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Question for Owners of Multiple Filas

Carpe Diem

Member
Hello everyone,

I have a question that I am hoping some more experienced Fila people might be able to answer. My pack consists of two neutered male Filas- both were rescued, separately and not related (or even similar ages), plus a young male GSD and female mix breed. Both of my Filas exhibit some rather strange behaviour, and I'm wondering if it's "normal" for Filas.
Basically, they "pinch". It's like a little love nibble.. pinch pinch pinch.. I first noticed it when we adopted our first boy (the young male, was about 1 year old when we got him). He would get excited sometimes, and do the pinch pinch.. Then about 6 months later, we adopted our second Fila (the older boy), I noticed he did the same thing. Not a sign of aggression at all, but just like it was a love nibble.
Now, the weirdest thing is that they do it to each other all the time! My family and I have started calling it the "Fila Love Fest" because they just act like they love each other. They will come up, and one will lye really close to the other, and start nibbling his ears, side of face, etc. If left to continue, they'll end up wrestling- and the house simply isn't big enough for that!

I have to say, the part that I find the weirdest is, they will only do it with each other- even though they live with two other dogs. Not once has either shown any interest in being that "friendly" with either my GSD or mix.

Do you have more than one Fila? Have they ever done this? I've looked all over, and read so much on Filas (especially before making the leap to adopt one!) but I have never come across this talked about. I'm curious if it's a common thing, or if I just have complete weirdos.

Thank you!
 

Hector

Well-Known Member
A video would be best. If I'm right about your definition of the pinch pinch, I would call that pestering more than anything lol.
 

tojvan

Well-Known Member
Lol they Sre just pestering each other, my pup tries it on my shepherd all the time.
 

DennasMom

Well-Known Member
Our rott/gsd/pyrn would grab stuffed animals to "nibble"... his nibbles were definitely love nibbles... he NEVER de-stuffed a toy, but they did get gooey.

"pinch" sounds a bit more harsh than a nibble... but that might be open to interpretation.
 

fila4me

Well-Known Member
all of my Filas have done it and my current girls do it. so, on a typical night I have the 2 skin kids yelling about the other hitting, touching, the like and then they yell about the fur kids pinching on them!!! lol wouldn't have it any other way :)
 

jpw0025

Well-Known Member
Both of my boys (though not filas) do this. If I'm picturing it properly, it's typically referred to as "de-fleaing" and it's a gesture of affection between pack memebers :)
 

DDSK

Well-Known Member
Both of my CC girls do this from time to time, the younger one more often and sometimes she does it to me, no pain but she looks to be in total bliss like a cat purring.