For the benefit of AKC, CKC and other dog club judges who may be called on to judge the Fila Brasileiro in rare breed or FCI events, the Fila Brasileiro Club of America (FBCA) offers these guidelines to the standard, with the assistance of the FBCA’s technical advisor, Brazilian judge and breeder, Clelia Kruel.

The name is pronounced "FEEL—ah" (meaning to hold on to) and "Bra—seal—AIR-oh" (meaning Brazilian).

The Fila Brasileiro is a Molosser, or Mastiff-type dog, and like all breeds of this family is expected to have a massive appearance, with large strong bone, deep rib cage and impressive head. In other words, substance is a requisite, although the bones are not as huge and heavy as the Mastiff. However, the Fila has several unique characteristics which differentiate it from the only two Molosser breeds recognized by the AKC, the Mastiff and Bullmastiff.

On first impression the Fila may appear more square than those breeds, even though it is to be 10 percent longer than tall (the Mastiff is commonly about 30 percent longer). The Fila is intermediate in height between the Bullmastiff and Mastiff, males being 23-1/2 to 27-1/2. Below minimum height is a disqualification.

The judge will instantly notice, looking at the dogs in profile, that the Fila is higher at the croup than at the withers, one of the few breeds that call for this type of conformation. A straight topline is a very serious fault, and a topline that slopes downward from the withers to the croup—desired in so many other breeds—is a disqualification for the Fila. There is a palpable space of more than an inch between the scapulas, in order to permit the body to drop between the shoulders in trailing or crouching. This allows front-end flexibility as a useful, even lifesaving, tool when hunting jaguars.

In some breeds such as the Mastiff, where being high in the rear is a fault, this is usually caused by straight stifles.

However, straight stifles in the Fila is a very serious fault; as a working dog, the Fila should have a moderate rear angulation. The Fila topline slopes upward in the rear because the Fila has rear legs that are longer, as well as slightly lighter boned, than the front legs.

This conformation contributes to the Fila’s tremendous agility (especially at full gallop, which alas cannot be seen in the show ring), giving the impression that the Fila should be able to leap into the air and turn on a dime. The impression of agility given by conformation is born out in practice, as Filas are much more agile than the other Molosser breeds.

The agility was necessary for the Fila’s traditional work in Brazil of catching and pinning wild bulls, as well as hunting jaguars and other big game on Brazilian ranches. Filas, even big males of 150 pounds or more, like to stand on their hind legs and put their paws on your shoulders. Their conformation makes it comfortable for them to stand up (as they used to do when treeing jaguars in Brazil), unlike Molossers such as Mastiffs. Their loose skin, especially at the throat, was also developed as an aid in jaguar-hunting (a swipe of the cat’s paw would catch only skin, not bone or the jugular vein).

This unique conformation of being high in the rear also gives the Fila its distinctive "camel gait"; i.e., it paces when walking. In thinking of breed origins, the pace was an energy-saving gait on the cattle ranches. Filas, which had to travel long distances on the ranches, were eliminated if they lacked the stamina to keep up with the work.

For these reasons, the Fila MUST be judged at the walk, in order to observe that it paces by moving first the legs on one side of the body and then those on the other, giving a swaying movement to the rear and topline. This unique walk is absolutely required in the Fila and the lack of it is a disqualifying-fault. The "camel gait" is considered one of the essential points of breed type. While it walks, it holds it’s head down, in line with or lower than the shoulders.

The Fila should also be judged at the trot. It should have an efficient ground-covering trot of the type typical of the working guard dogs, and should be judged similarly in this respect.

Judging Procedures in Brazil take into account the unique features of the Fila. In Brazil it is customary for the judge, when he begins the individual examination of the Fila, to ask the handler to lift the skin on the back of the dog (usually the skin over the withers) to demonstrate that the dog does indeed, have the loose skin that is such an important characteristic of breed type.

The judge will then examine the dog individually, asking the handler to show the bite and teeth. He will then have the dog gait at a walk (usually a circle or triangle) to demonstrate the camel pace, and the swaying movement of the rear. Then he will observe the conventional movement at the trot.

Also, judges will sometimes deliberately make a sudden loud noise in the ring to determine that none of the dogs shows timidity. (At specialty shows in Brazil, gunshots are fired for this purpose.)

