Why I'll never own a Fila

[BradA1878]

This...

Brad the problem you will run across is the majority of good Fila breeders in the US are private breeders who do not sell to the public and have no desire for the public to see their dogs. Many Fila breeders in general are very secretive about their program. ...

I'm sorry, I don't mean to pick, but it seems like a cop-out. When you ask where to get a good Fila, this is the answer you get.

For me, it..

A) Is disappointing, since it means I can't get a good one.

B) Feels a lot like a cop-out. Like when someone says something to you that's awesome, and you ask them to "prove it" and they can't.

Anyway, I'm not trying to start a big argument, I am just disappointed that I'll never be able to find a real good ​Fila because I'm not connected.

 

[AKBull]

Maybe find ways to get connected?

 

[chuckorlando]

I'm sure you can find a great one if you look for it. If you want one, ask around. The folks who know could certainly recommend you or point you in the right direction given they thought you would make a good owner.

 

[ruthcatrin]

You just need to convince Dogman you'd make a good Fila owner, he's connected. I know he's made note on a couple occasions about folks who're breeding and the like.

TBH I don't know that I blame them for being so secretive, sometimes I wish the TM hadn't gotten so noticable.....

 

[raechiemay]

I'd have to agree with Ruth about them being secretive. From what I know about Filas, they aren't for the average dog owner, not saying that's what you are Brad. But I imagine the "good" Filas are kept a secret as the breeders don't want them just falling into the hands of the wrong people for many reasons.

Filas are interesting dogs. I'd love to have one but I know I'll never have the appropriate home environment for one & I'm not sure I'm a strong enough handler for one either. So they'll just be a breed I admire from a distance.

 

[fila4me]

well Brad, you do know some on here who have good connections. IMO,those that advertise are some of the ones ruining the breed.Not all,but alot.And,putting out crap.I can only speak of my breeder,but she got tired of those who just acted interested and in truth just wanted to see if all the hoopla was true. But, I would have no problem giving you information when you are ready.

 

[Gunny]

Brad, I see your point and kind of agree. However, like others have said, I'd rather the breed be kept to it's original standards, and the more irresponsible breeders there are out there, the more problems this breed will have. I plan on getting a Fila when I get some land and I know that I can always come here for some good help on getting a proper Fila.

 

[BradA1878]

I'm sure you can find a great one if you look for it. If you want one, ask around. The folks who know could certainly recommend you or point you in the right direction given they thought you would make a good owner.

That's the thing... Who do I ask? (that's rhetorical) How do I know the people on this forum, for example, are the people connected to the "real" Fila?

I'm not saying you guys aren't, it's just very confusing to me.


As for the secretive aspect, yea, I get that the breed shouldn't be mainstreamed. And for sure a lot of breeds have been ruined like that... but, the breeders of the good dogs can select who they place pups with. I've always felt it's up to the breeders to choose the proper owners... If they do that, then why does it matter if they are secretive or not?

 

[zebraworks]

based on one person's comment/opinion? come on.....

 

[dogman#1]

Brad, the thing is you dont "know". As a buyer or as a breeder you can only hope you are making the right decisions. I know that at least 1 of my buyers was not what I thought they were but I found out too late. You do your research, get pointers on who you believe are good breeders based on your research and others and hope for the best. Some breeders have the best interest of the breed in mind and their name means something to them...others? well, all they care about is $$$. Fila breeders are so secretive for 1 of 2 reasons...first off there are a lot of nut jobs in this breed ie. I was threatened with physical harm by a very short fat dude and his short fat son... another breeder got her home address, picture of her home and names of her family posted on a forum. second, there are those that breed for $$$ and only for $$$ it behooves them to place ads on ebay, craigslist, change kennel names and tell customers things like "I only breed pet quality"..... folks, pet quality means that they have too many faults/flaws to be shown in either structure or temp...if you are breeding primarily for pets then you are breeding dogs that are sub par on purpose for quick $$. Ofcourse every litter has a few of those but when you know the parents are not suitable for show then they are USUALLY not suitable for breeding either. When you know for a fact that every pup in a litter will be born not suitable for show that is because you know that the parents will produce disqualifying faults and there is only one reason to breed them...$$$! I am a dog man and have been all my life so i can tell when someone is talking side ways out of their dumper about dogs, any breed even if I know nothing of that breed. The ones that have the "perfect" bloodlines, with "absolutely no health issues" and "perfect temperament" but have never tested their dogs for any of those health issues and never gotten a formal temp test.... yea, stay away from them.

