Fila Questions

[k_hodges]

I just have some general Fila questions. I've read a lot about them. Their temperaments and all that. And I would love to own one. But there are a few questions I have...

1. How do they do with babies/growing families? We currently have a 6 year old and are trying for #2. Our family will probably be growing for the next 6 years or so. Would it be risky or silly of us to consider getting a Fila while our family is still growing? Or do they adapt well to changes like this?

2. Do they do well with other dogs? We currently have a 6 month old Am Bully. He's not a 'blue hippo' he's very lean, very active. He currently doesn't have any DA, but I know it can develop at any time. Any dogs that I own would never be left alone together unsupervised. They'd be fed separately, no high value toys left out, etc. I know all that ways to try to avoid fights, but I'd rather not have to DA dogs.

3. Do they respond well to training? I use NILIF with Gunther, our Am bully, and training was/is a breeze with him. Are they stubborn? Sensitive? What kind of training do you use?

4. How much exercise do they require? We're pretty active people, I go running with Gunther every morning, and walking every night. We do flirt pole/spring pole exercise too. So we're not scared off an active dog, but we also want a dog that can lay on the couch and watch movies with us if that's what we're doing. Our pets are truly a part of our family and any future dogs we get, will be too.

5. Is it even POSSIBLE to get a Fila? A good, quality one? It seems like breeders of these dogs have homes for pups before they even have a pregnant bitch. Do you have to be 'in' with a breeder to get one? And how much does a good, well bred, temperament test, health tested Fila cost?

Anything else you guys want to add, I'd love to hear. If you think we should stay far far away from them, you can say that too!! I'm here to learn.
Thank you all in advance.

 

[chuckorlando]

I just have some general Fila questions. I've read a lot about them. Their temperaments and all that. And I would love to own one. But there are a few questions I have...

1. How do they do with babies/growing families? We currently have a 6 year old and are trying for #2. Our family will probably be growing for the next 6 years or so. Would it be risky or silly of us to consider getting a Fila while our family is still growing? Or do they adapt well to changes like this?

They do great with family. I'm not positive how one would react to a new baby nce full grown how ever. But I would suspect they would be ok if your very observant while they get to know each other. But I would suggest some research in that area

2. Do they do well with other dogs? We currently have a 6 month old Am Bully. He's not a 'blue hippo' he's very lean, very active. He currently doesn't have any DA, but I know it can develop at any time. Any dogs that I own would never be left alone together unsupervised. They'd be fed separately, no high value toys left out, etc. I know all that ways to try to avoid fights, but I'd rather not have to DA dogs.

Our's dont seem to be DA. Agressive play yes but no problems with other dogs long as they dont play the alpha card.

3. Do they respond well to training? I use NILIF with Gunther, our Am bully, and training was/is a breeze with him. Are they stubborn? Sensitive? What kind of training do you use?

Kona is very very easy to train. Their eagar to pleae their people. How ever when distracted it's like pulling teeth. And some things she just dont give a damn. She'll make me stop her from jumping on our Dane each and everytime the come in from out side. Just play but regardless, she will try. Even though everytime she gets stopped and corrected. But I'm not the best trainer. I've seen many videos of very very very well trained fils. I mean top notch well trained filas


4. How much exercise do they require? We're pretty active people, I go running with Gunther every morning, and walking every night. We do flirt pole/spring pole exercise too. So we're not scared off an active dog, but we also want a dog that can lay on the couch and watch movies with us if that's what we're doing. Our pets are truly a part of our family and any future dogs we get, will be too.

They fit you in this area well. They have alot of enrgy and alot of I'm so sleepy. hahahaha. But if you dont get the energy out, they will be holt terrors


5. Is it even POSSIBLE to get a Fila? A good, quality one? It seems like breeders of these dogs have homes for pups before they even have a pregnant bitch. Do you have to be 'in' with a breeder to get one? And how much does a good, well bred, temperament test, health tested Fila cost?

Sure you can get a Fila. Good breeders pre sale their litter as the nature of a fila is not safe for just anyone. They want to be sure you are a good fit for the breed. Also, quality pups are'nt abundant like a gsd or EM as fila's are'nt as popular. I've seen prices from 1000 to 3000.

I would maybe PM Angelbears and Dogman as they may know some good resources for you in rgards to breeders and rescue groups. Hope this helps some


Anything else you guys want to add, I'd love to hear. If you think we should stay far far away from them, you can say that too!! I'm here to learn.
Thank you all in advance.

Hope that worked

 

[k_hodges]

Thank you for your response!

 

[angelbears]

Chuck gave you some very good and solid info. A proper Fila should never show any aggression towards his family, NEVER. However, I don't know about a new baby. I have never heard of any problems. Do keep this in mind, your children's friends are not family and a Fila may not be nice to them. I would put the Fila up when other kids are around.

