The Fila Brasileiro, also called the Brazilian Mastiff, the Brazilian Guard Dog, the Brazilian Molosser, the Dogue Brasiliero and the Cao de Fila, is an old breed dating back to the 1600s, when it was used by Brazilian ranchers for all types of hunting, guarding and herding. Originally developed to hunt large game, including wild boar and jaguar, this breed is naturally distrustful of strangers and can be extremely aggressive. Filas bond closely and strongly with their people and are not recommended for novice dog owners.
The mature male Fila should be between 25½ and 29½ inches at the withers, with females ranging from 23½ to 27½ inches in height. Males should weigh 100 pounds or more, with the minimum weight for females being 88 pounds under the Brazilian breed standard. The Fila’s coat is short, smooth and dense, coming in brindle and all solid colors except white, mouse-gray or blue. An unusual feature of this breed is that its hind legs are longer than its front legs, giving it a “going downhill” appearance. The Fila Brasileiro is not recognized by the American Kennel Club. It is recognized by the American Rare Breed Association and by the Federation Cynologique Internationale.
The Fila Brasileiro was developed by Brazilian ranchers who needed a fearless, all-around working dog of enormous strength and stamina that could hunt large game, guard livestock and protect property and possessions. Filas also were used to work semi-feral cattle and hunt wild game, where they would track, attack and hold their prey until the hunters arrived to make the kill. The breed was named after the Portuguese word “filar,” which means “to hold
Fila Brasileiros have a unique temperament. They are 100% devoted to their family – affectionate, playful, incredibly loving with kids; but they are also fiercely protective of those who they consider to be their family. Fila owners agree that their dogs love everything that is “theirs” and hate everything that is not. More than any other breed, Fila Brasileiros are intolerant of strangers. They make excellent guard dogs, but they should only be adopted into
Upon first glance, it is easy to see that the Fila Brasileiro has Bloodhound and Mastiff in his ancestry. The sheer bulk and build of the dog screams Mastiff, but the face is that of a giant Bloodhound. The skin hangs loosely from the body and the muzzle is large, with heavy upper lips, but is proportional to the rest of the body. The nose is black and has broad nostrils. The eyes are wide