Fila Brasileiro Breed Standard
#225 Official CBKC l984 standard
CLICK
HERE FOR FILA BRASILEIRO, INC. BREEDING REGULATIONS
translated by CBKC/FCI/SKC judge Clelia
Kruel to the English language
General
Appearance | Character and Temperament
| Gait | Expression
| Head | Skull |
Stop | Muzzle |
Nose
Eyes | Ears |
Teeth | Neck | Topline
| Croup | Body |
Thorax | Loins
| Underline | Forequarters
| Forelegs | Feet
Hindquarters | Hindlegs
| Hindfeet | Tail
| Height | Weight
| Color | Skin |
Coat | Test of Temperament
| Faults
GENERAL APPEARANCE
Typically molossoid breed with powerful bones, rectangular
and compact structure but harmonious and proportional. Added
to his massiveness 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 is always looking for the company
of his master. One of his characteristics is his "ojeriza"
towards strangers. He shows a calm disposition, 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 unsuspected speed coming from such a large and heavy
dog. The Fila Brasileiro's gait is always influenced by its
typically molossoid articulations which give the impression,
and in fact it is true, of effectively permitting him sudden
and swift changes in direction.
EXPRESSION
In repose it is a calm, noble, and full of self-assurance,
never disclosing a bored nor absent expression. When in attention,
the expression should reflect determination and alertness
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 slightly smaller 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 practically non-existent. The medium
furrow runs up smoothly until approximately the halfway mark
of 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 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 perpendicular line in relation to the superior line, showing
a slight depression right 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
of the muzzle which is almost parallel to the upper line.
The labial rim is always apparent. The lower lips are close
and firm up to the fangs and from there on they are loose
with dented borders. The muzzle has a great depth at the root
but without surpassing the length of the muzzle. The labial
rim has the shape of an inverted and deep U.
NOSE
Well-developed with broad nostrils not occupying entirely
the maxilla width. The color is black.
EYES
From medium to large size, almond-shaped, spaced well apart,
from medium to deep-set. The colors are from dark chestnut
to yellow, always in harmony with the coat color. Due to the
profusion of the loose skin, many individuals present drooping
lower eyelids which are not considered a fault as such detail
increases the melancholic expression which is typical of the breed.
EARS
Pendant, large, thick, V-shaped, broad at the base and tapering
at the end with rounded tips. They are inserted at the posterior
part of the skull in line with the medium level of the eyes
when in repose. When roused the ears go above the original
position. The root is oblique with the front border higher
than the back border. The ears are drooping at the cheeks
or are folded back allowing the interior to be seen.
TEETH
Noticeably wider than long. They are strong and white. The
upper scissors are broad at the root and sharp at the edges.
Canines are powerful, well set and well apart. A scissors
bite is the ideal, but a level bite is acceptable.
NECK
Extraordinarily strong and well-muscled giving the impression
of a short neck. It is slightly curved on the top and well-detached
from the skull. The throat is furnished with dewlaps.
TOPLINE
The withers, standing in a sloping line, are set well apart
from each other due to the distance between the scapulas at
a slightly lower level than the croup. After the withers,
the topline changes direction, ascending smoothly to the croup,
with no tendency to show a sway nor a roach back.
CROUP
Broad and long, with an approximate angulation of 30 degrees
to the horizontal line, showing a smooth curve. It stands
a little higher than the withers. Viewed from the rear the
croup must be ample and its width is approximately equal to
the thorax and may be even wider in females.
BODY
Strong, broad, and deep, covered by thick and loose skin.
The thorax is longer than the abdomen. The length of the body
is the same as the height at the withers plus ten per cent,
when measured from the point of the shoulder to the point
of the buttocks.
THORAX
The ribs are well sprung, though not interfering with the
position of the shoulders. The chest is deep and large, descending
to the level of the elbows.
LOINS
Shorter and not as deep as the thorax, showing a separation
of the two component parts. The lower part of the loins is
more developed in the females. Viewed from above, the loins
are narrower than the thorax and croup, but should not form
a waistline.
UNDERLINE
The chest is long and parallel to the ground in all its extension.
The tuck-up extends in a slightly ascending line but is never
whippety.
FOREQUARTERS
The ideal shoulder structure should be composed of two bones
of equal length (scapula and humerus), with the former at
an angle of 45 degrees from the horizontal line and the humerus
forming an approximate 90 degree angle with the scapula. The
articulation of the scapula-humerus forms the point of the
shoulder which should be situated at the level of the prosternum
but a little behind it. In its ideal position the shoulder
covers the space from the withers to the prosternum and the
point of the shoulder should be placed halfway to this distance.
An imaginary perpendicular line coming down from the withers
should cut the elbow and reach the foot.
FORELEGS
Must be parallel, straight to the pasterns, and with powerful
bones. The carpis (pastern joints) are strong and apparent.
