meet the... Fila Brasileiro

Head

• General Appearance: Somewhat brachycephalic skull type, fairly large in size, yet always in proportion to the rest of the body. When viewed from above, the head appears trapezoid in shape. The topskull is broad, approximately as broad (measured in front of the ears across the top) as long (measured from stop to occiput). When viewed from the front or in profile, the plane of the topskull appears just slightly arched. The occiput is fairly defined, more so in younger dogs. A median slight median furrow starts near the stop and disappears toward the occiput. The head exhibits powerful yet smooth (never bulky or protrusive) muscling throughout. Slight wrinkling is permitted when the ears are brought to alert. A vertical fold may run from the eye's outer corner toward the mouth's corner. Aside from this, the head should be fairly clean, without excess skin or wrinkles.
• Expression: Calm, regal, confident, and self-composed when in repose. Alert, stern, watchful, and piercing when alerted.
• Stop: The stop is slight yet discernible, formed by well-developed brows.
• Skull: The ideal muzzle-to-skull ratio is between 1:1 and 5:3, with the topskull being equal to, or just longer than, the muzzle.
  The ideal muzzle-to-skull axis is parallel.
• Muzzle: The muzzle is full, deep, and broad. The plane, or bridge of the muzzle, is straight or just slightly convexed. The upper and lower jaws are well-developed, approximately equal in length, have good bone substance, never snipy or weak. The depth of the muzzle should never exceed the length. There is only a slight taper from the broad base toward the nose. The front line of the muzzle drops nearly straight down from the nose, appearing perpendicular to the bridge of the muzzle.
• Lips or Flews: The lips are thick but fairly well-fitted over the teeth and jaws. It should overlap the lower jaw just enough to give the muzzle the appearance of sufficient depth and run parallel to the top plane of the muzzle. A dryer mouth should be preferred to an overly pendulous mouth.
• Nose: The nose is well-pigmented and black. The nostrils are well-opened.
• Cheeks: The cheeks are powerfully well-developed yet fairly smooth, as opposed to protrusive. The cheeks should not appear chiseled or coarse.
• Dentition and Bite: Forty-two strong, clean, and white teeth. The bite may be level, scissor, or reverse-scissor. Contact must be made between the top and bottom incisors. Missing or broken teeth due to routine work are not to be penalized.
• Eyes: Moderate in size, oval, almond, or lemon in shape, and amber (yellow) to dark brown in color. The eye rims are well-fitted and well-pigmented. The eyes are never bulging. There should be sufficient bone in the surrounding orbital sockets to protect the eyes. Any signs of entropion or ectropion are incorrect for this breed.
• Ears: Moderately large in size, set fairly well back on the skull, V-shaped, and somewhat long, although not overly pendulous. They may be shaped as a long drop or a long rose (folded). In repose, the ears align with the eyes at eye level. When alert, the ears should be lifted above the line of the eyes. The ears are never small, short, or highly set.

Body and Tail

• General Description: Large, compact, deep, solid, and of good substance. The body is never racy or refined. The width at the forequarters is approximately equal to the width at the hindquarters.
• Neck: Moderate length allows for good head carriage. It is powerfully muscled with a slight arch. The neck tapers very slightly, appearing more broad and truncated than tapered. A slight dewlap may be present, without excess skin or throatiness.
• Chest: Of a fair length, deep and broad, but never wider than deep. The brisket extends to the point of the elbows. The forechest is well-pronounced but not overly developed.
• Topline: May be level from slightly prominent withers to croup (preferred) or just slightly (almost imperceptibly) rising from the withers to the croup. The back is long, broad, strongly muscled, and straight, yet supple. The loin is somewhat shorter, taut, flat, level, or slightly arched, yet supportive. The back is never swayed or roached.
• Croup: Broad, long, and gently sloped. The croup may be level with the withers (preferred) or just slightly higher than the withers.
• Underline: The underline may be slightly tucked-up or running parallel to the topline. The underline is taut and firm, without any indication of sagging or excess weight.
• Ribs: Long, well-sprung, well-laid-back, and oval-shaped, never barrel-chested or slab-sided.
• Tail: Set neither high nor low on the croup but as a natural extension of the topline. It is thick at the base and tapering toward the tip. The tail is carried in accordance with the dog’s mood and energy level. It is never tucked or carried up over the back. The tail is of a moderate length, with the tip of the last vertebrae extending to the hock joints when held down. The tail may be straight or gently curved.

