Fila Brasileiro
The Fila Brasileiro is a large watch dog from Brazil, a mastiff-type breed with heavy bones, thick loose skin and a rolling walk its standard calls the “camel’s pace”.
What do you know about the Fila?
The Fila’s walk has its own name in its standard. What is it?
Three more heavy mastiffs. Which one is from Spain?
Another big dog from South America. Where is this one from?
Photo: joseltr, CC0 Which colours does the Fila’s standard allow?
What was the Fila Brasileiro bred for?
Guarding. Its standard lists its job in two words, “watch dog”, and calls it an unsurpassed guardian of property. It adds that the Fila also takes by instinct to hunting big game and to herding cattle.
The standard describes a brave, determined and self-assured dog that stays calm through strange noises and places. With strangers it is naturally aloof, especially on its own ground, though it must accept being handled at a show.
How do you recognise a Fila Brasileiro?
- Skin: thick and loose over the whole body, hanging in a heavy dewlap at the throat that can run down to the chest and belly. At rest the head has no wrinkles; when the dog is alert, small folds form between the ears.
- Walk: the “camel’s pace”, in which both legs on each side move together, rocking the body. It walks with its head lower than its back.
- Head: big and heavy, with thick hanging upper lips, large V-shaped drop ears, and often drooping lower eyelids that give a melancholy look.
- Colour: brindle, fawn or black, with or without a black mask. White only on the feet, chest and tip of the tail.
- Coat: short, smooth and dense.
- Size: males stand 65 to 75 cm at the shoulder and weigh at least 50 kg; females 60 to 70 cm and at least 40 kg.
Where does the Fila Brasileiro come from?
Brazil. Its breed standard names Brazil as its home and gives no history, so we don’t retell one here.
Which dogs are like the Fila?
Other big mastiff-type dogs, including its South American neighbour, the Dogo Argentino. Every breed is in the atlas of dog breeds by country.
Facts from the Fila Brasileiro’s official breed standard (No. 225, 29 September 2016).