Can a fila ever be adopted?

[Mooshi's Mummy]

I love reading all your posts on Fila's, I am in awe of this breed and highly doubt I will ever be lucky enough to own one and I know there is no chance of ever being able to approach an adult which has lead me to wonder...what happens to the adult Fila's that need to be found new homes? I mean say Mr and Mrs Smith have a 3y/o male, had him since a pup, he has a great life but sadly for what ever reason they can no longer care for him nor can a friend or family member that the dog knows. So they advertise it for adoption. Someone like me comes along and can offer the dog a great home BUT I am a stranger and this is a Fila, how do I go about taking him home? Or is it a sad fate for the dog? He will never be able to be homed with another? Just something that made me think hmmm.

 

[desolcasa]

Hi, we breed fila's and Belgium and apotion can be a very tricky thing. This al depends on the dog how well it's attached to the owner.

In het past we bought back a fila male 2 years old and gave her a new home, this was ok.
Same male several year back, but this took 4 month's. In that time the new owner came, we jointly went for a walk and doing this after 4 month's it was ok.
That said they same owner also has 2 females, that grew up in our home and they know us very well. 2 year ago here had divorce problems and both females came back to us form some time. I female did not eat or very little for a long time even though she knows us. You could see she was missing her Familiy.

We have 2 Males 1 almost 6 and his son 3 year. I can't imagine them going to a new owner and accept the new owner. You never know but it won't go like here is your new dog goodbye. If you want to adopt you will have to visit the dog often and wait untill he accepts you. Also accepts you without the current owners being present.

So yes you could adopt some but for most it might take a long time and for some it will probably never work.

 

[chuckorlando]

Angelbears has one that she adopted. It's doable. I think theres 2 realities... One is the dog that came from a crappy home and has to bond really. The other is one thats bonded. The first would be much easier to do I believe. It's very doable but will take time and a real desire. The good news is unlike alot of dogs who can seem ok and really not like you, a fila just dont like you or does. Once your excepted your more than likely golden

 

[aceoutdoor]

More than any other breed Filas hate strangers. At the same time more than any other breed they absolutely crave human contact and praise. A fila leaving their original owner would be literally emotionally devastated. The dog may never be quite the same again. However as they say time heals wounds and if the new owner shows the dog respect the distrust of strangers will be overwhelmed by the need to be close to a human. It can take time though, and the dog can become ill due to stress as well as refusing to eat/drink. They are awesome dogs, but complicated.

 

[dogman#1]

It can be done but should be done carefully. A Fila w/o its owner AND away from home wont be as outwardly agressive however it will not allow itself to be touched or allow anyone to get too close. like ace said it can be done because they do crave attention and like chuck said once you're in, you're in. The way another breeder does it is by putting the new dog in a kennel (obviously) and playing with her other dogs in front of that kennel all day long for a week or so. eventually the dog comes around, some faster than others and so forth but you get the idea.

 

[Mooshi's Mummy]

Thanks for your replies, very interesting. Its good to know that the life of an abondoned or surrendered Fila is not a lost cause, just one that takes lots of time and effort.

 

[cwayaustx]

From someone with absolutely zero Fila experience it looks like it would take; nerves of steel, helluva strong kennel, LOTS of steaks, another dog or two(maybe not necessary), time, patience and one big ol heart. Sounds like it would be well worth the effort and you would have a loyal buddy for life.

 

[Mooshi's Mummy]

From someone with absolutely zero Fila experience it looks like it would take; nerves of steel, helluva strong kennel, LOTS of steaks, another dog or two(maybe not necessary), time, patience and one big ol heart. Sounds like it would be well worth the effort and you would have a loyal buddy for life.

AGREE, AGREE, AGREE. Maybe one day when I win the lottery...I'll have at least one of every type of Mastiff I can get my hands on and become one of those crazy ladies that leaves her millions to the dogs and die happy, but probably a bit smelly.

 

[chuckorlando]

I do think lack of fear or at least showing it is key. My dad has all but forced Kona to like him. Between cheetoes and not being scared with many a visits, she has all but totaly excepted him. My mom is almost there via salmon patties. ahahahaah Kona actualy tried to play with my mom once but my mom got scared and ran away before she realized it. ahahaha. Kona was secured so why she ran I dont know. Kona jumped at her, my mom turned and ran. Bout the time her back was turned kona had dropped her front paws and did the wiggle butt in the air. She wanted to play. ahahahaah But keep in mind they have been around kona from day one. Kona has been in their house many times, them in our house, many nights around a camp fire and even in the same cabin. But then you have fred who has been around her more than anyone. He's scared of her and she knows it. He will never be able to get close

 

[cwayaustx]

AGREE, AGREE, AGREE. Maybe one day when I win the lottery...I'll have at least one of every type of Mastiff I can get my hands on and become one of those crazy ladies that leaves her millions to the dogs and die happy, but probably a bit smelly.

