Rastreador BrasileiroCharacteristics, history, training and care
Rastreador Brasileiro. · Gilson MACEDO / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped and resized.
The Rastreador Brasileiro is a large, powerful, rustic Brazilian scent hound with a short coat, often ticked black and white with bluish tints. It is also known as the “Urrador”, after its howl-like bark. The standard describes it as calm, balanced, attached to its owner, self-confident, fearless and docile.
Quick facts
| Common name | Rastreador Brasileiro (Brazilian Tracker, Urrador) |
| Scientific name | Canis lupus familiaris |
| Country of origin | Brazil |
| Official recognition | FCI, since 1 September 1967 (group 6, large-sized scent hounds; standard no. 275); withdrawn in 1973 and recreated |
| Lifespan | No published data for the breed; large breeds usually live 10–12 years |
| Size (males) | 60–65 cm at the withers; 26–33 kg |
| Size (females) | 56–63 cm at the withers; 21–30 kg |
| Coat type | Short, smooth, dense, slightly harsh |
| Common colours | Ticked black and white (bluish), bicolour, tricolour |
| Energy level | High |
| Suited to an apartment? | No |
| Temperament | Calm, balanced, self-confident, fearless, docile |
| Tendency to aggression | Low |
| Good with children | No specific data |
| Good with other animals | Good with other dogs (hunts in packs); poor with small animals |
| Genetic predispositions | No breed-specific diseases are known |
- Primary category:Dog breeds
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History and origin
The FCI standard says the breed was created through genetic selection starting from the American Foxhound, to adapt its working qualities to the Brazilian climate. It was developed by the Brazilian breeder Osvaldo Aranha Filho and descends from the old “Urrador Brasileiro”. The FCI first recognised it on 1 September 1967.
Wikipedia says that by 1973 a disease and an insecticide overdose had wiped out almost the entire population, and the FCI and the Brazilian Kennel Club declared the breed extinct. It was recreated through controlled breeding with other scent hounds; the Brazilian Kennel Club recognised it again in 2013, and the FCI published a new standard in 2019.
How the breed developed
- 1 September 1967 – The FCI recognises the breed.
- 1973 – The breed is declared extinct.
- 2000 – Breeding of the breed resumes, following the standard.
- 2013 – The Brazilian Kennel Club recognises it again.
- 2019 – The FCI publishes a new standard.
Breed rating
| Feature | Stars |
|---|---|
| Training and intelligence | ★★★☆☆ |
| Easy to train | ★★★☆☆ |
| Intelligence | ★★★★☆ |
| Independence | ★★★☆☆ |
| Stubbornness | ★★★☆☆ |
| Behaviour and temperament | ★★★★☆ |
| Affectionate with family | ★★★★★ |
| Friendly with children | ★★★☆☆ |
| Good with other dogs | ★★★★☆ |
| Good with cats and other animals | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Loyalty | ★★★★★ |
| Tendency to be aggressive | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Tendency to bark | ★★★★★ |
| Needs and care | ★★★☆☆ |
| Shedding | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Needs frequent grooming | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Activity and lifestyle | ★★★★☆ |
| Energy level | ★★★★★ |
| Daily exercise needs | ★★★★★ |
| Suited to apartment life | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Health and longevity | ★★★☆☆ |
| Life expectancy | ★★★★☆ |
| Predisposition to genetic diseases | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Working abilities and uses | ★★★☆☆ |
| Good hunting dog | ★★★★★ |
| Good companion dog | ★★★☆☆ |
Indicative rating: 5 stars means the highest level. The breed has no AKC profile, so the rating is based on the FCI standard.
Physical characteristics
The standard describes it as powerful, rustic, cheerful and lively, without being aggressive, with an excellent nose. It is very hardy and persevering and can run for hours on difficult ground in high temperatures.
