Advice and Questions

[tiffany]

Hello!

My family has plans on getting a dog in about 2-3 years after we buy a home and put up a nice fence. We currently live in a apartment so we are patiently waiting till we can move! Anyways some background my family consists of my husband and my 6 year old son. I have been doing much research on the fila and trying to decide if the breed would be a good match for our family. Finding this forum was a gold mine for me hahah I love to read about dogs! The things I'm looking for in a dog would be a mastiff breed that is very protective (husband works midnights) and very affectionate(a lap dog haha). So my question

1. To people who have a fila and children do their friends come over and spend the night. I know that I would not be able to have my dog come out while they are here but how does this work out for your family? What are your experiences as a whole with your children and the Fila? Also do they take well with new babies if I were to have more children.

This is really my only concern as I do not have people come over too much so when they do it would not be a hassle to put the baby up. Also if anyone knows of other breeds that are really protective and very affectionate I would love to hear suggestions. Thankyou!

 

[DDSK]

No Fila experiance here, but I have two Cane Corsos.
These dogs are extremely protective, but they are very controlled with their aggression.
They will judge the situation at hand and decide what level of protection is needed.
They seem to be able to pick out the scumbags from everyone else and when they feel it necessary
Will get between you and a stranger and let them know it is time to back off.
My dogs do well with visitors and I never have to put them up.
I can answer the door to strangers and they will stand by my side until they are sure there is no threat.

 

[PrinceLorde13]

I also have two corsos, again fierce protectors of their home, but it's all in training, education, and introductions. We have a 13y/o that has sleep overs and friends over all the time, when anyone comes over they are introduced to the dogs so no threat exists for either, never had any problem other then the occasional half awake growl at noises the girls make at night, same goes for guests, intro to the dogs when they arrive then if they aren't dog lovers the dogs are told to leave them alone and that's it. On the other hand I wouldn't think it a good idea for anyone to just walk in my house my dogs just won't allow it unless someone who lives here says it's ok.

 

[Ivan]

1. To people who have a fila and children do their friends come over and spend the night. I know that I would not be able to have my dog come out while they are here but how does this work out for your family? What are your experiences as a whole with your children and the Fila? Also do they take well with new babies if I were to have more children.

I can't trust my two fila's with strangers/other kids etc. When other kids come over (very little) I lock the dogs up but also never leave them together in the same room. I don't think extra children, babies, you own flesh and blood cause problems, these dogs are very sweet and loyal.

 

[Dreadz]

My presa is exceptionally wary of adults but literally doesn't bat and eye at children. Any of my kids friends can come round and she'll happily accept them, they're parents have to go through full repeated controlled introductions before they're fully accepted.

 

[fila4me]

My girls worship my kids! I have one friend whose daughter they love, but will not let her play any chasing or quick moving games with my kids. If they do, the filas will remove the other child from my kids. Luckily this friend has filas also, so she understands. Plus her mom is my BFF of 25yrs.
We do not have any friends sleepover, the girls would not tolerate it and I could not handle the stress of it all.
My 5yro. son knows that if he wants his friend to come over again they can never go in the room the dogs are crated in.