Fila Brasileiros are definitely not for everybody or every situation. They excel at what they do, but without good fences and relatively limited exposure to lots of human traffic, there might be problems.
It's a common joke among Fila people that you need a small, alert dog in the husehold "to wake the sleeping Fila." There's a Brazilian terrier which is a natural companion to Filas, that you might want to look into. This from the website of one breeder I know and respect:
http://www.southlandfarms.com/html/introduction1.html
The Terrier Brasileiro (sometimes called the Fox Paulistinha) is one of only two dog breeds originating in Brazil; the other, of course, being our beloved Fila Brasileiro. The Terrier Brasileiro, much like the Fila, is descended from a blend of dogs brought by European settlers to Brazil with some of the strongest ties going back to Jack Russell and Fox Terriers as well as the Miniature Pincher. Although the dog has been well known in Brazil for many years, it was the dog of the "common people" and was not highly regarded as a "show dog". The main emphasis in breeding was on the intelligence and working ability of this lively breed, not on bloodlines and registration papers. The dog is prized as a vermin hunter, watch dog, herder, and loyal companion. It was (and is) often kept on the farms and estates as the "ear" to wake the sleeping Fila or other larger breed guardian when an intruder enters the home.
I was first introduced to the breed by an article in DogWorld magazine May 1992 and was taken with the relationship described between the Fila (my first love) and the Terrier. I had never been much of a "little dog" person, but the thought stayed in my mind and I often returned to re-read the article over the years. Finally, in 1994 I sat down and composed a letter to the Fox Paulistinha Club in Brazil and sent for more information on the breed. I have heard other Fila owners in the States talking about how well their Fila got along with the other smaller dogs in the household (often terrier breeds such as the JRT, Westies, or Patterdales) and I was curious. After many months, my information pack came from Brazil and I began to read more about the Terrier Brasileiro. In September 1996, I imported a pair of puppies from Taboao Kennels. Many of you who attended the Working Weekend and 1996 Nationals were able to see the pups firsthand.
The DogWorld article describes the relationship between the two Brazilian breeds as : "Property owners swear by the Paulistinha’s guarding abilities. Anyone who thinks a 20 pound terrier can’t be an effective guard dog should see the Paulistinhas in action. In packs, as they are commonly kept, they attack the intruder’s legs and jump up into his stomach to try to bring him down. This can prove to be especially lethal in combination with a Fila."
The Terrier Brasileiro was molded from the European and local terrier type dogs over the years from the early 1800’s into the early 1900’s when the terriers eventually acquired their distinctive looks. The name “Fox Paulistinha “ was used locally (translates as "little fox terrier of Sao Paulo") although the dog can be found throughout Brazil as the Terrier Brasileiro. These breeders originally sought CBKC recognition as early as the 1950’s and the breed was accepted into the CBKC and the official FCI standard was published in 1964. Over the years the breed has suffered through cycles of popularity and decline (as many breeds have) and in 1973 was even declared a "dead" breed with registrations being suspended. Loyal Terrier Brasileiro fanciers and breeders kept the stud books alive, and in fact the little Terrier was still very popular with the farmers and ranchers as a working terrier. Through the heroic efforts of Marina Vicari Lerario (now president of the Fox Paulistinha Club and author of the Fox Paulistinha book in Brazil ) and other breeders the CBKC re-opened the breed to registration in 1994. The dog has made an extraordinary comeback both in national popularity as well as internationally. The dog were represented for the first time at the 1994 World Show and have sparked keen interest in the breed with dogs being exported to Europe. The dog remains relatively unknown here in the States. To my knowledge there were less than 10 of the Terriers in America, until the birth of my first litter in 1998 increased the American population by 50 %.
The little dogs have been quite the experience for me. As the standard says, they are a "lively" dog (an understatement to say the least ). They are extremely active and curious, the smallest sound or movement does not escape their attention. They are excellent watch dogs and their barking does serve as additional warning to alert the Filas of the household to anything out of the ordinary. They retain their puppy playfulness through out their lives--almost seeming never to "grow up". As my introduction letter from Brazil put it "They are always joking me"---and that is a perfect description of this active little dog,. I have fondly taken to calling them "The Jokie Dogs" because they are never serious (unless on alert to some strange noise or movement) but constantly racing about playing "tag" or "hide-and-go-seek" with the family or just themselves. In Brazil, the Terriers have the reputation of "nanny" with the children of the family. Having three kids of my own, the Terriers have given my children something to show when we attend events with the Filas (Filas are NOT suitable for Juniors to show), as well as opening up a whole new world of "dog fun" with terrier oriented events such as racing, go-to-ground trials, and agility classes--all of which are perfectly suited for the Terrier Brasileiro.
hth,
lpl
