Known as the "Brazilian Mastiff", this South American hunting dog clearly displays its lineage from the bloodhound and mastiff. Experienced dog lovers with clear, confident leadership and ample space can find the Fila Brasileiro to be a loyal and independent companion. In the UK, this is one of the banned dog breeds.
Before reading this article, please be aware that owning a Fila Brasileiro is illegal in the UK, along with other breeds such as the Japanese Tosa, Pit Bull Terrier, Dogo Argentino, and Bully XL Dogs.
In addition to ownership restrictions, it is also against the law to sell, abandon, give away, or breed a banned dog breed. It is important to note that the ban is based on physical appearance as well. This means that even if a dog is not a Fila Brasileiro or one of the mentioned breeds, it may still be classified as banned if its characteristics closely match those of a prohibited breed.
This article is for informational purposes only and is intended for pet enthusiasts and pet lovers. The zooplus Editorial Team always recommends checking national regulations and news, as well as consulting dog associations and clubs, to stay informed about the rules, updates, and processes specific to your region or country.
The Appearance of the Fila Brasileiro
With a weight over 50kg for males, spread across a muscular 65-75cm shoulder height, the Fila Brasileiro is immediately recognisable as a sporty powerhouse and a typical molosser. Its wrinkled skin and long fang are shared traits with mastiffs and bloodhounds. Experts commonly refer to the characteristic neck folds as “dewlap”.
Female dogs are visually distinct from males not just due to their smaller size, but also their more delicate build. The ears of this dog are V-shaped and drooping. Its fur is short and should be either solid-coloured or brindle, with smaller white markings allowed.
History of Fila Brasileiro
The ancestors of the Brazilian mastiff arrived in South America with the Europeans. In Brazil, the breed gradually developed from the crossbreeding of various mastiffs with hunting dogs. The primary focus of early breeding efforts was the utility of the dog: this brave dog was used for big game hunting and guarding homes. The breed also proved itself as a cattle driver and guard dog over the years.
Unfortunately, the ancestors of the Fila Brasileiro were also used to oppress the indigenous population during the colonial era: these self-assured dogs were used to monitor slave plantations and chase down escaped slaves.
Dedicated breeding of this breed with an aesthetic standard only began in 1948. In 1954, the first Filas Brasileiros arrived in Europe, where they gained some fans from the 1970s onwards. The European breeding efforts mainly stemmed from Germany and Austria. In its homeland, the Fila Brasileiro is a very popular family dog, known for its proverbial loyalty.
Character
The history of the Fila Brasileiro suggests its nature: it is self-assured, brave and very territorial. Most representatives of this breed always retain a tendency to make their own decisions, thus requiring a lot of consistency and knowledge in their leadership.
This excellent guard dog is usually rather suspicious of strangers. Its deep bark enhances its imposing presence. As the Brazilian mastiff tends to display aggressive behaviour towards other dogs, early socialisation is essential.
Hard exterior, soft interior: the breed is indeed very affectionate and sensitive to everything related to its primary person(s) – it will protect them with full dedication. This hunter’s excellent nose never misses a scent, but beware: it loves to follow it too.
Training
Expertise and consistency are qualities needed to train a Brazilian mastiff. Extensive socialisation with the breeder should prepare the dog for its future everyday life. For example, puppy play sessions and dog schools help it meet many other dogs and develop its social skills. Consistency from puppyhood is crucial to stop any behaviour the adult dog should avoid – such as jumping.
Considering the strength and speed of this proud dog, impeccable training is particularly important. Like all molossers, the Fila Brasileiro matures relatively late, meaning a lengthy adolescence lies ahead.
Clear commands without any form of violence will ensure the dog grows into a ‘never easy’, but manageable and reliable companion.
The Fila Brasileiro is a large, muscular dog with a plain or brindle coat
Fila Brasileiro’s Health
Like many large dogs, the Fila Brasileiro is prone to hip dysplasia (HD), with elbow dysplasia occurring less frequently. When purchasing a puppy, relevant health tests of the parents should be documented in writing. Such selection can greatly minimize the risk. The dog also should stay in shape as excess weight harms the joints and can significantly aggravate existing problems.
Still, Brazilian mastiffs should have a rest period after meals to prevent the risk of dangerous gastric torsion, which mainly affects larger breeds. The best practice is to feed the Fila after a walk and then let it take a brief digesting nap. Other than that, the Fila Brasileiro is a robust dog that, with proper exercise and nutrition, can live to be 11 years or older.
Nutrition
We’ve already mentioned the importance of a high-quality diet. It’s essential to have food with a high meat content – meat should be the first ingredient on the label. Inferior grains like wheat don’t belong in premium dog food. Clear labelling will help assess the quality. For example, if a bag of dry food labelled “chicken” reads: “meat and animal by-products, min. 4% chicken“, one must question what constitutes the remaining 96%. High-quality food won’t leave people guessing.
If the choice is to feed with dry food or mixed feeding with dry food and wet food, people should look for specialised pet food for large dogs – the kibble size and nutrient composition are optimally matched to the Fila’s needs.
The protein content should be lower for puppies than for adult dogs. Additionally, dog bones or dried chewing items are a good option for regular chewing fun. For treats, keeping an eye on its lean figure is vital, avoiding grain- and sugar-containing snacks. Dried or raw beef and special dental care snacks like chew strips are ideal.
Care
The short fur is quick to groom once or twice a week with a brush or a grooming glove with rubber nodules. If pet owners wish to reduce loose hairs in the home, they can schedule more frequent “fur-care sessions”. Brushing with grooming gloves is a relaxing massage for the dog, strengthening the bond at the same time.
Only bathe the Brazilian mastiff in an emergency – keep a mild, dog-friendly shampoo ready. Usually, people can brush out dirt once it is dried. In the summer, the Fila might love to join in the fur cleaning with a leap into cool water. Pet owners should clean the dog’s sensitive ears only with a special ear cleaner. If a dog’s nails grow too long, they should be trimmed to prevent painful snagging. This can be done easily with a nail clipper – if unsure, pet owners can ask a vet to demonstrate the proper technique.
Exercise
A Fila Brasileiro absolutely requires both physical and mental stimulation. It suits various types of canine sports, such as tracking, mantrailing or dog-pulling sports. Training should, of course, only begin once the dog is fully grown to avoid damaging its developing musculoskeletal system.
Sports involving lots of jumping are less suitable due to the dog’s heavy weight. Avoid protection training: this breed’s natural instinct is to defend its primary person fiercely – honing this characteristic further is generally counterproductive.
Who is suitable for a Fila Brasileiro?
This breed suits experienced dog owners with plenty of space who can ideally provide it with a property to guard and family living. The Fila Brasileiro only gets along with cats if socialised as a puppy – they can become best pals, though it won’t stop the Fila from chasing loose cats given the chance. Potential owners should also ensure the garden is escape-proof and care holidays or illness. If the dog can’t or shouldn’t be brought along, it’s best for a familiar and experienced dog handler to take over its care.
zooplus Editorial Team
The zooplus editorial team consists of a dedicated team of experts with many years of experience in the field of animal husbandry: Luisa with her White Swiss Shepherd Elyos, Laura, Julio, and Florian. Together with a large network of animal experts, we work to make the zooplus magazine a trusted source of information for all animal owners and lovers. Our goal is to provide exciting animal knowledge and relevant information on the proper care of pets.
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