The Fila

“The Fila dog” - a synonymous of loyalty and dedication - is a known phrase by all, but nowadays, few know about its origins, and even less know about the noble and superb specimen of the canine breed, that gave origin to the significant loyalty model.

Brought by the first colonizers, centuries ago, without thinking on perfecting them, suffering all the luck of miscegenation, still in the current days, in the few specimen that still exist, very peculiar characteristics from the breed, what is a very interesting fact, proving to be very strong, because it resisted the deteriorating action of time. How many of the imported breeds resisted as long as the Fila? Guard dog par excellence, blindly dedicated to its owner, was the companion for the explorers in the penetrations of our vast Brazil.

They later guarded the slaves and was used by the "jungle captains" to hunt down runaway slaves, a trait he retained because of his strong antipathy towards coloured people. They barks little, attacks people boldly, knocks them down and holds them on top with his paws, harassing them only if they resist. This is one of the qualities he still retains from his attacks on Indians and slaves who must be taken alive.

In the field, he was highly valued for his ease with cattle and his resilience on long journeys.

They also talk about his work as a shepherd and forester, but I know little about that.

Affectionate with the ones from the same house, friends of the kids and other domestic animals, calm during the day, it would become brave at night, not allowing other people to approach its owner.

Because of its size, development and characteristics, the Fila dog is the one that looks closer to the old “Molosso”. Although smaller than the Danish and bigger than the Bull-Mastiff, it is more reinforced than both.

Its resemblance to the lion, or rather the lioness, is striking: the large round head, the broad chest, the muscular shoulders, the strong legs with huge paws, the retracted abdomen, the short yellow or reddish-brown fur, the loose skin covering the body, the supple and imposing gait reminiscent of a cat.

The predominant colour is dark brown, but there are also red or striped and light browns. The nose and lips are black, the tail should be long and slightly curved.

Here, where cynology is becoming important and more sophisticated selections are being considered, following the example of other more developed countries, nothing has yet been done for a breed with such extraordinary characteristics.

The Kennel Club showed interest in the breed, thinking about acquiring a male and many females to start a more refined selection, and to make a genealogical registration of them, but for now these are only ideas, not facts.

There are breeders who import Great Danes, Boxers, etc. at fabulous prices, not even thinking about the "Fila" that has long been heroically resisting, hoping that someday someone will come along to lift it out of the exclusion it was left in.