FEDERATION CYNOLOGIQUE INTERNATIONALE
SECRETARIAT GENERAL:  13, Place Albert I  -  B 6530 THUIN  (Belg.)

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General Conformation
Typically molossoid breed Powerful bones. Rectangular structure. compact but harmonic and proportional. Added to his massiveness a great agility is easy to be seen. Bitches must show a well defined femininity which differs them immediately from males.

Character & Temperament
Courage, determination and outstanding braveness are part of his characteristics. He is docile 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 hi s distrust (orig. ojeriza) of strangers. He shows a calm disposition, self assurance and self confidence not being disturbed by strange noises or when facing a new environment. An unsurpassed guardian of the property he is as well dedicated by instinct to hunt big game and to cattle herding.

Movement
The Fila should have a long reach and elastic gait. His smooth stride reminds you of the great cats movements. His main characteristic is the PACE ­ a two beat lateral gait in which the legs of each side move back and forth exactly as a pair causing a robing or rocking motion of the dog's body (called the camel s pace) accentuated all along the top line to the tail. During the walk he carries the head lower than the back region. He shows a smooth. free and effortless trot with a powerful stride. He shows a smooth, free and effortless trot with powerful stride. His gallop is powerful with unsuspecting speed coming from such a large and heavy dog. Due to his loose articulations. typical of molossoids, the Fila's movements give the impression, and in fact it is so, of being capable of instant and very rapid changes of Section.

Expression
In repose it is calm, noble and full of self­assurance. Never discloses a bored or absent expression. When at attention his expression reflects determination and alertness with a flow look in eyes.

Head
The Fila head is big, heavy, massive, always proportionate to the whole body. From a top view it resembles a trapezoid figure in which the head is inserted in a pear form shape. From side view muzzle and skull should have approximately the proportion of one per one with the muzzle slightly shorter than the skull.

Skull
The profile of the skull shows a smooth curve from the stop to the occiput, which is protuberant especially in puppies. From a front view it is large, broad with the upper line slightly curved. Lateral lines come down almost vertical in a curve narrowing the muzzle. Never shows a stop.

Stop
Frontal Depression

From a front view It is particularly non existent. The medium furrow is slight and runs up smoothly. Looking sideways the stop is low, sloped and virtually formed only by the well developed eyebrows.

Muzzle}
Strong, broad and deep always in harmony with the skull. From a top view it is full under the eyes slightly narrowing toward the middle a the muzzle and again broadening slightly to the front line. From a side view the nose is straight or has a Roman line. but never turned up. The front line of the muzzle is close to a perpendicular line with; depression right under the nose and forming a perfect curve with the upper lips which are thick, pendulous and drooping over the lower lips, giving shape to the inferior 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 due of the length. Edges of the lips form an inverted U.

Nose
Well developed broad nostrils not occupying entirely the maxilar width.

Color
Black.

Eyes
From medium to large size, almond shaped. spaced well apart, medium to deep set. Permissible colors from dark brown to yellow, always in accordance to the color of the coat. Due to the profusion of loose skin many individuals present drooping lower eyelids which is not considered as fault as such a detail increases the melancholic expression which is typical of the breed.

Ears
Pendant, large, thick, V­shaped. Broad at the base and tapering to the ends. Rounded tips, Inserted at the posterior part of the skull in line with the eyes when in repose. When roused the ears are above the original position. The root is oblique with the front border higher than the back border. Drooping at the cheeks or folded back allowing its Interior to be seen.

Teeth
Wider than longer, strong and white. Upper incisors are broad at their root and sharp at the edged s. Canines or fangs are powerful, well set and well apart. The ideal bite is a scissor bite but a level bite is acceptable.

NECK
Extraordinarily strong and muscled giving the impression of a short neck. Slightly curved at the upper side and well detached from the skull. Dewlaps at the throat.

Topline
Withers in a sloping line, are set well apart from each other due to the distance between the scapulas. Withers are set to a lower level from the croup. After the withers. the upper line changes direction ascending smoothly to the croup. Back line shows no tendency to sway or roach back.

Croup
Broad, long, with an approximately 30 degrees angulation from the horizontal line showing a smooth curve. The croup is set a little higher than the withers. From a back view the croup is ample approximately as wide as the thorax being permitted to be broader at bitches.

Body
Strong broad end 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 plus 10% when measured from the point of the shoulder to the point of the buttock.

Thorax
Well sprung ribs though not interfering with the position of shoulder. Deep and large chest going down to the level of the elbows. Well pronounced brisket.

Loins
Shorter and not so deep as the thorax showing well as a separation of the two component parts. In bitches the lower part of loins are more developed. From an upper view the loins are narrower than the thorax and croup but should not form a waist line.

Lower Line
A long chest and parallel to the ground in all its extension. Tuck up slightly in ascension but never whippety.

Forelegs
The shoulder structure should be composed by two bones of equal length (scapula and humerus) being the first one at 45 degrees from the horizontal line and the last one 90 degrees from the first one. The articulation scapula­humerus forms the point of shoulder which is situated at the level of the presternum but a little behind it. In the ideal position the point of shoulder should be half way from elbow to withers. An imaginary perpendicular line coming down from the withers should cut the elbow and reach the foot.

