The history of the
Fila Brasileiro
The Fila's history
is so closely linked with Brazilian history that, for a proper perspective,
we shall mention the various periods in which the Fila played a very
important role. It is not only linked to history, but to the way of life
and daily problems of the first colonists in Brazil. Most of the modern
breeds have been "manmade". The Fila Brasileiro is an exception.
It just "happened" as a result of mere necessity; colonists
needed a strong, sturdy, and hard-working dog that would be,
simultaneously, a good cattle driver, a good jaguar hunter, a good guard
dog, and a loyal companion. This is the Fila Brasileiro. Courage,
character and loyalty have always been his main characteristics through
the centuries. There are some
basic breeds that contributed to the development of the Fila Brasileiro. Though every
cynologist agrees that three basic breeds contributed to the development
of the Fila Brasileiro (the Engelsen Doggen or ancient Bulldogs, Mastiffs
and Bloodhounds) some facts give way to another theory based solely on
historical documents. After Brazil's discovery in 1500, Portuguese
colonists came to Brazil bringing everything they owned, including their
dogs. From the Azores Islands came the Fila Terceirense, a herder that had
nothing in common with the Fila Brasileiro, except for its name. Even so,
the possibility of a relationship cannot be discarded since there is no
evidence of any other dogs in the colonies except for those brought by the
invaders, and wild dogs. It is said that so many dogs left the Azores
Islands that the Fila Terceirense became extinct. Some felt that the
name "FILA" came from the Portuguese dog Fila Terceirense; but
it is also pointed out that "FILA" means "TO HOLD" in
the ancient Portuguese language, and this was the main function of the
Fila Brasileiro to hold (filar) runaway slaves. From the ancient
fighting dogs (the Engelsen Doggen or ancient Bulldogs) they acquired
their aggressive temperament, as well as, being some what stubborn, the
colors, the typical rose-ear, higher hind legs, and a higher croup than
the withers, plus persistence. From the Mastiff
they inherited the large heavy head, strong maxilars, short neck, the
substance, the slightly curved croup, moderated tail set, the courage, the
black mask, and also the Mastiff 's basic colors. From the Bloodhound
the Fila received the abundant loose skin, the pronounced occipital peak,
pendulous lips, hanging flews and dewlaps, the moderated tuck up, the
fabulous scent, and the way of barking in a crescendo tune. Maybe the Fila
Terceirense left the legacy of the "crooked tail" and the
ability of cattle herding, but it is hard to tell how much influence the
Portuguese herders could have had. There is even a possibility of some
influence from the most usual breeds found in each region; but even this
would be a very low percentage not worth mentioning. The origin of the Fila Brasileiro is still very obscure; but it is generally believed that it is the result of crossing English Mastiffs, Bloodhounds, ancient Bulldogs (called Doggen Engelsen), Fila Terceirense, as well as many others influencing the Fila Brasileiro breed. GENERAL APPEARANCE
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. CHARACTER AND
TEMPERAMENT
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. GAIT
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. EXPRESSION
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. HEAD
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. SKULL
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. 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. MUZZLE
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. NOSE
Well-developed with
broad nostrils not occupying entirely the maxilla width. The color is
black. EYES
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. EARS
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. TEETH
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. NECK
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. TOPLINE
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. CROUP
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. BODY
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. THORAX
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. LOINS
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. UNDERLINE
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. FOREQUARTERS
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. FORELEGS
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. FEET
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. HINDQUARTERS
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. HINDLEGS
Parallel, with
strong tarsis, metatarsis slightly bent, higher than the metacarpis. The
stifles and hocks are moderately angulated. HINDFEET
A little more oval
than the forefeet, but otherwise the description is identical to that for
the forefeet. They should not present dewclaws. TAIL
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. HEIGHT
Measured at the
withers:
WEIGHT
COLOR
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. SKIN
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. COAT
Short, smooth,
dense and tight to the skin. |