FILA BRASILEIRO (CAFIB)- how is it different from any other dog's species?

Once, somebody said that you can divide dogs into dogs and dachshunds. I would rephase this sentence into" you can divide dogs into dogs and Filas.

If it comes to the apperance, these dogs are no different from the others- each of them has a head, four paws and a tail.This way of thinking represents only those people who have never met Fila before. This is a truly special race.It distinguishes itself not only with its beautiful and harmonious built but also with its unusual character.

In Brazil there is one popular proverb- " faithful like Fila". There is no exaggeration in it. Fila is a kind of dog which follows its master on every step of his way. Being with the owner is the purest type of happiness. But there is one thing which keeps all the breeders and those of the people who want to buy a Fila awake at night, namely OJERIZA.

Shortly speaking, OJERIZA is a type of animosity and aversion which is presented as hatred towards strangers.

Fila has a big heart but only for those whom he/she knows! Every stranger is treated with a huge dose of distrust and sometimes even aggression. There are cases of hardly two months old puppies who avoid contact with strangers and replace it with growling.

It's not a kind of dog that you can hug and stroke. It is difficult to say exactly when Fila become the most aggressive.You have to be cautious because puppies and young Fila not always show their violent attitude. But you should be deceived! The aggressive outbreak might happen in a most surprising moment when you have already tought, that your Fila's character is not typical of the race.

You should be always prepared for such situation.

I want a dog that can not be bribed by strangers. If somebody asks me what kind of dog doesn't like to be stroked by everybody, I say respond to them by saying that my dog lets me stroke him everyday...others can have their own pets to stroke.

Socialisation is importand but only if it means getting to know new surroundings (exhibitions, visiting the vet...), new sounds and other petswhich Fila can meet on her/his terrain. It is a wrong kind of socialisation if it means weakeing  the natural instincts which were for generations so meticulously taken care of by the breeders.Any attempts of transforming Fila into a sociable family dog which is easily bribed by strangers is a crime against the whole race. This kind of activity should be strongly condemned and eliminted. The CAFIB breeders from Brazil take great care to preserve this race in its purest form of shepherd's- defensive watchdog.

Unfortunately, lately there has been a tendency to domesticate Fila. This trend is especially strong in Europe. What is more, various tests are run on the dogs- tests which filas is unable to pass because of their characteristics. It's a pity that so little people can truly appreciate the unicqueness and specific character of this race.

FILA IS NOT A DOG  JUST FOR ANYBODY!

A person who wants to own such dog must already have some experience with Molossers. It;s not easy to impose something on this type of a dog, especially if the pet detects the owner's leniency ( and it will because these dogs are highly intelligent and bright). A given order should be always implemented without using any force because it could do more harm than help.

If you want to have a Fila, you have to limit any social gatherings at your home.The dog doesn't like any guests and definitely will not spend few hours alone withour the owner. Also your visitors probably wouldn't be too comfortable sitting straight in one position all evening without using any loud voice.

As the time will pass by your friends probably will stop visiting you...Are you ready to sacrifice your social life in order to make your dog happy? It is a very importand and difficult question that you have to ask yourself BEFORE you buy Fila.

Another problem with Fila is travelling. It's impossible to go on vacation without a person who will look after your house and your dog during your absence. What is important, the dog should accept that person.It means that it should be somebody whom Fila perceives as a member of a family, somebody that is very often guest in your house.

Fila loves children. Is it an ideal family dog? Yes, but only to Fila's family.Strangers should keep away from the pet.

I've enumerated several difficult characteristics of Fila but what is so special about this race, that so many people can't imagine ever having any different kind of a dog?  Well... Fila is simply unique, loving and faithful, intelligent and extremely devoted pet. This sounds a little bit cliche but it's 100% truth!

I've had various types of dogs in my life, German Shepherd, Doberman, dachshund among others, but only Fila has this special thing that makes me chose her as my number one.

To fully understand it, you have to buy Fila but, as I've mentioned this before, it's not so easy.

-Where Fila should be kept?

Because of the characteristic of this race and the natural environment that it was brought up to, Fila should not be kept in a small flat. It's a big dog that needs a lot of exercise and space. If you can not give it to your dog, you should better search for a different race,

-Trainings are good for Fila but definitely not "P.O."

Fila is naturally quite aggressive and you should not provoke the dog to even stronger aggression. It's easy to lose control over this dog.  There are not many Fila experts but those who propose you "P.O." trainings are definitely not one of them.

Some facts about Fila

The ten "commandments" presented by Ines van Damme in " El Gran Libro del Fila Brasileiro"

1. CAFIB was founded in 1978 to guard Fila against distinction due to mixbreeding it with races such as Mastiff or the Great Dane.