General appearance
The head is triangular and slightly elongated. The coat is short, smooth, very close-lying, dense and slightly harsh to the touch.
| Feature | Rastreador Brasileiro |
|---|---|
| Size | Large |
| Height at the withers | males: 60–65 cm; females: 56–63 cm |
| Weight | males: 26–33 kg; females: 21–30 kg |
| Coat | Short, smooth |
| Head | Triangular |
| Stamina | High in hot weather |
The accepted colours are fully ticked black and white, with a slate-blue effect, with or without fawn or black markings; bicolour (white with fawn or black, black with fawn) and tricolour (white and black with fawn markings).
Training and socialisation
The standard describes it as calm and balanced, attached to its owner, self-confident, fearless and docile, neither shy nor aggressive.
Because it hunts in pairs, in threes or in packs, or even alone, it must behave calmly.
Tips for effective training
- Practise the recall. Its nose can take it a long way.
- Keep it on a lead. Its hunting instinct is strong.
- Think of the neighbours. Its bark sounds like a howl.
- Use rewards. It is docile and attached to its owner.
Activity needs and lifestyle
The standard says it can run for hours on difficult ground in high temperatures. It needs a lot of exercise every day.
| Activity | How often | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Long walks | daily | Stamina |
| Tracking work | several times a week | Excellent nose |
| Running in a fenced area | several times a week | Energy |
Tips for a balanced life
- It is best suited to hunters.
- It copes well with heat.
- It needs space.
Care and health
Coat and skin care
The short, dense coat should be brushed once a week with a rubber grooming mitt. The ears should be checked regularly.
Common health problems
No health studies have been published for the breed and no specific diseases are known. As with any scent hound, it is worth watching for:
| Condition | Description | Common symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Ear infections | Infections of the ears | Head shaking, bad smell, red ears |
| Hip dysplasia | The hip joint forms incorrectly and, over time, arthritis develops | Limping, difficulty getting up or jumping, hip pain |
Other care
- Check the ears after hunting.
- Check for ticks after outings in nature.
- Check the paws.
Diet and nutrition
An active hound needs good-quality food, adapted to its level of effort.
Tips for a healthy diet
The table gives a starting estimate, calculated with the formula from the Merck Veterinary Manual. The first two calorie columns show the calories per day for a healthy adult dog. The last column shows what this means in dry food with 3,500–4,000 kcal per kilogram.
| Dog's weight | Calories per day (neutered) | Calories per day (not neutered) | Dry food per day (approximate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 kg | 1,100 kcal | 1,240 kcal | 280–350 g |
| 27 kg | 1,330 kcal | 1,490 kcal | 330–430 g |
| 33 kg | 1,540 kcal | 1,730 kcal | 380–490 g |
- Split the food into two meals a day.
- Do not let it run right after a meal.
- A dog is at the right weight when you can feel its ribs without pressing hard.
Foods to avoid
Some human foods are dangerous for dogs: chocolate, coffee, grapes and raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol (a sweetener used in chewing gum), macadamia nuts and alcohol.
Reproduction and development
Physical and emotional maturity
In dogs, sexual maturity usually comes between 6 and 12 months, but in large breeds it can be delayed until about two years. The body also reaches its adult form later than in small breeds.
Mating and pregnancy
Pregnancy lasts about 63 days, counted from ovulation. Mating a female on her first heat is not recommended. The FCI standard requires that only healthy dogs of typical breed appearance are used for breeding.
Caring for the puppies
In large breeds, a litter has around 7 puppies on average. Socialisation starts in the first weeks: gentle handling, everyday noises and new people.
Interesting facts
- “Urrador”. The name comes from its howl-like bark.
- Declared extinct. In 1973 the breed was declared extinct.
- From the American Foxhound. It was created through selection, starting from the American Foxhound.
- Blue from black and white. The tiny black and white flecks look blue.
- It copes with heat. It can hunt for hours in great heat.
Frequently asked questions
What does “Rastreador” mean?
Tracker: a dog that follows a trail.
How big does it get?
Males measure 60–65 cm and weigh 26–33 kg; females measure 56–63 cm and weigh 21–30 kg.
Did the breed die out?
It was declared extinct in 1973, but it was recreated.
What does it hunt?
It flushes out and bays the game.
