Campeiro Bulldog
The Campeiro Bulldog is a dog breed developed in southern Brazil. It is believed to be a descendant of the Old English Bulldog introduced to Brazil by Europeans and is closely related to the Serrano Bulldog.
Name
Campeiro, a Portuguese word meaning "fielder" or "related to fields", is widely used in the South Region of Brazil as a term for those who work in rural fields, especially those who take care of cattle and ride horses well. It is reflective of the field and its elements - rural, rustic, peasant, and so on.Origin
The Campeiro Bulldog gained prominence in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, where it was used to herd cattle in slaughterhouses. During the 1970s, it faced extinction due to new sanitary regulations in slaughter houses and also due to the introduction of new breeds. Courtesy of the breeding programs launched by Ralf Bender, there has been a significant increase in number of members of this breed.There are multiple theories about the origin of the Campeiro Bulldog. The most widespread theory postulates the possibility that the Campeiro Bulldog originated from Old English Bulldogs that may have been brought to Brazil by European immigrants during the 19th or 20th century. Subsequently, these dogs were bred with the local dogs. A less popular theory suggests that the Campeiro Bulldog might actually be a remnant of the "Bulldog-type" variety of the Fila da Terceira.
First theory: Old English Bulldog
The Old English Bulldog was popular in most parts of Western Europe during the second half of the 19th century, to the point that in some states like the Vatican there is legislation regulating the transit of this dog breed on public roads.At the same time, in Europe there was a surge in interest pertaining to the serious development, creation and conformation of several distinct breeds for the purpose of work or exhibition. As a result, several breeds were derived from the Old English Bulldog, such as the modern Bulldog and the Bull Terrier.
In Brazil, the European immigration to the South Region, which was encouraged at various times during the early nineteenth and mid-twentieth centuries, resulted in an influx of many species of animals, including dogs, particularly several varieties of bulldogs, such as the Old English Bulldog.
At the same time in Europe, standardization of most canine breeds was carried out mostly on the basis of appearance. However, dog breeds brought into the New World had to prove their worth by exhibiting their efficiency, physical excellence, and temperament in the daily course of work. Quest for development of these traits resulted in the creation of breeds that were significantly different from the ones that existed in Europe at the same time.
Thus, this particular variety of bulldog was preserved in the Brazilian lands, thanks to its ability to guard and work with cattle.
Second theory: Fila da Terceira
The Fila da Terceira was a Portuguese dog breed that originally lived on Terceira Island. These dogs were an outcome of the cross between the Spanish Mastiff, Portuguese Mastiff and the old Dogue de Bordeaux. Later, during the 17th century, the Old English Bulldog was introduced, and it was the original "Bulldog-type" variety with reduced size, as compared to the "Mastiff-type" variety, bearing the characteristic crooked tail.This dog was brought to Brazil during the Portuguese immigration as a result of the arrival of the Portuguese court in Brazilian lands. Its Mastiff-type variety, on being crossed with Bloodhounds, may have resulted in the origin of the Fila Brasileiro, another Brazilian dog breed. It is believed that, later on, the Bulldog-type variety gave way to the Campeiro Bulldog, or at least contributed towards its formation.
History
The Campeiro Bulldog helped its owners in handling cattle, but not as a herding dog. The dogs that excelled in working with wild cattle and swines were highly valued as much as those dogs that knew how to guard the cart and the horse of the tropeiros. The breed has been exhibiting the functional features of its probable ancestor, namely the Old English Bulldog, which could hold swine through their ears to the slaughterhouse and could dominate a wild cow of up to 400 kg on its own.Its ability was widely employed in former slaughterhouses in the South Region of Brazil and in the region that now is the State of Mato Grosso do Sul. In these establishments, the dogs were used to subdue cattle and swine at the slaughtering. However, new law measures introduced by the sanitary surveillance prevented the use of dogs in these slaughterhouses. This event combined with the popularity of foreign breeds that arrived in Brazil at the 1970s and 1980s caused the devaluation of the Campeiro Bulldogs, which at the time were considered very common mutts, and the breed came close to extinction.
Breed's restoration
Even as a youth, the cynophile Ralf Schein Bender had fallen in love with the bravery of this dog breed that until then were referred to as Burdoga. His desire to own a dog of this kind made him realize the extreme shortage of the members of the breed. During the late 1970s, realizing that this dog was on the verge of extinction, Ralf Bender began to work towards rescuing these dogs. In 1977 he acquired a female and traveled all over the State of Rio Grande do Sul to gather the last specimens of the breed, and then began to breed them. His work came to fruition in 2001 when CBKC officially granted recognition to the breed and conferred upon it the name Campeiro Bulldog.Appearance
The Campeiro Bulldog is a medium-sized dog with a powerful physical complexion. It is very strong and slightly heavy dog for its size. It is a dog of broad constitution and an almost square muscular body. The breed has heavy bones and carries a typically broad head. It has a short muzzle, small and pendants ears inserted high on the head as far apart of each other as possible. The tail is preferably short and crooked. The breed has a smooth short hair, and its coat could be in a variety of colors. Traditional coat color includes fawn, brown and brindle with white markings. There are dogs that are entirely white, but they must have pigmented mucous membranes and eyelids, to avoid problems while working.Weight
Males and females weigh between 30 and 45 kg, approximately. Females: 30–40 kg.Height
Males and females measure between 48 and 58 cm at the withers, approximately, with males being around 53 cm tall. Females: 51 cm.Temperament
The Campiero Bulldog stands out for its loyalty towards its owner, ease of adaptation, and mainly for being affectionate towards children. Their rusticity and courage make them excellent guard dogs. This breed can be a bit jealous.Suspicious of strangers and quiet, the Campiero Bulldog is known for not barking unnecessarily. These dogs need some daily exercise, if not directly involved in dealing with cattle or another type of work.