Legs
Strong bones, legs parallel and straight to the pastern. Metacarpus short, strong apparent carpus slightly sloping. Length of the leg from ground to elbow should be 50% of the length from ground to withers.

Feet
Strong and well arched toes not too close together. Pads thick. broad and deep. The Ideal position of feet is pointing to the front. Strong dark nails, white nails permissible when this is the color of the feet and toes.

Hind Legs
Less heavy boned than fore legs but never light as a whole. Upper thigh with curved borders shaped by strong muscles coming from Ilium and Ischium which design the borders of rear and for this reason the Ischium must have a good length.

Hind legs are parallel. with strong tarsus, metatarsus slightly bent, higher than the metacarpus. Moderately angled stifle and metatarsus.

Hind Feet
A little more oval than the forefoot but the same goes for the whole description. Should not present dewclaws (the fifth toe).

Tail
Very wide at the root, medium set, tapering rapidly when reaching to the hocks level. When the dog is alert the tail is raised high and the curved at the extremity is more accentuated. Should not be carried curled over the back.

Height
Males from 25.5 Ins. (65 cms) to 29. .52 In. (75 cms) at the shoulders. Females: From 23.5 Ins. (60 cm) to 27.56 In. {70 cms) at the shoulder.

Weight
Males: Minimum: 100 pounds (50 kgs) Females: Minimum. 90 pounds (40 kgs)

Color
All solid colors are permitted except t disqualifying ones (white and mouse­gray)(patch dogs or dapple coat). Brindles with a solid coat may have stripes of less intensity or very strong dark stripe. A black mask may or may not be present. In all permitted colors white marks are allowed on the feet, chest and tip of tail. Not desirable at any other part of the coat. White markings exceeding one fourth of the total body must be penalized.

Skin
One of the most important breed characteristics is the thick, loose skin over the whole body chiefly the neck forming pronounced dewlaps and many times it can be seen at the brisket and abdomen. Some individuals present a fold at the sides of the head, also at the withers running down to the shoulders. If the dog is in repose the head is free of wrinkle. While alert the contraction of the skin at the skull forms small wrinkles running in a longitudinal line on the skull.

Coat
Short, smooth, dense and tight to the skin.

Test of Temperament
It is compulsory to 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 sort of test is made at all specialty shows. It Is optional at general shows, up the Judge's will, provided it is public and takes place outside the show ring.

The trail includes:

1. 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.

2. Shooting test. There will be fired blanks at a distance of 5 meters from the dog, the dog should express attention, show self­confidence and self assurance.

1. During a performance in the ring the judge will analyze the behavior and temperament of the specimen, paying attention to his expression. During the temperament test the following should be observed

   1. the dislike of the animal to strangers

   2. the self­assurance, courage, determination and braveness of each individual.
      
      

Faults General
Cryptorchids, or monorchid, use of artificial ways to produce certain effects, albinism, lack of type, etc.

Disqualification's
1. Aggressiveness to his owner.
2. Cowardice.
3. Pink nose.
4. Overshot teeth.
5. Undershot teeth showing the teeth when the mouth is shut.
6. Lack of l (one) canine or l (one) molar. Except the 3rd. one.
7. Blue eyes (porcelain like).
8. Cropped ears or docked tail.
9. A croup lower than the withers.
10. All white dogs, mouse-gray, patches dogs or dapple coat (merle)
11. Under minimum height (65 cms for males 60 cms for bitches)
12. Lack of loose skin.
13. Lack of typical pace.

Very serious faults:
1. Smut head
2. Tight upper lips (without flews).
3. A pronounced stop from a front view.
4. Protruding eyes.
5. Lack of 2 (two) teeth. except the Pl.
6. Lack of dewlaps.
7. Apathetic or timid
8. Negative sensitiveness to shooting
9. Roach back.
10. Level back line (not ascending towards the croup).
11. Calve tuck up.
12. Cowhocks.
13. Lack of angulation at the hindquarters (strap hocks).
14. Light bones.
15. Lack of substance (shelly).
16. Over the maximum height (75 cms males. 70 cms bitches).
17. White markings exceeding 1/4 (one­fourth) of the body.
18. Lack of pigmentations at the eye­rims.
19. Round eyes.
20. Square figure.

Serious Faults
1. Short muzzle.
2. Small ears.
3. Highly eat ears.
4. Excessively light colored eyes.
5. Wrinkles at the skull when the animal is in repose.
Undershot

1. Lack of 2 (two) teeth. Folded akin under the throat that Is not; dewlap (horizontal folds).
   

9. Sway back.
10. Narrow croup.
11. Curled tall carried over the back.
12. Chest hacking deepness.
13. Any deviation of corpus or metatarsus.
14. Over angulated hindquarters (sickle hocks).
15. Short steps (poor reach).

Minor Faults:
Anything in disagreement with the standard.

NOTE
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended Into the scrotum

Reproduced with permission of the FCI