Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Fila Brasileiro - Breed Comparison

Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Fila Brasileiro - Breed ComparisonFila Brasileiro is originated from Brazil but Miniature Australian Shepherd is originated from United States. Fila Brasileiro may grow 29 cm / 12 inches higher than Miniature Australian Shepherd. Fila Brasileiro may weigh 64 kg / 142 pounds more than Miniature Australian Shepherd. Both Fila Brasileiro and Miniature Australian Shepherd has almost same life span. Both Fila Brasileiro and Miniature Australian Shepherd has almost same litter size. Both Fila Brasileiro and Miniature Australian Shepherd requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Herding dogs
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Brazil
United States
Height Male:
60 - 75 cm
23 - 30 inches
33 - 46 cm
12 - 19 inches
Height Female:
60 - 75 cm
23 - 30 inches
33 - 46 cm
12 - 19 inches
Weight Male:
55 - 80 kg
121 - 177 pounds
6 - 16 kg
13 - 36 pounds
Weight Female:
55 - 80 kg
121 - 177 pounds
6 - 16 kg
13 - 36 pounds
Life Span:
9 - 12 Years
10 - 13 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 10
5 - 9
Size:
Large
Small
Other Names:
Brazilian Mastiff
Miniature American Shepherd, Mini Aussie
Colors Available:
red, black, Fawn, brindle
red or black tri-color, Blue or red merle
Coat:
Short and dense
Long and thick
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
No
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
Yes

History

fila brasileiroHailing from Brazil, and known also as the Brazilian Mastiff, nobody seems to be too sure of the exact origins of the large Fila Brasileiro but it is believed to be a cross between the English Mastiff, the Bulldog and the Bloodhound.

Other theories are that the dog comes from a mix of Portuguese and Spanish dogs and that they were bred to guard livestock from predators. Breeds that have no doubt contributed to the modern Fila are the Bullenbeisser, the Bloodhound, Mastiff and Rafeiro do Alentejo. All these dogs have characteristics such as excellent working dog skills, herding instincts as well as courage and tenacity.

The official Brazilian breed standard of the Fila was developed in the 1960s and the Fila Brasileiro Club of America was formed in 1984.

miniature australian shepherdUnlike some miniaturized pure dog breeds, the Miniature Australian Shepherd is a breed of its own. The American Kennel Club and the United Kennel Club recognize that the miniature Australian Shepherd is the same as the miniature American Shepherd.

Certain breeding programs to develop the Miniature Australian Shepherd have been established and this dog is a small version of the Australian Shepherd. You can say that the Mini Australian Shepherd was developed in the 1960s and hails from the USA. American ranchers bred small Australian Shepherd dogs to create smaller replicas of the breed.

Description

fila brasileiro puppy - descriptionWith his huge head covered in loose skin much like that of a Blooohound, and a body resembling that of a Mastiff, the large heavily built Fila Brasileiro is a mastiff breed from Brazil. He stands at 60 to 75cm in height and he weighs roughly 55 to 80kg.

The ears of the Fila are large and droop down or are folded back, depending on his mood. The tail is long and slim. The coat of the dog is short and dense with the texture being quite smooth and soft. Colours of the coat can vary from solid fawn or black to red to brindle.

Temperament:

Perhaps the huge Fila wouldn’t be a good choice as a pet for the first-time inexperienced dog owner as he is a powerful, intelligent, self-assured, headstrong animal that will certainly need to have training and socialization if you want him as an obedient pet in your home.

He is a dog known for his courage and bravery. The Fila is loving and affectionate with his human family, being protective of them and not being too friendly with strangers. He isn't a particularly good pet choice with children in the home.

Some people, after buying a cute Fila puppy, put him out in the yard when he becomes large, and then they pretty much neglect him. This is cruel and irresponsible as he is a social, playful dog who wants to be part of his human family.

These dogs have some aggression in them and this makes them good watchdogs. They generally don’t show aggression towards their family but may snap at a stranger who tries to touch as he feels threatened.

miniature australian shepherd puppy - descriptionThe Miniature Australian Shepherd’s coat is medium-length and is straight or wavy. It comes in a range of colors such as blue or red merle and red or black tricolor. There are white or tan markings as well. He is a small dog, standing at 33 - 46 cm in height and weighing 6 – 16kg.

They have blue or brown eyes but some will even have one eye blue and the other brown. The ears are semi erect, semi floppy and the tail, while essentially left long and feathery, is sometimes docked.

Temperament:

Miniature Australian Shepherds are easygoing dogs who love being with their human families. They get on well with children in the home and are always willing to jump right in for a game.

They’re lively and agile and if its not games they’re busy with, they want to be on a walk. They’re loving and loyal and also eager to please, sensing what their owner wants.

They’re intelligent dogs too and easy to train so it is sure to go well with training and socialization, which is important for any dog. This training and socialization can actually help with problems a dog has such as being very nervous or being too active indoors. They become obedient and manageable wherever they are.

He is also willing to get on with other pets in the house. Just like the larger dog, the mini Australian Shepherd loves to be active and at work.

