The Brazilian terrier belongs to the third group of this classification: terriers and more precisely to the subcategory: “large and medium-sized terriers”. The third group only contains hunting dogs which were used to hunt game. Breeds are classified according to morphological and usage criteria into 4 sections. The dogs of this group have a powerful jaw, which, together with their strong, powerful physique and their liveliness, gives them the ability to kill. Whatever the breed, these are dogs which therefore also have a fairly present (fighting) character.

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, large numbers of young Brazilians went to study at European universities, particularly in France and England. Many of these students got married in the country of their studies, and upon returning to Brazil their wives brought back with them small terrier-type dogs. These dogs crossed with native dogs, which gave rise to a new type of dog, which developed into a Brazilian terrier in a few generations.

Medium in size, the Brazilian terrier has a slender body with a rounded silhouette. He is a square dog, which means that the length of the body, measured from the shoulder to the tip of the buttock, is approximately equal to the height at the withers. His height at the withers is 35 to 40 cm for males and 33 to 38 cm for females. Its weight is around 10 kg. Seen from above, the head has a triangular shape, wide at its base, with a good space between the ears. The nose is moderately developed, with a color matching the coat. Round and wide open, the grey-blue, brown, green or blue eyes match the color of the coat. The ears are triangular in shape and end in a point, falling towards the outer angle of the eye. Naturally short or long, the tail is set low. In the long version, it is slightly curved. The hair is short, smooth and fine. However, he is not gentle. The background is white marked with black, brown, blue or isabelle. The Brazilian terrier has tan markings above the eyes, on the muzzle and on the ears. These tan marks can also be found on other parts of the body. The head has black, brown, blue or isabelle markings. It may also have a white list or white spots on its head.

The life expectancy of a Brazilian terrier is on average 12 years. The health of this robust dog does not pose any particular problems. The breed can be affected by hip dysplasia, but serious breeders ensure that the parents are free from this hereditary pathology. Thanks to its short, fine hair, this dog does not need grooming. Simply brush the coat from time to time during the year, with more frequent brushing during the moulting period. It is advisable to examine the drooping ears regularly, as they can hide impurities.

As the Brazilian terrier is a very good guardian and he can become aggressive, it is imperative to give him a rigorous education in order to control his aggression. He must also be socialized very young with his peers to avoid dominant behavior. The dog needs a firm and constant master to teach him his place in the family. The dog needs a lot of activity not to get bored, so it is advisable to start his training as early as possible and to offer varied activities, such as games (throwing a ball and teaching him how to fetch it) and short obedience sessions (learning to stop on command). Compliments and rewards are recommended for successful education.