HAHA me too minus the lady part lol.. I would have to have a herd of mastiffs, a house size rainnforest vivarium setup full of Amazon basin tree boas, and of course a harley for every year from 1903-1984 and a few newer ones as well.. I dont ask much.. one can dream ay?

---------- Post added at 09:36 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:31 AM ----------

I do think lack of fear or at least showing it is key. My dad has all but forced Kona to like him. Between cheetoes and not being scared with many a visits, she has all but totaly excepted him. My mom is almost there via salmon patties. ahahahaah Kona actualy tried to play with my mom once but my mom got scared and ran away before she realized it. ahahaha. Kona was secured so why she ran I dont know. Kona jumped at her, my mom turned and ran. Bout the time her back was turned kona had dropped her front paws and did the wiggle butt in the air. She wanted to play. ahahahaah But keep in mind they have been around kona from day one. Kona has been in their house many times, them in our house, many nights around a camp fire and even in the same cabin. But then you have fred who has been around her more than anyone. He's scared of her and she knows it. He will never be able to get close

Hey got to give your mom and dad credit for trying. My folks would just say keep that crazy @ss dog away from me lol. And I can't imagine why Fred could be scared of little old Kona... hahahaha

 

[cwayaustx]

I do think lack of fear or at least showing it is key. My dad has all but forced Kona to like him. Between cheetoes and not being scared with many a visits, she has all but totaly excepted him. My mom is almost there via salmon patties. ahahahaah Kona actualy tried to play with my mom once but my mom got scared and ran away before she realized it. ahahaha. Kona was secured so why she ran I dont know. Kona jumped at her, my mom turned and ran. Bout the time her back was turned kona had dropped her front paws and did the wiggle butt in the air. She wanted to play. ahahahaah But keep in mind they have been around kona from day one. Kona has been in their house many times, them in our house, many nights around a camp fire and even in the same cabin. But then you have fred who has been around her more than anyone. He's scared of her and she knows it. He will never be able to get close

Hey got to give your mom and dad credit for trying. My folks would just say keep that crazy @ss dog away from me lol. And I can't imagine why Fred could be scared of little old Kona... hahahaha

 

[chuckorlando]

Well if it was up to my mom she would'nt. My pops though, well like father like son. He simply cant reason a dog not being his buddy. ahahaha. Least not one he knows and is around

 

[Mooshi's Mummy]

Im with ya on the Harleys as well and if you win the millions you could have the lady part too! Its amazing what they can do with a rusty blade these days.

HAHA me too minus the lady part lol.. I would have to have a herd of mastiffs, a house size rainnforest vivarium setup full of Amazon basin tree boas, and of course a harley for every year from 1903-1984 and a few newer ones as well.. I dont ask much.. one can dream ay?

---------- Post added at 09:36 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:31 AM ----------



Hey got to give your mom and dad credit for trying. My folks would just say keep that crazy @ss dog away from me lol. And I can't imagine why Fred could be scared of little old Kona... hahahaha

 

[chuckorlando]

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA Come on, lady up AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

 

[cwayaustx]

HAHAHAHHAHHHA, think I'll pass on that.

Im with ya on the Harleys as well and if you win the millions you could have the lady part too! Its amazing what they can do with a rusty blade these days.

 

[Kate Williams]

I want a fila so bad. I brought it up to the hubby again this morning. He's kinda unsure about it. We do have grown children and teenage children with friends so I can see the hesitation. It's the same reason he won't let me get a gun till the kids have all grown. The day the last one moves out I am buying both!

 

[Mooshi's Mummy]

I want a fila so bad. I brought it up to the hubby again this morning. He's kinda unsure about it. We do have grown children and teenage children with friends so I can see the hesitation. It's the same reason he won't let me get a gun till the kids have all grown. The day the last one moves out I am buying both!

Well if ya dont like your kids friends I would say a Fila is the perfect way to deal with them, and much safer than a gun...no chance of it back firing on you.

 

[chuckorlando]

Hopefully you will never NEED either. But when you do, make sure ALL your kids spend a ton of time with the pup as often as is humanly possible

 

[Kate Williams]

Hell I'm hopin they won't come back. Maybe between the dog and an arsenal they'll just send letters. Our oldest left out for school four years ago and aside from the rare mom and dad I need money she does her thing and has become my new favorite. Course we did have six and it's been a long twenty four years we are ready.

 

[cwayaustx]

Hopefully you will never NEED either. But when you do, make sure ALL your kids spend a ton of time with the pup as often as is humanly possible

This goes for guns as well. My 7yo daughter can dissamble, clean, assemble, SAFELY load and unload, and SAFELY fire more firearms than a few men I know. Ill probably get blasted for this but oh well. I think a child that knows about guns and knows what kind of damage they can do is much safer and lees likely to be involved in a tragic accident than a kid who is just told don't touch they are bad....