Characteristics

fila brasileiro dog - characteristicsThe Fila Brasileiro or Brazilian Mastiff is a powerful dog and it is believed that a large dog like this can be a danger to people if he isn’t trained and socialized.

He is therefore not recommended for first time dog owners or homes with small children. He is a dog that is particularly wary of strangers too.

When he has been properly socialized he can be loving, loyal and obedient because it is essentially how a dog is brought up as to how he turns out.

If you bring one of these big, beautiful dogs into your home, have him socialized as a puppy, treat him firmly, but kindly and you could have yourself an extraordinary pet.

miniature australian shepherd dog - characteristicsThe wonderful friendly nature’s of these dogs make them excellent family pets, especially when they have been trained and socialized. They can live in the city or country but they will certainly require being exercised as they are an active breed, wanting to be busy with his human family.

You can’t describe these dogs as low maintenance as they have long, thick hair that sheds and which will also need to be brushed regularly.

If you’re able to provide a good home for this beautiful, lively dog, then he will make you a splendid pet.

Health Problems

fila brasileiro puppies - health problemsFilas are a dog breed who have a high rate of hip- and elbow dysplasia. This is a serious disease which can lead to lameness with your pet. Other orthopedic diseases with the breed include osteochondritis and luxating patella.

Also, as a deep-chested dog breed, your Fila also is at risk of getting the very serious gastrointestinal syndrome known as bloat. This is a common condition that can prove deadly for your pet. The Fila’s stomach will fill with gas, putting pressure on other organs and stopping blood flow to the heart and difficulty with breathing. Sometimes the stomach will twist. Get him to the vet immediately if you notice a swollen stomach, drooling or restless behaviour.

miniature australian shepherd puppies - health problemsYour Miniature Australian Shepherd can enjoy good health if you make sure he has a nutritious diet, he is well exercised and he is happy and content because of the attention you give him. He can easily reach 13 years of age.

Also, say what you like, human beings constantly tampering with animals to produce certain looks has its drawbacks and can create health problems in dogs.

As a pure breed however, these dogs will be more susceptible to some common canine health problems such as hypothyroidism, patellar luxation, obesity, hip dysplasia, vision problems and cancer.

Caring The Pet

Exercise and Space:

fila brasileiro dogs - caringThe Filas size makes it important that he have a good amount of exercise if you want to maintain his health and happiness. He isn’t a dog suited to city life as he is too large and will irritate his owners when cooped up in a tiny space with them. He isn’t demanding when it comes to exercise and activities all the time, but he should still be exercised regularly as he is inclined to become lazy .

Grooming:

Moderate shedding. Regular brushing twice a week will be required. Check ears for infection and brush his teeth 2 or 3 times a week.

Diet:

Nothing is set in stone as to what to feed your Fila Brasileiro, but a large dog will require quality food with a good amount of protein and fat according to size, age and activity levels.

Because a large breed dog is prone to hip dysplasia, look out for ingredients such as chondroitin and gludosamine which are specifically good for joint health. Try and avoid commercially manufactured food with common allergens such as soy, corn and wheat, artifical flavors and fillers.

A source of cooked rice, chicken and vegetables as well as some raw meat will be excellent for your big pet. Make sure he is never deprived of fresh, cool drinking water.

Grooming:

miniature australian shepherd dogs - caringThe mini Australian Shepherd has a long coat with seasonal shedding. You will need to give the coat a good brush twice a week to keep it untangled and to remove loose hair.

Other grooming for your pet will be to check his eyes and ears for infection, check for unusual lumps when you brush him and check for fleas and ticks. Keep his nails trimmed and brush his teeth 2 or 3 times a week to avoid plaque build up.

If you’re wondering how to keep your dog well groomed for the enhancement of this health, people such as your vet or professional groomers will do these grooming tasks for you.

Diet:

Top quality commercially manufactured dog food packed with vitamins and minerals needs to be your choice if you're going to be using these dog foods. Avoid the cheaper brands that use lots of fillers, sugar, salt, colorants and preservatives.

Home-made food is a wonderful treat for a dog and delicious, nutritious and simple ingredients such as boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and some cooked vegetables chopped up into his dry kibble from time to time will do him wonders.

Sometimes it will also be good to add in a little bit of raw meat too. Make sure there is a bowl of fresh, cool water available to your pet constantly.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Fila Brasileiro vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Fila Brasileiro vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Fila Brasileiro vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Fila Brasileiro vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Fila Brasileiro vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Fila Brasileiro vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Fila Brasileiro vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Fila Brasileiro vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Fila Brasileiro vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Fila Brasileiro vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Fila Brasileiro vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Fila Brasileiro vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Fila Brasileiro vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Fila Brasileiro vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Fila Brasileiro vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Fila Brasileiro vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Fila Brasileiro vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Fila Brasileiro vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Fila Brasileiro vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
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  21. Fila Brasileiro vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
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  24. Fila Brasileiro vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Fila Brasileiro vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Miniature Australian Shepherd vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Miniature Australian Shepherd vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Miniature Australian Shepherd vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Miniature Australian Shepherd vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Miniature Australian Shepherd vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Miniature Australian Shepherd vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison