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    We decided to spruce things up and fix some things under the hood. If you notice any issues, feel free to contact us as we're sure there are a few things here or there that we might have missed in our upgrade.

Yep, A Fila.....

Rugers-Kris

Well-Known Member
......will be my next dog. I have been researching them since I bought Ruger and found this forum and I have decided that I would like that to be the next dog to own me. It will be at least a year (maybe two) before I take the plunge as I hope to have a house built on the property I bought by then but I really think a Fila would be a good fit for me. I love Ruger and bringing him to work and taking him all sorts of places and always will of course but The Fila caught my attention and the more I read, the more I want one. I think I should start looking for a breeder now and was hoping some of you Fila owners would have some suggestions for me. I would like to start contacting someone and build a rapport to be sure of who I would like to go with when the time comes.

Also, any advice/comments are more than welcome! :)
 

Rugers-Kris

Well-Known Member
I had never even heard of them until I found this forum but the first time I saw one, I feel in love with the look. I immediately starting researching them and the more I read, the more I liked!! I have been considering one ever since. I will wait until my house is built because I don't feel comfortable with a Fila in the neighborhood that I live in now but once my house is built we will be nestled away on three acres on the outskirts of town and I cannot wait!!! Yes, I think finding a breeder for a Fila will be very difficult from what I have seen as there are so many "ideas" of what a Fila should be and you can see the differences in each breeder. I am hoping that some of the Fila owners will chime in and offer suggestions and allow me to ask a few questions along the way.
Lol!

I have to admit they don't appeal to me, but thats fine! Starting your breeder research now is a good idea! It took me months to narrow down my breeder choices.
 

angelbears

Well-Known Member
This could get ugly! LOL... I'm going to copy and paste something that Brad just wrote in another post.

"The CO(insert Fila) breeding community is horrible. Everyone hates everyone, and they do some really shady terrible things to each other. IMHO they are all to blame - there is no one breeder who is not to blame for the issues. So, what you have to do is look at the dogs, and what they produce. Meet some of the dogs that they have produced - don't take any breeder's word for things."

My suggestion is don't fall for one line of BS too soon. Keep an open mind and as Brad says do your own research. I honestly think that both sides produce good dogs and bad dogs. Remember that most are out to make money, no matter how much they profess not to. I do expect that this thread could get ugly but hey, "Welcome to the Fila community".

Okay, with that out of the way let me say congrats. They are amazing dogs. However, they are very different than Ruger. At some point there will be no going to work with you, no peeing on costumes in Petsmarts, lol and when people come over you may have to put him up. But hey you have Ruger to be your social butterfly. I think you will have the best of both worlds.

Filas can be a lot more than just a mean asshole dog, if you or if someone you hire are excellent trainers. One of the first things I would do is look for a trainer. There are not many out there and be very careful who you choose, the wrong trainer can absolutely ruin a Fila. I paid good money and got someone who was well known in our area and he almost ruined Cane. Filas don't train like pits and mals. Talk to breeders to see if they have any suggestions. Ron Ackerman who comes on these boards may be able to help in this area.

Keep us posted I would love to hear about your journey as it unfolds.

---------- Post added at 12:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:41 PM ----------

Have you looked at this website?

www.filadog.com/welcome.htm

This should really get Juan going. However, to my knowledge she is the largest breeder in the states. Also has a lot of pictures of different Filas. I have not talked to anyone or read any personal accounts of her doing people wrong but the CAFIB folks hate her.

There is one kennel that I have heard a lot of negative things about and would stay away from and that is Lionsden.
 

angelbears

Well-Known Member
Have you looked at this website?

www.filadog.com/welcome.htm

This should really get Juan going. However, to my knowledge she is the largest breeder in the states. Also has a lot of pictures of different Filas. I have not talked to anyone or read any personal accounts of her doing people wrong but the CAFIB folks hate her.

There is one kennel that I have heard a lot of negative things about and would stay away from and that is Lionsden.
 

Rugers-Kris

Well-Known Member
Thank you, angelbears! I have been looking online at breeders and doing a lot of reading about the breed in general and of course I read everything I can find on the forum. Meeting the dogs may be the biggest issue as there aren't any breeders (That I am aware of) anywhere near me but I am sure within the next year or two I can schedule some vacation time around going to meet one or two breeders I find that I am interested in. Yes, very different than Ruger but that was my thought process....Ruger serves that side of my life already and I believe that I can offer an awesome life to a Fila in a way that will work with him and I believe you are right, I will have the best of both worlds! I won't miss the opportunity to have another dog piss on expensive items in Petsmart!! LOL Trainers are another issue in my area, especially with these breeds but I have damn near convinced myself to go to school to get a certificate in dog training and maybe I can find someone with some knowledge and who knows a Fila might be just what I need to be broken in as a trainer! :) I really am excited now that I have decided that I will definitely get a Fila so now I am reading, reading, reading and window shopping and I will keep you up to date, probably so much you will want me to shut up!!! Thanks for the congrats. 1 - 2 years seems like a lifetime away ........

