History  

Fila Brasileiros  have a rich history. The Fila Brasileiro history is one of Jaguar hunter, cattle herder, and protector of family and property. Fila Brasileiros native country is Brazil. This rare dog breed has been bred there for over four centuries. Their ancestors came from many countries; Portugal, England, Spain, Holland to name a few. The breeds most likely responsible for the genetic makeup of the Fila Brasileiro are; Mastiff for size, Bloodhound for hunting, Bulldog for tenacity, and Portuguese herding dogs. The result is the beautiful rare molosser we know and love today as the Fila Brasileiro or otherwise known as Brazilian Mastiff. The Fila Brasileiro dogs selected for breeding were the ones that did their task the best, what they look like was not important. Filas had to be strong, fast, agile, tough, and have an excellent scenting ability. That the Fila Brasileiro has survived for over Four Centuries is testimony to the grit of this rare breed. With all this human interaction, Filas became very dependent, protective, and loyal to their human counterparts. The Fila Brasileiro is the National Dog of Brazil and "Faithful as a Fila" is a Brazilian proverb. Ask any Fila owner and they will tell you "you may own the Fila but the Fila owns everything else and it is under his care.It is at this time that I should tell you that the Fila Brasileiro is not for everyone. However, for those of you willing to take the challenge, you will not find a more loving companion dog or better protection for your home and family.

General Appearance Typically molossoid breed Powerful bones. Rectangular structure. compact but harmonic and proportional. Added to his massiveness a great agility is easy to be seen. Bitches must show a well defined femininity which differs them immediately from males.

Temperament Courage, determination and outstanding braveness are part of his characteristics. He is docile to his owners and family and extremely tolerant with children. His faithfulness became a Brazilian proverb. He is always looking for the company of his master. One of his characteristics is hi s distrust (orig. ojeriza) of strangers. He shows a calm disposition, self assurance and self confidence not being disturbed by strange noises or when facing a new environment. An unsurpassed guardian of the property he is as well dedicated by instinct to hunt big game and to cattle herding.

Expression   In repose it is calm, noble and full of self­assurance. Never discloses a bored or absent expression. When at attention his expression reflects determination and alertness with a flow look in eyes.

Head The Fila head is big, heavy, massive, always proportionate to the whole body. From a top view it resembles a trapezoid figure in which the head is inserted in a pear form shape. From side view muzzle and skull should have approximately the proportion of one per one with the muzzle slightly shorter than the skull.

Skull The profile of the skull shows a smooth curve from the stop to the occiput, which is protuberant especially in puppies. From a front view it is large, broad with the upper line slightly curved. Lateral lines come down almost vertical in a curve narrowing the muzzle. Never shows a stop.
Stop Frontal Depression From a front view It is particularly non existent. The medium furrow is slight and runs up smoothly. Looking sideways the stop is low, sloped and virtually formed only by the well developed eyebrows.

Ears   Pendant, large, thick, V­shaped. Broad at the base and tapering to the ends. Rounded tips, Inserted at the posterior part of the skull in line with the eyes when in repose. When roused the ears are above the original position. The root is oblique with the front border higher than the back border. Drooping at the cheeks or folded back allowing its Interior to be seen.
Teeth Wider than longer, strong and white. Upper incisors are broad at their root and sharp at the edged s. Canines or fangs are powerful, well set and well apart. The ideal bite is a scissor bite but a level bite is acceptable.
NECK Extraordinarily strong and muscled giving the impression of a short neck. Slightly curved at the upper side and well detached from the skull. Dewlaps at the throat.

Topline Withers in a sloping line, are set well apart from each other due to the distance between the scapulas. Withers are set to a lower level from the croup. After the withers. the upper line changes direction ascending smoothly to the croup. Back line shows no tendency to sway or roach back.

Croup Broad, long, with an approximately 30 degrees angulation from the horizontal line showing a smooth curve. The croup is set a little higher than the withers. From a back view the croup is ample approximately as wide as the thorax being permitted to be broader at bitches.

Body   Strong broad end deep, covered by thick and loose skin. The thorax is longer than the abdomen. The length of the body is the same as the height plus 10% when measured from the point of the shoulder to the point of the buttock.

Thorax Well sprung ribs though not interfering with the position of shoulder. Deep and large chest going down to the level of the elbows. Well pronounced brisket.

Loins Shorter and not so deep as the thorax showing well as a separation of the two component parts. In bitches the lower part of loins are more developed. From an upper view the loins are narrower than the thorax and croup but should not form a waist line.

