BRAZILIAN BULL
History and Origin
A few years ago a new and remarkable dog breed emerged in Brazil, characterized by great body mass and extremely developed musculature that contrasts with its gentle temperament. These dogs quickly showed that they had characteristics of their own, distinct from any previously recognized breed.
Their unique structural, morphological and behavioral characteristics made clear the need for independent technical acknowledgment. In light of this, in 2017 International Breed Certificate (IBC) began the process of officially regulating the breed, establishing its own criteria for selection, registration and judging.
Since then, the breed has been developed systematically, with thousands of admirers in Brazil and abroad, establishing itself as part of the national dog-breeding heritage.
In 2023, because of genetic evolution and the growth of different morphological profiles within the breed, IBC established a competitive division between:
• Standard Type
• Extreme Type
This division applies only to conformation competitions; the breed remains a single genetic base.
In February 2025, IBC together with breeders made the definitive name of the breed official: Brazilian Bull, a name that celebrates its origin, its own identity, international acceptance and an image of imposing presence combined with gentleness.
⸻
Goals of the Regulation
1. To guarantee the Brazilian Bull an institutional place at shows, events and genetic improvement programs.
2. To allow balanced participation of the different morphological types in competitions, preserving health and genetic diversity.
3. To avoid splitting the breed into multiple names, protecting the integrity of the gene pool.
The goal of every breeder should be to pursue structural and functional excellence, health and the gentle temperament of the breed.
⸻
BRAZILIAN BULL: STANDARD TYPE
General Description
The ideal “Brazilian Bull” is a loyal, lovable dog; as the name suggests, these dogs show great strength. With a large head in proportion to its muscular body, the “Brazilian Bull” should have one of the most muscular physiques among dog breeds, combining endurance and strength. Aggressive behavior toward people is not characteristic of the breed and is therefore highly undesirable.
Characteristics: The dogs should have an extremely strong, vigorous build, with hypertrophied, very well-defined musculature. Solidly built and short-coated, the body should be slightly longer than it is tall, and females may be a little longer than males. The head should be large, of medium length, with a flat skull and a broad muzzle tapering gently to the nose. The ears are small to medium in size, set high, and may be natural or cropped. The tail is set low, thick at the base and tapering toward the tip. The “Brazilian Bull” comes in all colors and markings.
Its essential characteristic is its loyal, very stable and confident temperament. The breed loves to please its owners and has a zest for life; they are excellent companion dogs. The breed's extreme strength makes it one of the sturdiest canines, so they need careful owners.
It is very important that “Brazilian Bulls” be athletic and healthy. The dogs should be free of breathing problems and able to enjoy outdoor activities without concern, except in extreme heat or cold.
The ideal Brazilian Bull is a loyal, balanced, confident and affectionate dog. It has great physical strength, extremely developed musculature and harmonious proportions. Aggression toward people is not characteristic of the breed and is considered absolutely undesirable.
⸻
General Characteristics
• Extremely strong, vigorous build
• Hypertrophied, well-defined musculature
• Solid structure
• Short coat
• Body slightly longer than it is tall
• Females may be slightly longer in body
• Colors and markings: all are accepted
Temperament essentially stable, cooperative, self-assured and sociable, making it an excellent companion dog.
The breed should show good athletic aptitude, no breathing disorders and full functional capacity.
⸻
Head
A fundamental element of breed type.
• Top view: triangular, slightly flat shape
• Front view: well-developed cheekbones and cheek muscles
• Moderate median furrow
• Profile: skull and muzzle parallel
• Stop: moderately defined (45° to 60°)
• Prominent brow ridges
The circumference of the skull should be greater than the height at the withers.
A small or narrow head is considered a fault.
The head is a key element of breed type. In the Standard Type, the head viewed from above should look triangular and slightly flat, with all its musculature very pronounced. Viewed from the front, it should show very developed cheekbones and cheek muscles. The median furrow should be moderately sunken between the eyes. Viewed from the side, the skull and muzzle are parallel to each other, joined by a moderately defined stop at an angle between 45 and 60 degrees. The brow ridges over the eyes are well defined.
⸻
Muzzle
• Broad and deep
• Gentle taper
• Proportion: about 2:3 in relation to the skull
• Strong lower jaw
• Lips dry and tight
• Wide, well-opened nostrils
A total lack of pigmentation is undesirable.
