THE FILA BRASILEIRO

THE FILA BRASILEIRO OFFICIAL CBKC/FCI STANDARD

GENERAL APPEARANCE:

Typically molossoid breed with powerful bones, rectangular and compact structure but harmonious and proportional. Added to his massivenes a great agility can be easily seen. Bitches must show a well-defined femininity which differentiates them immediately from males.

CHARACTER AND TEMPERAMENT:

Outstanding courage, determination, and bravery are part of his characteristics. He is docile and obedient to his owners and family and extremely tolerant with children. His faithfulness became a Brazilian proverb. He shows a calm diposition, self-assurance, and self-confidence, not being disturbed by strange noises nor when facing a new environment. An unsurpassed guardian of property, he is also inclined, by instinct, to hunt big game and to herd cattle.

GAIT:

The Fila has a long reach and elastic gait which reminds one of the great cats` movements. His main characteristic is the pace ( camel's gait ), moving two legs of one side first, followed by the two legs of the other side which causes a rolling lateral movement of the thorax and hindquarters accentuated by the tail when it is raised. During the walk he maintains the head lower than the back line. He shows a smooth, free, and long reaching trot with a powerful stride. His gallop is powerful with an unsuspectedspeed coming from such a large and heavy dog. The Fila Brasileiro's gait is always influenced by its typically mossoloid articulations which give the impression, and in fact it is true, of effectively permitting him sudden and swift changes in direction.

EXPRESSION:

In repouse it is calm, noble, and full of self-assurance, never disclossing a bored nor absent expression. When in attention, the expression should reflect determination and allertness with a firm and piercing look in his eyes.

HEAD:

The Fila's head is heavy and massive, always proportionate to the body. Seen from above, it resembles a trapezoidal figure in which the head appears pear-shaped. From a side view, muzzle and skull should have approximately the proportion of one to one, or with the first being slightlysmaller than the second one.

SKULL:

The profile shows a smooth curve from the stop to the occiput which is well-defined and salient, especially in puppies. From a front view the skull is wide, ample with the upper line slightly curved. The lateral lines descend slightly curved, almost in a vertical line, narrowing toward the muzzle, never showing a stop.

STOP:

From a front view it is pratically non-existent. The medium furrow runs up smoothly until approximately the halfway markof the skull. From a side view the stop is low, sloping, and virtually formed by the very well-developed eyebrow ridges.

MUZZLE:

Strong, broad, and deep, always in harmony with the skull. From a top view it is full under the eyes, very slightly narrowing toward the middle of the muzzle and slightly broadening againg until reaching the front curve. From a side view the bridge of the muzzle and slightly broadening again until reaching the front curve. From a side view the bridge of the muzzle is straight or has a Roman nose, but never in an ascendant line. The front line of the muzzle is close to a perpendilacular line in relation to the superior line, showing a slight depression rigth under the nose. A perfect curve is formed by the upper lips which are thick and pendulous, drooping over the lower lips giving shape to the lower line