Typically molossoid breed with
powerful bones, rectangular and compact structure but harmonious and
proportional. Added to his massiveness a great agility can be easily seen.
Bitches must show a well-defined femininity which differentiates them
immediately from males.
Outstanding courage,
determination, and bravery are part of his characteristics. He is docile and
obedient to his owners and family and extremely tolerant with children. His
faithfulness became a Brazilian proverb. He is always looking for the company
of his master. One of his characteristics is his "ojeriza" towards
strangers. He shows a calm disposition, self-assurance, and self-confidence,
not being disturbed by strange noises nor when facing a new environment. An unsurpassed
guardian of property, he is also inclined, by instinct, to hunt big game and
to herd cattle.
The Fila has a long reach and
elastic gait which reminds one of the great cats' movements. His main
characteristic is the pace (camel's gait), moving two legs of one side first,
followed by the two legs of the other side which causes a rolling lateral
movement of the thorax and hindquarters accentuated by the tail when it is
raised. During the walk he maintains the head lower than the back line. He shows
a smooth, free, and long reaching trot with a powerful stride. His gallop is
powerful with an unsuspected speed coming from such a large and heavy dog.
The Fila Brasileiro's gait is always influenced by its typically molossoid
articulations which give the impression, and in fact it is true, of
effectively permitting him sudden and swift changes in direction.
In repose it is a calm, noble, and
full of self-assurance, never disclosing a bored nor absent expression. When
in attention, the expression should reflect determination and alertness with
a firm and piercing look in his eyes.
The Fila's head is heavy and
massive, always proportionate to the body. Seen from above, it resembles a
trapezoidal figure in which the head appears pear-shaped. From a side view,
muzzle and skull should have approximately the proportion of one to one, or
with the first being slightly smaller than the second one.
The profile shows a smooth curve
from the stop to the occiput which is well-defined and salient, especially in
puppies. From a front view the skull is wide, ample with the upper line
slightly curved. The lateral lines descend slightly curved, almost in a
vertical line, narrowing toward the muzzle, never showing a stop.
From a front view it is practically
non-existent. The medium furrow runs up smoothly until approximately the
halfway mark of the skull. From a side view the stop is low, sloping, and
virtually formed by the very well-developed eyebrow ridges.
Strong, broad, and deep, always in
harmony with the skull. From a top view it is full under the eyes, very
slightly narrowing toward the middle of the muzzle and slightly broadening
again until reaching the front curve. From a side view the bridge of the
muzzle is straight or has a Roman nose, but never in an ascendant line. The
front line of the muzzle is close to a perpendicular line in relation to the
superior line, showing a slight depression right under the nose. A perfect
curve is formed by the upper lips which are thick and pendulous, drooping
over the lower lips giving shape to the lower line of the muzzle which is
almost parallel to the upper line. The labial rim is always apparent. The
lower lips are close and firm up to the fangs and from there on they are
loose with dented borders. The muzzle has a great depth at the root but
without surpassing the length of the muzzle. The labial rim has the shape of
an inverted and deep U.
Well-developed with broad nostrils
not occupying entirely the maxilla width. The color is black.
From medium to large size,
almond-shaped, spaced well apart, from medium to deep-set. The colors are
from dark chestnut to yellow, always in harmony with the coat color. Due to
the profusion of the loose skin, many individuals present drooping lower eyelids
which are not considered a fault as such detail increases the melancholic
expression which is typical of the breed.
Pendant, large, thick, V-shaped,
broad at the base and tapering at the end with rounded tips. They are
inserted at the posterior part of the skull in line with the medium level of
the eyes when in repose. When roused the ears go above the original position.
The root is oblique with the front border higher than the back border. The
ears are drooping at the cheeks or are folded back allowing the interior to
be seen.
Noticeably wider than long. They
are strong and white. The upper scissors are broad at the root and sharp at
the edges. Canines are powerful, well set and well apart. A scissors bite is
the ideal, but a level bite is acceptable.
Extraordinarily strong and
well-muscled giving the impression of a short neck. It is slightly curved on
the top and well-detached from the skull. The throat is furnished with
dewlaps.
The withers, standing in a sloping
line, are set well apart from each other due to the distance between the
scapulas at a slightly lower level than the croup. After the withers, the
topline changes direction, ascending smoothly to the croup, with no tendency
to show a sway nor a roach back.