The muzzle is broad and deep, with a very gentle taper from the stop to the nose. The length of the muzzle is shorter than the length of the skull, in a ratio of about 2:3 in relation to the total length of the head. The lower jaw is well developed, broad and deep. The lips are dry and tight. The nose is large, with wide, well-opened nostrils, with no sign of restricted airflow. The nose may be any color. A complete lack of pigment is considered a fault.
⸻
Dentition
Preferably complete, with a scissor bite.
Faults:
• Level bite
• Reverse bite
• Slight undershot bite
• Missing teeth
Serious faults:
• Pronounced undershot bite
• Overshot bite
• Wry jaw
The Brazilian Bull should preferably have a full set of evenly spaced, white teeth meeting in a scissor bite. Faults: Level bite, reverse scissor bite, slight undershot bite, missing teeth. Serious Faults: Pronounced undershot bite, overshot bite, wry jaw.
⸻
Eyes
• Medium-sized
• Almond to triangular in shape
• Well spaced
• Firm, attentive expression
All colors are accepted except opaque eyes.
The eyes are medium-sized, almond to triangular in shape, set apart, showing a strong expression with a piercing gaze. Any color is acceptable except wall eyes, which should be considered a fault. Deformed, bulging, squinting, crossed and asymmetrical eyes are considered a very serious fault.
⸻
Ears
• Set high
• Natural or cropped
• Natural rose ears are preferred
Fully erect or excessively drooping ears are penalized.
The ears are set high and may or may not be cropped. If left natural, rose ears are preferred. Drop ears are acceptable, as long as they are small and do not resemble those of a “hound”. Fully erect ears set on top of the head should be considered a serious fault.
⸻
Neck
• Medium length
• Extremely muscular
• Marked arch of the neck
• Gradual blend into the shoulders
The neck is of medium length and very muscular. It shows a marked arch where it joins the head. The neck widens gradually as it descends from the cervical region to where it joins well-angulated shoulders.
⸻
Body
• Chest deep, broad and full
• Ribs well sprung
• Firm back
• Broad, muscular croup
• Slightly descending
The chest is deep, full and broad. The ribs are well sprung, forming a strong, broad, muscular body. The back is strong and firm, sloping slightly from the withers to a broad, muscular croup (slightly descending). A level back is acceptable. The hindquarters should be broad and muscular.
⸻
Forequarters
• Strong
• Muscular
• Sturdy bone
• Well-angulated shoulders
• Firm pasterns
Faulty leg alignment is a fault.
The front legs are strong and muscular, with significant bone mass. They should be straight and well apart; the shoulders should be well placed, well angulated, broad and muscular. The elbows fit close to the body. The pasterns are powerful, straight and flexible. Lack of bone mass is very undesirable. Loose elbows and legs turned in or out (east-west) are a fault.
⸻
Hindquarters
• Broad
• Muscular
• Well-developed thighs
• Well-angulated hocks
Cow hocks and lack of angulation are serious faults.
The hindquarters are strong, muscular and broad. The angulation of the bones and musculature of the hindquarters should be in harmony with the forequarters. The thighs should be well developed, with thick, well-defined muscles. Viewed from the side, the hocks are well angulated, and the hind legs should show good angulation to allow good movement. Cow hocks and straight, poorly angulated legs are a serious fault.
⸻
Feet
• Round
• Compact
• Tough pads
Splayed feet are penalized.
The feet are round, in proportion to the size of the dog, and should be well arched and tight. The pads are hard and tough. Weak pasterns and/or splayed feet are serious faults.
⸻
Tail
• Natural set
• Tapering
• Carried low at rest
• In motion, follows the topline
A docked, curled or very short tail is unacceptable.
The tail is set on as a natural extension of the topline and tapers toward the tip. When the dog is relaxed, the tail is carried low and reaches almost to the point of the hock. When the dog is moving, it carries the tail level with the topline. When excited, the dog may carry the tail raised. Short, curled or docked tails are unacceptable.
⸻
Skin and Coat
• Short
• Smooth
• Glossy
• Thin, tight skin
Excess skin is a serious fault.
The coat should be short, glossy and smooth, over thin, tight skin. Thick, molosser-style skin and excess skin will be considered a serious fault.
Colors: Any color or color distribution, as well as any combination of colors, is accepted.
⸻
Height and Weight
Proportion matters more than absolute measurements.
