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Rescue a
Fila Brasileiro
Fila Brasileiro Puppies for Sale
Fila Brasileiro
(Brazilian Mastiff) (Brazilian Molosser) (Cao de Fila)
Buffy, the Fila at 1
˝ years old. His
owner states, "He is everything I just read here on this site about
Filas. He absolutely adores my kids and even a few of their friends. But
only the friends that were around him before he turned about 8 months
old. He weighs about 170 lbs. and is fawn colored. He is the ultimate
guard dog. Very few people get near our home. He loves to sleep in the
house but we had to boot him outside because he snores so loud. Even the
kids upstairs couldn't sleep with him asleep downstairs."
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Fila Brasileiro
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Pronunciation |
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Description |
The Fila is well boned with a rectangular
structure. Its Bloodhound ancestry is apparent in its long
muzzle, pendulous skin, and superb tracking ably. Its muzzle is heavy with
pendulous upper lips giving it a the 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 dew laps, and in many individuals the
folds proceed to the chest and abdomen. Some dogs show a fold at the side of the
head and also at the withers descending to the shoulders. The
coat is short, smooth, dense and soft. This breed may be any color, solid or
brindle, except white,
mouse gray,
patched dogs, dappled, or black and tan.
The
typical colors are fawn, black and brindle.
Brindles
of a basic color, may have the stripes of either less or with very strong
intensity. A black mask may or may not be present. In all permitted colors white
markings should be limited to the feet, chest, and tip of tail. The white
markings are not desirable on any other part of the body.
The back is strong and straight rising gently toward the
hindquarters. Its gait is measured and elastic, like that of a
cat. His
main characteristic is the pace (camels 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 its
raised.
During the walk he maintains the head
lower than the back line.
This fascinating carriage has earned it great success in dog
shows. General
Appearance 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. Bitches must show a well-defined femininity,
which differentiates them immediately from males. |
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Temperament |
The Fila Brasileiro is a courageous, powerful Mastiff. It is amenable with its
human family, making a very loyal loving companion. Extremely dedicated to his
owner. A Fila will protect you without a moments hesitation. He feels that is
why he is there. Once you bond with your Fila you and your family will become
his whole world. You do not teach your Fila to protect you, as he does this on
his own. It is the breeds nature to be loyal and protective of his family. They love kids in their own family and
take a lot of abuse from them. Ask anyone who has kids and Fila's and they will
tell you how unbelievable it is how gentle they are with the children in the
family. Fila's make great family pets and are gentle, loving, loyal and very
protective. They will also bond with other pets in your home. Outstanding courage, determination, and bravery are part of his characteristics.
He is docile and obedient to his owners and family and extremely tolerant with
children in his own family. His faithfulness became a Brazilian proverb. He is
always looking for the company of his master. He shows a calm disposition, self-assurance, and
self-confidence, not being disturbed by strange noises nor when facing a new
environment. An unsurpassed guardian of property, he is also inclined, by
instinct, to hunt big game and to herd cattle. Some Filas may drool,
especially after getting a drink. 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 key 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 a pack leader status. It is a natural instinct for a dog to have an order in their pack. When we humans live with dogs, we become their pack. The entire pack cooperates
under a single leader. Lines are clearly defined and rules are set. You as the human MUST be higher up in the order than the dog. A dog with the massive size and strength of the Fila who believes he is alpha to humans is down right dangerous.
A lot of Fila fanciers recommend stopping all socialization at age 4 months. When a canine puppies socialization stops at such a young age it molds their temperament into an anti-social dog. This is the end goal for many Fila owners as it is the breeds trademark so to speak. It is what is called, ""Ojeriza" to strangers", which means the distrust of. A lot of owners however have been choosing to socialize the Fila throughout its life. Socializing a Fila Brasileiro as a puppy will not always make your Fila like people.
What it will do is show your Fila that not everything is a threat. It will make
him more confident and more stable in the world around him. Robin Barrett owner
of Harley Acre Filas states, "When I first got into Filas most owners chose to
have their Fila Brasileiro unsocialized and basically lunging maniacs at the end
of the leash. Some people seem to need an intimidating dog at the end of a leash
or behind a fence to make them feel superior. A Fila does not have to be like
that to be protective of you. With good common sense and obedience training you
can have a Fila by your side that will behave himself while in public and not
want to kill everything that moves. By socializing your Fila and introducing him
to the world around him you are doing the same thing that is needed to take a
Fila into the show ring."
The Fila is NOT a breed for the
average pet 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 which produce a dog who is "Ojeriza" to strangers (distrustful of), you must decide if your lifestyle will allow a
protective breed who 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. You also need a good solid
fence of correct height with secure locks to keep strangers out and the Fila in.
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Height, Weight |
Height: 25.5-29.5 inches (65-75 cm.)
Weight: 90-110 pounds (41-50 kg.) |
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Health Problems |
Prone to most large breed ailments.
Beware of hip dysplasia. As these dogs are prone to bloat, feed two or three
small meals a day, instead of one large one. Also prone to CHD,
gastric torsion, elbow dysplasia and PRA. |
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Living Conditions |
This breed is not suited to city live, as
its vigorous body must work off energy in the freedom of the country. They need
a fenced in yard with room to run. The Fila can sleep outdoors with proper
shelter. |
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Exercise |
The Fila needs plenty of
chanced to exercise. While some
can appear very lazy, big couch potatoes, like all dogs,
they should be taken on daily
walks. |
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Life Expectancy |
About 9-11 years |
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Grooming |
The smooth, short-haired coat is easy
to groom. Brush with a firm bristle brush and wipe over with a piece of toweling
or chamois for a gleaming finish. Bathe or dry shampoo when necessary. This
breed is an average shedder. |
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Origin |
The Fila
Brasileiro
are descendants of the
15th-century English Mastiff, Bloodhound, Bulldog and Rafeiros. From the
Bloodhound, he inherited loose skin and keen sense of smell.
The
Bloodhound in its bloodlines gives it superb tracking ability.
The Mastiff contributed
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 abilty
to
track, herd and control livestock and large game. When slavery was legal in Brazil,
the Fila was used return fugitives unharmed to their slave masters. The Filas
great tracking ability led to its presents in North America and Europe. Due to
its size and potential for aggression, it is unfairly banned in some countries. |
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Group |
Mastiff |
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Recognition |
FCI,
CAFIB,
CKC, NKC, APRI, ACR, DRA |
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FCI = Fédération Cynologique Internationale
CAFIB = Club
for the improvement of the Fila Brasileiro
CKC = Continental
Kennel Club
NKC = National
Kennel Club
APRI = American Pet Registry
Inc.
ACR = American Canine Registry
DRA = Dog Registry of America, Inc. |
Photo Courtesy of Harley
Acre Filas.
Fila Brasileiro Puppy - Photo Courtesy of Harley
Acre Filas.
Genevieve
and her beloved Hayden.
Espectaculo do Poco da Onca.
Espectaculo do Poco da Onca.
Fila Brasileiro Pictures 1
Fila Brasileiro Pictures 2
Breed Bans - Bad Idea
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Persecution
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Understanding Dog Behavior
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