Brazilian Mastiff
Male Brazilian mastiffs come in at well over 100 pounds and will stand upwards of thirty inches at the shoulder when they are full grown. Females are similarly large, though they tend to average around 90 pounds and are a few inches shorter as well. Both males and females will have short, soft fur, an extremely thick neck and resemble a bloodhound in the face. You might find this breed sporting coats of brindle, black, yellow and reddish tan, making it a very handsome dog.
The Brazilian mastiff was bred to run fast and to have a bone structure that could support an attack if need be. Their courage is known to be intense, and they are also known to be an alert dog. While they can be quite savage and hostile to strangers, they are considered to be very loving with children.
When you are looking at a Brazilian mastiff, there are a few features that you will notice right away. They have the hunting instinct of the bloodhound as well as the guarding instinct of the mastiff. They have been used to watch over cattle, and they are a wonderfully rounded animal. They are trained to attack and hold as well as to hunt and in years past and in more dangerous times, they were even trained and taught to hold wild jaguars at bay from the cattle that they were protecting.
The Brazilian mastiff also has a history as a slave tracking dog, and interestingly enough, the word Fila means to hold in Portuguese. Not only do these dogs excel at hunting and holding, they can also run fast and hold an impressive gallop.
Remember that when you are dealing with this dog that it is never so keen on strangers. They are suspicious of people that they do not know, and though this might be a good thing if they are guard dogs, it might be as good if you have visitors. In many cases, they will undergo character testing to see whether they can be trusted to only attack when they are instructed to. It is important to keep this mind when you are thinking about purchasing a Brazilian mastiff. During dog shows, they maintain this aloof and wary quality and judges are often instructed not to touch the dog.
While they can be absolutely savage with strangers, remember that the Brazilian mastiff is still a gentle and loving animal to his own pack. He can be very loyal to his master and is very protective of his own property. He will attack strangers and it is his natural instinct to attack when he is with someone he doesn’t feel comfortable with.
If you are thinking about adopting a Brazilian mastiff puppy, look for a good breeder. Consider going to the shows and going to the homes of private breeders. Do not stop at looking at just one breeder. Ask every question that you think of and see whether the breeder is someone who really feels for their dogs. Remember that they should be able to answer any questions that you throw out at them. Remember that you can always check out pictures of the breed online as well.
The Brazilian mastiff is quite adorable, with its blocky shape, its droopy long ears and its soft floppy lips. Always be careful when approaching an animal that you do not know well, and remember that the breed’s reputation as a guard animal is well earned. Despite this, you’ll soon see that with the right training, he can be amazingly sweet with the family in his care.
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