The Campeiro Bulldog hails from southern Brazil and originated from bulldogs brought by European settlers in the 19th century. While not everyone agrees on the exact origin, it is clear that molosser types (bulldog and mastiff types) served as the “ingredients” in the creation of this breed. In terms of purpose, Campeiros were used to catch and hold livestock such as cattle. This catch dog role was traditionally carried out in slaughterhouses – a role that was useful although eventually became banned in their home country. Partially because of the ban, this bulldog became more rare and even faced extinction before thankfully being saved by fanciers in the 1970’s. Numbers eventually recovered enough that they were recognized by the Confederação Brasileira de Cinofilia (Brazilian Kennel Club) in 2001. They are not recognized by the AKC nor the FCI.
Some Campeiros do just fine when living with other dogs while others are not particularly friendly, even towards housemates. While early experiences, training and socialization can all factor into dog-friendliness, genetics will also play a large part. This said, around their owners almost all are intensely loyal and very calm. The breed is touted as being incredibly faithful, devoted and loving.
Campeiro Bulldogs are intelligent and can be obedient when trained. As they have natural guarding instincts and additionally can be prone to resource guarding, it is necessary to instill basic obedience training while they are young so they can be controlled once they mature into powerful dogs. Early socialization is also important. It’s natural for them to be initially suspicious of strangers but they shouldn’t be afraid or overly aggressive – and socialization is one of the puzzle pieces for a well-tempered adult dog. When properly trained and socialized they have the potential to be very versatile animals who can accomplish all number of tasks. These powerful dogs still have the tenacious instincts of a catch dog and can work with cattle if desired. 
According to the standard, the Campeiro should give an imposing appearance to the observer, being overall robust and very broad. The dog should look just as strong as he actually is! He is medium-sized in height but his broad muscular build puts him in the heavyweight category in terms of weight, with males able to reach close to 100 pounds! The head, like the rest of the body, is large and broad with a short, square muzzle. The ears are set high and far apart, and hang to the sides of the head. The coat is short and smooth, being neither soft nor harsh to the touch. All colors are allowed except for merle.
The Campeiro Bulldog is a quiet dog that doesn’t bark if he doesn’t have reason to. This, combined with his calm nature, makes him a pleasant house companion. That said he is an active dog and definitely needs daily exercise! Playing with the kids in the yard is one way to “blow off some steam” (most members of the breed love children), but he also benefits greatly from structured walks or jogging excursions.
The Campeiro is adaptable to many different living situations and can also live in any climate (when common sense is taken, of course). The average lifespan is 11-12 years and most members remain healthy throughout their lives when cared for properly. Hip dysplasia can occur, so prospective owners will want to make sure they get their dog through a responsible breeder who health tests. Still incredibly rare in this country, a prospective owner will likely have to import a dog from Brazil.