Since you have a male, I would get a female. DA is not something that is big in the breed as a whole but I have heard of it. If you have to alphas you are going to have problems no matter the breed.

Filas are both stubborn and sensitive. You have to be firm but gentle, I still don't know what that means but that is what most Fila people will tell you. I can go into more detail with my trainer story if you like.

I would not suggest the activity level you are talking about until around 2yrs. of age. You could be looking at joint and ligament problems if you over do it when they are still growing. This breed also has a problem with bloat.

Can you get a good Fila? YES! But this is where it gets heated in the Fila family. There is a club called Cafib, they believe that they have the true Filas. I don't believe they are the only ones that breed quality Filas. I believe there is good and bad in both. Personally, I would never export one. If something does go wrong, it is a major hassle. I would never buy a Fila from a BYB. Research your breeder and not just one phone call. Spend hours researching.

I have two Filas. My male, Cane, he is my heart dog. We got him at 9 weeks old and paid 1,500. Our female, Ziva is a rescue, she is my soul dog. Both are wonderful dogs. I believe both would protect us with their lives.

I do believe Filas are not for everyone but for some they are the perfect dog.

 

[k_hodges]

Thank you for the response. With regaurd to the activity level, my current boy is still a pup so we take it easy. I never let him get his feet off the ground, or jump for his flirt pole (TOO high). If we do get a large breed, I'll follow your advice and not work him hard until 2 years. I'm glad you mentioned that, because with my pit it's a year and I would have assumed the same. The very first thread I read was Dogman's Fila thread (with videos of 3 of the dogs he's produced). I tend to lean towards the CAFIB standard. It seems now the only unanswered question is how they adapt to babies, which is probably one of the most important factors for us. Any suggestions on where to look for more info about that? I'd love to hear any stories you have with the breed. The more I can know, the better.

 

[chuckorlando]

Well Kona is great with Mason and was when Mason was a year. Budda was awsome with Mason as a baby. The biggest issues weve had was getting mason to not steels Konas toys and getting kona to not steal masons. In my opinion there is no better family dog. Very people driven. If she could, kona would follow me lock step every where all day every day. Bathroom here she comes, shower and her head will poke in, the garage, bedroom or any place else, if she can go, she's happy.

But to her, her family is 3 people. I would not be worried with Kona having a child now. I think it may take a month or two but I have no doubt she would accept a baby.

In fact I would even say no one ever gets accepted by a Fila because they dont keep at it. I have no facts to really support that out side of observation. But a rescued Fila will start out distrustfull. But given a worker who's hard headed enough, before long they are entering the cage, then their bonded. Even the God father of the Fila's tale of his first experiance...... It took months of visits and him being hard headed enough to basicly force him self in the fila's life. But at at the fila not only allowed him around, but excepted him as family.

With a baby I dont think Kona would view it as a threat at all but it would require more than just a watchful eye as it can be very bad very fast. Fila is kinda like dealing with a wolf. No matter how well mannered they are, they have that primal drive that you must be aware of and constantly watching for the signs

 

[fila4me]

for the baby situation I would not worry and take the same precautions as you would with any dog. With my oldest daughter, I brought her into a home with 2 adult Filas and a Pit Bull. They loved her and are so very tolerant of children. With my current I brought home my now 2yro son and it was the same with her. Very protective and not fond of my kids friends. But amazingly gentle, both of my kids learned to walk using a Fila for balance.

Flower with Anderson at 10wkso

 

[chuckorlando]

Now that right there is perfect

 

[k_hodges]

for the baby situation I would not worry and take the same precautions as you would with any dog. With my oldest daughter, I brought her into a home with 2 adult Filas and a Pit Bull. They loved her and are so very tolerant of children. With my current I brought home my now 2yro son and it was the same with her. Very protective and not fond of my kids friends. But amazingly gentle, both of my kids learned to walk using a Fila for balance.

Flower with Anderson at 10wkso

I'm so glad you posted that. That makes me feel a lot better! I love those pictures! And I love your son's name.

 

[fila4me]

Thank you it is a family name. I am glad it did. When I was pregnant with my 1st my family was worried about my Pit!LOL!!Never about my Fila. I will also say this, my bff and I got our 1st Filas together in 1994-hers was a yr old and had only known a kennel life mine was a pup. We had our 1st children within 7 wks of each other. Either one of us has ever had a problem. She is now on her 5th Fila and her daughter is the boss.
Here is her dd and her 1yro Fila Nora

 

[k_hodges]

I love Nora so much!!! Those are great pictures. Another question, is crating your fila when you have guests over not a good idea? We like to have the occasional BBQ and get together with our friends/family. Is this a reason NOT to get a fila? Will they be okay (not friendly, but just at ease) with our friends if we are there and they dont feel threatened by them? I'm not looking for a super social, loves everyone dog. We already have that in the form of our pit.

