Caramel-colored street dogs in Brazil became a national symbol. Here’s why.

The Brazilian public’s attitude of street dogs has shifted dramatically. Once considered stray dogs, these caramel-colored canines have experienced a miraculous makeover and are now joyfully welcomed as a national icon. The “vira-lata caramelo” (literally, “caramel trashcan-tipper”) is gaining popularity because to memes, videos, petitions, a planned Netflix film, a Carnival procession, and even draft law that recognizes it as a symbol of Brazilian culture. “The caramelo is the spirit of our time,” said Diego Freitas, director of Caramelo, an upcoming Netflix film.

The caramelo dog became an internet sensation in 2019 when social media users began sharing all kinds of content featuring the adorable pup-from a caramelo urinating on stage during a dance show to one playing dead while receiving chest compressions in a CPR training video, The Derrick reported. 

The dog’s antics captivated Brazil, with a petition to replace the macaw on the country’s 10-reais ($1.65) bill attracting nearly 50,000 signatures. “The caramelo has become a symbol of the Brazilian people, beloved across all states and an excellent representative of our culture,” the petition stated. In 2020, another petition advocating for the dog to appear on the 200-reais note garnered even more support.

What caused this unexpected virality? For starters, dogs have long been online favourites. According to Google Trends, “dog” has constantly been the most searched animal phrase, greatly exceeding “cat,” with search interest peaking in 2018-19—just as the Brazilian caramelo was gaining steam. Aside from the widespread love of dogs, caramelos represent principles that many Brazilians strongly hold. They are seen as gentle and hardy survivors. Importantly, they are mixed-breeds, which many Brazilians connect with because of their various cultural background.

Previously considered a cause of shame (as demonstrated by the phrase “mongrel complex”), Brazil’s mixed background, which includes immigrants, enslaved Africans, and Indigenous peoples, is now a source of pride. Aside from the Netflix production starring a caramelo, other elements are bringing the dog to the forefront, such as Rio’s Sao Clemente samba school, which will dress children in caramelo costumes for the yearly carnival.