The Fila Brasileiro breed has been known in Brazil since the late 1600's as a very rustic and useful dog. There is a large debate about its origin because it is still unknown exactly which breeds formed its bloodline. The name Fila is a recent denomination for this specific breed which originally comes from the word, "filar". Filar, which means "to hold", was an action performed by these dogs. "Onceiro", "boiadero", and "cabecudo" were other names used to describe the breed. "Onceiro" comes from the ability of the dog to hunt "oncas" or jaguars. "Cabecudo" means -big head-, a characteristic of the breed. "Boiadero" was its instinctive drive to herd cattle. It is not well known from then on exactly what a Fila Brasileiro looked like then although it is apparent that the large head was a characteristic. Its courage to hunt large and dangerous animals and its herding capabilities made the fila a useful and able dog to withstand the harsh conditions of the brazilian farmland or "fazendas". The only indication of what these original Fila Brasileiros looked like are the dogs still being born in old "fazendas". Many of these dogs, though undernourished, reveal all the fila's traits of temperament and type described in the standard. Their temperament is very indicative of purity of breed. Aversion towards strangers, or "ojeriza", is one of the most important characteristics of the breed. Loyalty and willingness to obey, please, and follow its owner are other important characteristics. Melancoly is another distinction that has been attributed to the Fila Brasileiro. Brazilians call this "siumento", meaning it will miss its owner so much it will not eat or play until the owner comes home, even if they are gone for days. Another aspect of a true Fila Brasileiro is their physical conformation. Most farm Filas were long eared, loose skinned, with big heads and a large bone structure. They were very agile and fast, acustomed to walking for hours and working with cattle. These dogs were large but not gigantic. All Filas weighed from 80lbs to 140lbs aproximately and stood from 25in to 29.5 in. Their is good reason to believe that larger dogs were not useful on the fazendas and therefore hard to maintain. Farm Filas were not "babbied" as many of their relatives in the USA. These dogs ate portions of rice with corn, milk, eggs, and other table scraps, like vegetables, bones, and some meat. But this diet was never enough to keep a dog of 140lbs or more healthy or alive for long.. Brazilian fazenderos preffered a smaller, more active dog, that was strong, brave, faithful and easy to sustain.. A gigantic dog was more of a burden than a practical animal to have around. The Standard states that Fila Brasileiros have a maximum height of 29.5 inches at the withers. Making a dog any taller out of standard and any heavier than 140lbs at 29.5in alarmingly fat and unhealthy. I bring this fact because I am often asked for dogs that weigh 180lbs to 200lbs. I tell them they could not be looking for a Fila Brasileiro because they are smaller. When they insist, I explain that they are surely looking for a Fila mix, bred with an English Mastiff. Neither in Brazilian farms nor in responsible Brazilian kennels will you find a 180lb fila that is 29.5in tall that is considered pure. This is an important fact to consider when buying a Fila Brasileiro because a true Fila is a unique breed that has had its temperament and type conformed by natural selection to an almost perfect adaptation to its environment. Fila Brasileiros weren't bred with a certain standard in mind, they are simply a product of their environment. Filas were respected for their defined temperament and preserved for the qualities and attributes they offered to the fazendeiros. As a breeder, I do not want to interfere in these already achieved characteristics, all I want to do is preserve them. To do this I need to inform the people looking for a Fila not to focus on the dogs size because it is not a defining characteristic of the breed. Instead, look for temperament, type and loyalty. The Fila Brasileiros intense loyalty to its owner and territory is what makes the breed an excellent protector, not its size. Its size, is what permits it to have the speed and agility to perform as a useful working dog. Lastly, its courage and determination are what make it a sought after asset to a family in need of a unique dog. Thank you. Cassio Caturegli |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |