Fila Brasileiro

The Fila Brasileiro is the dog that belongs to the South American continent- the native of Brazil, closely connected with the Molossoid or the Mastiff family.

History:

During the 16th century, the practise of colonization was accelerated from European immigrants that started a new era in the New World. Slave trade flourished as a mean of rapid financial gains, and in the context of this some native dogs were discovered to be of great value. Not only could they be applied to subdue the Indians who tried to resist capture but they could also chase them if they tried to breakout. To carry out these tasks, fierce dogs were needed that can track a trail across hostile forests and seize people.

The Dutch colonial rule that lasted till 1654, organized and trained men appeared in Sao Paolo for the search of gold and other precious metals. They were called “Bandeirantes” who employed a vast number of slaves to pursue for treasures, and to keep an eye on them courageous dogs were used. Two breeds were brought in numbers by Europeans to Brazil that was the Old English Mastiff for his unflinching loyalty and strength and the Bloodhound for his never ending keen sense of smell.

As slavery was abolished from Brazil in 1888, the role of Fila Brasiliero altered a lot. During the era of 1940, a man named Paulo Santos Cruz fascinated by the courage and behavior of the breed, started to breed under the name of “Parnapu-n”. He wrote the first standard that was recognized by the FCI in 1946.

The 1970s saw the crosses of Fila with the Great Dane, Neapolitan Mastiff and the English Mastiff that forced the Brazilian Kennel Club to close the registration of Fila. In 1979 the Comissao de Aprimoramento do Fila Brasileiro (CAFIB) established to fight against cross breeding. The Committee separated from the national kennel Club after some years and thankfully the Fila is re-established without cross-breeding.

Development of Fila Brasileiro:

The Fila has evolved during the last 300 years from the breeds or the type of dogs’ mentioned above. It is almost impossible to trace the exact lineage because of lack of any written evidence. Accidental crosses paved the way to a dog that arrived with characteristics, having great physical endurance enabling him to withstand the harsh tropical climate of the terrain; a great sense of smell (inherited from Bloodhounds) facilitates him to detect the presence of the Jaguar. A keen sense of smell arrived through an optimum length of muzzle that gives the Fila a 1:1 proportion of muzzle: skull i.e. different from any other Molosser breed.

The Fila was also needed to be loose jointed, always allowing him to be retaliating the attack even though he was bitten or pinned down during an attack. Loose skin around the neck that saves the vital organs getting gripped by a Jaguar. The Fila was also bred to be very affectionate towards the owner and his family but vicious against any stranger.

Fila Brasileiro establishes itself in Europe:

The first import from Brazil reached Europe in 1954, when a German prince Albrecht fell in love with Fila and worked for its development. A large number of Fila have been exported to Spain, which, after Brazil ranks the best territory where Fila in its typical character can be found. A large population is abundant in Eastern Europe where Fila correspond to a major number of entries in the Molossoid group. The exportation of Fila is banned in United Kingdom where it falls under the “Dangerous Dog Legislation”

The Fila Character:

The temperament plays the pivotal role that differentiates the Fila from any other breed. For a Fila anything and everything outside his territory is considered an enemy and shall be dealt with aggression. The FCI standard includes a full paragraph on Test of Temperament quoted as under

“Compulsory for all individuals (after 12 months) in order to obtain a registered Championship Title. All Champions must have a certificate of approval at the temperament test. This sort of test is made at all speciality shows. It is optional at general shows, up to the judge’s will, provided it is public and takes place outside the show ring.

The trail includes:

1. Attack with a stick. The dog is supposed to attack in front of handler, without being coached, and the exhibitor or handler will remain in his position. It is forbidden to touch or to beat the animal.
2. Shooting test
3. During all performance in the ring the judge will analyze the behaviour and temperament of the specimen, paying attention to his expression. During the temperament test the following should be observed:
a) The dislike of the animal to strangers.
b) The self-assurance, courage, determination and braveness of each individual.

It is visible from the above quoted paragraph; it is of paramount importance in the breed standard that a Fila Brasileiro has disliking towards strangers. This mistrust towards the strangers is evident from the very fact that Fila puppies’ unlike any other breeds are reluctant to play and socialize with strangers. As the puppy grows fear and suspicious behaviour is replaced with hatred and shear aggression towards intruders and likewise.

Fila are very well adapted in the family and he needs constant support from his master to offer his services as a guard dog. With correct handling from a very early age, the Fila are always well socialized and the close knitted bond develops between the children. It is always advisable that children shall be supervised so that unwanted behaviour is halted before being sorrowful.

During recent times, it has been practiced to modify the natural instincts of Fila through training and selection of calm subjects in breeding. It has to be emphasized again, that the mind frame of Fila is the mistrust and viciousness for intruders and he need not be molded in a timid protector.

Choosing Fila Puppies:

Fila puppies are clumsy at an early age so it is advisable that the screening should be done when they have reached at least 10 weeks old. The things that should be abundant in a potentially good puppy are:

1. Loose and plenty of skin especially around the neck with two folds of longitudinal thick skin in the neck.
2. Large ear flaps, positioned in line with the eyes.
3. Pronounced occiput.
4. A courageous expression
5. Good strong muzzle`
6. Scissor bite with upper incisors broad at their root, and sharp at their edges.

Tags: bloodhound, dog breed, dog breeds, Fila Brasileiro, great dane, mastiff family, neapolitan mastiff, old english mastiff