Dog breed · Brazil
The Fila Brasileiro (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈfilɐ bɾaziˈlejɾu]) is a Brazilian breed of large working dog of mastiff type.
It is used as a guard dog, for cattle herding and for big-game hunting; it may also be kept as a companion dog or pet. In the eighteenth century, when slavery was still legal in Brazil, the Fila Brasileiro was used to return escaped slaves to their owners.
Appearance: Superficially, the Fila Brasileiro resembles the Bloodhound–which was also once used to find and return escaped slaves, albeit in the United States–on account of its low-hanging ears, facial appearance, thick skin around the neck, and general sandy or fawn coat. However, the Fila Brasileiro is distinct, being stronger, stockier, and larger, overall, being bigger-boned and taller. The breed also typically displays more variety of coat colorations than the Bloodhound, often possessing black, fawn (red, apricot, or darker) and brindled (fawn, black, or brown brindle) coats, all of which are permitted in shows–with the exception of mouse-grey, black-and-tan, blue, dappled or solid white. Brindles of a basic color may show striping of varying intensity. Sometimes a black mask is present. White markings not exceeding one-quarter of the total coat surface area are permitted on the feet, chest and tail tip, as per the FCI standard. In its native Brazil, the Fila Brasileiro has two main standards, imposed by two distinct clubs: the Confederação Brasileira de Cinofilia (affiliated with FCI) and the Clube de Aprimoramento do Fila Brasileiro. The latter group's standard was constructed based on the "ancient phenotype" of the breed. However, the current CBKC/FCI standard is the best-known and accepted, internationally.
According to the international breed standard, the dogs should stand between 65 and 75 cm (26 and 30 in) at the withers and weigh no less than [dose — ask your vet] (110 lb); bitches are slightly smaller, standing some 60–70 cm (24–28 in) and weighing at least [dose — ask your vet] (88 lb). They will have a rectangular build and, though they are massive, their natural agility is apparent. The head is big and heavy, with a deep muzzle. The ears are large, thick, tapered and either droop or fold-back, exposing the interior, according to the individual dog's mood. The neck and back are well-muscled and the chest is broad and deep. Unlike the vast majority of canines, the croup is higher than the withers. The legs are heavily boned. The skin is very distinctive of the breed, being thick and loose all over the body, mainly in the region around the neck. The thick skin forms pronounced dewlaps. In many individuals, these dewlaps continue down to the chest and abdomen. Some dogs show a fold at the side of the head and also at the withers descending to the shoulders. The coat of the Fila Brasileiro is short and dense, while the texture is normally smooth and soft.
The CAFIB standard does not accept black, mouse-grey, black and tan, blue, or dappled coats, as it considers these colours a sign of crossbreeding; on the other hand, it accepts dogs with larger white markings on any part of the body.
History: The Fila Brasileiro is thought to descend from European dogs brought to Brazil during the Colonial period, with little or no influence from indigenous South American dogs from the Pre-Cabraline era.
The Fila Brasileiro were bred and raised primarily on large plantations and cattle farms where they originated. In addition to cattle, jaguars, and other animals, these dogs were taught to chase down fugitive slaves.
The first written standard of the breed was edited in 1946. The Paulistas were responsible for organizing a planned breeding program and opening a stud book to register dogs. Dr. Paulo Santos Cruz began to systematically breed the Fila Brasileiro and also contributed to setting the CAFIB standard.
