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	#225 Official FCI Standard translated by CBKC/FCI/SKC judge Clelia Kruel to the English language

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	General Appearance Typically molossoid breed with powerful bones, rectangular and compact structure but harmonious and proportional. Added to his massiveness a great agility can be easily seen. Bitches must show a well-defined femininity which differentiates them immediately from males. back to top Character and Temperament Outstanding courage, determination, and bravery are part of his characteristics. He is docile and obedient to his owners and family and extremely tolerant with children. His faithfulness became a Brazilian proverb. He is always looking for the company of his master. One of his characteristics is his "ojeriza" towards strangers. He shows a calm disposition, self-assurance, and self-confidence, not being disturbed by strange noises nor when facing a new environment. An unsurpassed guardian of property, he is also inclined, by instinct, to hunt big game and to herd cattle. back to top Gait The Fila has a long reach and elastic gait which reminds one of the great cats' movements. His main characteristic is the pace (camel's gait), moving two legs of one side first, followed by the two legs of the other side which causes a rolling lateral movement of the thorax and hindquarters accentuated by the tail when it is raised. During the walk he maintains the head lower than the back line. He shows a smooth, free, and long reaching trot with a powerful stride. His gallop is powerful with an unsuspected speed coming from such a large and heavy dog. The Fila Brasileiro's gait is always influenced by its typically molossoid articulations which give the impression, and in fact it is true, of effectively permitting him sudden and swift changes in direction. back to top Expression In repose it is a calm, noble, and full of self-assurance, never disclosing a bored nor absent expression. When in attention, the expression should reflect determination and alertness with a firm and piercing look in his eyes. back to top Head The Fila's head is heavy and massive, always proportionate to the body. Seen from above, it resembles a trapezoidal figure in which the head appears pear-shaped. From a side view, muzzle and skull should have approximately the proportion of one to one, or with the first being slightly smaller than the second one. back to top Skull The profile shows a smooth curve from the stop to the occiput which is well-defined and salient, especially in puppies. From a front view the skull is wide, ample with the upper line slightly curved. The lateral lines descend slightly curved, almost in a vertical line, narrowing toward the muzzle, never showing a stop. back to top Stop From a front view it is practically non-existent. The medium furrow runs up smoothly until approximately the halfway mark of the skull. From a side view the stop is low, sloping, and virtually formed by the very well-developed eyebrow ridges. back to top Muzzle Strong, broad, and deep, always in harmony with the skull. From a top view it is full under the eyes, very slightly narrowing toward the middle of the muzzle and slightly broadening again until reaching the front curve. From a side view the bridge of the muzzle is straight or has a Roman nose, but never in an ascendant line. The front line of the muzzle is close to a perpendicular line in relation to the superior line, showing a slight depression right under the nose. A perfect curve is formed by the upper lips which are thick and pendulous, drooping over the lower lips giving shape to the lower line of the muzzle which is almost parallel to the upper line. The labial rim is always apparent. The lower lips are close and firm up to the fangs and from there on they are loose with dented borders. The muzzle has a great depth at the root but without surpassing the length of the muzzle. The labial rim has the shape of an inverted and deep U. back to top Nose Well-developed with broad nostrils not occupying entirely the maxilla width. The color is black. back to top Eyes From medium to large size, almond-shaped, spaced well apart, from medium to deep-set. The colors are from dark chestnut to yellow, always in harmony with the coat color. Due to the profusion of the loose skin, many individuals present drooping lower eyelids which are not considered a fault as such detail increases the melancholic expression which is typical of the breed. back to top Ears Pendant, large, thick, V-shaped, broad at the base and tapering at the end with rounded tips. They are inserted at the posterior part of the skull in line with the medium level of the eyes when in repose. When roused the ears go above the original position. The root is oblique with the front border higher than the back border. The ears are drooping at the cheeks or are folded back allowing the interior to be seen. back to top Teeth Noticeably wider than long. They are strong and white. The upper scissors are broad at the root and sharp at the edges. Canines are powerful, well set and well apart. A scissors bite is the ideal, but a level bite is acceptable. back to top Neck Extraordinarily strong and well-muscled giving the impression of a short neck. It is slightly curved on the top and well-detached from the skull. The throat is furnished with dewlaps. back to top Topline The withers, standing in a sloping line, are set well apart from each other due to the distance between the scapulas at a slightly lower level than the croup. After the withers, the topline changes direction, ascending smoothly to the croup, with no tendency to show a sway nor a roach back. back to top Croup Broad and long, with an approximate angulation of 30 degrees to the horizontal line, showing a smooth curve. It stands a little higher than the withers. Viewed from the rear the croup must be ample and its width is approximately equal to the thorax and may be even wider in females. back to top Body Strong, broad, and deep, covered by thick and loose skin. The thorax is longer than the abdomen. The length of the body is the same as the height at the withers plus ten per cent, when measured from the point of the shoulder to the point of the buttocks. back to top Thorax The ribs are well sprung, though not interfering with the position of the shoulders. The chest is deep and large, descending to the level of the elbows. back to top Loins Shorter and not as deep as the thorax, showing a