Broad and long, with an
approximate angulation of 30 degrees to the horizontal line, showing a smooth
curve. It stands a little higher than the withers. Viewed from the rear the
croup must be ample and its width is approximately equal to the thorax and
may be even wider in females.
Strong, broad, and deep, covered
by thick and loose skin. The thorax is longer than the abdomen. The length of
the body is the same as the height at the withers plus ten per cent, when
measured from the point of the shoulder to the point of the buttocks.
The ribs are well sprung, though
not interfering with the position of the shoulders. The chest is deep and
large, descending to the level of the elbows.
Shorter and not as deep as the
thorax, showing a separation of the two component parts. The lower part of
the loins is more developed in the females. Viewed from above, the loins are
narrower than the thorax and croup, but should not form a waistline.
The chest is long and parallel to
the ground in all its extension. The tuck-up extends in a slightly ascending
line but is never whippety.
The ideal shoulder structure
should be composed of two bones of equal length (scapula and humerus), with
the former at an angle of 45 degrees from the horizontal line and the humerus
forming an approximate 90 degree angle with the scapula. The articulation of
the scapula-humerus forms the point of the shoulder which should be situated
at the level of the prosternum but a little behind it. In its ideal position
the shoulder covers the space from the withers to the prosternum and the
point of the shoulder should be placed halfway to this distance. An imaginary
perpendicular line coming down from the withers should cut the elbow and
reach the foot.
Must be parallel, straight to the
pasterns, and with powerful bones. The carpis (pastern joints) are strong and
apparent. The metacarpus (pasterns) are short and slightly sloping. Length of
the leg from ground to elbow should be equal to the length from elbow to
withers.
Formed by strong and well-arched
toes which are not too close together. The pads are thick, broad, and deep.
The correct position of the feet is pointing to the front. The nails are
strong and dark, but they may be white when this is the color of the
respective toe.
The hindlegs are less heavy boned
than the forelegs but never light as a whole. The upper thigh has curved
borders shaped by muscles descending from the ilium and ischium, which trace
the curve of the rear, and for this reason the ischium must have a good
length.
Parallel, with strong tarsis,
metatarsis slightly bent, higher than the metacarpis. The stifles and hocks
are moderately angulated.
A little more oval than the
forefeet, but otherwise the description is identical to that for the
forefeet. They should not present dewclaws.
Very wide at the root, medium set,
reaching to the level of the hocks, tapering rapidly at its end. When the dog
is alert, the tail is raised high, and the curve at the extremity is more
accentuated. The tail should not fall over the back or curl up.
Measured at the withers:
- Males: 65 to 75 cms. (25.5 inches to 29.5 inches)
- Females: 60 to 70 cms. (23.5 inches to 27.5 inches)
- Males: minimum of 50 kgs. (l00 lbs.)
- Females: minimum of 40 kgs. (90 lbs.)
All solid colors are permitted
except the disqualifying ones(white, mouse grey, patched dogs, dappled, or
black and tan). Brindles of a basic color, may have the stripes of either
less or with very strong intensity. A black mask may or may not be present.
In all permitted colors white markings should be limited to the feet, chest,
and tip of tail. The white markings are not desirable on any other part of
the body.
Click
here to see the Genotype and Phenotype of the colors of the fila brasileiro
One of the most important breed
characteristics is the thick, loose skin over the whole body, chiefly at the
neck, forming pronounced dewlaps, and in many individuals the folds proceed
to the chest and abdomen. Some dogs show a fold at the side of the head and
also at the withers descending to the shoulder. When the dog is in repose the
head is free of wrinkles. When alert, in order to lift the ears, the
contraction of the skin at the skull forms little wrinkles along a
longitudinal line of the skull.
Short, smooth, dense and tight to
the skin.
This is compulsory requirement 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 type of test is made at
all specialty shows. It is optional at general shows, up to the judge's will,
providing it is public and takes place outside of the show ring.
The trial includes:
- Attack with a stick. The dog is supposed to attack in front of
the handler, without being coached, and the exhibitor or handler will
remain in his position. It is forbidden to touch or to beat the animal.
- Shooting test. There will be blanks fired at a distance of five
meters from the dog. The dog should express attention, show
self-confidence and self-assurance.
- During all performances in the ring, the judge will analyze the
behavior and temperament of the entrant, paying attention to his
expression. During the temperament test the following should be
observed:
- The dislike of the animal to strangers.
- The self-assurance, courage, determination, and braveness of
each dog.
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