In Home Fila

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.

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.