Finding the Right Breed

[Nik]

Those collars really don't do much with the Fila, by the time they are close enough to see it they are in strike zone, lol. Life with a Fila....no more just drop by visitors, unless you have someone who has been around since 8-10wks very hard to go on vacation, majority of places will not board them, most trainers are afraid to train them, most vets are afraid to see them. 6ft fence is a must, then can still clear it like a tiger, but normally won't as they don't like to be far from you. No more riding with windows down in your car for pups. In my case with kids, no sleepovers, few friends ha e parents that will let them come over. Even though they know the dogs are locked in the crates behind a locked door. They love ONLY their kids! They cannot go to my kids sporting practices or games, they want to kill the kids that are "chasing their kids" they don't understand that part at all even as pups. They hate pet stores! Hate being touched by others and it starts young. They must be leashed at all times. They are super smart, you can see them thinking thru situations. It's scary. Crate training is a must! I personally can take my girls anywhere, but I am the boss and have had the breed so long it's like a 2nd breath. I don't put up with any crap from them and lots of owners can't do that. My logic is, I have a breed that would like nothing better than to wipe out anyone or thing that comes by. So I have to be in control and have the upper hand. They have to understand I mean business and will follow thru. It's funny to watch them want to do something but worry more about what I will do if they do. Now saying that, there have been numerous times that the Filas ojereza has won out and they have acted on their own about a person or situation. No matter what an person, owner, breeder, trainer tells you....no amount of socialization or training will change who they are or be something they are not. And believe me, many out there will tell you otherwise and they are idiots and have no idea or true knowledge of this breed. I personally don't recommend for first time owners, without lots of hands on experience first. Going from a Cane Corso or some other high caliber breeds to a Fila is easier but still a bit harder to get that they do things differently.

Wow. This is so interesting to me. The most "protective" "defensive" dog I ever owned was my rottweiler growing up (Izzy). I had her into early adulthood and she was a wonderful dog but nobody aside my dad and myself could interact with her. She was one that I couldn't allow people to approach on a walk. But, even as a tiny pre-teen weighing less than her she listened to me... so long as nobody tried to get to touch me or get too close to me while we were together. That didn't apply to people she knew already. She wasn't friendly with them but she wasn't as defensive either. It sounds like having a fila is Izzy quadrupled. We were prepared for that same level of defensiveness when we got Diesel because I had read that DDBs could be defensive. And he is to a degree. But the moment we introduce him he is ready to be the best of friends. And he is pretty good with the "safe" command as well. So he has been a breeze compared to Izzy (in regards to defensiveness... not in regards to anything else though. lol)

Anyways thanks for sharing the story. I could listen to breed related stories all day.

And thanks to the original poster for starting the conversation. This entire thread is just fascinating. I am following it avidly.

 

[MissJoy]

^^^Miss Joy: you could get a CAO and ill teach you how to train him to be a cuddly teddy bear, sweet with all the neighbours an kids ....but only when seriousness is needed then...no comment .. its a different story

(Hoping I can still reply to this thread, not sure when it's considered old)

It's something I'd have to think about. Iven, our Great Pyrenees, was one of our best dogs. He had an amazing temperament, which of course took a lot of consistency and will power.

A CAO would also have to be a very serious consideration-- more so than with a Cane Corso for example. I'd like to meet a breeder from the US and speak with them face to face. I might also be interested in finding some books on the breed possibly?

Oh! One thing I forgot to ask about the CAO, if you're still willing, is if they bark a lot? I expect the breed to bark when they see danger, of course. One thing with the Great Pyrenees though is that they are known to bark constantly at night-- and that was certainly the case with Iven. Is the CAO the same? I didn't read anything on this so far. Just a curiosity.

 

[gilles]

(Hoping I can still reply to this thread, not sure when it's considered old)It's something I'd have to think about. Iven, our Great Pyrenees, was one of our best dogs. He had an amazing temperament, which of course took a lot of consistency and will power. A CAO would also have to be a very serious consideration-- more so than with a Cane Corso for example. I'd like to meet a breeder from the US and speak with them face to face. I might also be interested in finding some books on the breed possibly?Oh! One thing I forgot to ask about the CAO, if you're still willing, is if they bark a lot? I expect the breed to bark when they see danger, of course. One thing with the Great Pyrenees though is that they are known to bark constantly at night-- and that was certainly the case with Iven. Is the CAO the same? I didn't read anything on this so far. Just a curiosity.

they are extremely alert to strangers at night but they dont bark for no reason. they could be sound asleep but in a split second when needed they are just up and ready. but as i said no useless barking. my neighbour's german shepherds bark all night constantly and none of my dogs respond to them.in the USA very rare to find good CAO breeders and dogs but if you do i can assist you in giving my input. for anybody interested he/she can travel visit my kennel check the dogs with one week free stay and nice vacation but it is going to be in a year or so for first litter.