The Brazilian terrier, also popularly known as fox paulistinha, is a small to medium dog, slender and with a firm but not heavy structure. It is the second officially recognized Brazilian dog breed. These dogs are very active, curious and have a great hunting instinct, which makes them good watchdogs and hunters, but they are also ideal pets for all those owners who love to exercise and play with their pets. since the Fox Paulistinha is a dog that needs a lot of physical and mental activity, and it is not recommended for people who live in flats or have small children.
If you want to know all the characteristics about Brazilian terriers, don't miss this breed file on our site and find out everything you need to know before adopting a Paulistinha fox as a new member of your family.
Origin of the paulistinha fox
The history of this breed is little known and controversial. Some authors believe that the Fox Paulistinha, as it is colloquially known, is the descendant of smooth-haired Fox Terriers brought from Europe to Brazil and crossed with local dogs from Brazilian farms (this is the official version in the breed standard).). Other authors believe that the true ancestor of this dog is the Jack Russell terrier. And, of course, there are those who think that both the Fox Terrier and the Jack Russell Terrier were crossed with local dogs from Brazil to give rise to this breed.
Be that as it may, the Brazilian terrier is a very popular dog in Brazil used as companion dog, small game dog and guard dog Although very popular in its homeland, it is little known outside of Brazil and is often confused with other terrier breeds.
Physical characteristics of the paulistinha fox
In male Brazilian terriers, the height at the withers is in the range of 35 to 40 centimeters. In females, it is in the range of 33 to 38 centimeters. According to the FCI standard, the maximum weight, whether it is a male or a female, is 10 kilograms.
The body of the paulistinha fox is well proportioned and has a square structure. That is, it is as tall as it is long. Despite this, its lines are curved and well defined, unlike the fox terrier whose body follows straight lines.
Seen from above, the Brazilian terrier's head is triangular, with a wide base and well-spaced ears. The head tapers noticeably from the eyes to the tip of the nose, which is moderately large, dark, and has wide nostrils. The muzzle is strong and well molded, with thin, tight lips. The eyes are round, large and prominent. They should be as dark as possible, but not necessarily black. Blue dogs have gray-blue eyes, while brown dogs have brown, green, or blue eyes. The ears of the Brazilian terrier are triangular and end in a point. They are laterally inserted and semi-erect, with the tip falling towards the external corner of the eye.
The tail is set low and its tip does not reach lower than the hock. The dog can carry it high, but not hunched over the back. Unfortunately, the perverse custom of tail docking is common, and while the breed standard accepts dogs with full tails, it also accepts mutilated dogs.
The hair of these dogs is short, fine and smooth, but not soft. It is so dense and tight that you cannot see the skin through it. The breed standard alludes to this characteristic, indicating that the hair of the Paulistinha fox is "like that of rats."
The predominant color is white, but there are black, brown or blue markings. In addition, there are some colored markings that are always present on dogs of this breed:
- Fire color above the eyes, on both sides of the snout, inside the ears and on the edge of the ears.
- Black, brown or blue markings on the forehead and ears.
Character of the fox paulistinha
The Brazilian terrier is a cheerful, lively, curious, intelligent and very independent dog No noise or noise escapes this terrier. movement, and is always alert to everything. In addition to being an alert dog, he has a very good temperament and spends a lot of time playing, even when he is no longer a puppy.
Despite their good nature towards their own, these dogs tend to be reserved with strangers, and can even become aggressive dogs. Therefore, the correct socialization of dogs with people from an early age is very important.
They also tend to be aggressive towards other dogs and other pets, so it is important to socialize them as puppies. It is not recommended to have a Paulistinha Fox with small pets, because its hunting instinct is very strong and it tends to chase and kill small animals. However, he can get along with dogs he was raised with as a child, as long as both the Brazilian Terrier and the other dogs have been properly socialized.
Paulistinha fox care
The coat of these dogs is short and easy to care for. Regular brushing once or twice a week is usually sufficient, and bathing only when the dog gets dirty.
On the other hand, the paulistinha fox's need for exercise is very high and can be a problem for sedentary and calm people. In addition to daily walks, the Brazilian Terrier needs intense games and fun training to keep him occupied both physically and mentally.
The Paulistinha Fox is a very independent animal and does not need as much company as other dogs. However, he is also not a dog that should spend long periods of time alone, especially since when he is bored he takes care to create some occupation for himself, generally destroying furniture and decorations.
Although small in size, this dog is not well suited to life in an apartment, unless you have enough time to give him long walks and plenty of exerciseIdeally, you should live indoors, but have a garden where you can play and burn calories when you're alone.
Education of the paulistinha fox
When it comes to dog training, the Brazilian Terrier is at its best if you understand the principles of learning or a disaster if you use traditional training methods. This dog learns very easily both good and bad behaviors, and any attempt to subdue him by force (or through false assumptions of dominance) is futile. In contrast, clicker training or other styles based on positive reinforcement have great results.
Being such an active terrier, the Paulistinha Fox can present behavioral problems depending on where it lives. The most characteristic are: excessive barking, digging the garden, destroying things and aggression towards other pets. When he gets bored he tends to be a destructive dog.
Those problems, however, are not an impediment for this dog to be an excellent pet, as long as its basic requirements are met. Given enough exercise (intense walks and games), his hyperactive nature can be channeled into acceptable activities. However, is not an ideal pet for young children, as it tends to bite in reaction to inadvertent abuse.
He alth of the paulistinha fox
This is a very he althy breed and It does not show a tendency to particular diseasesOf course, this is not a license to neglect the dog. Like any other, the Brazilian terrier must receive the respective vaccines according to their vaccination schedule and the veterinary care they need, going home every 6 months if nothing happens to detect and prevent any possible he alth problem.
