The Fila Brasileiro is banned or restricted in several countries due to concerns about its aggressive behavior and potential for danger. These concerns stem from the breed’s history as a hunting and herding dog, contributing to a strong prey drive and a tendency to become aggressive towards small animals and other dogs. In some countries, the breed is banned outright, meaning it is illegal to own, breed, or import a Fila Brasileiro.
Facts About Fila Brasileiro
Conservation Status
The Fila Brasileiro is not considered a threatened or endangered breed and is widely kept as a companion animal and working dog worldwide. However, due to its history as a hunting and guard dog, as well as its robust build and tendency towards aggressive behavior, the Fila Brasileiro is subject to breed-specific legislation in some countries, including the United Kingdom, where it is banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act of 1991.
While the breed is not considered endangered, breeders and owners must maintain high health standards, temperament, and conformation to preserve its characteristics and ensure its welfare. This can be done through responsible breeding practices, such as avoiding inbreeding, screening for hereditary health conditions, and providing socialization aA relatively to puppies from an early age.
Physical Characteristics
- Size: Fila Brasileiros are a large breed, with males typically weighing between 110 and 140 pounds and standing 26 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder. Females are generally smaller, weighing between 90 and 120 pounds and standing 24 to 26 inches tall.
- Coat: The breed has a short, smooth coat that is easy to care for and comes in various colors, including fawn, brindle, black, and red.
- Head: The breed has a large, square head with a broad skull and powerful jaw. Its eyes are set wide apart and are dark brown or black.
- Ears: The breed has large, drooping ears typically cropped short to prevent injury while working or hunting.
- Body: The Fila Brasileiro has a strong, well-muscled body well-suited for work and physical activity. The breed has a deep chest, well-defined withers, and a long, muscular neck.
- Tail: The breed has a long, thick tail typically carried low when relaxed and curved over the back when excited or alert.
Dog Breeds Banned in the UK
Fila Brasileiro
The Fila Brasileiro is a large mastiff-type dog, initially bred in Brazil in the 1800s. This dog has a strong protective instinct and makes an excellent guard dog. However, Fila Brasileiro is banned in many countries due to its aggressive nature and is also banned in Portugal due to its propensity for aggression.
For this reason, owners must research and ensure they understand the legal implications before bringing a Fila Brasileiro into their homes. In addition to consulting with a veterinarian or animal behaviorist, owners should speak to other dog owners about the breed and the risks involved before committing to any adoption decision.
Pit Bull Terrier
The Pit Bull Terrier is one of the four breeds banned in the UK since 1991, confirming to Lancashire News. In 2015, the Pit Bull Terrier was labeled as “vicious” and “dangerous” by the United Kingdom’s Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA). Many other countries have also banned this dog breed, including Ireland, America, and Australia.
The Pit Bull Terrier was initially bred as a fighting dog and was often used in blood sports such as bear baiting. This made it a dangerous breed with a reputation for aggression. Despite no concrete evidence to support this claim, the breed has been linked to attacks and fatalities in several cases over the years.
In recent years there has been a move to re-examine dog fighting and pit bull terrier-type dogs, but progress remains slow due to ongoing public misconceptions about these dogs.
Japanese Tosa
Due to its fighting history, the Japanese Tosa dog breed is banned in the UK and other countries. The dog was one of four breeds banned by the Dangerous Dogs Act of 1991, which sought to address the public safety concerns associated with dog fighting and dangerous dog breeds.
The Japanese Tosa is a fighting dog breed developed in Japan in the 1800s. It is a mix of various bulldogs, mastiffs, and terrier breeds. These dogs are known for their energy and aggression, making them dangerous to handle without proper training. They require careful care and training to ensure safety and minimize aggression in family and household settings. This breed requires an owner willing to devote time to training and training them to minimize aggression in all situations.
Dogo Argentino
The Dogo Argentino was initially bred in Argentina to be a guard dog and to hunt big game; it was crossed with other dogs to create a bigger, stronger, and more adaptable one to the demands of hunting. The result was a fearless dog that could track down prey from great distances.
However, the Dogo Argentino is known to be dangerous to humans and other animals. It has a strong prey drive and can become aggressive, making it one of the four breeds banned in the United Kingdom.
An experienced owner must keep the Dogo Argentino due to its stubbornness, intelligence, and authoritarian tendencies. If you are interested in adopting or breeding one of these dogs, do so only with someone with experience handling such a powerful breed.
Consequences of Owning a Banned Dog Breed
You may face legal consequences if you own a banned dog breed in the UK. For example, the penalties for owning a banned dog under the Dangerous Dogs Act of 1991 can be severe and include fines, imprisonment, and the confiscation and destruction of the dog.
In some cases, the courts may allow a banned dog to be kept by its owner, but only if strict conditions are met, such as requiring the dog to be muzzled and kept on a lead in public or requiring the owner to take out insurance to cover any potential damage or injury caused by the dog.
If you are found to have a banned dog, the police or local authority may seize the dog and take it into custody. The dog may then be destroyed, or, in some cases, the owner may be able to apply to have the dog returned if they can prove that the dog is not a danger to the public.
