Explore the breed's characteristics, health, and history — and find trusted breeders
At a glance
The essentials — key facts, traits, and health priorities — before you dive deeper.
Health grade
Relative to other breeds
Currently, there are no mandatory health tests for the Rastreador Brasileiro, which means there is a certain level of uncertainty when purchasing a puppy. While this is a robust working breed, potential issues such as hip dysplasia (HD) and the risk of gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) should be kept in mind. Additionally, their characteristic floppy ears are prone to persistent infections if not properly cared for.
Lifespan
10–13 yrs
Height
60–67 cm
Weight
25–32 kg
Practical
Typical coat colors
Temperament
Daily life
What matters most
Especially with a Rastreador Brasileiro (Brazilian Hound), choosing the right breeder is the single most important decision you'll make. Serious breeders consistently test the parents for inherited conditions, prioritize healthy early socialization, and stay accountable long after handover. A cheap puppy without health screening tends to become the most expensive dog later on.
See HonestDog breeder standards →The Rastreador Brasileiro is an extremely robust, high-stamina Laufhund (scenthound) — bred to track scents loudly for hours in the dense forests of Brazil. This tireless determination on the trail makes him a highly specialized hunter, not a simple companion dog.
The real vibes check
A Rastreador Brasileiro on a fresh scent is like a train on tracks: he follows his path for hours, loudly and completely unimpressed by your calls. He is not a dog that lives to please you, but a specialist fulfilling his genetic purpose. If you can channel this extreme hunting drive, you will have a fascinating athlete — otherwise, you will have a dog that is constantly seeking its own adventures.
The Rastreador Brasileiro is a versatile and robust hunting dog breed from Brazil, known especially for its excellent tracking and trailing abilities. It belongs to the group of hounds and was specifically bred for the tracking of game, particularly small game. The body structure of the Rastreador Brasileiro is muscular and athletic, with a deep chest and strong limbs that give it endurance and speed. Its head is distinctive with expressive eyes and hanging ears, which emphasize its alertness and intelligence. Within the breed, there are different lines that may vary slightly in their hunting technique and temperament, but all are characterized by their high eagerness to work and loyalty. The Rastreador Brasileiro is not only a reliable hunting companion but also a friendly and affectionate family dog.
The history of the Rastreador Brasileiro, also known as the Brazilian Tracker, began in the 1950s. Brazilian breeder Oswaldo Aranha Filho intentionally created this breed to develop a robust hunting dog capable of handling Brazil's demanding climatic and geographical conditions. By crossing imported American scenthounds such as the Foxhound, the Treeing Walker Coonhound, and the Bluetick Coonhound with local dogs, a resilient tracking dog was produced. Its original purpose was the persistent pursuit of large game, such as jaguars and wild boars, in dense forests. In 1967, the breed was initially officially recognized by the FCI. However, in the 1970s, the Rastreador Brasileiro suffered a tragic fate: an outbreak of disease and a devastating insecticide poisoning in the main breeding stock nearly wiped out the breed entirely. Consequently, the FCI removed the dog from its registry in 1973. It was not until the early 2000s that dedicated cynologists and breeders in Brazil began the complex task of reconstructing the breed from the few remaining descendants. Thanks to these intensive efforts, the Rastreador Brasileiro was successfully revived, eventually leading to its renewed official recognition by the FCI in 2013.
The Rastreador Brasileiro was bred as a hunting dog for tracking game in the forests of Brazil.
Brazil
1950
The Rastreador Brasileiro is a versatile and hardworking hunting dog with a keen sense of smell and high endurance. It is characterized by its close bond with humans and shows a friendly yet focused nature. Due to its origin as a tracking dog, it is particularly enduring and requires a lot of exercise as well as mental stimulation to remain balanced. The Rastreador is very eager to learn and enjoys working as a team with its owner, making it an excellent partner for hunting and other search tasks. It has a strong motivation for scent work and demonstrates impressive determination. At the same time, it is socially compatible and can integrate well into families if given sufficient activity. Its high energy and pronounced work drive demand consistent training and regular engagement to avoid unwanted behavior. The Rastreador Brasileiro is not a typical guard dog but shows natural alertness towards its surroundings. Overall, it is a loyal, intelligent, and active companion, especially suitable for experienced dog owners who can meet its physical and mental needs.
| Trainability Willing to learn with clear rules and regular training. | Balanced |
| Watchfulness Occasionally alerts but is fundamentally open. | Low |
| Openness to Strangers Warms up quickly and is generally welcoming. | Friendly |
| Hunting or Herding Drive This drive runs deep — no amount of training eliminates it. | Very strong |
Fun Fact!
The Brazilian Tracker is an excellent scent dog, known in Brazil for its impressive ability to follow trails over long distances – almost as if it had a built-in GPS nose!
The Brazilian Tracker is a persistent and hardworking hound from Brazil. It is characterized by its excellent sense of smell and strong hunting instinct. These dogs are active and require a lot of exercise as well as meaningful activities. They are friendly with people and are well suited as family dogs, provided they receive sufficient exercise and consistent training.
Brazilian Hound dogs are lively and persistent dogs that require a lot of exercise and mental stimulation. They are very affectionate and form a close bond with their family. Due to their hunting drive, they should be well socialized early and trained consistently. Brazilian Hounds are friendly and can get along well with children, although supervision is advisable with small children. They usually get along well with other dogs but need enough exercise to remain balanced. Keeping them in a house with a garden is ideal, as they need plenty of space to run and sniff.
Loves family life and thrives in a group.
Takes boisterous and affectionate children in its stride.
Actively enjoys the company of other dogs.
Suffers in tight urban conditions.
