Fila Brasileiro
- Giant
- FCI Group 2 (Pinschers and Schnauzers, Molossoids and Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs)
The Fila Brasileiro is a calm, courageous guardian from Brazil, devoted to family and wary of strangers. This giant molosser pairs loyalty with strong protective instincts, making it a dog for very experienced owners only.
- Height
- 24 to 30
- inches at the shoulder
- Weight
- 90 to 181
- pounds, adult
- Life expectancy
- 9 to 11
- years, median 10
- Senior from
- 7.5
- years, about
Senior starts in the last quarter of a breed's expected lifespan, following the 2019 AAHA canine life stage guidelines. Individual dogs vary.
About the breed
- Origin
- Brazil
- Recognized
- 1960
The Fila Brasileiro is a calm, courageous, and protective giant breed from Brazil. This large molosser-type dog has a rectangular, compact body, and its deep-set eyes, large ears, and drooping eyelids and skin give it a characteristically sad expression. Adults stand 24 to 30 inches tall and weigh roughly 90 to 181 pounds.
Devoted to family and loyal to experienced pet parents, the Fila is fiercely attached to its people and gets along well with children. Its courage and protective instincts make it a strong watchdog, but it can also be possessive and territorial. The breed does not take well to strangers and may mistakenly feel the need to defend the family from guests, so it suits very experienced owners only. The Fila also has a high prey drive, so keep it in an enclosed space and away from small animals, including pet cats.
The exact origins of the Fila Brasileiro are unknown. Experts believe the breed descended from English Mastiffs and large Iberian breeds such as the Spanish Mastiff, Rafeiro do Alentejo, Cão de Gado Transmontano, or Cão de Castro Laboreiro, brought to Brazil during the colonial period. On plantations and ranches it protected livestock from large predators, guarded property, and wrangled cattle.
The breed follows three standards developed by three different clubs, the first written in 1946. Loving as the Fila can be toward family, it is classified as a dangerous breed in some countries and banned in those places.
Care
The routines that matter most for this breed. Open one at a time.
Nutrition
The Fila Brasileiro does well on high-quality dog food formulated for its age, size, and activity level. Puppies may benefit from a large-breed growth diet, which helps large-breed dogs avoid growing too fast as they develop.
Because this is a giant breed, measure meals to help your Fila hold a healthy weight and avoid overfeeding. Keep treats to 10 percent or less of daily calories.
Grooming
The Fila's short coat is simple to maintain. An occasional brushing and bath keep the coat in good shape.
The breed's long pendant ears can mask the signs of an ear infection, so check the ears regularly and clean them as needed to remove wax build-up and debris. Trim the nails and provide dental care regularly.
Exercise
An adult Fila Brasileiro needs daily physical activity and mental stimulation, with the amount adjusted to the individual dog. Mental stimulation can include activities such as hide-and-seek or a treasure hunt. Before a walk, the collar, lead, or harness should be inspected and fitted so it is neither excessively tight nor loose enough for escape. Walks should be scheduled for cooler conditions, and the ground should be checked for heat that could burn the paws.
For a Fila Brasileiro puppy up to 12 months, leash practice can continue, but it should not turn into strenuous or very long walks over difficult terrain. Free running or play is preferable to forced prolonged exercise while the puppy grows, with a veterinarian or breeder deciding when intensity can increase.
Training
Filas are intelligent dogs that respond well to consistent training, positive reinforcement, and a firm but gentle approach. Alongside obedience work, this breed benefits greatly from early socialization.
Getting them comfortable with different people and environments while young helps them grow into well-adjusted adults. Given their protective instincts and wariness of strangers, this groundwork matters most for a breed best suited to very experienced owners.
Health conditions
3 conditions are documented for the Fila Brasileiro.
A predisposition is not a diagnosis. Ask your vet which screenings make sense for your dog's age.
- Cranial Cruciate Ligament DiseaseBone & Joint
- Elbow DysplasiaBone & Joint
- Hip DysplasiaBone & Joint
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