Fila Brasileiro
The Fila Brasileiro has a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years.
Origin
The Fila Brasileiro is the national dog of Brazil and was developed by local ranchers 400 years ago. The Fila Brasileiro’s ancestry is believed to include the Bloodhound, Portuguese herding dog, Mastiff and ancient Bulldog.
The Fila Brasileiro was created to be a hard working hunting and guard dog. The Fila Brasileiro was tasked with herding cattle, protecting property and tracking down large game. In Portuguese, “Fila” means “to hold and secure,” which accurately describes the breed’s style of capturing their target.
Size
The Fila Brasileiro weighs 90 to 110 pounds and measures 23.5 to 29.5 inches.
Grooming Needs
The Fila Brasileiro has a thick, smooth coat and sheds year round. The Fila Brasileiro should just be brushed once a week and bathed occasionally. Like all dogs, the Fila Brasileiro also needs basic grooming. Brush their teeth, clean their ears and trim their nails on a regular basis.
Character
The Fila Brasileiro is a devoted and natural protector.
Temperament
The Fila Brasileiro is a true guard dog, so much so that any visitor to the home has to be properly introduced. The Fila Brasileiro does not like strangers and especially does not like being touched by them. The job of protecting the family comes naturally to the Fila Brasileiro. This breed is bold and alert, and extremely distrustful of outsiders. However, the Fila Brasileiro is not inherently aggressive and does not act unless challenged.
With their family, the Fila Brasileiro is calm, gentle and loving. The Fila Brasileiro grows deeply attached to their family and is particularly fond of any children. They have seemingly endless patience for children and willingly accept both their affection and rambunctiousness.
Training Needs
The Fila Brasileiro requires a confident, experienced owner. The Fila Brasileiro is generally easy to train and eager to please, but has a temperament that requires a specific type of handler. Early obedience training and socialization are very important to this breed. The Fila Brasileiro can be aggressive with dogs of the same sex and is naturally suspicious of new people. Their protective instincts will never go away, but need to be properly channeled.
Activity Level
The Fila Brasileiro needs a specific balance of activity and exercise. The Fila Brasileiro is athletic and energetic, but also prone to bone, ligament and joint problems, especially as a puppy. As a result, the Fila Brasileiro cannot be over exercised. The Fila Brasileiro does best with a daily walk and regular, supervised playtime in a secure area.