separation of the two component parts. The lower part of the loins is more developed in the females. Viewed from above, the loins are narrower than the thorax and croup, but should not form a waistline. back to top Underline The chest is long and parallel to the ground in all its extension. The tuck-up extends in a slightly ascending line but is never whippety. back to top Forequarters The ideal shoulder structure should be composed of two bones of equal length (scapula and humerus), with the former at an angle of 45 degrees from the horizontal line and the humerus forming an approximate 90 degree angle with the scapula. The articulation of the scapula-humerus forms the point of the shoulder which should be situated at the level of the prosternum but a little behind it. In its ideal position the shoulder covers the space from the withers to the prosternum and the point of the shoulder should be placed halfway to this distance. An imaginary perpendicular line coming down from the withers should cut the elbow and reach the foot. back to top Forelegs Must be parallel, straight to the pasterns, and with powerful bones. The carpis (pastern joints) are strong and apparent. The metacarpus (pasterns) are short and slightly sloping. Length of the leg from ground to elbow should be equal to the length from elbow to withers. back to top Feet Formed by strong and well-arched toes which are not too close together. The pads are thick, broad, and deep. The correct position of the feet is pointing to the front. The nails are strong and dark, but they may be white when this is the color of the respective toe. back to top Hindquarters The hindlegs are less heavy boned than the forelegs but never light as a whole. The upper thigh has curved borders shaped by muscles descending from the ilium and ischium, which trace the curve of the rear, and for this reason the ischium must have a good length. back to top Hindlegs Parallel, with strong tarsis, metatarsis slightly bent, higher than the metacarpis. The stifles and hocks are moderately angulated. back to top Hindfeet A little more oval than the forefeet, but otherwise the description is identical to that for the forefeet. They should not present dewclaws. back to top Tail Very wide at the root, medium set, reaching to the level of the hocks, tapering rapidly at its end. When the dog is alert, the tail is raised high, and the curve at the extremity is more accentuated. The tail should not fall over the back or curl up. back to top Height Measured at the withers: Males: 65 to 75 cms. (25.5 inches to 29.5 inches) Females: 60 to 70 cms. (23.5 inches to 27.5 inches) back to top Weight Males: minimum of 50 kgs. (l00 lbs.) Females: minimum of 40 kgs. (90 lbs.) back to top Color All solid colors are permitted except the disqualifying ones(white, mouse grey, patched dogs, dappled, or black and tan). Brindles of a basic color, may have the stripes of either less or with very strong intensity. A black mask may or may not be present. In all permitted colors white markings should be limited to the feet, chest, and tip of tail. The white markings are not desirable on any other part of the body. back to top Skin One of the most important breed characteristics is the thick, loose skin over the whole body, chiefly at the neck, forming pronounced dewlaps, and in many individuals the folds proceed to the chest and abdomen. Some dogs show a fold at the side of the head and also at the withers descending to the shoulder. When the dog is in repose the head is free of wrinkles. When alert, in order to lift the ears, the contraction of the skin at the skull forms little wrinkles along a longitudinal line of the skull. back to top Coat Short, smooth, dense and tight to the skin. back to top Test of Temperament This is compulsory requirement for all individuals (after 12 months) in order to obtain a registered championship title. All champions must have a certificate of approval at the temperament test. This type of test is made at all specialty shows. It is optional at general shows, up to the judge's will, providing it is public and takes place outside of the show ring. The trial includes: Attack with a stick. The dog is supposed to attack in front of the handler, without being coached, and the exhibitor or handler will remain in his position. It is forbidden to touch or to beat the animal. Shooting test. There will be blanks fired at a distance of five meters from the dog. The dog should express attention, show self-confidence and self-assurance. During all performances in the ring, the judge will analyze the behavior and temperament of the entrant, paying attention to his expression. During the temperament test the following should be observed: The dislike of the animal to strangers. The self-assurance, courage, determination, and braveness of each dog. back to top Faults General Faults Cryptorchid or monorchids, the use of artificial products, or a dog which has been changed in appearance by artificial means, albinos, lack of typicity, etc. Disqualification Aggressiveness toward his owner Cowardice Pink nose Overshot bite Undershot bite showing the teeth when the mouth is closed Lack of one canine or one molar, other than the third one Blue eyes (porcelain like) Cropped ears or docked tail Croup lower than the withers All dogs that are white, mouse grey, patched, dappled or merle or black and tan Under minimum height Lack of loose skin Lack of camel's pace Very Serious Faults Small head Tight upper lips A pronounced stop from a front view Protruding eyes Lack of two teeth except the PIS (first pre-molars) Lack of dewlaps Apathetic or timid dogs Negative sensitivity to shooting a gun Roach back Level topline Excessive tuckup Cowhocks Straight hocks (lack of angulation at the hindlegs) Light bones Lack of substance Over maximum height White markings exceeding l/4 of the body Lack of pigmentation at eye rim Round eyes Square figure Serious Faults Short muzzle Small ears High set ears (when in repose) Excessively light colored eyes Wrinkles on skull when the animal is in repose Undershot bite Lack of two teeth Folded skin under throat that is not dewlap Swayback Narrow croup A curled tail carried over the back Chest lacking depth Deviation of metacarpus or metatarsus Over-angulated hindlegs Short steps Minor Faults Anything in disagreement with the standard that does not fall into the above three categories NOTE: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum. back to top


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