The metacarpus (pasterns) are short and slightly sloping.
Length of the leg from ground to elbow should be equal to
the length from elbow to withers.
FEET
Formed by strong and well-arched toes which are not too close
together. The pads are thick, broad, and deep. The correct
position of the feet is pointing to the front. The nails are
strong and dark, but they may be white when this is the color
of the respective toe.
HINDQUARTERS
The hindlegs are less heavy boned than the forelegs but never
light as a whole. The upper thigh has curved borders shaped
by muscles descending from the ilium and ischium, which trace
the curve of the rear, and for this reason the ischium must
have a good length.
HINDLEGS
Parallel, with strong tarsis, metatarsis slightly bent, higher
than the metacarpis. The stifles and hocks are moderately
angulated.
HINDFEET
A little more oval than the forefeet, but otherwise the description
is identical to that for the forefeet. They should not present
dewclaws.
TAIL
Very wide at the root, medium set, reaching to the level of
the hocks, tapering rapidly at its end. When the dog is alert,
the tail is raised high, and the curve at the extremity is
more accentuated. The tail should not fall over the back or
curl up.
HEIGHT
Measured at the withers:
Males: 65 to 75 cms. (25.5 inches to 29.5 inches)
Females: 60 to 70 cms. (23.5 inches to 27.5 inches)
WEIGHT
Males: minimum of 50 kgs. (l00 lbs.)
Females: minimum of 40 kgs. (90 lbs.)
COLOR
All solid colors are permitted except the disqualifying ones(white,
mouse grey, patched dogs, dappled, or black and tan). Brindles
of a basic color, may have the stripes of either less or with
very strong intensity. A black mask may or may not be present.
In all permitted colors white markings should be limited to
the feet, chest, and tip of tail. The white markings are not
desirable on any other part of the body.
SKIN
One of the most important breed characteristics is the thick,
loose skin over the whole body, chiefly at the neck, forming
pronounced dewlaps, and in many individuals the folds proceed
to the chest and abdomen. Some dogs show a fold at the side
of the head and also at the withers descending to the shoulder.
When the dog is in repose the head is free of wrinkles. When
alert, in order to lift the ears, the contraction of the skin
at the skull forms little wrinkles along a longitudinal line
of the skull.
COAT
Short, smooth, dense and tight to the skin.
TEST OF TEMPERAMENT
This is compulsory requirement for all individuals (after
12 months) in order to obtain a registered championship title.
All champions must have a certificate of approval at the
temperament test. This type of test is made at all specialty
shows. It is optional at general shows, up to the judge's
will, providing it is public and takes place outside of the
show ring.
The trial includes:
Attack with a stick. The dog is supposed to attack in front
of the handler, without being coached, and the exhibitor or
handler will remain in his position. It is forbidden to touch
or to beat the animal.
Shooting test. There will be blanks fired at a distance of
five meters from the dog. The dog should express attention,
show self-confidence and self-assurance.
During all performances in the ring, the judge will analyze
the behavior and temperament of the entrant, paying attention
to his expression. During the temperament test the following
should be observed:
• The dislike of the animal to strangers.
. The self-assurance, courage, determination, and braveness
of each dog.
FAULTS
GENERAL FAULTS
Cryptorchid or monorchids, the use of artificial products,
or a dog which has been changed in appearance by artificial
means, albinos, lack of typicity, etc.
DISQUALIFICATION
Aggressiveness toward his owner
Cowardice
Pink nose
Overshot bite
Undershot bite showing the teeth when the mouth is closed
Lack of one canine or one molar, other than the third one
Blue eyes (porcelain like)
Cropped ears or docked tail
Croup lower than the withers
All dogs that are white, mouse grey, patched, dappled or merle
or black and tan
Under minimum height
Lack of loose skin
Lack of camel's pace
VERY SERIOUS FAULTS
Small head
Tight upper lips
A pronounced stop from a front view
Protruding eyes
Lack of two teeth except the PIS (first pre-molars)
Lack of dewlaps
Apathetic or timid dogs
Negative sensitivity to shooting a gun
Roach back
Level topline
Excessive tuckup
Cowhocks
Straight hocks (lack of angulation at the hindlegs)
Light bones
Lack of substance
Over maximum height
White markings exceeding l/4 of the body
Lack of pigmentation at eye rim
Round eyes
Square figure
SERIOUS FAULTS
Short muzzle
Small ears
High set ears (when in repose)
Excessively light colored eyes
Wrinkles on skull when the animal is in repose
Undershot bite
Lack of two teeth
Folded skin under throat that is not dewlap
Swayback
Narrow croup
A curled tail carried over the back
Chest lacking depth
Deviation of metacarpus or metatarsus
Over-angulated hindlegs
Short steps
MINOR FAULTS
Anything in disagreement with the standard that does not fall
into the above three categories
NOTE:
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully
descended into the scrotum.
