Impressive, self-confident, a born protector, the guarding champion, the best of the bodyguards. All the terms you can think of to describe the Fila set forth its capacities far ahead of its morphological characteristics. In Brazil, just like in any other country, The Fila has become a true reference in the protection of goods and of people. In France, for instance, the number of births is getting more and more significant - 67 births in 1999, 164 in 2000.
Until 1994, the Fila was the only recognized Brazilian breed. The other was the Fox Paulistinha, also called Brazilian Terrier. The Fila is a typical Brazilian Molossian, used in the huge farms they have in Brazil. This imposing dog made its first steps in Europe, via Germany.
It was Prince Albrecht von Bayern, following a visit to Brazil in 1954, who introduced the breed in Germany, when he brought back a few Brazilian Dogs from his trip. Still, recognition of the breeds peculiarities was effective much later. To be more precise, at the beginning of the 80's. This decade was actually that of the most important period of exportation of Filas in the world, while being in the same time the beginning of selection of the breed outside its native country.
In 1982, Filas were the most registered breed according to the CBKC (The Brazilian Kennel Club, affiliated to the FCI). More than 8,000 dogs were indeed registered by breeders that year. Some exported dozens of dogs during this prosperous period, making the fortune of local sellers and brokers in the process. A seller from Sao Paulo claimed that he had exported 200 dogs throughout the whole world. Year after year, the number of breeders had become so important that the various national breed clubs decided to organize a world congress on the breed.
From Brazil to the U.S.A., the Fila was about to pass another step thanks to specialist Clélia Kruel, a renown Brazilian breeder, who had settled in the United States. Since that time, demand for Filas has boomed on the New Continent, to such an extent that two clubs now work on its selection and promotion.In Europe, Spain was naturally the pioneer state and claims nowadays the most important stock in Western Europe. In France, the breed is currently in the hands of a few fans gathered in a club CAMILA (Club des Amateurs de Molosses Ibériques et Lation-Américains). Breeding is strongly increasing: 3 births in 1994, 14 in 1995, 28 in 1996, 62 in 1997, 67 in 1998 and 167 in 2000. These figures are still far behind those of the Cane Corso or of the Argentinean Mastiff, but the Fila is ahead of the Tibetan or Spanish Mastiffs, the Anatolian Shepherd Dog or the large Swiss Cattle Dog. Yet, the breed was still almost completely unknown five years ago.
Just take a look at a Fila puppy! It displays very early the main characteristics of an adult. Its ears are long, set at eye level. The head is massive, with loose skin around the neck. The stop is not pronounced. Assuredly, you are not in front of a weakling. Watch out for its growth, as it is very quick: it requires a proper nutrition, a lot of patience and many hours of rest. Try to avoid as much as possible tiled floors, for they are slippery and could cause irremediable malformations in the growing puppy. Breeders are also very careful about hips. All stallions must be checked with an official result. Another physical characteristic is the croup, which is very often higher than the withers. This characteristic can be quite surprising for someone who does not know the breed. Also note that the bitch is very prolific: litters of 15 puppies are not rare. When you know that a male puppy weighs more than 50 kg and reaches 75cm at the withers when adult, you know it is... BIG.
The Fila's character is rather peculiar. The standard describes it in the following terms: "Particularly courageous, its determination and braveness are part of its essential characteristics." While being docile and obedient with its family, it is well known for its tolerance towards children. Its faithfulness is proverbial for all Brazilian amateurs. When someone who does not know the breed sees a Fila, they are impressed by its self-confidence, its look and its calm. It is indeed quite hard to imagine this calm looking molossian as a fierce keeper of the goods, which are trusted to it.
A common flaw encountered in the stock is a small size - under 60 cm for a bitch and under 65 for a male.
Other flaws are unacceptable in breeding:
From a behavioural point of view: aggressiveness towards the owner or a vicious individual.From a morphological point of view: pink nose, prognathism, blue eyes, cropped ears or tail tip, a croup lower than the withers, a white, mouse grey or a black and tan coat colour, a lack of weight or of bone structure, no loose skin. A head lacking volume, a stop too pronounced, protruding eyes are also major flaws, which are the results of a return to the past, i.e. to the different canine breeds and populations, which were used to stabilize today's Fila.
Club des Amateurs de Molosses Ibériques et Latino Américains (CAMILA)Benoit Thévenon, 267 avenue de la Châtre36000 ChâteaurouxFRANCETel: + 33 2 54 07 45 78
FILATALKThe magazine for the English-speaking fansFILATALK PO Box 60, Turtletown TN 37 391 USAhttp://www.fila.org/filatalkmagazine.htm
FILANETTHE website to consulthttp://www.dt.fee.unicamp.br/%7Eamaury/filanet.html
Log in
