Brazilian Terrier

Terrier Group Small (10-25 lbs)
Height 14-16"
Weight 15-20 lbs
Lifespan 12-14 years
Price $800-$1,500

About the Brazilian Terrier

Known at home as the Fox Paulistinha, the Brazilian Terrier is a lively tricolour ratter that has been a common sight on Brazilian farms and city streets for generations while remaining nearly unknown elsewhere. Character is exactly what the terrier label suggests: alert, bold, restless and endlessly curious, with a strong hunting instinct aimed at anything small and moving. These dogs are affectionate and playful with family, often devoted to one person, and lively with children who play fairly, but they stay watchful with strangers and are quick to sound the alarm, which makes barking a genuine consideration. Energy is high for the size. Daily walks, running, games and training are needed, and a bored Brazilian Terrier digs, barks and escapes, since jumping and climbing come naturally. Trainability is good, with quick learning and food motivation, though independence and a short attention span mean brief varied sessions work best. Prey drive rules out small pets and keeps recall unreliable. Grooming is minimal, a short smooth coat brushed occasionally with light shedding. They dislike long solitude. Homes with secure boundaries, plenty of activity and tolerance for a vocal watchdog suit them. Distinctively, the breed grew out of European terriers brought back by Brazilians who had studied abroad, then adapted to a tropical farming environment.

Temperament

Affectionate Great with Kids Dog-Friendly Playful Easy to Train
Affection Level
Good with Children
Good with Other Dogs
Playfulness
Protectiveness
Trainability
Energy Level
Barking Level
Intelligence
Adaptability

Physical Characteristics

Size Category Small (10-25 lbs)
Height 14-16"
Weight 15-20 lbs
Coat Type Smooth
Coat Length Short
Colors
Hypoallergenic No

Care Requirements

Exercise Needs

High (60-90 min/day)

60 minutes per day recommended

Grooming

Moderate - Weekly

Shedding:

Mental Stimulation

Needs plenty of mental challenges

Drooling

Living Conditions

Apartment Friendly
Good for First-Time Owners
Tolerates Being Alone
Cold Weather Tolerance
Hot Weather Tolerance

Cost of Ownership

Purchase Price $800-$1,500
Annual Cost $1,000/year

Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.

Health Considerations

Like all breeds, Brazilian Terriers may be prone to certain health conditions:

Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.

Best For

  • Families with Children
  • Apartment Living
  • First-Time Owners
  • Active Owners

May Not Be Ideal For

  • Long Work Hours Away
  • Sedentary Lifestyles

Guides for your Brazilian Terrier

The story behind the Brazilian Terrier

Brazilian Terriers developed from small European terriers, particularly Jack Russell and fox terrier types together with pinscher-like dogs, brought to Brazil during the 1800s by students and travellers returning from Europe. Crossed with local dogs and selected on Brazilian farms and estates, the type settled into a light agile ratter used to control rodents, hunt small game in packs and guard homesteads. The dogs were commonplace enough to be part of everyday rural life without formal recording for a long period. Brazilian kennel authorities standardised the breed during the twentieth century, and FCI recognition followed. Numbers declined in urban areas as other breeds became fashionable, and the Brazilian Terrier remains uncommon and is very rarely seen outside Brazil.

Originally bred for: Vermin control, Hunting, Watchdog. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.

Feeding a Brazilian Terrier

An active small terrier thrives on quality small-breed food split into two portions, with energy matched to a genuinely busy lifestyle. Kibble sized for a small jaw suits best, and treats used in training should be counted so a lean athletic frame is maintained.

Watch for: No breed-specific pattern is documented for this uncommon Brazilian terrier. Terriers as a group tend toward skin reactions rather than digestive ones, and warm humid climates complicate any assessment of itching. Persistent irritation deserves veterinary review before changing the feeding routine.

Not sure what to put in the bowl? See our picks for the best dog food for small breeds.

Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.

Living with a Brazilian Terrier

Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.

For play and enrichment, browse our favorite dog toys and interactive toys for rainy days.

Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a comfortable no-pull harness.

Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.

Compare Brazilian Terrier with Other Breeds

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