FILA BRASILEIRO
Life expectancy: 9 - 11years
Origin: Brazil
Temperament: Docile, Determined, Loyal, Courageous, Brave, Independent thinker
Height: Female: 24–28 inches (60–70 cm), Male: 26–30 inches (65–75 cm)
Weight: Female: 130–160 lbs (57–73 kg), Male: 140–180 lbs (64–82 kg)
Colors: Black, brindle, Fawn
HISTORY / ORIGIN:
The Fila Brasileiro is a descendant of the 15th-century English Mastiff, Bloodhound, Bulldog and Rafeiros. From the Bloodhound, he inherited loose skin and his keen sense of smell. The Bloodhound in its bloodlines gives it superb tracking ability. The Mastiff contributed its compact body, courage and an ever-alert disposition. When the Fila finds its quarry it does not attack, but rather holds it at bay until the hunter arrives. The Bulldog added the unforgiving impetuous temperament. The Fila has the ability to track, herd and control livestock and large game. When slavery was legal in Brazil, the Fila was used to return fugitives unharmed to their slave masters. The Fila’s great tracking ability led to its presence in North America and Europe. Due to its size and potential for aggression, it is unfairly banned in some countries.
DESCRIPTION:
The Fila is well boned with a rectangular structure. Its Bloodhound ancestry is apparent in its long muzzle, pendulous skin, and superb tracking ability. Its muzzle is heavy with pendulous upper lips giving it a Mastiff appearance. Its neck is very thick, with dewlap. The skin is of the most important breed characteristics. It is thick and loose all over the body, chiefly at the neck, forming pronounced dewlaps, and in many individuals the folds proceed to the chest and abdomen. His main characteristic is the pace (camel’s gait), moving two legs of one side first, followed by the two legs of the other side, which causes a rolling lateral movement on the thorax and hindquarters accentuated by the tail when it’s raised.
A typical molossoid breed with powerful bone structure, rectangular and compact figure, but harmonious and proportional. Added to his massiveness, a great agility can be easily seen. Females must show a well-defined femininity, which differentiates them immediately from males.
TEMPERAMENT:
Bold and wary with strangers, this breed makes a wonderful guard dog. It needs a dominant owner who understands the alpha pack instinct. Proper socialization and understanding of the breeds instincts are the keys to successful ownership of a Fila. Do not allow this breed to take over. He needs a handler who displays natural authority. Be firm, confident and consistent. Passive owners will encounter dominance issues. The objective in training this dog is to achieve pack leader status.
THE FILA IS NOT A BREED FOR THE AVERAGE DOG OWNER. You need to know what the Fila Brasileiro is about and what it takes to own one. If you choose to raise your Fila using the methods that produce a dog who is "Ojeriza" to strangers (distrustful of), you must decide if your lifestyle will allow a protective breed that is anti-social with strangers and decide if you have the ability to control the dog. If you have a lot of friends and relatives coming in and out of your home, you may want to consider another breed.
HEALTH PROBLEMS:
Prone to most large-breed ailments. Beware of hip dysplasia. These dogs are prone to gastric torsion (aka "bloat"), so feed at a comfortable, elevated height. Also prone to CHD, elbow dysplasia and PRA.