Apartment fit
Apartment life is usually a poor fit because scent hounds can be vocal and need room for long walks, tracking games, and decompression.
HoundLarge
Brazil
BrazilBrazilian Tracker
Weight
46-73 lb
Height
22-25.6 in
Lifespan
11-14 yrs
Coat
Smooth Short
The Brazilian Tracker is a Brazilian scent hound, also called the Rastreador Brasileiro, known for trailing game, baying, and working with endurance.
Brazilian scent houndKnown for tracking and bayingShort smooth coatNeeds secure containment and scent outlets
Breed Names
Official, native, and commonly used variants
Rastreador Brasileiro
PersistentSociableIndependentAlertEnduringVocal
Weight
46-73 lb
Height
22-25.6 in
Lifespan
11-14 yrs
Coat
Smooth Short
At A Glance
Daily living snapshot
A quick read on energy, upkeep, and what day-to-day life with this breed usually feels like.
Energy
Moderate
Barking
Moderate
Drooling
Moderate
Shedding
Moderate
Grooming
2/5
First-time owner
No
Overview
The Brazilian Tracker, or Rastreador Brasileiro, is a Brazilian scent hound developed for tracking game over difficult country. The breed has coonhound influence in its history and is known for using voice while following scent.
The standard describes a short, smooth, close coat rather than a medium double coat. Color patterns include mottled black-and-white effects, tan markings, and hound-style patterning, depending on the standard description.
This is a working hound first. It needs secure containment, scent outlets, recall practice, and owners who understand that nose-down independence and baying are normal hound traits, not simple disobedience.
Temperament & Personality
PersistentSociableIndependentAlertEnduringVocal
This breed tends to suit homes looking for a persistent, sociable, independent companion, with daily rhythms shaped by moderate energy, moderate barking, and moderate drooling.
Coat type
Smooth
Coat length
Short
Shedding
Moderate
Colors
Black and White Mottled, Slate Blue Effect, Tan Markings, Tricolor
Lifestyle Compatibility
Family Friendly4/5
Good with Kids4/5
Good with Dogs4/5
Good with Strangers3/5
Apartment Friendly3/5
Exercise Needs3/5
Grooming Needs2/5
Trainability3/5
Good fit if you want
- A family-friendly companion
- Room for routine exercise
- Confidence handling structure and training
Plan ahead for
- 3/5 exercise needs
- moderate shedding and coat upkeep
- moderate barking in daily life
Owner Fit & Everyday Behavior
Best for
- hound-experienced owners
- homes with secure fencing and tracking outlets
- people comfortable with baying and scent independence
- active rural or suburban homes
Not ideal for
- apartments with strict noise limits
- owners expecting off-leash reliability without training
- homes without secure containment
- people who dislike hound vocalization
Common challenges
- baying and scent-focused behavior
- recall limitations
- ear care after outdoor work
- secure containment
Barking & behavior
Baying and vocal excitement are normal hound traits. Manage scent triggers, avoid nuisance barking rehearsals, and provide tracking-style outlets.
Training style
Use reward-based training, long-line recall practice, scent games, and secure boundaries. Independence on a trail should be managed, not treated as stubbornness alone.
Grooming & shedding
The short smooth coat sheds moderately and is easy to brush. Prioritize ear cleaning, tick checks, nails, and foot care after field work.
Care Guide
Exercise
Most healthy adult Brazilian Trackers need about 60 to 90 minutes of daily activity, including long walks, scent work, tracking games, and safe off-leash running only in secure areas.
Grooming
The short smooth coat needs weekly brushing, nail care, ear checks, and tick checks after brush or field work. Long hound ears should be kept clean and dry.
Training
Train with patience, food rewards, long-line recall practice, scent outlets, and secure boundaries. A Brazilian Tracker following scent may ignore casual calls, so management matters.
Nutrition
Feed a measured large-hound diet matched to age and workload. Keep the dog lean to support endurance and reduce stress on joints.
Behavior & Environment
Energy level
Moderate
Barking level
Moderate
Drooling level
Moderate
Watchdog ability
3/5
Guard dog ability
1/5
Climate tolerance
Cold weather4/5
Heat tolerance3/5
Health Considerations
Common concerns to discuss with your vet and breeder.
Hip dysplasiaEar infectionsTick-borne disease exposureBloat riskObesity
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Brazilian Tracker a good apartment dog?
Usually it is difficult. The breed is a scent hound with voice, size, and exercise needs, so secure outdoor access and noise-aware management are important.
Does the Brazilian Tracker bark a lot?
It can be vocal, especially when excited or following scent. Baying is part of the hound background, so owners should manage triggers and provide legal scent outlets.
Is the Brazilian Tracker good for first-time owners?
Usually no. It is better for owners who understand hounds, secure containment, scent work, and recall limitations.
How much exercise does the Brazilian Tracker need?
Most healthy adults need about 60 to 90 minutes daily, with scent work included. Long-line tracking games often suit the breed better than repetitive obedience drills.
Is the Brazilian Tracker good with kids and other dogs?
Many scent hounds are sociable, but supervision is still needed because of size, enthusiasm, and chase instincts. Dog compatibility depends on socialization.
Does the Brazilian Tracker shed a lot?
The short coat sheds moderately and is easy to brush. Ears, ticks, nails, and feet are the bigger routine-care priorities.
What is the biggest challenge of owning the Brazilian Tracker?
The biggest challenge is managing a vocal scent hound that wants to follow trails. Secure fencing, long-line work, and realistic recall expectations are essential.
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