A major point of breed type is that the Fila’s body is characterized by loose skin, particularly on the front part, and with pronounced dewlaps. Lack of loose skin on the body is a disqualifying fault for the Fila. The loose skin is a functional aspect of breed type, as its advantages in hunting jaguars and in chasing wild bulls in the bush is obvious—in their attacks on the dog they were more likely to grab loose skin than to penetrate it, injuring muscles and bone.

The very long tail, with the last vertebra reaching to the hocks, is important for balance.

When examining the body, the judge should expect large bone and a deep rib cage extending to the elbows, as in other Molosser breeds. There should be little tuck-up, although there may be slightly more tuck-up in young dogs (Filas, like other Molossers, aren’t fully mature until three or four years). The distance from ground to elbows is to be equal to that of elbows to withers. The brisket is well pronounced, the chest fairly broad. Both front and rear legs should be straight when the dog is in motion, although it will single track when moving rapidly. Front paws may turn slightly outward when the dog is standing still, but will straighten when the dog moves. Extremely east-west feet and cow hocks are very serious faults, as they will fail to straighten out when the dog moves.

To resume, the disqualifying faults associated with the body are: a croup lower than withers; lack of the typical camel pace; lack of loose skin; all essential to breed type.

Also cropped ears or a docked tail are disqualifying and below minimum height (23-1/2 for bitches, 25-1/2 for dogs).

The Fila has a short coat. There is no discrimination or preference within the permitted solid and brindle colors. All types of brindle and all shades of red from light fawn and yellow to mahogany are the most common colors. Black is equally permitted. With or without dark mask has no significance. White markings are permitted in the standard; and lack of white markings is equally desirable.

It is common, and permitted in the standard, for there to be some white on the dogs, on the feet, chest and tip of tail. White on the head, or on other parts of the body, is not desirable. More than 25 percent white is a very serious fault.

Al all-white dog is disqualified, as is a solid grey coat (mouse grey, steel blue, and its various shades). A patched or dappled (merle) coat is disqualification.

Dilute colors (such as "Isabela" fawn, or a Weimaraner dilute red) are often frowned on by Brazilian judges, although not directly faulted in the standard. Equally, although grey brindle is permitted in the standard as one of the varieties, it is seriously discouraged in Brazil, as many judges believe it indicates crossbreeding with Neapolitan Mastiffs. Tricolors and black-and-tans are apparently never seen in Brazil, and are not mentioned in the standard – however, they do not fall within the definitions of allowable colors.

Although type in the Fila is very dependent on body conformation and movement – with three disqualifying faults associated with the high croup, camel pace and loose skin – the Fila head type is also quite unique among Molosser breeds.

It is helpful to remember that the Fila evolved mainly from the English Mastiff and the Bloodhound. These were combined with the descendants in Brazil of European war and hunting dogs brought by the Portuguese conquistadors, and 16^th-century bull-baiting dogs (the old "English Bulldog", brought by the Dutch). Although those cattle dogs were known in the 16^th century as English Bulldogs, at that time the breed’s body more resembled our American Staffordshire Terrier than the modern, non-functional Bulldog.

The Fila head, due to the Bloodhound ancestry, is more houndy looking than the other Molosser breeds, with longer muzzle and longer ears. The ear set is also characteristically low and "houndy". Most Molossers, like the Mastiff, are short-muzzled with the skill to be twice the length of the muzzle, in a proportion of two to one; or, to put it another way, the muzzle only half the length of the skull. Usually the distance between the plane of the muzzle and the plane of the skull is great, causing a very prominent stop.

Skull: In contrast, the Fila head has a proportion of one-to-one, with the length of muzzle (from nose to stop) to be equal to that of the skull (stop to occiput), or the muzzle may be "slightly" (says the standard) shorter than the skull. The plane of the skull and the plane of the muzzle should be only a short distance apart, avoiding the deep stop characteristic of the Mastiff. A very short muzzle and prominent stop make the Fila look too "mastiffy", a serious fault of type. However, a very long, snipey muzzle lacking depth, would be too "houndy" and also incorrect.

Seen in profile, the skull is relatively flat with the stop formed only by the eyebrow ridges; the stop is low and curves upwards rather than forming a right angle like the stop of the mastiff. Seen from in front, the stop is practically nonexistent, and the median furrow is slight and runs upward smoothly.

