Fila Information
Thank you for visiting SUNSET KENNEL, website, concerning the Fila Brasileiro. Here you will find information on the type of temperament we strive to produce and some very good information about the Fila. Here at SUNSET KENNEL we strive to produce pups that will meet the FCI Standard.
To Begin with, let me assure you that the Fila is NOT the breed for everyone or every situation. They are a very special breed with qualities not found in many dogs these days. Though a working breed should naturally protect their owners and property, very few still have that ability. This is due partly to people wanting to make a quick buck, racing out and buying two registered dogs and breeding!!! Not doing testing on stock intended for breeding and not being selective in a breeding program. Preserving certain qualities and abilities in any breed comes from selective breeding of those dogs, who not only conform to the physical standard but the mental and physical abilities as well. Breeding disqualifing faults will only produce more of the same. One of the important factors to consider in a Fila is the temperament. It's size should also be considered. It is a very large adult.
The Fila is a wonderful family member with the natural instincts to guard his home (they must have a fenced yard), owner or anything he deems to be his. With a dog of his size this can be a problem to an owner who is not aware of how the Fila can react when confronted. Or an owner who does not know how to control his Fila when needed. It is sometimes very hard to imagine this sweet loving baby as anything else.
The Fila needs to be socilized. This does not mean you have to let people pet him/her. Basic obedience is always a good thing with any dog. But it does help in having contol of your Fila. In socializing your fila you will only help him/her to learn more and be better able to judge what is a good/bad situation. When out with their people they will learn to accept different situations. But you, as the one in control, must always be aware of what is going on around you and you HAVE to have control over your dog.
Dog attacks only hurt a breed (as well as resulting in legal problems) and I, for one, love this breed and want to preserve the Fila the way it is. We have, and strive to produce, Filas with correct (stable)Fila temperaments and sound structure. We x-ray all of our breeding stock several times before we decide 'if' they are going into our breeding program. We also are very careful to place puppies with suitable owners who have been educated about the breed and who we feel can provide suitable training and control.
I look forward to hearing from you and discussing this wonderful breed with you. All questions (and visitors)are welcomed.
The Fila is a large, powerful and loving animal originating in Brazil. A result of dogs crossed with Mastiff, Bulldogs and Bloodhounds. The Fila is an excellent hunter, unsurpassed guard dog as well as police work. Powerful enough to take down big game yet docile enough to play with 'their' children.
The Fila puppy is inclined to attach himself quickly to those with whom he lives and to be suspicious of people he does not know. Some are even so bold as to growl at intruders! But a new puppy in a new home will be a little uneasy for awhile (the older it is the longer to get readjusted) so be patient.
In his home the Fila is a very devoted member of the family. Very obedient and humble with a never ending thirst to be caressed. Although, they can be a little hard headed at times.
The feature that is most apparent in a Fila's temperament is his sharp aversion to strangers. This will become more apparent as the puppy grows and become bonded to his new owners/home. At approximately one year (all dogs come into their temperament at different ages) of age the Fila will begin to show his true temperament as he will become very open and honestly aggressive with strangers on his property or when he feels his owner is being threatened.
This type of behavior will sometimes be seen in much younger dogs though it is not unusual for puppies to be friendly. Especially if socialized properly. If you intend to show your Fila it is very important to socialize him at an early age.
Courage is an outstanding factor in the Fila also. It will not allow him to move backwards when facing a provocation of any kind. Showing no signs of insecurity, they will throw themselves forwards and upwards, attempting to reach the throat of the aggressor. At this point the Fila differs from other dogs (such as German Shepherds, Rottweilers and Dobermans) who attack only when ordered, showing the extent of their conditioning (training) rather than true courage and instinctive reaction against aggression. These features make him an untouchable guard dog.
The aggression towards strangers can be different from what one is use to. The Fila must be under control at any time a person "other than a member of the family enters the home" (or whatever he deems to be his territory!). Even at shows or for a walk in the park, an unexpected or sudden approach to him (or his owner) may be seen as a threat and acted upon as such. You HAVE to always be aware of what is going on around you. Any potential owner should be made aware that even if their dog is not a show dog, but a personal pet, the reaction may be the same in the park as in the ring, and the owner should stress the acceptance of a friendly approach to their fila. (If it is okay with you then it is usually okay with your Fila) The first standard established more than 30 years ago stated that the Fila was not to be punished if he lunged or tried to attack the judge at a show. Of course in the United States, as in many countries, in the ring the Fila (as any breed) should be under control. The Fila can be trained to accept friendly strangers away from their home, NO one is allowed to handle our Filas at 'their' home.
The Fila, as with most large breeds, does not mature until about two to three years of age. For this reason the "Temperament Test" is not done until the Fila has reached the age of at least one year. At this time, the Fila cannot keep an FBCA Championship until it has also successfully passed the Temperament Test. Hopefully this will help to ensure that the temperament remains strongly possessive.
The Fila should not be bred too young either. The Fila Brasileiro Club of America (F.B.C.A.) will not register any puppies whelped by a bitch under the age of twenty months.
An important characteristic of the Fila is the thick, loose skin on the body, chiefly at the neck with pronounced dewlaps. The loose skin must be shown when the Fila is being judged the the confirmation ring.
A unique characteristic of the Fila is seen in the topline: The croup is higher than the withers (Females 23.5 - 27.5, males 25.5 - 29.5) The hind legs are longer than the front which surely contributed to their great speed and agility. Also the body is slightly longer than the height of the dog (10%). White is not to cover more than 1/4 of the body, prefered on the chest, feet and tip of tail. This would be a fault NOT a disqualification.
Today in the United States the Fila is being used in many ways. As a guard for the home and business, hunters for both small and large game, sports such as Schutzhund (the Fila takes this game much more seriously than other breeds and often would rather attack above or below the sleeve) and are being shown in obedience as well as conformation rings. Very often the Fila is a family pet and protector. The latter is what the Fila enjoys best therefore making the ULTIMATE PERSONAL DOG.
The Fila is the most versatile breed I have ever had the privilege to own. Because of the outstanding qualities and performance given to me by my Filas, I have truely become DEVOTED TO THE FILA!!!!
Pictured above is Beaudreaux and a baby lamb he saved.
Donna Watson
classicpets@peoplescom.net
P.O. Box 385
Winnsboro, TX 75494-0385
United States