 

[chuckorlando]

Well if I were looking for another pup I would contact Dogman, mountainfila, zebra, ace, ab, and a handfull of others who not only know the breed, but have years and years around the breed. I may not agree with the cafib thinking, but I have enough respect for guys like Juan and the like to trust their judgment on a dog. After talking to all these well respected folks I would then take those breeders and pick the type or breeder I liked. Cafib or not, I would start with their recommendations.

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

Well if I were looking for another pup I would contact Dogman, mountainfila, zebra, ace, ab, and a handfull of others who not only know the breed, but have years and years around the breed. I may not agree with the cafib thinking, but I have enough respect for guys like Juan and the like to trust their judgment on a dog. After talking to all these well respected folks I would then take those breeders and pick the type or breeder I liked. Cafib or not, I would start with their recommendations.

This!

PS I don't blame them for being "secretive" I wish the BK folks were like that.

 

[Rugers-Kris]

I understand what you are saying. I took a huge interest in the Fila a little less than a year ago and I intend to add one to my family. It can be frustrating but like others have said, I have prompted a few conversations here and gotten an amazing amount of info from both sides of the Fila world, as well as doing research on my own, buying books, and adding Fila facebook sites. I don't think it is as hard to find a breeder (Or pairing, which is what I intend to do) as it is to actually decide what you are personally looking for and then narrowing it down to where you might be able to get that from. Fila is definitely a passionate subject everywhere it seems and am glad that it is kept a bit secretive. In order to end up with a "proper" Fila, one would really have to do thier homework and have lots of debates and read tons of information and then prove themselves to be the "right" person for a FILA to get thier hands on one and I like that. I know there are idiots doing breedings and cross breedings but I am really gad that the real Fila's are difficult to find and so hard to get your hands on. I think that fact alone keeps many of the "wrong" people out of the breed. I have done all of the above and the only thing I have left to do before I can comfortably begin my trek to find the right "pairing" is to meet some Filas in the flesh. I intend to attend the CAFIB show this year as well as I am hoping to convince a few people who have Fila's (CAFIB or not) to let me "meet" thier dogs when I get a chance to get on the road a bit. I have already had two people who have offered to allow me to visit (One CAFIB, One not) and see thier dogs and observe a bit. I am really excited about the opportunities.

 

[aceoutdoor]

This...



I'm sorry, I don't mean to pick, but it seems like a cop-out. When you ask where to get a good Fila, this is the answer you get.

For me, it..

A) Is disappointing, since it means I can't get a good one.

B) Feels a lot like a cop-out. Like when someone says something to you that's awesome, and you ask them to "prove it" and they can't.

Anyway, I'm not trying to start a big argument, I am just disappointed that I'll never be able to find a real good ​Fila because I'm not connected.

Brad I did not mean to come off the wrong way. I just make it a point to not to recommend breeders here because there are not many good Fila breeders out there. I am not going to recommend a breeder based on them breeding my preferred type or a champion within the registry I use because there are people on here who do that and I have seen dogs from those kennels they recommend and they have issues. Breeders I am close with don't sell to people who aren't recommended by someone, and they have a waiting list so they don't have to. Its important to be close to buyers so you can take a dog back god forbid it doesn't work out. And honestly, I retain some emotional attachment to my puppies and like to check up on them in person from time to time if it allows.

You said "I am just disappointed that I'll never be able to find a real good ​Fila". Do you give up that easily? How do you find a good Ovcharka? Do your research. Meet some Fila people in your area. Take your time, learn the breed, observe in person and eventually you will find what you are looking for. It takes time and you will be glad you waited. People keep these dogs under the radar for a reason, they care about the breed. And someday hopefully later than sooner our "right" to own them will be gone, along with alot of other rights.

 

[BradA1878]

based on one person's comment/opinion? come on.....

That was just one example of that type of comment. This general type of comment has been made by several members in different threads. I figured that was obvious with my post, but maybe not.

Brad, the thing is you dont "know". As a buyer or as a breeder you can only hope you are making the right decisions. I know that at least 1 of my buyers was not what I thought they were but I found out too late [...]

Yea, for sure, you don't *know* with any breed. I've learned that too. But with most breeds there is more info out there to do research on. With this breed there is so little, you end up having to go on someone's personal opinion.

Brad I did not mean to come off the wrong way. I just make it a point to not to recommend breeders here because there are not many good Fila breeders out there. [...]

Oh no, and I didn't mean to call you out. I was just using your comment as an example - not picking on you or anything. No worries.

You said "I am just disappointed that I'll never be able to find a real good ​Fila". Do you give up that easily? How do you find a good Ovcharka? Do your research. Meet some Fila people in your area. Take your time, learn the breed, observe in person and eventually you will find what you are looking for. It takes time and you will be glad you waited. People keep these dogs under the radar for a reason, they care about the breed. And someday hopefully later than sooner our "right" to own them will be gone, along with alot of other rights.