---------- Post added at 01:01 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:58 PM ----------

Thanks, I will check it out now!!! Lionsden is the first one I looked at as it is one of the first that pops up when you do a search for Fila's but after looking at everything I had already counted them out. Several oddities in what she says (types) on her website.
Have you looked at this website?

www.filadog.com/welcome.htm

This should really get Juan going. However, to my knowledge she is the largest breeder in the states. Also has a lot of pictures of different Filas. I have not talked to anyone or read any personal accounts of her doing people wrong but the CAFIB folks hate her.

There is one kennel that I have heard a lot of negative things about and would stay away from and that is Lionsden.
 

Rugers-Kris

Well-Known Member
Thanks, I will check it out now!!! Lionsden is the first one I looked at as it is one of the first that pops up when you do a search for Fila's but after looking at everything I had already counted them out. Several oddities in what she says (types) on her website.
Have you looked at this website?

www.filadog.com/welcome.htm

This should really get Juan going. However, to my knowledge she is the largest breeder in the states. Also has a lot of pictures of different Filas. I have not talked to anyone or read any personal accounts of her doing people wrong but the CAFIB folks hate her.

There is one kennel that I have heard a lot of negative things about and would stay away from and that is Lionsden.
 

angelbears

Well-Known Member
One huge word of caution, Florida seems to have a lot of BYB's, so be careful.

Girldogue who sometimes post on here and recently posted pictures of her new puppy lives in Fl. I have found her to be very nice and knowledgeable about Filas. You might try to PM her.
 

Rugers-Kris

Well-Known Member
I really appreciate everything you have done, angelbears!! I will definitely be sure that I am not dealing with a BYB when I make this purchase as temperment is vital to me with a Fila.
 

angelbears

Well-Known Member
I'm just thrilled that someone who is qualified is getting a Fila. I get so tired of having to make a Fila sound like a terrible dog to get people to understand what they are getting in to. I think you will make a wonderful owner and be a great Ambassador for this wonderful breed.
 

Rugers-Kris

Well-Known Member
Thank you, what a nice thing to say. :) I am very excited and plan to research and continue learning. Makes me want to push the building of my house so I can get a puppy faster! LOL
 

Duetsche_Doggen

Well-Known Member
Rugers-Kris congrats! I really like the post that AB borrowed from Brad its so true. Pride, greed, and money ruin dog breeds, Very few people are in it for the dogs anymore, IMO.
 

Rugers-Kris

Well-Known Member
Thank you! I agree, Duetsche! It makes it so difficult and scary to pick a puppy but I am hoping that since I am looking so far in advance that I will be able to find a good breeder and a good puppy.
Rugers-Kris congrats! I really like the post that AB borrowed from Brad its so true. Pride, greed, and money ruin dog breeds, Very few people are in it for the dogs anymore, IMO.
 

aceoutdoor

Well-Known Member
The best Fila breeders are private breeders who will not sell to the public, you must be fairly local, recommended by someone and somewhat develop a relationship with the breeder. However they don't have websites or post youtube videos and few post on forums(tired of the BS). They also usually have waiting list. I would try to find some Fila owners in your area and if you become friends I'm sure one of them can point you to some private breeders in your state. You have plenty of time to make a good choice and it seems you are going about it the right way. A fence is really a must also, 6ft minimum, 8ft privacy recommended. Good luck.
 

Rugers-Kris

Well-Known Member
There are no breeders in my area so I am limited to those that advertise unless I find someone through word of mouth on here. I am confident that if I am smart about it and do my research I will find a good breeder by the time that I am ready for a new puppy. I'm not concerned with show quality or breeding so as long as I can find a breeder that truly breeds with temperment in mind and basic physicl attributes in mind then the only real hurdle will be health testing. Fencing is not an issue, I have a privacy fence now and will have an even better fencing situation when I build.Thank you for your input.
The best Fila breeders are private breeders who will not sell to the public, you must be fairly local, recommended by someone and somewhat develop a relationship with the breeder. However they don't have websites or post youtube videos and few post on forums(tired of the BS). They also usually have waiting list. I would try to find some Fila owners in your area and if you become friends I'm sure one of them can point you to some private breeders in your state. You have plenty of time to make a good choice and it seems you are going about it the right way. A fence is really a must also, 6ft minimum, 8ft privacy recommended. Good luck.
 

chuckorlando

Well-Known Member
Awesome. Fila's aint ugly. Well some are. But houndy looking is what makes them cute. Droopy ears and distinct snout. I guess it just depends on the look you end up going for. I wish I had a good lead on a breeder but unfortunately I do not. But good luck on your search.
 

Rugers-Kris

Well-Known Member
LOL I think they are beautiful! Thank you!
Awesome. Fila's aint ugly. Well some are. But houndy looking is what makes them cute. Droopy ears and distinct snout. I guess it just depends on the look you end up going for. I wish I had a good lead on a breeder but unfortunately I do not. But good luck on your search.