Fila Brasileiro Puppies

They were bred for hunting in Brazil and are known as a tough, fierce dog who doesn't back down to a challenge. They are very territorial and protective of their owners, which can cause aggressiveness towards strangers. Fila Brasileiros must be socialized early to avoid this aggressive behavior from developing, and training is a must.

Fila Brasileiros are generally healthy but they could be prone to hip or elbow dysplasia, entropion, or bloat.

They have a moderate energy level and if they are not working, they require at least an hour of exercise per day. As puppies they are playful, but as they grow they become less active, but remain just as alert. They should be kept on a leash at all times unless they are in a fenced in yard.

A Fila should be brushed weekly and bathed regularly to keep their coat in good shape.

The Fila Brasileiro's coat does shed a moderate amount pretty regularly.

Fila Brasileiros are large, solid, and muscular. They have a short, straight, and loose coat that can feature many different colors, except for white.

The Fila Brasileiro was brought to Brazil from colonizing Europeans, where it was developed into a cattle dog that would also be taken on jaguar hunts or, sadly, used to chase down runaway slaves. Their breed standard was created in the 1940s but they are not recognized in show rings.