FILA BRASILEIRO STANDARD
Fila breed standard taken from the american rare breed
association.
Movement
The Fila should have a long reach and elastic gait.
His smooth stride reminds you of the great cats
movements. His main characteristic is the PACE a
two beat lateral gait in which the legs of each side
move back and forth exactly as a pair causing a
robing or rocking motion of the dog's body (called
the camel s pace) accentuated all along the top
line to the tail. During the walk he carries the
head lower than the back region. He shows a
smooth. free and effortless trot with a powerful
stride. He shows a smooth, free and effortless
trot with powerful stride. His gallop is powerful with unsuspecting speed coming from such a large and heavy dog. Due to his loose articulations. typical of molossoids, the Fila's movements give the impression, and in fact it is so, of being capable of instant and very rapid changes of Section.
Expression
In repose it is calm, noble and full of selfassurance. Never discloses a bored or
absent expression. When at attention his expression reflects determination and
alertness with a flow look in eyes.
Head
The Fila head is big, heavy, massive, always proportionate to the whole body.
From a top view it resembles a trapezoid figure in which the head is inserted
in a pear form shape. From side view muzzle and skull should have
approximately the proportion of one per one with the muzzle slightly shorter
than the skull.
Skull
The profile of the skull shows a smooth curve from the stop to the occiput,
which is protuberant especially in puppies. From a front view it is large,
broad with the upper line slightly curved. Lateral lines come down almost
vertical in a curve narrowing the muzzle. Never shows a stop.
Stop
Frontal Depression
From a front view It is particularly non existent. The medium furrow is slight and
runs up smoothly. Looking sideways the stop is low, sloped and virtually formed only
by the well developed eyebrows.
Muzzle
Strong, broad and deep always in harmony with the skull. From a top view it is full under the eyes slightly narrowing toward the middle a the muzzle and again broadening slightly to the front line. From a side view the nose is straight or has a Roman line. but never turned up. The front line of the muzzle is close to a perpendicular line with; depression right under the nose and forming a perfect curve with the upper lips which are thick, pendulous and drooping over the lower lips, giving shape to the inferior 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 due of the length. Edges of the lips form an inverted U.
Nose
Well developed broad nostrils not occupying entirely the maxilar width.
Color
Black.
Eyes
From medium to large size, almond shaped. spaced well apart, medium to deep set. Permissible colors from dark brown to yellow, always in accordance to the color of the coat. Due to the profusion of loose skin many individuals present drooping lower eyelids which is not considered as fault as such a detail increases the melancholic expression which is typical of the breed.
Ears
Pendant, large, thick, Vshaped. Broad at the base and tapering to the ends. Rounded tips, Inserted at the posterior part of the skull in line with the eyes when in repose. When roused the ears are above the original position. The root is oblique with the front border higher than the back border. Drooping at the cheeks or folded back allowing its Interior to be seen.
Teeth
Wider than longer, strong and white. Upper incisors are broad at their root and sharp at the edged s. Canines or fangs are powerful, well set and well apart. The ideal bite is a scissor bite but a level bite is acceptable.
NECK
Extraordinarily strong and muscled giving the impression of a short neck. Slightly curved at the upper side and well detached from the skull. Dewlaps at the throat.
Topline
Withers in a sloping line, are set well apart from each other due to the distance between the scapulas. Withers are set to a lower level from the croup. After the withers. the upper line changes direction ascending smoothly to the croup. Back line shows no tendency to sway or roach back.
Croup
Broad, long, with an approximately 30 degrees angulation from the horizontal line showing a smooth curve. The croup is set a little higher than the withers. From a back view the croup is ample approximately as wide as the thorax being permitted to be broader at bitches.
Body
Strong broad end 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 plus 10% when measured from the point of the shoulder to the point of the buttock.
Thorax
Well sprung ribs though not interfering with the position of shoulder. Deep and large chest going down to the level of the elbows. Well pronounced brisket.
Loins
Shorter and not so deep as the thorax showing well as a separation of the two component parts. In bitches the lower part of loins are more developed. From an upper view the loins are narrower than the thorax and croup but should not form a waist line.
Lower Line
A long chest and parallel to the ground in all its extension. Tuck up slightly in ascension but never whippety.
Forelegs
The shoulder structure should be composed by two bones of equal length (scapula and humerus) being the first one at 45 degrees from the horizontal line and the last one 90 degrees from the first one. The articulation scapulahumerus forms the point of shoulder which is situated at the level of the presternum but a little behind it. In the ideal position the point of shoulder should be half way from elbow to withers. An imaginary perpendicular line coming down from the withers should cut the elbow and reach the foot.
Legs
Strong bones, legs parallel and straight to the pastern. Metacarpus short, strong apparent carpus slightly sloping. Length of the leg from ground to elbow should be 50% of the length from ground to withers.
Feet
Strong and well arched toes not too close together. Pads thick. broad and deep. The Ideal position of feet is pointing to the front. Strong dark nails, white nails permissible when this is the color of the feet and toes.
Hind Legs
Less heavy boned than fore legs but never light as a whole. Upper thigh with curved borders shaped by strong muscles coming from Ilium and Ischium which design the borders of rear and for this reason the Ischium must have a good length.
Hind legs are parallel. with strong tarsus, metatarsus slightly bent, higher than the metacarpus. Moderately angled stifle and metatarsus.
Hind Feet
A little more oval than the forefoot but the same goes for the whole description. Should not present dewclaws (the fifth toe).
Tail
Very wide at the root, medium set, tapering rapidly when reaching to the hocks level. When the dog is alert the tail is raised high and the curved at the extremity is more accentuated. Should not be carried curled over the back.
Height
Males from 25.5 Ins. (65 cms) to 29. .52 In. (75 cms) at the shoulders. Females: From 23.5 Ins. (60 cm) to 27.56 In. {70 cms) at the shoulder.
Weight
Males: Minimum: 100 pounds (50 kgs) Females: Minimum. 90 pounds (40 kgs)
Color
All solid colors are permitted except t disqualifying ones (white and mousegray)(patch dogs or dapple coat). Brindles with a solid coat may have stripes of less intensity or very strong dark stripe. A black mask may or may not be present. In all permitted colors white marks are allowed on the feet, chest and tip of tail. Not desirable at any other part of the coat. White markings exceeding one fourth of the total body must be penalized.
Skin
One of the most important breed characteristics is the thick, loose skin over the whole body chiefly the neck forming pronounced dewlaps and many times it can be seen at the brisket and abdomen. Some individuals present a fold at the sides of the head, also at the withers running down to the shoulders. If the dog is in repose the head is free of wrinkle. While alert the contraction of the skin at the skull forms small wrinkles running in a longitudinal line on the skull.
Coat
Short, smooth, dense and tight to the skin.
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