Discover The World Of Brazilian Mastiffs

Brazilian mastiffs were originally bred to protect plantations in Brazil. They look a bit like a cross between a bloodhound and a mastiff, and are also called Fila Brasileiro. Their ancestors, unsurprisingly, including bulldogs, mastiffs, and bloodhounds from Europe. These dogs were originally brought to the South American continent by the Spanish.

The end result of the interbreeding of these dogs is one that has the bloodhound's ability to track combined with mastiffs' fearlessness and power. This means that Brazilian Mastiffs was well suited to help defend cattle ranches in the Minas Gerais area. They not only chased away rustlers, but even jaguars.

In addition to being ranch guards, Brazilian mastiffs were also used for hunting. They were able to track, attack, and hold their prey until the hunters arrived. Their name in Portuguese comes from the word that means "to hold". At one point, Brazilian mastiffs were also used for a less pleasant kind of hunting – tracking and catching escaped slaves.

Brazilian Mastiffs's legs and spine are well designed to make this dog a great tracker. Their loose joints mean that this dog can turn very quickly, even when traveling at a flat run.

Brazilian mastiffs also have another unique characteristic. They're probably the only dogs that have been bred specifically to dislike strangers. This trait has stayed in the breed to this day. During shows for this dog, temperament tests are run, including testing for the ability to attack without a command, to stay confident while a gun is being fired, and to display suspicion and dislike for strangers.

The standard for Brazilian Mastiffs at shows even specifically says that the dog shouldn't be willing to "allow the judge [a stranger] to touch it." If the dog attacks the judge, the standard says that this shouldn't be considered a fault, rather a confirmation of the dog's temperament.

However, even though Brazilian mastiffs are fierce when strangers are around, they're gentle and friendly to their families. Like other types of mastiff, they're affectionate and loyal to the family that belongs to them, as well as to the person who owns them.

Brazilian mastiffs are like other mastiffs in their size, too. Males stand around twenty-seven to thirty inches at the shoulder, and never weigh less than a hundred pounds. Females are a little smaller, at about ninety pounds and twenty-four to twenty-eight inches high at the shoulder.

Brazilian mastiffs have short, smooth coats. They come in a variety of colors, including reddish tan, yellow, black, and brindle. If you'd like to see some examples of Brazilian mastiffs, try looking online. There are plenty of photos on mastiff hobby sites.

If you're thinking about getting a Brazilian mastiff, take the decision slowly. While most mastiffs are very loyal and make fierce guard dogs, Brazilian mastiffs take it a step further. These dogs have been bred to dislike and distrust all strangers, meaning they need a lot more supervision than the average dog.

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