This article is being written to encourage AKC and CKC judges that are unfamiliar with the Fila Brasileiro to become better acquainted with this noble, and very unique breed, so that they can learn how to judge the Fila in accordance with the FCI standards.
First and Foremost, Temperament. It should be understood that the Fila was originally bred to be a working guardian dog that was also used in the jungle as a hunter of large game. Many Filas are untouchable in the ring and have what is called ‘ojeriza’, or an aversion toward strangers. This is a major part of the breed and is not indicative of a poor temperament, rather a strong one. This does not mean the Fila should be aggressive and threatening in the ring, only that it will not tolerate the hands-on judging of which most judges are familiar. Of course, some Filas will be approachable and will tolerate being handled by the judge, but these animals should not be placed higher because of this, if they are not superior as well. It is important to remember that the Fila Brasileiro was specifically bred for this distrust toward strangers, and an excellent specimen with a highly territorial, protective and yet stable temperament should be the goal of breeders. Two of the disqualifying faults are related to the dog’s temperament. 1. Cowardice. This would be a dog that is extremely nervous and flighty, attempting to run from his owner to the safety of his crate. Filas are alert and watchful and may startle at a strange noise (i.e. a clipboard dropping to the ground, etc.) but they should remain calm and either investigate the sound or ignore it, not cower from it. 2. Aggression to his owner. The Fila is commonly used in a Brazilian proverb: Faithful as a Fila. The Fila that acts aggressively to his owner is a liability and should not be bred much less shown. If the dog is being handled by someone other than the owner, it is possible that the dog will not tolerate strong discipline from this person. The judges should ask whether the handler owns the dog or not.
Gait. Another uniqueness of the Fila is his camel pace. This is a disqualifying fault if the dog lacks this gait. It is a product of the dog being higher in the rear than at the withers, and is believed to be an energy-saving gait. The judge should ask the handler to walk his dog in a triangle and allow his dog to pace. Here, the judge will see a swaying of the thorax and rear, and a sliding of the loose skin over the back.
Teeth. It is very important that the judge ask the handler whether or not he can examine the bite of the Fila. If not, the judge should ask that the handler do so. The dog may not be touchable, but it should still be well enough behaved so that the handler can lift the dog’s lips for the judge to examine the dog’s bite. If the handler does not do so in such a way as to allow the judge to determine the bite and dentition of the dog, then the judge should exclude the dog from winning. The teeth should be strong and thick at the base. Three disqualifying faults are associated with the bite. 1. Overshot. 2. Undershot (where the teeth show when the mouth is closed), and 3. A lack of one canine or one molar (except the third one). The scissors bite is preferred, and a level bite is acceptable.
Body. The body of the Fila should be 10% longer than tall, with a height of 23.5”-27.5” and minimum weight of 90 pounds for bitches, and a height of 25.5”-29.5” and a minimum of 100 pounds for males. The topline as mentioned above should be higher in the rear than at the withers, due to longer rear legs that are slightly lighter boned than the forelegs. The rear legs should maintain moderate angulation to achieve this and not be straight in the stifles. This conformation makes the Fila extremely agile for its size, and allows the dog to be more successful in moving cattle and hunting jaguar. The body of the Fila should also be covered by a thick, elastic, loose skin. The judge should ask the handler to lift the skin beginning at the withers, mid-back, and above the croup. This loose skin very likely saved many a Fila when a jaguar would take a swipe at the dogs only to have a paw full of skin rather than muscle or a jugular vein. The tail should be thick at the base, tapering quickly to the tip. It should reach the level of the hock, and should be carried low or level with the back, never curled up over the rear. There are three disqualifying faults for the body of the Fila. 1. A croup that is lower than the withers, 2. Under minimum height requirements, and 3. Lack of the loose skin.
Head.The head of the Fila should appear massive, with females being feminine in comparison to males. It should always be in proportion to the body. The Fila evolved primarily from the Bloodhound and the English Mastiff, and head type is not fixed to any one type. If the proportions are correct, the houndier head is equally as acceptable as the mastiffy head. The muzzle from tip of nose to the stop should be equal to or slightly less than the length of the stop to the occiput (1:1). The Fila should not have a well defined stop, rather a slight slope with the bone around the eyes making a furrow in which the stop runs through. From the front the stop should be practically non-existent. The head when viewed from the front should be pear-shaped, with the skull thicker than the muzzle. The muzzle should be broad and deep with curved, pendulous lips that cover the lower jaw. The top of the muzzle is straight or Roman-nosed, never curving upwards. The ears should be carried close to the head or folded back in a rose ear, at the level of the rear corner of the eye when relaxed. When hot or at attention, the ears will be carried higher and wrinkles will appear upon the forehead. The tip of the ear leather should just reach the rear flare of the nostril. The loose skin is also visible on the head and neck. Notable dewlaps are characteristic of the Fila as well as a wrinkle on the cheeks funning from the rear corner of the eye to the throat, and eyes often show the haw. Eyes should be almond-shaped and deep set, their color being harmonious with the coat color, with darker eyes preferred. The Fila head should never be snipey nor pug-like. The neck should be muscular and thick, with a slight outward curve from the withers to the occiput. Two disqualifying faults occur on the head. 1. Blue or Porcelain eyes, and 2. A pink nose.
Legs. The legs of the Fila should be placed squarely underneath the dog with both front and rear showing moderate angulation. They should be straight with tight, strong feet, heavier in the fore than the rear. The dog should have ample chest and plenty of width in the rear, so as not to be cow-hocked. The elbows should remain close to the chest and the carpals should not deviate laterally. The impression should be one of great power and agility.
Color. The Fila comes in fawn, brindle, and black. Fawn may range from cream to deep red, and brindle striping may be sparse or intense. A mask may or may not be present and is not a requirement. White is acceptable on the chest, feet, and tip of tail as long as it does not cover more than 1/4 of the dogs coat. Disqualifying colors include all white, mouse or steel gray, patched, dappled, black and tan, or merle.
Overall Impression. The general appearance of the Fila Brasileiro should be one of a molosser, having heavy bone, a large head, and substance. A good specimen should remind the judge of a big cat in its movement, and be typical of a working guardian breed. The head of the Fila gives it the melancholy expression that it is noted for, but this is replaced by an intense stare, where the eyes can be described as flat, when it is provoked. A Fila should never have its ears cropped nor its tail docked in the ring, as this is the last of the 13 disqualifying faults. As a judge you should not expect the Fila to be buoyant and ‘beg’ to win. They are not likely to wag their tails and bark to get your attention. When shown they should be stacked square and the collar should be at the base of the neck (not tight around the base of the head as in most AKC breeds) so that the dewlap and correct ear set are more visible. By nature the breed is calm and docile in public and only humiliates himself for the audience of his family. Please do not let this stop you from placing an excellent example of the breed in Group or rewarding one with Best in Show.
