Brazilian Terrier

The coat is tri-coloured in black, tan and white - though patterns will vary from one dog to another.

The coat is short, smooth, and close-fitting.

The eyes are dark in colour.

The Brazilian Terrier is very similar in appearance to the ever-popular Jack Russell. This small-sized breed has a compact, athletic physique and long, straight and slim legs. In terms of the face, the Brazilian Terrier boasts a pointed muzzle and eyes which are large, dark, round and alert. The nose is small and black, while the ears are triangular but slightly folded at the very tips. Overall, this is a compact, agile dog with a sweet, alert and expressive face.

While this dog definitely has a bold and fearless streak, it’s actually very sweet-natured and affectionate towards its family. It’s a complete contrast, in fact!

The Brazilian Terrier is lively and cheerful, ready to play whenever you please!

The Brazilian Terrier is high-spirited, vivacious and lively. It’s unlikely to be described as calm or docile.

This small dog has big brains! The Brazilian Terrier is very intelligent, requiring plenty of mental stimulation.

Developed to hunt small game, a strong prey-drive comes as part and parcel of the Brazilian Terrier. Unless extremely well trained and socialized, it might be necessary to keep it on a lead around small animals and wildlife.

While this dog is sociable and affectionate with his social group, it is suspicious of strangers.

The Brazilian Terrier can be beautifully attached to its loved ones without being overly clingy.

This Terrier isn’t as anxious as his cousins, and can safely stay alone for a few hours if it has been acclimatized to solitude.

Like most Terriers, the Brazilian Terrier needs firm and consistent training to become a manageable dog. As always, it’s best to use positive training methods, with plenty of rewards and praise.

The Brazilian does seem to like the sound of its own voice. While this can be beneficial in certain situations, it’s essential to teach this dog to be quiet on command. Otherwise, it could become excessive and irritating.

Because the Brazilian has a strong instinct to chase, and is also a skilled digger, running away or escaping is a possibility. Make sure your garden is securely fenced and keep it on a lead in open areas, unless, of course, you’re absolutely certain your dog will come when called.

This mischievous little dog’s favourite hobby is digging holes, and it will be sure to do so in your garden! Without enough exercise or if left alone for too long, the Brazilian Terrier has the potential to be quite destructive.

In general, Terrier breeds can be greedy. Avoid overfeeding this small dog by measuring food out daily. If you leave too much out, this dog will gobble it down!

The Brazilian Terrier is incredibly alert and will notify you of the slightest unfamiliar sound or sight. This dog can turn aggressive if it feels that is necessary, so early and firm socialization is key.

The Brazilian Terrier would make a good first dog for novice masters who have an active lifestyle and are prepared to meet its training needs. This dog is loyal to its family, but needs an early, firm, and consistent education.

While the Brazilian Terrier might seem perfect for a flat in terms of size, it’s actually a very active breed which is likely to get bored and restless if cooped up without a garden. This breed is best suited to a house with access to outside space.

The Brazilian has a fairly high exercise requirement, despite its small size. Ideally, the Brazilian Terrier will go on a long walk, or two shorter walks, every single day. However, in an ideal world it would happily exercise for hours, and is therefore best suited to an active household. This breed will also need plenty of active playtime and training sessions to keep it mentally stimulated.

This breed is small and, therefore, very easy to transport as long as your dog has been socialized from a young age.

This breed actually has a stronger hunting instinct than your average Terrier and absolutely shouldn’t be trusted around cats and other small household pets.

The Brazilian Terrier generally gets along well with other dogs, but may try to take over, and can be scrappy if not well-socialized.

The Brazilian Terrier loves to play with kids and makes for a great family dog.

The Brazilian Terrier needs to be looked after by someone who can meet its high exercise needs.

The Brazilian Terrier is a moderate shedder.

Although there is little data on this breed’s health, the general consensus seems to be that it’s a healthy and hardy breed. The average life expectancy for this breed is 13 years.

This is a robust breed that rarely falls ill.

Bred in Brazil with a short coat, the Brazilian Terrier can tolerate warm temperatures well.

The Brazilian has a smooth, thin coat which doesn’t offer much protection in cold weather.

The Brazilian Terrier might have a hearty appetite, but it probably needs less food than you think. Make sure to measure out food daily.

• Eye problems
• Thyroid problems
• Skin allergies
• Epilepsy
• Luxating patella
• Hip dysplasia

Native to Brazil, the Brazilian Terrier is thought to have descended from other small Terrier breeds, namely the Jack Russell, the Fox Terrier and the Miniature Pinscher. Although the exact origins are unknown, many believe the breed was developed as a hunting dog after the Terrier breeds named above were brought to Brazil from Europe.