Weighing in at over 100 pounds and about 27-30 inches tall from the ground to his shoulder is the male mastiff. The females are huge as well, although they are smaller. She weighs about 90 pounds. She stands to be about 24-28 inches off the ground to her shoulder. Their fur is short and soft in nature. Their neck is extremely thick and he carries the same features of a bloodhound through their face. A variety of colors also comes with this breed and those colors include yellow, black, brindle and reddish tan.

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.

There are several qualities that set the Brazilian mastiff apart from other breeds. They do have the hunting instinct of the bloodhound in combination with the guarding instinct of the mastiff. They have been used in the past to herd and guard cattle, and in many ways they are an excellent, well-rounded working dog. Not only can they follow a trail, they can catch it and hold it when they find it. In times past, they were even trusted to keep wild jaguars away from the herd.

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.

This dog is quite adorable, with its rectangular body, its droopy hound dog ears and its flabby lips. Remember that any dog that you do not know well should be regarded with caution and this breed is no exception. Though they have a reputation for being fierce, they are also known to be wonderfully gentle with their own families and particularly with children.