Owning a dog is a privilege, but it's also a real responsibility. Before you bring one into your life, be honest with yourself about the commitment it takes.!
The Rastreador Brasileiro is an intelligent and hardworking dog that requires consistent and patient training. Similar to the Labrador, it benefits from varied activities that promote its natural sense of smell and endurance. Fetch games, search tasks, or tracking work are ideal to mentally and physically challenge it. As with the German Shepherd, it is important to train frustration tolerance and impulse control early to avoid unwanted behavior. The Rastreador has a strong hunting drive that should be channeled through targeted training. Positive, reward-based methods strengthen the bond between you and your dog and encourage its willingness to learn. The Rastreador Brasileiro needs clear leadership and regular, structured training sessions to fully realize its potential. It is a versatile companion that, with sufficient activity and loving guidance, becomes a balanced and reliable partner.
The Rastreador Brasileiro is an active and intelligent hunting dog that requires a balanced diet to maintain its energy and health. High-quality, protein-rich food containing all essential nutrients is ideal. Make sure to adjust the amount of food according to the activity level to avoid overweight. The coat of the Rastreador Brasileiro is short and dense, which makes grooming relatively easy. Regular brushing, about once a week, helps remove loose hair and keep the skin healthy. During the shedding periods in spring and autumn, increased hair loss can occur, and more intensive brushing is recommended then. The Rastreador Brasileiro is well adapted to the Brazilian climate but also copes well with the temperate temperatures in Germany. In extreme heat, sufficient shade and water should be provided to prevent overheating. Cold affects it less, but a protected retreat is advisable at very low temperatures.
| Care Level Occasional brushing is all it takes. | Very low-maintenance |
| Exercise Needs Working-dog energy that needs burning off every single day. | High-drive |
| Shedding Regular shedding — dog hair on clothes is now normal. | Moderate |
| Trainability Willing to learn with clear rules and regular training. | Balanced |
Our experts are still reviewing this information. Spotted something wrong? Email us at info@honestdog.de.!
Solid
Currently, there are no mandatory health tests for the Rastreador Brasileiro, which means there is a certain level of uncertainty when purchasing a puppy. While this is a robust working breed, potential issues such as hip dysplasia (HD) and the risk of gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) should be kept in mind. Additionally, their characteristic floppy ears are prone to persistent infections if not properly cared for.
Grade is relative to other breeds — AI-generated by our veterinary-genetics model.
You should focus on joint-friendly rearing and regularly check and dry his long, pendulous ears to prevent painful infections.
Reputable breeders have the parents' hips, elbows, eyes, and thyroids tested and pay strict attention to high genetic diversity due to the extremely small gene pool.
No specific health tests are currently available for this breed.
Ich habe meine Hündin speziell für die Rettungshundearbeit und das Mantrailing gesucht. Der Rastreador Brasileiro – oft auch 'Urrador' genannt – hat mich durch seine unglaubliche Ausdauer und Hitzebeständigkeit fasziniert. Beim Suchen ist sie in ihrem Element: Ihr Geruchssinn ist phänomenal und sie gibt nicht auf, bis sie die Spur zu Ende verfolgt hat. Sie ist extrem fokussiert und athletisch.
Die größte Herausforderung im Alltag ist jedoch ihre Stimme. Wenn sie eine Fährte aufnimmt oder anschlägt, bellt sie nicht einfach, sondern stößt diesen rassetypischen, tiefen und extrem lauten 'Urro' (ein heulendes Ur-Bellen) aus. Das ist im Wald zwar beeindruckend, in einer dichter besiedelten Wohngegend aber definitiv gewöhnungsbedürftig und für Nachbarn oft zu laut. Man muss sich im Klaren darüber sein, dass man hier einen waschechten, lautstarken Arbeitshund an seiner Seite hat, der geistige Auslastung zwingend braucht.
Wir leben sehr ländlich mit einem großen, eingezäunten Grundstück, was für unseren Rüden ideal ist. Im Haus ist er ein absolut sanfter, anhänglicher und verschmuster Begleiter, der unglaublich eng an seine Bezugspersonen gebunden ist. Aggressionen kennt er überhaupt nicht, und im Alltag zeigt er sich extrem ausgeglichen und nervenstark.
Allerdings darf man seinen Bewegungsdrang und den Jagdtrieb nicht unterschätzen. Ein normaler Spaziergang an der Leine reicht ihm nicht – er muss rennen und seinen Kopf anstrengen. Zudem ist er Fremden gegenüber recht reserviert und fungiert als lautstarker Alarmanlage: Sobald sich jemand dem Grundstück nähert, schlägt er mit seiner wuchtigen Stimme an. Als echter Schutzhund taugt er zwar nicht, weil ihm die Schärfe fehlt, aber übersehen oder überhören kann man ihn definitiv nicht. Für eine Stadtwohnung wäre er aufgrund seines Bewegungsbedarfs und der Lautstärke absolut ungeeignet.
Paraphrased from real owner reports
Showcase your kennel on HonestDog and reach families searching for a responsibly bred Rastreador Brasileiro (Brazilian Hound).
The Rastreador Brasileiro (Brazilian Hound) is an active dog that needs plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Research the temperament, grooming needs, and space requirements before deciding.
The average life expectancy of a Rastreador Brasileiro (Brazilian Hound) is 10-13 years. With proper care and regular vet visits, your dog can live a long, healthy life.
Rastreador Brasileiro (Brazilian Hound) grooming requirements include regular brushing, nail trimming, and dental care. HonestDog provides detailed grooming tips for every breed.
The Rastreador Brasileiro (Brazilian Hound) can be a great family dog. Proper training and socialization are key. HonestDog provides family suitability information for every breed.
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