altabonita
New member
Has anyone had any experience using a Fila for tracking? I have been offered a puppy and I am trying to get some info.
Fila Brasilerio
- Thread starter altabonita
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Jeff Mock
Active member
I've never owned a Fila, but I am familiar with them. I know several guys that own them, and I know their dispositions.
I raised Japanese Tosa's for quite a few years, and became familier with the Fila's in those cirles.
The Fila's that I have come into contact with were very good with family members; however, extremely suspicious and mistrustful of strangers. If your plans are to have an extremely protective guard dog that will defend any family member without hesitation, this would be a good choice.
Keep in mind, this is considered a "Molloser" breed dog, and before you pick one up, you need to do alot of research about this dog.
The Fila, while very good with family members are not going to be friendly with ANYONE outside of their immediate pack. They also tend to be very dog aggressive, and may not play well with others.
Now I realize that I am writing this in the hounds forum, and most of you guys know your dogs, and how to handle them, and I don't mean to write this as if you don't. I am simply letting you know what I know about this breed.
Years ago when slavery became legal in Brazil, this is the dog they used to track and capture slaves. I'm sure that in a tracking application, the dog would be very effective, but may need to be HEAVILY SOCIALIZED with the other dogs he may be working with.
In the "Fila Circles", many owners STOP solcializing their Fila's at about 4 months old, and this in and of itself can make for a very suspicious and aggressive dog, but if heavily socialized, as with other breeds, you may enjoy successful results.
Beautiful dogs, very loyal to the family, very suspicious/aggressive towards ALL OUTSIDERS, does not play well with other dogs.
If you get one, I sure would like to see some pics.
Jeff
I raised Japanese Tosa's for quite a few years, and became familier with the Fila's in those cirles.
The Fila's that I have come into contact with were very good with family members; however, extremely suspicious and mistrustful of strangers. If your plans are to have an extremely protective guard dog that will defend any family member without hesitation, this would be a good choice.
Keep in mind, this is considered a "Molloser" breed dog, and before you pick one up, you need to do alot of research about this dog.
The Fila, while very good with family members are not going to be friendly with ANYONE outside of their immediate pack. They also tend to be very dog aggressive, and may not play well with others.
Now I realize that I am writing this in the hounds forum, and most of you guys know your dogs, and how to handle them, and I don't mean to write this as if you don't. I am simply letting you know what I know about this breed.
Years ago when slavery became legal in Brazil, this is the dog they used to track and capture slaves. I'm sure that in a tracking application, the dog would be very effective, but may need to be HEAVILY SOCIALIZED with the other dogs he may be working with.
In the "Fila Circles", many owners STOP solcializing their Fila's at about 4 months old, and this in and of itself can make for a very suspicious and aggressive dog, but if heavily socialized, as with other breeds, you may enjoy successful results.
Beautiful dogs, very loyal to the family, very suspicious/aggressive towards ALL OUTSIDERS, does not play well with other dogs.
If you get one, I sure would like to see some pics.
Jeff
altabonita
New member
Jeff, Thanks for the reply. I have raised bullmastiffs, rottweilers and english mastiffs so I am experienced in socializing large, powerful breeds. I was really interested in hearing from someone who had experience using filas to track. Anyway, thanks again for the reply.
Jeff Mock
Active member
I'm about the last guy on Earth that would make a statement like "those are dangerous dogs"....But...The Fila's that I have been in contact with are about as rough as a night in jail with ANYONE outside of their immediate circle.
Like a said, I raised Japanese Tosa's, and the Tosa's are probably as tough if not tougher to socialize than the Fila's.
This is a pic of "Mikey"... He was a littermate of my last male, "Buster". Buster and Mikey looked like twins.
Here is another very nice Tosa:
Males go from between 145 up to 225 pounds and can be a handful when they get to scrapping with other dogs or each other. They definitely require a firm, consistant hand when being raised and trained.
Like a said, I raised Japanese Tosa's, and the Tosa's are probably as tough if not tougher to socialize than the Fila's.
This is a pic of "Mikey"... He was a littermate of my last male, "Buster". Buster and Mikey looked like twins.
