Brazil has two native dog breeds – can you name them?

We’d bet most of us will think of the Fila Brasileiro first, the most popular breed in Brazil (over 8,000 are registered annually) and touted as “the world’s best natural guard dog.”

The Fila’s ancestors were brought into Brazil by Spanish and Portuguese conquistadors, and to look at this face is to see evidence of the Mastiff, Bloodhound and Bullenbeisser stock that went into its creation. A bit of scenthound added a little later gave the dog its longer muzzle.

19th century Brazil was an isolated, touch country in which to make a living, and ranchers needed tough dogs to deal with cattle turned out to graze that had grown semi-wild cattle. The Fila usually grabbed the critter by the cheek, nose or ears and hung on until the beat could be lassoed by cowboys. Ranches sometimes employed a brace of Filas. Filas were also used to hunt bad tempered wild boar, or the big cats that preyed on cattle. The dog proved to be so good at hunting jaguars that in some parts of Brazil, he was given the nickname “Onceiro” (or jaguar hunter) for his keen prowess. It’s not the breed’s fault that at one time, it was also used to track runaway slaves.

It may be the only breed in which the native country’s breed standard advises judges at dog shows to avoid touching the dog. From the CAFIB Breed Standard: “As a result of its temperament, at dog shows it does not allow the judge(a stranger) to touch it. And if it attacks the judge, such a reaction must not be considered a fault, but only a confirmation of its temperament. At temperament tests, obligatory for dogs over one year old at shows, the Fila attack must be in an ascending diagonal, in front of handler and without showing dependence from him.”

The FCI standard is worded differently: “Courage, determination and outstanding braveness are part of its characteristics. With its owners and family it is docile, obedient and extremely tolerant with children. Its loyalty is proverbial, insistingly seeking the company of its master. One of its characteristics is its aloofness towards strangers. It displays a calm disposition, distinctive self-assurance and self-confidence, remaining unperturbed by strange noises or circumstances. An unsurpassed guardian of properties, it also instinctively indulges in big game hunting and cattle herding.”

That said, the Fila is uncommonly devoted to his owner and his home, and owners say that the breed seems to have a special connection with children. Dr. Paulo Santos Cruz, breed expert who fought for recognition of the breed for 40 years, describes the breed’s extraordinary devotion: “You captivate him. He thinks you are fantastic, you are his, and so, no one is allowed to disturb you. His adoration will grow for you as this friendship deepens. He will only be happy when he is near you, and he will only ask to be able to lie by your feet.”

So much for the thumbnail sketch of the Fila. What’s the other native Brazilian breed? The answer comes in a few hours.

Fila Brasileiro by Lyn Hamer Cook – DogArtByLyn
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