Brazilian Mastiff

If you can imagine a cross between a bloodhound and a mastiff, you've just pictured a Brazilian mastiff. He also has another perhaps less familiar name, the Fila Brasileiro.

This large dog was bred originally to protect the plantations of Brazil. Not surprisingly, the ancestors of this dog included Bloodhounds, Mastiffs and bulldogs of European origin. The ancestors of this dog were brought to South America by the Conquistadors.

What comes of all this is a dog with the amazing scent-detecting capabilities of the bloodhound along with a mastiff's fearlessness and power. This has made the Brazilian mastiff perfect for defending the cattle ranches of the Minas Gerais region. This dog not only has been able to keep cattle rustlers away, but has also kept cattle safe from the dangers of wild jaguars.

The history of the Brazilian Mastiff though also includes the use of them on hunting trips. These dogs were used to track, attack and then hold the intended prey until his owner arrived. In fact, the name Fila comes from Portuguese for "to hold."

Another interesting fact is that the Brazilian mastiff was used to track and capture runaway slaves at one point in history.

The Brazilian mastiff's leg and spine joints show just what makes this dog such a great tracking dog. The joints themselves are loose, which lets the dog change direction very quickly, even when traveling at full gallop.

This dog has a unique characteristic for which it is known. It's probably the only breed that was purposely selected for its actual dislike of strangers. And to this day, the trait definitely shows.

In fact, temperament tests are run during championships. The tests include the ability to attack without being instructed, to remain self-confident during a shooting test as well as to overtly display their dislike and suspicion of people they don't know.

In fact, this breed's standard during a dog show specifically says that the Brazilian mastiff should not "allow the judge to touch it." Of course, the judge happens to be a stranger, which is why this particular caveat is included. In addition, instructions specifically state that should the judge be attacked, this should not be considered a flaw, but an actual confirmation of its temperament.

As fierce as they can be with strangers, the Brazilian Mastiffs are gentle with their own families. As with other types of Mastiffs they are tender and affectionate with the family they are charged to protect. And, of course, the members of this breed are loyal to their owners as well.

And like his cousins, the English Mastiff and others, he is a large dog. He stands between 27 to nearly 30 inches tall at the shoulder. His weight is no less than 100 pounds. While females are slightly smaller, they are still quite big as well. The female Brazilian Mastiff weighs approximately 90 pounds, with a height that ranges between 24 to nearly 28 inches.

Brazilian mastiffs' coats are smooth and short. Colors can be reddish tan, solid yellow, brindled or black. To take a close look, do a search for some Brazilian mastiff pictures on the Internet.

If you have fallen in love with a Brazilian mastiff and you want to own one, be careful. The mastiff in general is ferocious as a guard dog, but this particular type is actually bred to dislike and distrust strangers. This means that he will need more understanding and supervision than the average dog.

Is your mastiff dog receiving the best care? Everything you need to know about raising & caring for your mastiff is revealed. Learn more about the brazilian mastiff today!