Forequarters and Hindquarters

• Forequarters: The forequarters are always balanced with the hindquarters and well-angulated with well-laid-back shoulder blades. The shoulder blades are approximately equal in length to the upper arm and forearm.
• Elbows: The elbows are close to the body. The point of the elbows is approximately half the dog’s height at the withers.
• Forelegs: Frontal View: Straight, of good muscle, of solid bone, and parallel to one another.
  Side View: The forelimbs appear straight with strong pasterns.
• Pasterns: Never weak or broken.
• Hindquarters: The upper and lower thighs are equal in length, strong, sturdy, of solid bone, and well-muscled.
  Rear View: When viewed from the rear, the rear pasterns are parallel to one another.
  Side View: Good angulation will allow the rear toes to align with the point of the rump or within one to two paw-lengths behind the point of the rump, with the rear pasterns remaining perpendicular to the ground and parallel to one another.
• Stifle Joint: Well-angulated with a good bend to well-let-down rear pasterns.
• Stifle Joint: The angulation of the hindquarters is always in balance with the angulation of the forequarters.
• Feet: Oval to round and compact, with well-arched toes and tough pads.

Coat

• Skin: Fairly well-fitted, yet supple. The skin should never obstruct the outline of the dog.
• Coat Type: The coat is short, smooth, dense, and close to the body throughout. The texture is hard and glossy. If an undercoat is present, the coat will be slightly longer on the neck, forming a light ruff, and on the tail. No fringe or feather is permissible. Short, smooth, dense, and close to the body.
• Coat Color or Pattern: CKC recognizes two color varieties of the Fila Brasileiro breed: the standard and nonstandard.
  
  Standard coat color variety: All solid colors, including cream, fawn, yellow, tan, red, mahogany, reddish-brown, black, blue-gray, any shade of brindle with alternating black or blue-gray and tan or red stripes, all with or without black or blue-gray mask, all with or without white markings (preferably less than 1/4 the total area of the coat) on the tail, legs, and muzzle (preferably never on the tail). Never in the merle or black and tan patterns.
  
  Nonstandard coat color variety: White markings exceeding 1/4 of the body, any dog with flesh-colored nose, solid white, or isabella.

Movement

Smooth, elastic, long strides that are efficient and effortless. The characteristics of a healthy structure are evident. When moving away, the forelegs and rear pasterns should remain parallel to one another. When viewing movement from the front, the forelegs should remain parallel, with elbows and paws moving neither in nor out. From the rear, the back pads should be visible when the rear legs are extended. As speed increases, the forelimbs and hindlimbs will converge to the centerline of gravity. From the side, the topline should remain firm and level. Good reach of movement in the front allows the forepaw to extend out in line with the nose. When extended, the width between the forefeet should be approximately equal to the width between the hindfeet when extended, indicating balance, good reach, and good drive. Dogs that exhibit any sign of breathing or locomotive difficulty shall be disqualified from the show ring.

Temperament

The Fila Brasileiro breed still possesses a strong guarding instinct and a natural wariness of strangers. These traits, coupled with a strong desire to bond with family and their sheer size and power, mean that early socialization and training are a must. Well-socialized and well-trained, the Fila Brasileiro can be a joy to be around. They are quiet, confident, and loyal. However, they will quickly address any perceived “infractions” from those outside the family with a bite-now-question-later attitude. If socialized with other animals from puppyhood, Fila Brasileiros are very tolerant and protective of those animals, making them ideal livestock guardians. However, many cautions that they are not a good fit for novice dog owners. Any unprovoked aggressive or fearful behavior toward people is incorrect for this breed.

Faults

All dogs should be in proper healthy condition, free from disease or defect. Any departure from this description is considered a fault. Unless altered, all male dogs should have two fully descended testicles.