Dr. Mark is a veterinarian. He has been working with dogs for more than 40
years.
A Brazilian Mastiff puppy on guard
cc-by www.flickr.com ostrock 4581655691
The History of the Fila Brasileiro Breed
Some breeders of Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian Mastiff) believe it is an ancestor
of the first dogs found by the Portuguese when they met the natives of Brazil
over 500 years ago.
Many other breeders believe the old Portuguese texts that state that the
native had no domestic animals. Do they really believe that a group of people
exist in this world without dogs?
Even if you do not believe they have native blood, the breed is Brazilian,
descended from the dogs the European colonists brought to work cattle in their
new colony. It may have Bloodhound ancestors, it may have English Bulldog
ancestors, and it may even be a relative of the Presa Canario, since some of
its ancestors may be from the Azore islands.
According to João Batista Gomes, the author of Fila Brasileiro and a well-
known judge of the breed here in Brazil, the breed origin is most likely the
Azore islands. It was crossed with Mastiffs from England and the Brazilian
Mastiff was thus developed to work in isolated and dangerous cattle ranches.
Fila Brasileiro
cc-by www.flickr.com nursesebo 6550632475
Fila Appearance and Physical Features
With a strong, rectangular body, the dogs look like workers. Their heads are
big and square, their ears are large and floppy, and when they walk around
their back end is higher than their shoulders.
They can be black, fawn, brindled, and a lot of dogs have patches of white.
According to the First National Symposium of the Brazilian Mastiff (held in
Brasilia in 1976), the males are between 65 to 75 centimeters at the withers,
and, though they have to weigh at least 50 kilograms, often weigh a lot more.
Females are a little smaller but still weigh at least 40 kilograms.
This Fila puppy is learning to guard
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Fila Personality and Behaviors
The Brazilian Mastiff is a great family guard dog since they are great company
for their owners and people they know well, but they are known for their
dislike of strangers.
They have usually been plantation dogs so are used to having a lot of space to
run around; the Fila Brasileiro is not a good dog for apartments and busy
households where the kids have many visitors. They are not like the Neapolitan
Mastiff, satisfied laying around and guarding the estate, and the dogs that I
know of who do not get out for much exercise are frustrated and excessively
aggressive.
Who Should Buy a Brazilian Mastiff?
Since the Fila does not do well when confined to an apartment or small house,
he should only be obtained by someone who has the space to keep one and the
desire to own a dog that needs exercise and stimulation. The new owner should
be looking for a guardian, but a Fila that is confined to that role is an
unhappy dog.
A Brazilian Mastiff at work
cc-by www.flickr.com cherrymommy100 5624617226
Are Brazilian Mastiffs Dangerous?
The Brazilian Mastiff also has the honor of being selected as a dangerous
breed by the idiots in the United Kingdom. That is ridiculous, as the Fila is
no more dangerous than any large breed. They are large, and powerful enough to
fight a jaguar, but not a breed that should be banned.
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Questions & Answers
Question: Are Fila Brasileiro dogs dangerous?
Answer: Any big dog can be dangerous if it is not socialized. A Fila is
no more dangerous than any other large breed dog.
Comments
Jasoninphoenix on August 06, 2020:
Sorry… I have owned Filas and bullmastiffs all my life. NEVER leave an adult
fila with strangers. They could kill them. They are bred to naturally hate
anything strange and anything that does not live in it’s territory. A true
Fila owns you, you don’t own it. Also, your statement about danger applies to
most big dogs, but a fila or dogo Argentina or caucasion mastiff are
definitely dangerous breeds and not for inexperienced owners. If your Fila
gets lose and there are people walking in front or around your home, they are
ih n serious trouble and filas by nature will not listen to their owners
commands while “defending” their territory/estate. Period. If you find a Fila
that is not like this, you have watered down Americanized Fila. At which point
you might as well have an English Mastiff or bullmastiff as a guardian. Oh,
and they will follow you everywhere if they can.
Dr Mark (author) from The Atlantic Rain Forest, Brazil on May 27, 2020:
Madisyn, I am sorry you have had such negative experiences. No dog is
“naturally human aggressive”. Filas can be great family guard dogs, but should
only be in some areas, not tied up in a back yard or forced to live in a small
apartment.
