Fila Brasileiro mix breeding | Cross breeding with a Great Dane

When one changes dog’s phenotype this also influences a change in dog’s genotype. Two most noticeable anomalies that arose from crossbreeding with Great Danes are weak nervous system and stomach torsion (bloat). Bloat usually ends with a dog dying, while weak nervous system results in instability of dog’s temperament. These traits are being passed from generation to generation and one must be very cautious when buying a Fila Brasileiro. Filas are most carefully evaluated on CAFIB exhibitions and dogs with observed characteristics of mix breeding can never be used for breeding purposes.

FIGURE

Square figure, with long legs and neck – length and height are equal.  Short chest bone (sternum) causes a sharp ascent of the lower line – herring chest. Straight upper line / rump without inclination. Narrow chest, shoulders placed just under the neck going onward. Slim tail. Stiff, rigid joint articulations, completely lacking typical Fila movement known as “camel pace”.

HEAD

Long, narrow, head without the depth. Upper planes of the head are parallel, and so are head and muzzle sides too. Muzzle is of equal length or longer then the skull. Abrupt stop. Occipital hardly visible. Highly inserted, narrow ears. Head and muzzle sides are parallel.

COLOR AND TEMPERAMENT

Jet black coat with black eyes – small white spots on the chest may be present going up to the throat, and spreading asymmetrically on legs (on one leg – till the middle of metacarpus, on the other – going up till the elbow). White coat with large black spots resembling Dutch cattle. Also white coat with black and yellow spots (yellow being restrained to the head). Grey with irregular black spots and blue eyes. Yellow coated dog, without black mask, with clear eyes.

Fila / Great Dane cross breed dogs show nervous behavior and weak temper. Dogs have sensitive nerves (low threshold) and are often restless or cool and weary (appearing tired).

Read about the unmixed Fila here.