No, I don't give up that easily. Good point. However I did go this route when I lived in NM - met a few Fila folks and came to the conclusion that the "Fila" they owned must not have been the Fila that all of you own. The Filas I met were really not impressive to me... but, I am sure they were not the norm for the breed.

Now I live in Arizona, and I frankly don't even know where to start. I don't know of any Fila owners here and I don't know where to find them. I have asked around with other dog friend who live here but not found any Fila owners... I've only been here 6 months tho, so you know, it takes time.

So, that's the difficult part, the time I have gone and met Fila owners I have been unimpressed. At that point my search ran dry. I'm sure there are better example of the breed to meet, most of them are just not typically out there at working events and such - from what I understand the best examples of the breed are working on farms or are family protectors and are not out in the public.

It's similar to Ovcharka - the best examples of the breed are owned by people who do not show their dogs or work their dogs in venues. But I was fortunate to have connections with that breed and was able to find a few nice examples. So far my luck with Fila have been less forthcoming.

Anyway, thanks all for the info.

 

[mountainfila]

That was just one example of that type of comment. This general type of comment has been made by several members in different threads. I figured that was obvious with my post, but maybe not.




Yea, for sure, you don't *know* with any breed. I've learned that too. But with most breeds there is more info out there to do research on. With this breed there is so little, you end up having to go on someone's personal opinion.




Oh no, and I didn't mean to call you out. I was just using your comment as an example - not picking on you or anything. No worries.




No, I don't give up that easily. Good point. However I did go this route when I lived in NM - met a few Fila folks and came to the conclusion that the "Fila" they owned must not have been the Fila that all of you own. The Filas I met were really not impressive to me... but, I am sure they were not the norm for the breed.

Now I live in Arizona, and I frankly don't even know where to start. I don't know of any Fila owners here and I don't know where to find them. I have asked around with other dog friend who live here but not found any Fila owners... I've only been here 6 months tho, so you know, it takes time.

So, that's the difficult part, the time I have gone and met Fila owners I have been unimpressed. At that point my search ran dry. I'm sure there are better example of the breed to meet, most of them are just not typically out there at working events and such - from what I understand the best examples of the breed are working on farms or are family protectors and are not out in the public.

It's similar to Ovcharka - the best examples of the breed are owned by people who do not show their dogs or work their dogs in venues. But I was fortunate to have connections with that breed and was able to find a few nice examples. So far my luck with Fila have been less forthcoming.

Anyway, thanks all for the info.

You say you were unimpressed, about?? They werent mean enough or they were mellow around you or they didnt look like the standard?? If you only met a few how can you make a statement like that? What do you clasify as a "real fila"?

 

[DennasMom]

From this thread, it appears Fila breeders may also share some Fila attributes.

 

[chuckorlando]

From this thread, it appears Fila breeders may also share some Fila attributes.

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA What would ever give you that impression :lolbangtable:

 

[BradA1878]

You say you were unimpressed, about?? They werent mean enough or they were mellow around you or they didnt look like the standard?? If you only met a few how can you make a statement like that? What do you clasify as a "real fila"?

You Fila members are so defensive about your breed. lol

My statement was about the few Fila I have met in person, which if you reread my post, you can clearly see I wrote that I had not met very many. Actually, here, I'll help you. I wrote...

I did go this route when I lived in NM - met a few Fila folks and came to the conclusion that the "Fila" they owned must not have been the Fila that all of you own. The Filas I met were really not impressive to me... but, I am sure they were not the norm for the breed.

The bolded text clearly states that I didn't think they were typical of the breed.

What I mean by "real Fila" is one that lives up to the aggressive "man eater" hype that Fila owners always talk about. The ones I met were either aggressive with terrible nerves, or were not aggressive at all to strangers. But again, and I'll bold this text to make sure you see it, I do not think the Fila I met were very good examples of the breed.

I would like to meet good examples of the breed. I would like to meet some Fila who live up to the hype that Fila owners swear by. I have only met a few Fila so far, so the next ones I meet I would like them to be the "real deal".

 

[angelbears]

I would like to have a ringside seat when you get to meet your real deal fila. LOL

Yes, fila people are very defensive about their dogs and the breed in general. I think they inspire that loyalty in their owners. I have owned many dogs in my lifetime but I have never had one that has been so dedicated to me.

As you know Brad, finding a good well bred dog is hard in any breed. I don't think anyone should be surprised that they are going to see more poor examples than good.