Madisyn O’Daniel on May 26, 2020:
Filas are naturally human aggressive dogs. They will be affectionate towards
their owners but yes, they are most certainly dangerous to others. Filas
aren’t naturally trained protection dogs, they don’t stop at a command. If
they manage to get to a person or even another dog they can and will kill
them.
Sue Lynn Lester on April 07, 2019:
I have 5 grown filas and 2 puppys they are great dogs and will.protect their
family and their home. That is their job and they do it. They are great dogs
but not for a greenhand.
Chris on April 04, 2017:
We rescued a Fila about 3 years ago. She is incredibly loyal and affectionate
with my husband and I. She is very athletic and needs to run. Plus she is
impetuous and will bound through the house just because she can. The stranger
distrust cannot be overstated. Our Fila is hardwired to distrust strangers and
I do not feel I can trust her. You have to be cautious and proactive with this
breed.
Carmen Galban on September 18, 2014:
Stacey, I have a beautiful 1 yer old Brazilian mastiff. I love her with all my
heart. I just lost my job and really need to find a home for her. She is very
big and LOVES attention and actually…likes to give hugs, lol. if interested
please email me at [email protected]
Stacey Couture on June 07, 2014:
I live in Ontario, have done the research, and have 13 acres. I want a fila
brasileiro puppy but cannot find one. Can anyone help me?
Guilherme on September 26, 2013:
This is a Fila Brasileiro!
[IMG]http://i39.tinypic.com/24v1jc2.jpg[/IMG]
Jef from Philippines on January 05, 2013:
That 6th picture is funny yet so cute! 😉
Dr Mark (author) from The Atlantic Rain Forest, Brazil on October 15,
2012:
Hi I was hoping you would leave a note since you are the only person here on
HP with a Fila! Yes, the dogs I know down here in Bahia are droolers too.
Yeck!
I saw your hub about your house for sale. It looks like a fantastic spot and I
hope you find something as nice in the new area you all choose to settle down.
Mary Wickison from Brazil on October 15, 2012:
Hello Dr. Mark,
We have a Fila. You didn’t mention about the drool. You have to warn people
about that. And the snoring. Or the fact they walk like a camel with legs on
one side moving forward at the same time. I am not sure if it is only that
breed that does that.
I can definitely attest to the hound in them. When he gets a scent that is all
he thinks about.
I love the photo of the tan dog with the red color running.
Just a thought for Farmer Rachel, perhaps a llama would work for her.
Great page about a great dog.
Dr Mark (author) from The Atlantic Rain Forest, Brazil on September 07,
2012:
Maybe a good thing! They are great dogs but not for everyone, myself included.
wetnosedogs from Alabama on September 07, 2012:
Aw, i love the mastiffs. Too bad it wouldn’t be workable or maybe good I found
out before I ever got one. My dogs are in the house most times.
Dr Mark (author) from The Atlantic Rain Forest, Brazil on September 07,
2012:
The Pyrrenese I saw working sheep in the midwest were excellent dogs with the
sheep and with the human caretakers. The Fila is a good cattle guardian, and
can handle about any wolf or coyote, but I have not seen him work sheep.
Does it get pretty cold where you are at? The other advantage of the Pyrrenese
is the coat, whereas Filas have short coats fine in the tropics, maybe not
great in Pennsylvania.
Suhail (a hubber) has a Kuvasz, but he is in Ontario, a bit colder up there.
You might want to ask his opinion also.
Rachel Koski Nielsen from Pennsylvania to Minnesota on September 07,
2012:
Interesting stuff. Do you know if these guys make good livestock guardians?
I’m thinking about a dog or dogs for sheep protection against coyotes and
wolves (yes, wolves, despite the government’s assertion that there “aren’t
any” – I know for a fact there are). I’m told that the Pyrrhenese is good for
sheep, but I’m looking for a dog that will be a little less likely to attack a
person. Any thoughts?
Dr Mark (author) from The Atlantic Rain Forest, Brazil on September 06,
2012:
Most of them are happy, as long as they are not locked up!
craftybegonia from Southwestern, United States on September 06, 2012:
He looks like he’s eager for some fun!