Life Span : 9 - 11 years
Availability : Easy to get
About Fila Brasileiro
The Fila Brasileiro, also called the Brazilian Mastiff.The Fila Brasileiro was developed by Brazilian ranchers who needed a fearless, all-around working dog of enormous strength and stamina that could hunt large game, guard livestock and protect property and possessions. The breed was named after the Portuguese word “filar,” which means “to hold or secure.”
Breeds thought to have contributed to the modern Fila Brasileiro include the Bloodhound, Bullenbeisser, Mastiff and Rafeiro do Alentejo, forming the basis for his exceptional tracking skills, courage, tenacity, herding and guarding instincts and loose skin. Developed strictly as a working dog, the Fila was not bred to a fixed “type” until the 1950s. The official Brazilian breed standard was developed in the 1960s.
The breed developed a following in the United States in the 1970s. The Fila Brasileiro Club of America was formed in 1984, followed by the Fila Brasileiro Association in 1992.
Fila Brasileiros have a unique temperament. They are 100% devoted to their family affectionate, playful, incredibly loving with kids; but they are also fiercely protective of those who they consider to be their family.