|
Description: A massive breed, one of
the powerful Molossers, the Fila Brasileiro is also
known as the Brazilian Mastiff or Cao de Fila. Known
for their outstanding courage and bravery, they are
obedient to their owner and are unsurpassed
guardians of their property. Fila Brasileiros are
also used to hunt big game and herd cattle. They are
one of two species to come from Brazil, and are
Brazil's national dog. They have an abundance of
thick skin, and a solid tail. They are lighter boned
than the English Mastiff, weighing 40 - 50 pounds
lighter. They have loose jowls and pulled back drop
ears, much resembling their ancestor, the
Bloodhound. They have elongated muzzles with
excellent smell receptors. Fila Brasileiros are good
at guarding and protecting, and some are raised to
be aggressive. The Brazilian show warns judges not
to touch this breed if they wish to keep their
fingers, as most in Brazil are used for protection.
The Fila, however, does fine with people and is not
aggressive if trained and socialized from puppyhood.
The Brazilian Mastiff is brave, courageous and
self-confident. They are very loyal, being expressed
through the Brazilian proverb, "Faithful as a Fila
dog." Cao de Filas are loving of their family and
even of the family's children, but do not welcome
strangers. Caution should be exercised when even
welcome guests enter the household with this breed.
Before considering a Fila, understand the needs of
this breed as they are a large responsibility.
Other Names: Brazilian
Mastiff, Cao de Fila, Brazilian Molosser
Type: Guardian Dog
Height: 23.5 - 30 inches.
Weight: Males: 100 - 180 lbs;
Females: 90 - 160 lbs.
Colors:
Brindles and all solid colors, except white or mouse
gray. White is allowed on the tail tips and feet.
Coat:
Short, smooth, soft
and dense.
Temperament: Courageous, attentive and
impetuous. Fila Brasileiros are courageous, fearless
and protective. They will guard their family
ferociously. They are suspicious towards strangers,
but devoted and loving towards family. Fila
Brasileiros are close to their human family, as well
as faithful and tolerant. They require firm but
positive training and socialization as puppies.
With Children:
Yes, extremely
tolerant and protective with children.
With Pets: Yes, will protect and bond with
other pets.
Special Skills: Guard dog
Watch-dog:
High. Suspicious of strangers.
Guard-dog:
Very High. If not properly trained and socialized,
Filas can be dangerous towards even welcomed guests.
Care
and Exercise:
Should be groomed with a hound glove.
Training: They
need firm training and handling to control their
aggression. Proper socialization and obedience
training should begin at an early age.
Learning Rate: Medium.
Activity:
Medium.
Special Needs: Firm but positive training,
leash, securely fenced yard, socialization and
supervision at all times.
Living Environment: Fila Brasileiros need a
lot of space, as they are large dogs. They also need
a fenced in yard, as they are very unfriendly toward
strangers. The best owner for this breed would be a
dog-experienced person or family living in a rural
environment. Care should be taken in securing a
fence.
Health
Issues: Hip
dysplasia and Bloat (gastric torsion; twisted
stomach). Bloat is a health issue to most dogs,
being the second largest killer of dogs other than
cancer, but Fila Brasileiros can be particularly
susceptible to it because of their deep chests.
Life Span:
10 -12 years.
Litter Size: 4 - 10 puppies.
Country of Origin: Brazil
History:
A native breed of
Brazil, the Fila Brasileiro was developed from the
Spanish and Portuguese Mastiffs and Bloodhounds. In
the 16th century Spanish conquistadors brought these
mastiff-type dogs to South America, and the breed
resulted from various breedings with Portuguese
Mastiffs and Bloodhounds. Filar, in
Portuguese, means to hold or secure. This breed had
the unique ability to, when it caught its quarry,
hold it there at bay until its owner came. Other
stories tell of Filas in the 19th century retrieving
escaped slaves in South America by catching them and
bringing them back to their master without injuring
them. Some say this is what the Fila was bred for,
as well as for guarding flocks and property. They
were also used to hunt jaguars. They are best known
as a fierce guard dogs in Brazil, where many are
raised to harvest aggression toward outsiders.
Brazilian judges in the show ring were warned not to
touch the Fila if they wanted to keep their
appendages. But the breed has be raised in other
areas to overcome aggression, which has been
successful. In some countries the breed has been
banned due to potential aggression and its massive
size. The final standardization of this breed was
created in the 1950s. The breed is still rare but is
slowly growing in popularity around the world.
First
Registered by the AKC: Not registered
Class:
Working
Registries:
FCI (Group 2),
NZKC, CKC
Courtesy of PuppyDogWeb |