Here is another very nice Tosa:
Males go from between 145 up to 225 pounds and can be a handful when they get to scrapping with other dogs or each other. They definitely require a firm, consistant hand when being raised and trained.
Jeff Mock
Active member
These 2 pics add a little perspective to the relative size potential of the Tosa:
This was, at one time, the Yoka Zuna, or Grand Master, in Japan. This is probably one of the finest examples of the Tosa ever. His photo is the one usually associate with the breed description and photo in many "dog book" publications...
This was, at one time, the Yoka Zuna, or Grand Master, in Japan. This is probably one of the finest examples of the Tosa ever. His photo is the one usually associate with the breed description and photo in many "dog book" publications...
Duane@ssu
New member
I think its neat to learn about these dogs.I don't need nor want one, but I sure like to hear about them.
Due to size, and frame, I'm not sure they would hold up to huntin. I could foresee trouble with shoulders, and hips breakin down. Also a problem with wind.They may run out of air on a long chase. Just my ideas????
Due to size, and frame, I'm not sure they would hold up to huntin. I could foresee trouble with shoulders, and hips breakin down. Also a problem with wind.They may run out of air on a long chase. Just my ideas????
Jeff Mock
Active member
Duane, I would agree for the most part about the dogs wind; however, these dogs are bred to this day in Japan, for "dog wrestling" matches. Not dog fights like there are here in the US, but actual wrestling matches with rules, referees, and the like. I do not condone the sport, but that is what the daog has been bred for.
It is considered to be about the toughest fighting dog on the planet.
These matches can last up to 45 minuntes, and they still keep going. These dogs are obviously conditioned for this, but they are very capable dogs.
I certainly don't think that this kind of dog could keep up with the rest of the dogs rest during a chase, but it would make for one HECK of a catch dog. I had one of mine protection trained, and he hit the wrap like a freight train. The guys used to draw straws to see who had to catch Bart on the sleeve.
Over the years, the Japanese breeders have been very selective about which pups were kept. In short, if a pup was noticed to have ANY type of real or perceived defect, it was destroyed. Their thnking on the matter was that only the purest of the pure were allowed to live.
Over a hundred years of this sort of selection has resulted in little to no passed on defects like hip dysplasia and the like.
I sure would liked to have seen old Bart or Buster catch a hog though...
It is considered to be about the toughest fighting dog on the planet.
These matches can last up to 45 minuntes, and they still keep going. These dogs are obviously conditioned for this, but they are very capable dogs.
I certainly don't think that this kind of dog could keep up with the rest of the dogs rest during a chase, but it would make for one HECK of a catch dog. I had one of mine protection trained, and he hit the wrap like a freight train. The guys used to draw straws to see who had to catch Bart on the sleeve.
Over the years, the Japanese breeders have been very selective about which pups were kept. In short, if a pup was noticed to have ANY type of real or perceived defect, it was destroyed. Their thnking on the matter was that only the purest of the pure were allowed to live.
Over a hundred years of this sort of selection has resulted in little to no passed on defects like hip dysplasia and the like.
I sure would liked to have seen old Bart or Buster catch a hog though...
Duane@ssu
New member
I would love to see one of those monsters catch a hog, Don't think I was cussin them, I respect any dog that does a "job". I don't care if its chasin a bird, a ball, fightin, huntin cats or workin cattle.Makes no never mind to me.
I based my comments on the looks of the dog alone.Would be real fun to try one.
I based my comments on the looks of the dog alone.Would be real fun to try one.
Jeff Mock
Active member
I think your spot on Duane... A dog like that would have a real tough time keeping up with the others for sure, and it might even take a toll on their hips and shoulders after awhile, but man oh man would I like to see a Fila or a Tosa catch a hog!
About 8 years ago, in Phoenix, I got up early one morning, and was drinking my coffee, and Buster, the black dog, is standing at the back door and he wants out bad. Hackle up, tail straight up and vibrating!
I walked over and look out the sliding glass door, and on the back fence, there was a HUGE hawk just sitting on the fence taking in the sun.
