Fila Brasileiro Dog Breed

Below are the details and specs for the Fila Brasileiro dog breed.

This is a very large-sized breed. Males weigh 110-160 pounds; females, 90-120 pounds. Males are 26-30 inches at the shoulders in height; females, 24-28 inches.

Fila Brasileiros are absolutely devoted to the people they know, and utterly vicious towards those they don't. This breed is notorious for its intense dislike of strangers (and oftentimes other animals); Fila owners will need to spend a great deal of time with behavioral conditioning and early socialization for these dogs. Though they are affectionate and playful with kids of their own families, Filas are not recommended as a family pet because of the potential for violence against unknown children (and adults, for that matter.) Filas are also quite willful and independent, and can be difficult to train. This breed should only be owned by people with a great deal of experience with dogs.

Filas require very little grooming, and a moderate amount of exercise, but will need plenty of training, particularly in the areas of behavior and obedience.

The Fila Brasileiro presumably originated in Brazil, where the breed has existed for centuries. Though its exact origin is unknown, historians believe these dogs were developed by crossbreeding English Mastiffs, Bloodhounds, and various bulldog breeds, among other Molosser types, supposedly to create a working farm dog capable of tracking down and detaining large game, rowdy cattle, and even humans (the word "fila" is from the ancient Portuguese filar, which means "to secure or hold"). Beginning in the 1500s, Portuguese and Spanish explorers sought to colonize Brazilian territories, and established numerous sugarcane plantations there; they made the indigenous tribal peoples their slaves, and Filas were used to guard the slaves and cattle, and were employed in tracking and capturing runaway slaves as well.

Through the centuries, Filas continued as Brazilian working dogs, and were utilized in jaguar hunting, cattle herding, and as guard dogs on plantations and in gold mines. During the twentieth century, the Fila gained popularity in other countries, particularly as a guard dog. The first official breed standard was published in Brazil in the 1960s, and in 1984 the Fila Brasileiro Club of America was formed. Despite this breed's current popularity, its viciousness toward strangers has been frowned upon by some people, and Filas have been banned in some parts of the world.

The Fila sports a short-haired, dense, and rough coat. This breed's overall appearance borrows heavily from its Mastiff and Bloodhound ancestors; its large, rangy body type recalls that of a Mastiff, while its loose skin and pendulous facial features closely resemble the Bloodhound. One noted attribute of a Fila is its "camel"-like gait; though large in size, the breed walks harmoniously, almost in a catlike manner.

The rectangular body is normally a bit greater in length than in height. The Fila's large head is in the shape of a trapezoid, with a short muzzle and lips and jowls that hang a good bit; the almond-shaped eyes are of medium size and range in color from yellow to dark brown, and correspond to the coat color; The triangular, hanging ears are large and thick, and are usually rounded slightly at the tips.

A Fila's neck and shoulders are extraordinarily well-muscled, and its chest is broad and deep; its back is normally angled upwards a bit from front to rear; the medium-length legs are fairly straight and muscular, and the tail is high-set, of medium length, and is often curved at the end.

Extremely loyal, protective, and courageous, yet fairly obedient and at times docile, the Fila Brasileiro is an intelligent and intuitive animal that can be quite serene until it is disturbed – when it can transform into an unmerciful, intensely fierce protector of its family. This breed is extremely devoted to (and protective of) its human "pack"; a popular Brazilian proverb, in fact, describes extreme devotion with "as faithful as a Fila." These dogs are normally calm, loving, and playful (especially as puppies) with people whom it knows, and wholly distrustful of (and often aggressive towards) strangers. Filas normally despise being touched by unknown people; a common piece of advice shared by dog show judges contends that "touching a Fila Brasileiro may lead to lost fingers." Filas are also known to be willful and independent, and will need a great deal of firm, consistent training, along with early socialization with people and other animals, to learn proper behavior. This breed is also known for destructive behavior – often of catastrophic proportions – when it is bored or left alone. For these reasons, Filas are recommended only for experienced dog owners, since this breed requires a lot of training and socialization. And even so, experts contend that Filas are most well-behaved when raised from puppyhood.

Neither are Filas the most "cultured" of dog breeds. Most are known for their variety of "bodily noises," including grunts, wheezes, loud snoring, and unfortunately, excessive flatulence. These dogs tend to slobber and drool excessively as well.

All that said, if properly trained, a Fila will make an affectionate, loyal addition to the family. Its impetuous and fierce temperament makes this breed one of the best watchdogs of any known, and it can be a loving, peaceful companion if provided with proper guidance.

These dogs have a relatively short lifespan; 9-11 years is the average. While generally healthy, Filas have a relatively high risk of suffering hip and elbow dysplasia. Like most dog breeds with deep chests, Filas also have a high occurrence rate of gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), also known as bloat.