Muzzle: The muzzle is to be broad and deep. In profile, the upper lips droop over the lower lips forming a curve, giving a deep and rounded appearance, not square. The top of the muzzle is straight, or Roman-nosed, but never turns up. Looking at the head from above, the skull is broad but narrows at the beginning of the muzzle, again broadening slightly at the front.

Neck: The neck is very strong and well muscled, with notable dewlaps at the throat. The upper side of the neck is slightly curved, with clear juncture to the skull and a prominent occiput in younger dogs. The occiput remains fairly prominent even in some adults, in others not (a difference in type that is within the standard).

The noticeable dewlaps make the thick neck also appear short, as the lower line of the muzzle flows into the skin on the lower part of the neck. This contributes to the massive appearance of the head.

Especially important to type are the features inherited from the Bloodhound ancestor; long ears (not as long as the hound but clearly longer than the Mastiff and other Molosser breeds); low set ears, at the level of the eyes when relaxed, although higher when at attention; notable dewlap; loose skin on the muzzle and cheeks, with in addition definite wrinkles on the skull when at attention; eyes often showing the haw. All these features contribute to the slightly melancholy, houndy appearance of the expression. Ears, when relaxed, may be carried close to the head or folded back (rose ear). Both are equally acceptable.

Teeth: Strong teeth and complete dentition are a requisite for this guardian breed. Lack of one canine or any molar except the third is a disqualification. Lack of any other two teeth except the first pre-molar, is a very serious fault.

The scissors bite is preferred, the level bite is acceptable, slightly undershot is a fault. However, it is not considered very serious in Brazil, as there is debate (as there is among Mastiff people) as to whether a slightly undershot bite would be an advantage in grabbing and holding cattle. However, if the bite is greatly undershot, so as to show the teeth when the mouth is closed, it is a disqualification. Also, an overshot bit is a disqualification.

Here we come to what might be considered a conflict for judges – the examination of the mouth. The Fila, bred for over a hundred years in Brazil to guard solitary ranches and work cattle, and used in modern times generally as a guard dog, has a natural distrust and aversion ("ojeriza") to strangers, unless trained otherwise.

This temperament is a natural breed characteristic considered desirable in a guard dog and much cultivated in its country of origin, where in order to gain a championship all Filas must pass an attack test.

In Brazil, judges are not allowed to touch the Filas in the ring (this is also part of the current FCI standard). AKC judges acting in FCI shows must honor this standard, although the FBCA urges them to touch Filas if the owners so request, to see that the breed is indeed, tractable.

It must be remembered that in Brazil, most Filas are kept behind walls or fences throughout their lives, never taken off the property, and never socialized in any form with strangers. The predictable result with a highly territorial guardian breed, is that when the dogs are taken off the property for the first time at one or two years of age to go to a show, they will not let the judge or any stranger touch them. Brazilians, for the most part, do not believe in giving the Fila any socialization whatsoever, which surely accounts for their supposed "untouchability". However, even in Brazil, some Filas work successfully in obedience and Schutzhund-type training, and in crowd-control and other police work. Obviously, they are not aggressive towards non-threatening strangers.

"Faithful as a Fila dog" is an old Brazilian proverb indicating the breed’s extreme fidelity and attachment to its owner. For this reason, any Fila showing bad temperament by attacking its owner-handler in the ring is to be disqualified.

Evident dislike of other dogs or handlers, such as growling or lunging (which must be controlled by the owner) is not to be penalized in FCI or rare breed shows at this time, when they are still ruled by the Brazilian standard. As soon as AKC recognition of the breed is achieved, any attack or attempt to bite anyone in the ring will automatically be a disqualification.

Timidity should not be tolerated in a guard dog, and cowardice is a disqualification in the Fila.

The late Vincent G. Perry, a well-known dog columnist who had a 50-year career as a much-respected AKC judge said this about the temperament of foreign guard dogs:

"Following World War I, "sharpness" was a required temperament characteristic for imported German dogs (Shepherds and Dobermans). To the surprise of many, the progeny of these sharp dogs were entirely different when they were brought up as most dog lovers bring up their puppies in England, Canada, and these United States. Not that they became "sissies", but they were friendly, kind, affectionate and sometimes docile. But they were protective and still are. Let no man attack those he loves."

