Dog
Fila Brasileiro Champions
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Pronunciation:
Fee*la Braz*ill*ee*ro
Breed Description:
The Fila Brasileiro breed of dog is a large to giant sized breed of dog that should be massive in appearance. They should have a strong, well-balanced build that is muscular without appearing too course. The head should be large with a long muzzle and the ears should be long and hang down the side of the head. The top line should be level and the tail should be medium in length and taper to a point.
The Fila Brasileiro should have loose skin that forms wrinkles on the head nad large dewlaps on the neck. The skin is very important on this dog and it should be loose on the entire body, almost as though it is hanging. The coat should be should be short and close to the skin. It should cover the dog completely and have a shiny appearance. The texture is usually medium in roughness. They can be found in a range of colors and color patterns but the most common color is either brindle, black or fawn with or without a black mask.
Temperament:
The Fila Brasileiro breed of dog is not a breed for the new or timid owner. This is a large dog with a strong temperament and ample confidence. If they choose to be in charge,then they will try to be in charge so it is important for the owner to be firm and to give consistent training and socialization throughout the life of the dog. When properly trained and socialized, the Fila Brasileiro is a gem of a dog. They are known for being affectionate and fiercely loyal to their family. They are often willing to defend their owners with their life and make an excellent guard dog. The breed is usually laid back, although they can be energetic, and they are often considered to be very gentle. They can do very well with children as long as owners set a firm hierarchy in the home and they can adapt to other pets, but again, socialization and training is key. Socialization must be stressed with this breed and they are not accepting of a busy household with many people coming and going. Too many people usually distresses them and they can quickly fall into guarding habits, which will lead to aggression problems. Because of the challenges with this breed, it is important that owners are patient and really know how to work with large aggressive breeds before purchasing.
Height:
The average height for a Fila Brasileiro is between 25 to 29 inches.
Weight:
The average weight for a Fila Brasileiro is between 90 to 110 pounds.
Health Problems:
The Fila Brasileiro breed of dog is considered to have an average health. Some health problems to be aware of in this breed are Hip Dysplasia, Elbow Dysplasia, Progressive Retinal Atrophy and Gastric Torsion, which is also known as bloat.
Living Conditions:
The Fila Brasileiro breed of dog is not recommended for apartments since it is a large breed with a fair amount of energy. The best location is a home with a large, fenced yard. The breed should not live outdoors since it can lead to aggression problems in this breed.
Exercise:
The Fila Brasileiro breed of dog can be either a very active breed or a very lazy one but regardless of their energy levels, it is important for the breed to recieve 30 to 60 minutes of exercise each day. In addition, they should always be kept on leash whenever they are not in a secure yard since they can suffer from aggression problems.
Life Expectancy:
9 to 11 years
Grooming:
The Fila Brasileiro breed of dog is a very easy breed to groom and they require little to no maintenance to keep their coats healthy. On average, you should expect to brush your dog on a weekly basis to remove dead hairs and dirt. A wipe down with a damp cloth will keep them clean and they should only be bathed when it is absolutely necessary. Ears should be cleaned on a regular basis and nails should be clipped once or twice a month.
Origin:
The Fila Brasileiro breed of dog was developed in Brazil and was first used as a tracking dog that would track run away slaves from plantations. The breeds ability as a tracking and hunting dog made it a popular breed in Brazil and the breed was quickly exported to several countries including England and the United States. The Fila Brasileiro, also known as the Brazilian Mastiff, was developed by crossing the English Bulldog with the Bloodhound, the English Mastiff, and possibly with the Raferios. When the original use of the breed was no longer necessary, the Fila Brasileiro saw use as a fighting dog and because of this history, along with aggression problems, the breed has been banned in several countries across the world. Comments
The standards for all the breeds accepted to the AKC are used here for breed information, and those not part of the AKC are resourced from FCI standard information, where it is written and coded into the club rules for those breeds.