The hawk was high enough on the fence that I knew if I let the dog out, he'd just fly away. Well, the plan looked pretty good on paper anyway.
So I slide the back door open, and Buster is out like a shot! Now, the Tosa is a funny dog, because they don't really ever bark, and when they're scrapping, they stay pretty much silent. In Japan, when the dogs are doing their "wrestling deal", if one yelps out, or barks, he is immediately disqualified.
ANYWAY, Buster is out the door like a shot, and he's tearing out after that great big hawk, and he's closing the distance really quick. I'm thinking, "well, this is gonna be interesting"...
So there is Buster going about 100 miles an hour after this hawk, and just when Buster is about 8 feet away, that hawk turns his head, real slow, and looks right at Buster, as if to say, "are you sure you really wanna do this?"
I have NEVER, in my whole life, EVER seen a dog stop and turn around so fast.
Buster hit the brakes, and before his body stopped it's own forward motion, he was beating feet the other direction, and HE was getting the HECK outta THERE!
He ran back into the house and stood behind me and just looked at me like I was gonna protect him. I never laughed so hard in my life.
165 dog gets buffalo'd by a hawk.
I sure do miss old Buster.
About 8 years ago, in Phoenix, I got up early one morning, and was drinking my coffee, and Buster, the black dog, is standing at the back door and he wants out bad. Hackle up, tail straight up and vibrating!
I walked over and look out the sliding glass door, and on the back fence, there was a HUGE hawk just sitting on the fence taking in the sun.
The hawk was high enough on the fence that I knew if I let the dog out, he'd just fly away. Well, the plan looked pretty good on paper anyway.
So I slide the back door open, and Buster is out like a shot! Now, the Tosa is a funny dog, because they don't really ever bark, and when they're scrapping, they stay pretty much silent. In Japan, when the dogs are doing their "wrestling deal", if one yelps out, or barks, he is immediately disqualified.
ANYWAY, Buster is out the door like a shot, and he's tearing out after that great big hawk, and he's closing the distance really quick. I'm thinking, "well, this is gonna be interesting"...
So there is Buster going about 100 miles an hour after this hawk, and just when Buster is about 8 feet away, that hawk turns his head, real slow, and looks right at Buster, as if to say, "are you sure you really wanna do this?"
I have NEVER, in my whole life, EVER seen a dog stop and turn around so fast.
Buster hit the brakes, and before his body stopped it's own forward motion, he was beating feet the other direction, and HE was getting the HECK outta THERE!
He ran back into the house and stood behind me and just looked at me like I was gonna protect him. I never laughed so hard in my life.
165 dog gets buffalo'd by a hawk.
I sure do miss old Buster.
fordmandiesel
New member
i have actually been lookin at filas. I like how protective they are but my only concern it liability. Is is a breed im constantly worryin about bitin someone and gettin my butt sued?
Before I got my dog, I was reading about a bunch of different ones to get. I wanted a big dog and the filas were looking good. I decided against it just because of the of the not always friendly with others outside the family. At the time I had 3 stepkids and thats all I needed is for there friends to be over and take a chance at them getting mauled. I ended up with a boxer which he is a great dog. With no kids here anymore I might look into a fila later on. I'm going to have to look at those Tosa's as well. Look like a beautiful dog.
the few of you that are consdering a fila or tosa i would go a see an adult dog to get an idea of what you ae getting in to jeff hit the nail on the head these are very serious dogs bullmastiff or english mastiffs are no where near as hard as these dogs
one of my facs is the cane corso check them out
there is a site called molloser world that has alot of info on these dogs
one of my facs is the cane corso check them out
there is a site called molloser world that has alot of info on these dogs
Jeff Mock
Active member
I got 6 patterdales that bark if something isn't right, and the shotgun does the work.......
I don't know personally anybody that has Filas, but I thought I remembered somebody used them for catching rogue cattle and hogs, but no tracking that I've read anywhere. What are you planning on tracking with the Fila?
I don't know personally anybody that has Filas, but I thought I remembered somebody used them for catching rogue cattle and hogs, but no tracking that I've read anywhere. What are you planning on tracking with the Fila?
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