We feel that if you substitute "Brazil" for "Germany", and "Fila" for "Dobermans", this quotation would apply perfectly to the guardian temperament of the Fila in the United States today. Raised in the American manner, Filas can be trained to accept judges touching them, and even now they are competing successfully in obedience and Schutzhund where they must accept the stranger’s touch. (They also work Schutzhund in Brazil and are successfully used in crowd control and other police work – where they must ignore strangers – thus showing that even in Brazil the supposed extreme ferocity of the Fila is partly a myth).

Other disqualifying faults not previously mentioned are pink nose, and blue eyes – any other shade in harmony with the coat, from yellow to dark brown, is permitted.

As a judge, you will probably notice a variety in type among those dogs that are within the standard of the Fila breed. This is perfectly normal, and is a variation you will also notice in other Molosser breeds.

In terms of body types, there is a relatively short-legged type appearing closer to the ground, and a longer-legged type. A similar variation occurs in Mastiffs, often referred to as the (lower-set) English type, and the American type.

As long as the Fila has good bone and substance, a deep chest reaching at least to the level of the elbows, balance and harmony between body and head – both the lower-set and taller Fila types are correct within the standard.

Historically, it can be pointed out that some Brazilian breeders say that both types were developed for different kinds of work on the ranches. The longer-legged, more agile Filas were those that worked the cattle, both as catch-dogs and drovers, often going on week-long trips when it was time to take them to market. Endurance and agility were prime requisites. The heavier-set dogs, of less endurance, stayed at the ranch to guard the women and other employees while the men were out with the cattle. The more frightening-looking dogs with huge heads (nicknamed "black mouth" and "big head" in Brazil) were favored for guard duties. Both body types must be within the standard – good bone and substance, rear higher than withers, loose skin, deep rib cage, pacing gait, etc. However, as a judge you will probably see both types and neither should be penalized if it is within the standard.

Fila head types may also vary within the standard, as long as the head gives a "big, massive" impression. Brazilian breeders are not in accord as to the preferred head type. Aspects that will give varying looks to the head include the following:

1. The relative width of skull and muzzle, when viewed from the front. The head is "pear-shaped" and its sides "narrow" towards the muzzle, says the standard. What kind of pear? And how much does it narrow? Since the standard does not say, you will find some dogs which, observed from the front, have an extremely broad skull with a very much narrower muzzle; and you will find others in which the muzzle is only slightly narrower than the skull.
2. How rounded is the skull? Some dogs will have a skull that appears very rounded between the ears, and others will appear almost flat. The standard says "the upper line of the skull is slightly curved" and it is left up to the judge’s interpretation. Both flatter and more rounded skulls can also be noted in profile. Also, the prominence of the occiput will differ among dogs of different ages and types.
3. Whether the muzzle is equal in length to the skull or – says the standard – "slightly" shorter than the skull (both permitted).
4. Rose or hanging ear. The ear-set must be low, level with eyes and not at the top of the skull when relaxed. However, the rose ear – even if its insertion is exactly at the same level with the ear that is carried close to the cheek – usually appears to be lower set. Both types of ear carriage are equally acceptable.
5. Eye shape. The standard calls for almond-shaped eyes but also permits equally, droopy lower eyelids showing the haw. This difference will obviously affect the shape of the eye, as well as the drooping eyelids looking more Bloodhoundy ("lozenge" shape).
6. Amount of dewlap. There must be loose skin and the dog must have dewlap but how much there is, and how many wrinkles, will modify the appearance.
7. It should be noted that brindle markings or black mask may contribute to optical illusions about head proportions.

To resume, as you think of Fila type, remember its principal ancestors, the Mastiff and the Bloodhound. The more houndy Fila head would have a muzzle equal in length to the skull; prominent occiput and more rounded skull; a lot of wrinkle and dewlap; possibly eyes showing the haw; a muzzle nearly equal in width to the skull when viewed from in front.

The more Mastiffy head would appear very broad, as it would narrow more extremely at the beginning of the muzzle; appear less rounded in skull, have a muzzle slightly shorter than the skull length; perhaps relatively less dewlap.

However, the essential features of the Fila head as called for in the standard, must always be present; the sloping stop virtually invisible from the front view; broad skull; long, low-set ears; deep muzzle, never snipey; ample, curved upper lip, never square like the Mastiff; dewlap giving the impression of a short, thick neck.