Mr. SVEN JOA, a, German Fila Owner
How you like to be the throttle man on drive DON JOHNSON'S OCEAN RACER and travel the World exploring in a 4 Wheel Drive Land Rover with your Fila's? Sven Joa does just that. Sven recently lost the two adult Filas that he's traveled the world with in a divorce settlement. He made a special trip to the U.S. after receiving our "infomation pack" and stayed with me for two days. He bought two pups, and took one male with him. He is flying back over from Germany for the second, a Gabrial and Bianca pup. Mr. Jao has promised Fila Talk will be receiving pictures of his Filas from Africa and South America where he will be traveling in the next year. Some of these travels will be filmed for TV specials, and with a little luck we will get to see them in action on TV in the near future. Sven said Fila's are becoming very popular not only in Europe, but also in Russia. They are used in these countries mainly for "protection and hunting". I have taken 5 Ber-roks (800 to 1200 pound bears) in the Russian Ukraine hunting with bow and arrow and using my Fila’s to spot and run them. After a little training Fila’s have the ability to spot a bear in the woods at 400 yards and then run it on command right past me where I can get a shot. I will never be without one again. The prices of Fila's are much higher in Europe then in the United States. Quality Filas sell for as much as $4500. European dogs in general are much more appreciated, respected, and well cared for by their owners. I am also involved in Military Operations where Filas are used to "SPOT SNIPERS", which they are excellent at. I credit this to their great scenting ability, which is sensitive enough to give the owner plenty of advanced warning of the sniper. After spoting the dog will then move forward to attack without hesitation.

BOW AND ARROW WOLF HUNTING
I travel in the Land Rover pictured on the right. This is my home in South Africa, the Russia Ukraine, and South America and wherever we are filming. The picture above is one of my dogs that was injured after taking down a large wolf while bow hunting. This picture was taken in a town called Pripyat in the Northern Ukraine. It's near Chernobyl, the site of the world's worst nuclear reactor accident in 1986. Fallout contaminated wide areas of Eastern Europe and Scandinavia, most heavily in Belarus and the Ukraine. It had an affect on the animals. The wolf was oversized (6 foot long not including the tail). I credit the large size to the fallout from the accident. This dog had at least 3 yards worth of stitches from various attacks by bear, boar and other wild animals while hunting. I have nothing but praise for the Fila, and never knew one that turned on its owner. “I value the Fila above all dogs I have ever owned". No one steals anything, and "There is no foul play when I have my Filas with me". In Russia stealing what is in your car is commonplace, and I leave the dogs in my vehicle’s when traveling to prevent theft.

FILAS AND CHILDREN
Dear Paul, After speaking with you the other night I felt compelled to write you this letter. You were saying some breeders (not yourself) do not recommend buying a Fila if you have children. I totally disagree! We got our Fila, Xena, (a female from Gabriel and Rumba) about a year ago when she was nine weeks old. Our daughter was a year old at the time. They have gotten along wonderfully from day one. They play like best friends. They steal toys from each other, run together, get in trouble together. Our daughter (now 2) sits on Xena (now 1 and 125 lbs.) and bounces, pulls her lips, hugs and kisses her, you name it! Xena has never even looked at our daughter funny. If anything she is more protective of our daughter than us. We are expecting our second child in October and have absolutely no worries at all about bringing our new baby home to our Fila. In fact we are to purchase a second Fila soon. I would tell anyone with children that a Fila is the ideal breed for them. If loved and taken care of properly the Fila is the ultimate family dog!

FILATALK MAGAZINE

BODHI ANDTHE BEAR

GABRIEL IN WOODS

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GREAT DOG SIGNS SHOO-ITS MOUNTAIN FILAS PO Box 60 Turtletown TN. 37391 423-496-1114 or 496-4706
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