilian Terrier well. Choose a formula matched to your dog's age and small size, and divide the daily portion into two meals.
Keep an eye on how much you feed, and reduce portions if your dog starts to gain weight. Treats add up quickly, so go easy on extras between meals to help your dog stay at a healthy weight.
Grooming
Grooming a Brazilian Terrier is simple. The short, smooth coat is a moderate shedder, and a few brushing sessions a week keep loose hair under control.
Shedding picks up during the seasonal sheds, usually twice a year. During those stretches, brush 2 to 3 times a week; the rest of the year, little brushing is needed.
Bathe only when your dog is genuinely dirty. While you are at it, check the ears and keep the nails trimmed.
Exercise
The Brazilian Terrier has plenty of energy, like most terriers, and needs a real outlet for it. Long daily walks plus play sessions in a fenced yard help these active dogs burn off steam.
Without enough activity they grow restless, so keep things steady with regular walks and sports. Outdoors, lead your dog on a leash or stick to fenced areas.
Because of these high exercise needs, apartments and homes with limited space are not a good fit for the breed.
Training
The Brazilian Terrier is intelligent and picks up new tasks quickly. Teach gently and start from an early age. It is a trainable breed, though occasionally stubborn, and that high intelligence makes it a strong candidate for obedience and agility.
The breed adapts to a wide range of sports and activities, including barn hunting, earthdog, rally, search and rescue, and competitive obedience. Channeling that drive matters: boredom or long stretches alone can turn into destructive behavior, so pair consistent training with regular physical and mental exercise to keep problems at bay.
While loving and affectionate with family, the breed is wary of strangers, so early, ongoing socialization helps it settle.
Health conditions
5 conditions are documented for the Brazilian Terrier.
A predisposition is not a diagnosis. Ask your vet which screenings make sense for your dog's age.
- Canine Multifocal Retinopathy, cmr1Eye
- Degenerative MyelopathyNervous System & Behavioral
- DistichiasisEye
- Mucopolysaccharidosis Type VIIBone & Joint
- Patellar LuxationBone & Joint
Sources
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