The Pampas Deerhound is a sighthound from Brazil, and has been recognized by the kennel club in that country (Brazilian Confederation of Cynophilia) since the year 2000. Although his origins are unknown, there are numerous theories about his history and he is thought to have been around since at least the 16th century. Used primarily to hunt pampas deer, he also is a very talented at tracking and can be used to “sniff out” almost any type of prey, large or small. This enthusiastic and agile hunter can work in all sorts of terrain and can do so either alone, in pairs or in a pack – and will likely do so while vocalizing throughout the hunt! This vocalization is important because it signals to the human hunter when the dog is on the trail or has located prey. Some members of this breed have even shown a talent for herding! This sighthound remains a popular breed in Brazil despite being very rare elsewhere in the world.
The Pampas can make an excellent companion dog as he is quiet, affectionate and intelligent. He is generally obedient and has a balanced temperament when raised correctly. If someone comes onto the property he will bark to alert, making him a good watchdog and perhaps even a capable guard dog if the situation calls for it. He develops a strong bond with his owner and can get along well with children – even very active ones. He has a compliant and patient nature which makes him well-suited to the role of a family pet. Finally, because of his pack hound characteristics he usually gets along easily with other dogs. 
The Pampas has great endurance and energy, and like other sighthounds he is incredibly fast! He needs to live with an active owner who can provide him with plenty of outlets to run, play and possibly even hike – essentially he does need regular daily exercise. He is more energetic than many of his sighthound cousins and if he isn’t provided with regular exercise he can be prone to behavior problems such as excessive barking.
The Pampas Deerhound is a rustic, medium sized breed with a short dense coat which is rough in texture. The coat color is either white or pale yellow, or can be a combination of these two colors. The eyes are either hazelnut or green in color. The nose is either pink, brown or black. The muzzle is long and slightly roman-shaped. The ears are set laterally and can be held erect when in attention.The body is strong and rectangular with a deep chest and firm back, the topline slightly descending from withers to croup. The average lifespan of the Pampas is about 12 years and he is generally fairly healthy.