Desirable:
Males:
• Height: 50 to 65 cm
• Weight: over 45 kg
Females:
• Height: 45 to 60 cm
• Weight: over 40 kg
Obese dogs are not desirable.
The “Brazilian Bull” should be powerful, so its weight and height are less important than the correct proportion between height and weight; however, males between 50 and 65 cm and females between 45 and 60 cm at the withers are desirable. The desirable weight of an adult male in good condition should exceed 45 kg. The desirable weight of a mature female in good condition should exceed 40 kg. Dogs below the measurements mentioned should not be penalized unless they are weak, lacking in mass or light-boned; large dogs with good body and muscle mass are desirable. Fat dogs are not desirable. The musculature should be visible.
⸻
Movement
• Confident
• Fluid
• Powerful
• Good rear drive
• Ample front reach
The “Brazilian Bull” moves with a confident attitude; at the trot, its movement is powerful. The dogs should have a balanced gait, with good rear drive complemented by ample reach of the front legs, allowing the dog to cover ground powerfully. The dogs should trot on their own; dogs that have to be coaxed to walk or that are dragged “like a crab” are considered a fault. Viewed from any side, the legs turn neither in nor out, and the feet neither cross nor interfere with each other.
⸻
FAULTS
Any departure from the standard should be penalized according to its severity and functional impact.
⸻
DISQUALIFYING FAULTS
• Aggression toward people
• Serious structural abnormalities
• Extreme difficulty moving
• Clear lack of breed type
• Narrowed nostrils
• Long coat
• Cryptorchidism
⸻
BRAZILIAN BULL: EXTREME TYPE
Follows the general standard, with the following particulars:
⸻
General Description
A sturdier, more massive and more imposing version of the breed, with heavier bone and extremely developed musculature.
The “Brazilian Bull Extreme” is a more exaggerated version of the standard Brazilian Bull; in this category the dogs look sturdier, with broad, heavy bones, and some traits from the Bulldogs that went into the breed's development can be seen.
⸻
Head
• Extremely massive
• Pronounced frontal musculature
• Deep median furrow
• Stop: 60° to 90°
Circumference about 10 cm greater than the height at the withers.
With a large, powerful head, the “Brazilian Bull Extreme” should have the largest head proportion among dog breeds, with great bone mass and hyperdeveloped musculature. Because of the hypertrophy of the muscles in the front of the skull, the median furrow is pronounced between the eyes. Viewed from the side, the skull and muzzle are parallel to each other, joined by a well-defined stop at an angle between 60 and 90 degrees.
⸻
Muzzle
• Broad
• Deep
• Proportion about 1:2
• Lips slightly pendulous
The muzzle is broad and deep. The length of the muzzle is shorter than the length of the skull, in a ratio of about 1:2 in relation to the total length of the head. The lips may be slightly pendulous.
⸻
Eyes
• Medium-sized
• Almond-shaped or slightly rounded
⸻
Forequarters
• Very heavy bone
• Slight bow allowed
• Broad shoulders
The front legs are strong and muscular, with great bone mass. They should be set well apart; a slight bow is accepted as long as it does not impair movement. The shoulders should be well placed, well angulated, broad and muscular. The elbows do not need to fit close to the body.
⸻
Skin
Preferably thin. Thick skin is tolerated. Excessive loose skin is a serious fault.
Thin, tight skin is preferred; however, thicker skin is not considered a fault. Loose, molosser-style skin is considered a serious fault.
⸻
Height and Weight
About 10% more than the Standard of the same height, without obesity.
In the “Brazilian Bull Extreme”, dogs are expected to weigh about 10% more than “Brazilian Bull Standard” dogs of the same height. Fat dogs are not desirable; the extra weight refers to greater muscle mass and sturdier bone. Weak dogs, dogs lacking in mass or light-boned dogs should be penalized.
⸻
Copyright
All rights reserved to IBC.
Reproduction, adaptation or use of this material requires formal authorization.
⸻
Original Version:
Beatriz Taques and Bruno Monteiro
Updates:
November 2023: Beatriz Taques and Bruno Monteiro
February 2025: Beatriz Taques and Bruno Monteiro
⸻
A tribute to the influencers who contributed to the development and appreciation of the breed: Alexander Gama, Haviner Luiz S. S. Ferreira, Pedro Paulo de Oliveira and Mauricio Bellini.
Translated into English by Aurea Giacomelli; translated into Spanish by Alessandro Taques.
