Fila Brasileiro
The Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian Mastiff) is a large, powerful Brazilian breed with a temperament uniquely defined in any breed standard: it is explicitly required to be aggressive toward strangers — a characteristic so central to the breed that the Portuguese saying "Fiel como um Fila" (faithful as a Fila) reflects their absolute loyalty to family combined with their extreme suspicion and aggression toward all others.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Origin
Brazil
Lifespan
9–11 years
Weight
57–82 kg (125–180 lbs)
Height
60–75 cm (23.5–29.5 in)
Exercise
30 to 45 min/day
Diet
Omnivore — giant breed quality formula; multiple small meals
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Canidae
Genus
Canis
The Story
The Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian Mastiff) is a large, powerful Brazilian breed with a temperament uniquely defined in any breed standard: it is explicitly required to be aggressive toward strangers — a characteristic so central to the breed that the Portuguese saying "Fiel como um Fila" (faithful as a Fila) reflects their absolute loyalty to family combined with their extreme suspicion and aggression toward all others. Developed in Brazil from Portuguese Mastiffs, Bloodhounds, and possibly Rafeiro do Alentejo, the Fila was used to track escaped slaves and to hunt large game including jaguars. It is banned in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, and is specifically listed in India's March 2024 DAHD advisory.
Also Known As
Quick Facts
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Physical Profile
Source: wikimedia
The Fila Brasileiro is a massive, loose-skinned dog with an enormous head, deeply pendulous lips, and very prominent loose skin — giving it a Bloodhound-like abundance of wrinkled skin across the entire body. The coat is short and smooth. The movement is a unique rolling, camel-like gait called "marcha" — both legs on the same side moving forward simultaneously. The expression is noble but suspicious.
Grooming
Low
Shedding
Moderate
Brushing
1x-Weekly
Bathing
Every-6-8-Weeks
Coat Colors
Recognized By
Source: wikimedia
Temperament & Personality
The Fila has no middle ground — it is deeply devoted and obedient to its owner and family, and aggressively suspicious of all strangers. This characteristic is so breed-specific that the FCI breed standard explicitly states that judges should not penalise a Fila for growling at the judge during examination. The breed is not suitable for typical pet ownership.
Personality Scores
Adaptability
2/5Attention Need
3/5Friendliness
1/5Playfulness
2/5Protectiveness
5/5Living Profile
Ideal Space
Rural-Farm
Daily Exercise
30 to 45 min/day
Ideal Weather
10°C to 35°C
Cognitive Benchmarks
Adaptability
20%
Attention
30%
Playfulness
20%
Communication Style
Stress Signals
extreme aggression towards strangers, guarding, lunging, deep growling
Care & Wellness
Professional Care Protocol
- •The Fila requires an extremely experienced owner, a large property, and exceptional management. They should never be in situations where strangers can encounter them without the owner present. Their size, strength, and temperament make inadequate management potentially dangerous.
Nutrition Notes
Giant breed formula. Bloat risk very high — gastropexy recommended. Joint supplements. Food costs significant.
Vaccination Schedule
Vaccination Schedule
Senior Care
Hip and elbow dysplasia. Bloat. Entropion. Friendliness score 1/5 is accurate — breed standard specifically calls for "ojeriza" (distrust/aversion to strangers). Judges at Brazilian dog shows cannot touch the dog. Banned in UK, Australia, NZ, and many countries. NOT a pet breed. 9-11 years.
Wellbeing Activities
Nutrition & Sustenance
Daily Calories (Adult)
2200 kcal
Daily Calories (Young)
1600 kcal
Recommended Foods
Foods to Avoid
Health Overview
Hip and elbow dysplasia are significant. Bloat/GDV is a serious risk. Skin fold infections from the abundant loose skin require regular maintenance. Ectropion affects most individuals.
Common Conditions
Price Estimates
Pricing Guide
Average estimates as of 2025
Banned in many countries. Breed standard REQUIRES aggression towards strangers (unique). NOT a pet. India: check state laws.
Purchase Price
$1,000 to $3,000
Adoption Fee
$100 to $500
Data from 2025
Fun Facts
The Fila Brasileiro is the only breed whose official FCI standard explicitly requires aggression toward strangers as a breed characteristic — judges at FCI shows are not permitted to penalise a Fila for attempting to bite them during examination.
The breed's tracking ability is attributed to its Bloodhound ancestry — Brazilian plantation owners used Filas to track escaped enslaved workers across the dense Amazon terrain, a historical role that raises significant ethical questions about the breed's origins.
The Brazilian saying "Fiel como um Fila" (faithful as a Fila) reflects the breed's absolute, unwavering loyalty to its owner — considered one of the most loyal of all breeds to their specific family.