 

[chuckorlando]

If we are out side Kona is typicly fine if we walk up to the crowd. Or if we bring her in and your already there. If we are in the drive and you walk up she dont like it. But once she see's the coming and going she dont really have a problem. Of coarse she is on a short leash with a harness and handle and no one gets with in strike range. I would suggest if your gonna crate train train for the bed to b away from where ever you would have folks. If Kona can see us but not get to us, she's not happy. But if we lock her and the dane away she'll bark a while then they just lay down.

 

[k_hodges]

Yea. Gunther's kennel is in the master bedroom, next to our bed. If we get more dogs, they'll all be kenneled in the guest room or office. Thanks for the tips. I really appreciate it.

 

[fila4me]

I love Nora so much!!! Those are great pictures. Another question, is crating your fila when you have guests over not a good idea? We like to have the occasional BBQ and get together with our friends/family. Is this a reason NOT to get a fila? Will they be okay (not friendly, but just at ease) with our friends if we are there and they dont feel threatened by them? I'm not looking for a super social, loves everyone dog. We already have that in the form of our pit.

I crate Flower or let her play in the yard when guests are over. If it is a cookout I crate. I do have some friends that are dog smart.ie, not looking her in the eyes,don't approach her let her come to them-with them Flower gets to visit after we at or whatever. Now Nora, she has to be crated or in her yard. She is still young and coming into her own. Also my friend is a single mother and doesn't want her to friendly with those coming over.

 

[angelbears]

A Fila in the right hands is a wonderful relationship. From what I have been reading I think you would be an excellent owner. Many strong trainer/owners can teach their dog to tolerate strangers. I think personality also has a lot to do with how your Fila reacts. I'm a more high-strung, anxious person, IMO not a good match for a Fila, they feed off your emotions.

 

[spearchucker]

Of the nine people my dogs would allow in the house, 4 of them were under 10 years of age. My Filas loved kids. Even the kids parents would not be allowed to come in the house to pick them up. Those kids became 'their' kids. The male was not male dog friendly at all. But, he made buddies with a tomcat I had in the barn and they would often play with each other.

 

[dogman#1]

1. I have had a fila with a growing family and no issues what so ever. at first the baby was pretty much ignored and after a couple of days she was guarding it as he was her own. even my brother who had lived in the same home (and then moved out) brought his baby over and the same thing ...ignored and then fully accepted... babies arent the issue it is bigger kids that may pose a problem, ie, the kid's friends as they grow older.

2. I have never had a fila that was DA. That being said I have never had a fila run from a fight either..they are pretty dominant and as long as the other dog isnt very dominant they seem to fall into place quickly.

3. They are very intelligent, pretty stubborn and insanely sensitive and emotional...VERY emotional... need to be firm but not hands on with these guys, trust me the hands on approach is not needed with them at all.

4. they can get little to alot of exercise... they will gladly walk/jog/run with you all day (once conditioned to it) or lay on the coach all day...all depends what you are doing.

5. It is possible, I suggest you get your name on a list and if something comes up and you cant get one at the time just let the breeder know to put you a little further back... if you wait till the week you can get him/her you will only be left with back yard breeder options. As far as costs go... I would say about 1500 for a quality dog/bitch pup (plus shipping).

 

[jake1420]

Juan where you been? I sent you a message on the other forum. $1,500 Is what I expected but the last breeder I talked too that I got my last fila from has added $1,000 to that price. Which is possible but I think steep for a dog I don't intend to show or breed. Love the pics with all your filas and your kids. My mom and especially step dad when I got my fila he said if that dog ever hurts your son Ill kill it. I had to ask him why he didn't murder his shitzu when it bit my son in the face?? The fila was the last thing I would ever worry about with my kids. Now his friends lol no way ever. I could picture that horror film in my mind. National media attention when the dog kills some young kid. Man you have to be careful with these beasts. Responsibility is a must with these dogs. He was crated (bedroom) when anyone came over From my mom to a best friend he just did not except anyone at all. Three people me wife and son plus the other two dogs at the time one a German Shepherd who was alpha male the fila straightened that out with in 3 months and then no more problems and a goofy black Americano fila who always submitted even to cats lol he would never be a problem for anyone just a 175lb drooling kissing smothering machine lol.

 

[aceoutdoor]

Welcome to the new America folks.

 

[dogman#1]

Hey Jake, sorry bud. I have been away from stuff for a while, got alot of things going on. ANY dog that you get from Brazil is going to run you 2500 plus! the reason is the insane shipping and export fees that have risen over there... I just got one in from there and it was freaking steep but it was the exact bitch that I wanted and I am willing to pay that...for a pet only though??? I would just wait for a decent breeding in the U.S.A. Amy from Canil Forca has something now but doubt if she has anything else left for sale but try her. within the next 6 mths there will be some good breedings being planned so you can wait for those...good things come to those who wait my brother, lol. use my email juanh76@hotmail.com to contact me it is faster.

Juan