Caramelo (dog)
| Caramelo | |||||||||
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| Other names | caramel dog | ||||||||
| Origin | Brazil | ||||||||
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| Dog (domestic dog) | |||||||||
The caramelo dog (Portuguese: [kaɾaˈmɛlu] ⓘ)[a] or vira-lata caramelo ("caramel mutt") is a mixed-breed dog originating in Brazil, known for its caramel-colored coat. It is informally considered a national symbol of Brazil.[1]
Significance
[edit]Caramelo dogs are street dogs of medium size that have existed in Brazil for decades.[2] The Military Police Museum in Rio de Janeiro features a taxidermied caramelo dog named "Bruto" who accompanied officers in the Paraguayan War in the 19th century.[2]
In July 2020, Federal Deputy Fred Costa started an online petition to feature the caramelo dog on the 200-real banknotes. Although the Central Bank of Brazil had already decided to feature the maned wolf on the notes, the bank agreed to promote caramelo dogs in response to calls for action against animal abuse.[3] In September 2020, the caramelo dog was highlighted in the official announcement of the new 200-real banknotes.[4][5][6]
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 dog abandonment.[7][8][9] Similarly, the municipality of São Gabriel, Rio Grande do Sul, launched the Dezembro Caramelo campaign, highlighting that caramelo mixed-breed dogs are the most frequent victims of animal abandonment in Brazil.[10] In April 2023, Federal Deputy Felipe Becari introduced a bill to recognize the caramelo dog as an intangible cultural heritage in the country.[11][12][13]
On April 4, 2025, Christ the Redeemer — one of the New 7 Wonders of the World and a cultural symbol of Brazil — was illuminated with a projection depicting the statue holding a caramelo dog in honor of World Stray Animals Day.[14]
Notes
[edit]- ^ Variously known in Portuguese as vira-lata caramelo or cachorro caramelo.
References
[edit]- ^ "Projeto de lei quer transformar vira-lata caramelo em manifestação cultural imaterial do Brasil" [Bill aims to transform caramel mutt into an intangible cultural manifestation of Brazil]. Extra (in Portuguese). 2024-01-27. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
- ^ a b Biller, David (2024-12-18). "Forget soccer and samba. This caramel-colored street dog is Brazil's new national icon". AP News. Retrieved 2025-04-09.
- ^ Queiroga, Louise (2020-08-06). "Banco Central estuda ação para vira-lata caramelo após petição de nota de R$ 200" [Central Bank considers action for caramel mongrel after R$200 note petition]. Extra Online (in Portuguese). Retrieved 2023-09-14.
- ^ Neves, Gabriel (2020-09-05). "VÍDEO: Vira-lata caramelo é o novo "garoto propaganda" da nota de R$ 200,00 - Jornal Midiamax" [VIDEO: Caramel mongrel is the new “poster boy” for the R$200.00 note]. Midiamax (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on 2020-09-05. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
- ^ "Vira-lata caramelo é destaque em anúncio do BC sobre nova nota de R$ 200 | Economia | G1" [Caramel mongrel featured in BC announcement about new R$200 note]. Globo (in Portuguese). 2020-09-05. Archived from the original on 2020-09-05. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
- ^ Oliveira, Kelly (2020-09-05). "Vira-lata caramelo faz anúncio sobre nova cédula de R$ 200" [Caramel mongrel makes announcement about new R$200 bill]. Agência Brasil (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on 2020-09-05. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
- ^ "Projeto inclui o "Dezembro Caramelo" no calendário de Florianópolis" [Project includes "Caramel December" in Florianópolis' calendar]. TV Cultura (in Portuguese). 2022-05-17. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
- ^ Mayer, Sofia (2022-05-17). "Entenda lei que cria o mês do 'vira-lata caramelo' em Florianópolis" [Understand the law that creates the month of the 'caramel mutt' in Florianópolis]. Globo (in Portuguese). Retrieved 2023-09-14.
- ^ "Câmara institui o mês Dezembro Caramelo em Florianópolis" [Chamber establishes Caramel December month in Florianópolis]. FloripAmanhã (in Portuguese). 2022-05-05. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
- ^ "São Gabriel investe em ações em Prol Do Bem-estar Animal" [São Gabriel Invests In Actions For Animal Welfare]. Prefeitura Municipal de São Gabriel (in Portuguese). 2022-05-12. Archived from the original on January 30, 2023. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
- ^ Mansur, Ana Isabel (2023-04-29). "Projeto de lei quer reconhecer vira-lata caramelo como patrimônio imaterial do Brasil" [Bill seeks to recognize caramel mutt as intangible heritage of Brazil]. R7 Brasilia (in Portuguese). Retrieved 2023-09-14.
- ^ Xavier, Luiz Gustavo (2023-07-26). "Projeto reconhece a expressão "vira-lata caramelo" como manifestação cultural imaterial do Brasil" [Project recognizes the expression “vira-lata caramelo” as an intangible cultural manifestation of Brazil]. Portal da Câmara dos Deputados (in Portuguese). Retrieved 2023-09-14.
- ^ Maria, Leticia (2023-07-27). "Expressão 'vira-lata caramelo' pode se tornar patrimônio no Brasil" [The expression 'caramel mutt' could become a heritage in Brazil]. Gazeta De S. Paulo (in Portuguese). Retrieved 2023-09-14.
- ^ "Cristo Redentor ganha projeção segurando vira-lata caramelo para promover adoção responsável de animais" [Christ the Redeemer is projected holding a caramel-colored stray dog to promote responsible animal adoption]. Globo (in Portuguese). 2025-04-04. Retrieved 2025-04-04.
