E-Mail filaman@fila.org
THE FILA, ULTIMATE GUARDIAN by Lisa Ford of Sedro Wooly WA. 
What breed of dog is absolutely bred to be a farm dog and devoted Family companion? Why, in my eyes, no other breed can even stand in the shadow of the Fila Brasileiro. This breed was developed in Brazil, where the crime rates are high and the people needed a large, strong, intelligent dog to protect the estates (Fazendas). The breed resembles a bloodhound and Mastiff cross giving it a massive cuddly look. Don’t be fooled though, this is not a breed that will let a stranger touch its long soft ears or its semi-wrinkled face and neck. It is no push over and cannot be bribed into being your friend. It has what Brazilians call "OJERIZA" or a natural distrust of strangers. This fine animal takes its job of home-guardian seriously. Surely you can tell this breed is not for everyone. Although the breed is not taken to wandering it should live where their is a sturdy or more preferred by the Fila) in the home. This way strangers are protected from walking into the dogs territory. After hearing all of this most people are weary of purchasing such an intimidating protector. Good! If you don’t think you can handle a breed that has this much natural talent for it’s work then get a breed with a much more mellow temperament. But if your still interested, this dog has much much more to offer. In Brazil "filar" means to hold or secure. I believe this is describing the dog’s heart. The devotion of the breed is legendary in its native country. "Faithful as a Fila" is a Brazilian proverb. When alone in the company of their owners, these dogs turn into comic clumps of adoration. Their place is on your feet (on you lap if you can breath with 130-170 pounds of dog flesh). They are always alert to strange sound but are not indifferent or aloof as are many of the guardian breeds. Their list of Credits doesn’t stop here! Filas are one of the few working rare breeds that are, in general, not animal aggressive. Mine love to have baby lambs and goats fight for "King of the Hill" on their backs. They are not usually used for flock guardians however. Their love is for their Family first. They are also natural drovers, able to move cows and sheep to and from pastures. They have been used for hunting as well. Wildcats, boar, bear, and other such adversaries have been successfully hunted with Filas. The job they consider their number one priority is guarding their family and their territory. The breed standards include fawns, reds, bridles, black brindle, and the occasional black. Minimum height for females is 24 inches weight 90 lbs., with males 27 inches and 110 lbs. Many Filas are in the 140 to 180 pound range. The breed is extremely agile for its size, surprising onlookers by its swiftness. The coat is short, dense, and easily maintained. The tail and ears are left natural. The Fila is athletic when you want it to be, yet content to lay by the fire for days on end.
FALINA , a one year old Gabriel and Rumba Daughter at 1 year. 
Falena is a Gabriel and Rumba daughter that was sold as a pup to Joan Congdon of Fort McCoy Florida. She was well cared for and show it. She is pictured here at one year old. Her hind quaters are high and heavy and she has a beautiful large head just like her father.
TEMPERAMENT TESTING with JOE BONILLA 
Mr. Joe Bonilla, a Brazilian now living in Florida doing some Temperament Testing. Joe had some Fila owners get together for a weekend session of working with their dogs in the Detroit Area.
Q'S COMMENTS, A PERSONAL GUARDIAND 
Perhaps no other breed can make one feel so loved and protected as a Fila. There is an intensity in both their affections and aggressions not seen in most breeds. Why is this? Our modern guard breeds are required quite often to change handlers and to turn on and off on command. The Fila being more of an "Old World Mastiff" finds these requirements unnatural. Being a more "natural" dog (more suspicious of strangers and strange surroundings, as any wild canid would be), but the Fila applies its "Ojeriza" nature to situations the modern guard breeds accept as normal. Indeed this is why German Shepards, Belgian Malinois, Rotties, etc. make better police and military use canines. A good deal of what they do make no sense to a Fila. On the same token, very few members of these breeds compare to our Fila as "True Personal Companion Guardians". A striking difference is the simple fact that most of todays Rotties charge the intruder mostly to be the first one to be petted. These same Rotties, with training might make fine police dogs or schutzhund competitors, but they still would prefer to be petted by the intruder than prevent entrance. As a dog trainer I have had the experience of calling "out" well trained guard dogs that attacked me. Can any of we Fila owners imagine a stranger calling "out" our attacking Fila, or perhaps sweet talking cooing their past? Be serious!!! The amazing thing is that this tremendous strong defensive drive requires no training to enhance in most Fila's. More often, if we enhanced this instinct too much with early aggressive training, the dog may become so defensive that we will loose all socialability. A GUARD DOG KEPT IN A KENNEL OR CRATE WHILE STRANGERS ARE AT HAND IS USELESS. Now, it's worth noting that many people that say they want a guard dog would be better off with a less zealous and passionate guardian then a Fila. We commonly recommend other breeds to people that call us. Most people want a dog that looks like a guard dog, but acts like a Golden "Simple Minded" Retriever (oops), did I just re-invent a breed name? That's fine. Maybe, it's a case of limited potential dogs for limited potential people. I think not however. The hugh variety displayed in human personalities is reflected in dog breeds and types, each to his or her own. Owning a Fila requires a high level of passion within ourselves. Few dog will love us and guard us with all their hearts as a good Fila will. Whatever the reason, there will always be a Fila laying at our hearthfire, and if you come to visit, do not ignore the sign over our driveway that reads,
Other Good Sites
FILATALK MAGAZINE MOBILEHOME INTERIORS THE BRANCH MINISTRY BIBLE THINGS PARADISE PARK ON THE MANATEE RIVER
Call SHOO-ITS MOUNTAIN FILAS PO Box 60 Turtletown TN. 37391 For Info and puppies call 423-496-1114 10am to 11pm EST
E-Mail filaman@fila.org
<CENTER><BGSOUND SRC="http://www.pageweb.com/autopage/Sounds/addams.mid" AUTOSTART=TRUE VOLUME=100 HIDDEN=TRUE WIDTH="145" HEIGHT="35" LOOP="-1"></CENTER>
Website Hosting Provided by PageWeb.Com
This Website Created & Maintained with AutoPage-Plus™
Copyright ©; 1998 Wrinky Dinks Ink / PageWeb / CyberPet. All rights reserved.