Do Fila Brasileiro Dogs Attack Strangers?

Q: Do Fila Brasileiros make good pets?
Fila Brasileiros are powerful and tough. Are they aggressive towards strangers? Have there been any cases of Filas attacking and/or killing strangers? Do they make good family pets?

I am very sure this breed needs a very firm owner/handler and it needs strict training from young. Is that right?

Photo Credit: Patrizia Facco/Flickr CC

Answers and Views:

Answer by Dogman
I own/show/breed CAFIB type Fila Brasileiros… Are they stranger aggressive? YES! Can a stranger come up and touch a Fila? NO! I have never heard of one ever attacking its own family member (unless that family member never met the dog) and yes they are capable of doing great harm to anyone that does not live with the dog. They are calm and docile in the home and you never have to worry about anyone breaking in or the dog doing anything malicious to the people it considers family.

They are not "fear-biting mutts" but rather have a high defense drive that some in the "Sport" field cannot understand. training is needed as in any dog but a very gentle approach must be taken as they are really emotional and submissive with their owners. They can make awesome pets but when someone comes over they MUST be crated or put out for the safety of your guests. do more research and try to attend a CAFIB Expo and all your questions would be answered.

Answer by JenVT
No - they do not make good pets for the average family. They are still very close to their working lines and have not truly been "domesticated" in the same sense as a lab or even a mastiff. It is absolutely true that they need firm obedience, constant socialization, etc.. Filas were bred to be an ultimate guardian. They typically don't do well in households that have lots of people in and out as their instinct is to not trust strangers, so houses with busy kids/teens and people that like to entertain and have parties would not be good places for these dogs. They actually cannot be shown in a typical conformation environment because of their breed standard and the standard itself warns judges from touching the dog. That should say something to you about their temperament.

Answer by Fred
Do Filas make good pets (in the traditional sense)? Absolutely not. Why not? Because Filas are not pets, they are working dogs!

Please do not consider buying one, if you do not have a fairly large rural terrain that is fenced off. If you do not get along well with dogs and are mentally weak (no offense). And if you do not have a need for protection. This is not a city / suburban dog!

Filas do not move a lot when necessary (even though they do at times like to play). This not mean that the Fila is not an athletic dog, that can move at warp speed and that can also climb.

Is the Fila a (man) hunter? Yes, it will stalk homo sapiens and other animals.

Also, Filas are social dogs and are protectors of their owners/family members and secondly their property/belongings. Therefore a Fila cannot be left alone all the time. Ideally, someone should always be with the dog.

Filas are very docile, friendly and obedient towards ‘their family’. They are not overly active, easy to take care of, do not need to go for walks or be entertained, do not need to be taught how to guard, keeps itself busy but is always in your vicinity, learns quickly. Filas are very caring towards ‘their family’. My Fila does its own things in the garden and sometimes comes to visit me to see what I am up to, if I am OK or because he wants a cuddle or a snack. Filas are very quiet dogs and only bark when something is going on.

People these days so spoiled, schizophrenic, Disneyfied, out of touch with reality that thinks that they can have a dog that is a ferocious protector, but that can also attend a party and mingle with the guests. If you need protection, do not have lots of visitors and live rurally; get a Fila. Do you want a dog that matches your SUV and your handbags; get a Poodle or a Golden retriever.

I am a second time Fila owner, that lives in Brazil and owns a pedigree Fila Brasileiro Original. So many people have opinions on this wonderful breed that have never even seen one, let alone lived with one.

• What should you know about Fila Brasileiro dog?

Answer by BYB's breed crapadoodles
You need to know that you aren't the right home for one. They don't need "strict" training from their youth. They need PROPER training. There's a HUGE difference and too many men get these dogs and kick them around screaming at them because they think that that's how you control a dog.
They are a breed that's very very strong-willed and aggressive towards strangers that are suspicious. They should NEVER be uncontrollably aggressive towards non-aggressive strangers. It's a breed fault if they are. However, they will be suspicious and uncomfortable about strangers - they will not meet & greet them like a lab will.

They are not good family pets like a German Shepherd can be. They are working dogs that need jobs to channel their energy. They will not tolerate your friends coming over and pestering them, they will not tolerate the friends of children coming over and running around screaming.

Answer by Manuel
I think that the people that posted the comments about the Filas in the way they are not a family pet, are extremely wrong, and talk without any knowledge about it.

Along my life, I had three Filas, in different moments, one after the other (they just live for approx ten years), and the singularity in all of them, is the kindness, loyalty, and love for his owner family. I can't even think in a Fila attacking a family member who knows.

It's very important he interacts with family members since the puppy stage. When it grows, it won't accept further members. Its the best guardian dog I ever met... won't tolerate strangers. Temperament is fully decided and fierce.

Best dog if your house has enough surface for him and fence to avoid he goes out and could bite someone...

You can be sure, your house and members will be protected and the dog never will bite some family member, even a kid who hurts the dog, they stand it patiently. It's a golden retriever with the family and a lion with everybody else. Seriously, the best dog you could have.
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