Fila Brasileiro Breed Guide

What is the history & origin of the Fila Brasileiro?

Though it's not known exactly when the Fila Brasileiro breed appeared, it's thought that it originated in Brazil in the 1600s. They were used by Brazilian plantation owners as hunters, trackers and as guard dogs to fight off large predators.

It wasn't until 1946 that the breed was standardised, and it's still not recognised by the American Kennel Club or the United Kennel Club.

Who are Fila Brasileiro dogs best for?

There are no two ways about it. Fila Brasileiros are a very challenging breed to keep as pets. They're incredibly loyal to their owners, but this, unfortunately, means they are known for being aggressive toward strangers, and they will often attack.

As it's such a large dog, these attacks can be very dangerous, and the breed is actually banned in many countries because of this.

Due to this, the Fila Brasileiro is best suited as a pet for families that live in rural areas. This is beneficial as it gives them plenty of room to safely run around in and limits the number of strangers they interact with.

They also require a lot of dedicated training, so owners without any previous experience in obedience training would almost certainly struggle.

How much grooming does a Fila Brasileiro need?

The Fila Brasileiro has a short, smooth coat that sheds regularly. They need to be brushed weekly and bathed fairly regularly to keep the coat shiny and clean. This will also prevent them from shedding too much and covering your house in dog hair!

As with other dog breeds that have drooping ears, they can be prone to ear infections. So, you should check their ears once a week and clean them with a cotton ball that's been soaked in a cleaning solution.

Do Fila Brasileiro bark much?

Fila Brasileiros don't tend to be loud when around their owners, but they're very alert and make good watchdogs. This means that they will bark at strangers and other dogs, especially if they feel that their owner is being threatened.

As the Fila Brasileiro is a hunting dog it, requires a lot of activity, so if it's barking excessively, for no good reason, it may well be that it's bored and not getting enough exercise.

Do Fila Brasileiro bite?

The Fila Brasileiro has a low tendency to bite when it's around its owners or people that it's familiar with. However, they can be aggressive around strangers and should be closely controlled whenever they're around unfamiliar people.

A Fila Brasileiro puppy will frequently engage in play-biting and nipping when they're young. But, this is common in every dog breed and shouldn't be a major concern.

What is the temperament & personality of a Fila Brasileiro?

Fila Brasileiros were bred to be hunters and trackers, so they're brimming with energy and require lots of exercise and mental stimulation. Fila's can be quite intense, but around their owners, they're actually very calm and docile.

They may not like strangers very much, but they absolutely love their families and are really affectionate around children they're familiar with.

Their hunting instinct means they have a tendency to chase small dogs and other pets, so they should always be kept on a lead and only left alone in outdoor areas with high fences.

What is the weight & size of a Fila Brasileiro?

The Fila Brasileiro is one of the biggest of all the large dog breeds.

Males will grow to between 65cm-75cm and females to between 60cm-70cm.

The adult fila will typically weigh between 41kg-50kg.

How much training does a Fila Brasileiro need?

The Fila Brasileiro temperament is willful, headstrong and fiercely loyal. Because they were bred to be utterly devoted to their owners, they often don't do well around strangers.

Without proper training, they can become very aggressive and quite dangerous. So, it's very important that they have a strong human leader who can give them firm and consistent training.

They need to be socialised from a very early age to try and get them used to being around people and other animals. If this is done well, it can lessen their tendency to react badly to strangers.

What are some of the most common health issues for a Fila Brasileiro?

The Fila Brasileiro is generally a healthy breed, but like all other dogs, they are susceptible to some genetic health problems.

• Hip Dysplasia - a hereditary issue where the thighbone is not fitted properly into the hip joint. With time, this can cause arthritis, and it usually results in pain and limping.

• Elbow Dysplasia - this is when the three bones that make up the dog's elbow grow at different rates. The elbow joint becomes lax, and it causes a lot of pain.

• Entropion - a condition where the eyelid rolls inwards, meaning the dog's eyelashes rub against the cornea of the eye. It causes irritation and can lead to corneal ulceration.

• Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus - this is when the dog's stomach twists after being filled with food, gas or fluid. It is very serious and can be fatal if not treated quickly.

Most health problems that develop in dogs can be treated if they are diagnosed early. So, it's important that you take them for regular checkups with the vet.

What is the lifespan of a Fila Brasileiro?

The average life span for a Fila Brasileiro is 9-12 years. With the right care, diet and amount of activity, they have been known to exceed this.

How much should you feed a Fila Brasileiro?

As the Fila Brasileiro is a very large breed that has high activity levels, they will require a decent amount of food. You will need to consult a vet for exact measurements as this can vary widely depending on your dog's size, age and health.

This breed is also prone to rapid weight gain, so be sure to measure their weight regularly. The Fila is already one big dog, so you won't want it to be extra chubby as well!

What is the price of a Fila Brasileiro in Australia?

Fila Brasileiro puppies will cost between $1,000-$2,000. To avoid puppy mills and to make sure you get a healthy, happy dog, you should always buy from reputable breeders.

A good breeder will perform health checks on the parents of your Fila puppy to try and reduce the chance of them developing any hereditary health conditions associated with the breed.