Lower Line   A long chest and parallel to the ground in all its extension. Tuck up slightly in ascension but never whippety.
Forelegs   The shoulder structure should be composed by two bones of equal length (scapula and humerus) being the first one at 45 degrees from the horizontal line and the last one 90 degrees from the first one. The articulation scapula­humerus forms the point of shoulder which is situated at the level of the presternum but a little behind it. In the ideal position the point of shoulder should be half way from elbow to withers. An imaginary perpendicular line coming down from the withers should cut the elbow and reach the foot.

Legs Strong bones, legs parallel and straight to the pastern. Metacarpus short, strong apparent carpus slightly sloping. Length of the leg from ground to elbow should be 50% of the length from ground to withers.
Feet Strong and well arched toes not too close together. Pads thick. broad and deep. The Ideal position of feet is pointing to the front. Strong dark nails, white nails permissible when this is the color of the feet and toes.

Hind Legs Less heavy boned than fore legs but never light as a whole. Upper thigh with curved borders shaped by strong muscles coming from Ilium and Ischium which design the borders of rear and for this reason the Ischium must have a good length.
Hind legs are parallel. with strong tarsus, metatarsus slightly bent, higher than the metacarpus. Moderately angled stifle and metatarsus.

Hind Feet   A little more oval than the forefoot but the same goes for the whole description. Should not present dewclaws (the fifth toe).
Tail Very wide at the root, medium set, tapering rapidly when reaching to the hocks level. When the dog is alert the tail is raised high and the curved at the extremity is more accentuated. Should not be carried curled over the back.
Height Males from 25.5 Ins. (65 cms) to 29. .52 In. (75 cms) at the shoulders. Females: From 23.5 Ins. (60 cm) to 27.56 In. {70 cms) at the shoulder.
Weight Males: Minimum: 100 pounds (50 kgs) Females: Minimum. 90 pounds (40 kgs)

Color All solid colors are permitted except t disqualifying ones (white and mouse­gray)(patch dogs or dapple coat). Brindles with a solid coat may have stripes of less intensity or very strong dark stripe. A black mask may or may not be present. In all permitted colors white marks are allowed on the feet, chest and tip of tail. Not desirable at any other part of the coat. White markings exceeding one fourth of the total body must be penalized.

Skin One of the most important breed characteristics is the thick, loose skin over the whole body chiefly the neck forming pronounced dewlaps and many times it can be seen at the brisket and abdomen. Some individuals present a fold at the sides of the head, also at the withers running down to the shoulders. If the dog is in repose the head is free of wrinkle. While alert the contraction of the skin at the skull forms small wrinkles running in a longitudinal line on the skull.

Coat   Short, smooth, dense and tight to the skin.
Test of Temperament It is compulsory to all individuals (after 12 months) in order to obtain a registered championship title. All champions must have a certificate of approval at the temperament test. This sort of test is made at all specialty shows. It Is optional at general shows, up the Judge's will, provided it is public and takes place outside the show ring.

The trail includes 1. Attack with a stick. The dog is supposed to attack in front of the handler, without being coached, and the exhibitor or handler will remain in his position. It is forbidden to touch or to beat the animal.

2. Shooting test There will be fired blanks at a distance of 5 meters from the dog, the dog should express attention, show self­confidence and self assurance. During a performance in the ring the judge will analyze the behavior and temperament of the specimen, paying attention to his expression. During the temperament test the following should be observed the dislike of the animal to strangers 1 the self­assurance, courage, determination and braveness of each individual.

Faults General Cryptorchids, or monorchid, use of artificial ways to produce certain effects, albinism, lack of type, etc.
Disqualification's   1. Aggressiveness to his owner.
2. Cowardice.
3. Pink nose.
4. Overshot teeth.
5. Undershot teeth showing the teeth when the mouth is shut.
6. Lack of l (one) canine or l (one) molar. Except the 3rd. one.
7. Blue eyes (porcelain like).
8. Cropped ears or docked tail.
9. A croup lower than the withers.
10. All white dogs, mouse-gray, patches dogs or dapple coat (merle)
11. Under minimum height (65 cms for males 60 cms for bitches)
12. Lack of loose skin.
13. Lack of typical pace.

Serious Faults   1. Short muzzle.
2. Small ears.
3. Highly eat ears.
4. Excessively light colored eyes.
5. Wrinkles at the skull when the animal is in repose.
Undershot Lack of 2 (two) teeth. Folded akin under the throat that Is not; dewlap (horizontal folds).
Faults   9. Sway back.
10. Narrow croup.
11. Curled tall carried over the back.
12. Chest hacking deepness.
13. Any deviation of corpus or metatarsus.
14. Over angulated hindquarters (sickle hocks).
15. Short steps (poor reach).

Faults  Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

Note Male animals should have and must have two

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