Fila Brasileiro

Also known as: Brazilian Mastiff, Fila dog, Cabeçudo Boiadeiro

The Fila Brasileiro was developed in Brazil during the 16th and 17th centuries to guard plantations and hunt large game, jaguar included. The breed standard formally names a trait, ojeriza, an innate distrust of strangers, and it still runs strong today, which makes this a poor match for a first-time owner or a house with frequent visitors. The build reaches up to 60 kilograms, heavy and loose-skinned with pronounced wrinkling similar to other mastiff-type breeds. The short, dense coat needs little upkeep, but early socialization is essential rather than optional. Many countries restrict or ban the breed outright because of its protective, potentially aggressive temperament. Life expectancy runs 9 to 11 years.

Browse dog food sized right for this breed

Fila Brasileiro: how old in human years?

60–75 cmHeight
41–60 kgWeight
9–11 yrsLife expectancy

Entlebucher Mountain Dog

FCI group: Pinscher and Schnauzer type, Molossoid breeds, Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs
FCI section: Section 2.1: Molossoid breeds, Mastiff type
FCI: 225
Country of origin: Brazil

Energy level

3/5
Trainability

2/5
Family friendly

2/5
Grooming need

1/5

At a glance

Height

Males 65–75 cm

Females 60–70 cm

Weight

Males 50–60 kg

Females 41–50 kg

Life expectancy

9–11 yrs

Coat

smooth, short, dense (short)

Temperament & Family Life

Fila Brasileiro's average temperament and family-life score for this breed is low.

Family friendly 2/5
Good with children 2/5
Good with other dogs 1/5
Friendly with strangers 1/5
Intelligence 3/5
Trainability 2/5

Exercise, Energy & Space

Fila Brasileiro's energy and exercise needs are moderate.

Energy level 3/5
Exercise need 4/5
Apartment friendly 1/5
Prey drive 4/5
Hunting instinct 2/5

Guarding & Alertness

Fila Brasileiro's guarding and alertness traits are high.

Guarding instinct 5/5
Watchfulness 5/5
Barking level 2/5

Grooming & Care

Fila Brasileiro's grooming needs are low.

Shedding 2/5
Drooling 4/5
Grooming need 1/5

Living with the Fila Brasileiro

Slow, heavy and unhurried: that is how a Fila Brasileiro crosses the yard, until a stranger comes near the gate. Then this huge Brazilian mastiff becomes a different dog in an instant: alert, focused and entirely serious. It was bred to guard and distrusts strangers by nature; that is not a training failure but the core of the breed. Some countries restrict keeping it, so check the rules where you live before you get one.

It is devoted and gentle with its own people, but it isn't out to please everyone, so training takes experience, patience and consistency from day one. Socialisation is not optional here: a puppy needs to meet many people, places and situations so that as an adult it can calmly tell what is really a threat. It finds other dogs hard to get along with, and a cat or the backyard hens may look like prey.

Every day it needs long, steady walks and a roomy, securely fenced garden; a flat is no place for this dog. Visitors are best welcomed with the dog in another room, and small children should not be left alone with it. This is a dog for an experienced owner who knows what they want and respects what this dog is. That owner gets calm, unshakeable loyalty in return.

Grooming and coat

A Fila Brasileiro's coat is short, smooth and dense, lying close over a heavy body draped in loose skin. It asks for little: a weekly rub-down with a rubber mitt or a rough cloth lifts out the dead hair and leaves the coat shining. Shedding is light, though with a dog this size you will still find the odd hair on the floor.

Because the coat is short, the skin shows through well, so as you groom look for scratches, redness or ticks, especially in the folds of loose skin on the neck. It rarely needs a bath. With a dog this big, get it used to being handled, having its paws checked and being brushed from puppyhood, while it still fits on your lap.

How to do it:

By age:

Health and possible conditions

We don't have reliable health information specific to this breed, so we don't list conditions here. Keep up regular vet check-ups, and if you are getting a puppy, ask the breeder about the parents' health testing.

This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own dog's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.

Food for giant breeds — cheapest per kg

This list is chosen by the breed's weight (60 kg) rather than the breed itself: shops label food by dog size, so every breed of the same size gets the same list. Prices are updated daily.

≈ 555 g of dry food a day, from €30,64 a month For a neutered, normally active 50,3 kg dog. Calculate for your dog