Caramelo (dog)

For other uses, see Caramelo (disambiguation).

The caramelo dog (Portuguese: [kaɾaˈmɛlu] ^ⓘ)^[a] is a mixed-breed dog originating in Brazil, known for its caramel-colored coat. It is also informally considered a Brazilian national symbol.^[1]

Caramelo
A caramelo dog in Curitiba, Brazil
Origin	Brazil
Dog (domestic dog)

Importance

Portuguese-language announcement of the 200-real note, starring a talking caramelo dog

In July 2020, Federal Deputy Fred Costa started an online petition to feature the caramelo dog on the 200-real banknotes. Despite the Central Bank had already decided to feature the maned wolf on the notes, they later considered taking action against animal abuse.^[2] In September 2020, the caramelo dog was featured in the announcement of the 200-real notes.^[3][4][5]

The significance of the caramelo dogs reached the legislative branch at both municipal and federal levels. In January 2022, the Florianópolis City Council established Dezembro Caramelo ("Caramelo December") to raise awareness about the abandonment of dogs.^[6][7][8] The municipality of São Gabriel, Rio Grande do Sul, also launched the Dezembro Caramelo campaign, highlighting that caramelo mixed-breed dogs are the most frequent victims of animal abandonment in Brazil.^[9] In April 2023, Federal Deputy Felipe Becari introduced a bill to recognize the caramelo dog as an intangible cultural heritage in the country.^[10][11][12]

Notes

1. Variously known in Portuguese as vira-lata caramelo or cachorro caramelo.