Fila Brasileiro
Fila Brasileiro
Alternative names
Brazilian Mastiff Brazilian Molosser Cão de Fila
Country of origin
Brazil
Classification and breed standards
FCI:	Group 2 Section 2 #225	Stds
CKC:	Miscellaneous Class	[? Stds]
	The CKC Miscellaneous group is for breeds working towards full CKC recognition.
NZKC:	Utility	Stds

Appearance

Bully Kutta males reach a height of 30 to 42 inches (76–102 cm) and 30 to 36 inches (76–91 cm) for bitches. They weigh between 150 to 170 pounds (68–77 kg) and can reach upwards of 200 pounds (90 kg).

Temperament

Due to the nature of the work these dogs are bred to perform, they are known to be human aggressive and difficult to handle, but with proper socialization from an early stage they can become superb protectors and guardians.

History

The Bully Kutta was developed during the British Colonial rule in India for sporting purposes. It is mostly found today in areas belonging to Pakistan. Though in the past it has been used by criminal gangs for dog fighting, which is illegal in Pakistan, the majority are pets or used as guard dogs.

Dogue de Bordeaux
Alternative names
French Mastiff Bordeaux Bulldog
Country of origin
France
Classification and breed standards
FCI:	Group 2 Section 2 #116	Stds
AKC:	Under FSS	Stds
	The AKC Foundation Stock Service (FSS) is an optional recording service for purebred dogs that are not yet eligible for AKC registration.
ANKC:	Utility	Stds
KC (UK):	Working	Stds
NZKC:	Utility	Stds
UKC:	Guardian Dogs	Stds

Dogue de Bordeaux is a breed of dog that is strong, powerful, and imposing, as it was originally bred for dog fighting and guarding. The Dogue has an even temperament and is extremely loyal and devoted to his master and family. However, it is wary of strangers and can display marked dominance towards other dogs. The Dogue must be socialized from an early age and owners must be conscious of the great strength and tenaciousness of this very large and athletic breed.

Appearance

The height at the withers is typically 23 to 26 inches for show dogs and the weight of the male Dogues is in excess of 100 pounds. Dogs standing 30 inches tall at the withers and weighing up to 145 pounds are not unknown.

History

The Dogue de Bordeaux was known in France as early as the fourteenth century. Dog fighting was popular in the nineteenth century, particularly in southern France in the region around Bordeaux. Hence, the city lent its name to these large fighting dogs.

A uniform breed type of the Bordeaux Dog did not exist before about 1920. The French placed emphasis on keeping the old breeding line pure. Black masks were considered an indication of the crossing in of the Mastiff. As an important indication of purity of the breed, attention was paid to the leather-coloured nose, light eyes, and red mask. Originally bred with huge anatomically incorrect heads; a pioneer for the breed in Germany, Werner Preugschat once wrote:

"What am I supposed to do with a dog that has a monstrous skull and is at most able to carry it from the food dish to its bed."

The Dogue de Bordeaux comes in two varieties, Dogues and Doguins, the former being a considerably larger dog than the latter. Breeding of the Doguins has been seriously neglected in recent years and the variety has dwindled to near nonexistence.

New initiatives will soon be required if the Bordeaux Dog can hope to flourish again both inside and outside of France. It is hoped that the few remaining survivors of this interesting old breed will be sufficient for its recovery.

Famous Dogues de Bordeaux

• Beasley the Dog played the title role in Turner & Hooch.

Miscellaneous

The breed is also recognized by the following kennel clubs:

• Kennel Club (Germany)
• National Kennel Club: Stds
• Continental Kennel Club: Stds

Cane Corso
Alternative names
Cane di Macellaio Italian Corso Dog Italian Mastiff Sicilian Branchiero Italian Molosso
Country of origin
Italy
Classification and breed standards
FCI:	Group 2 Section 2 #343	Stds
AKC:	Working (FSS)	Stds
	The AKC Foundation Stock Service (FSS) is an optional recording service for purebred dogs that are not yet eligible for AKC registration.
CKC:	Miscellaneous Class	[? Stds]
	The CKC Miscellaneous group is for breeds working towards full CKC recognition.

The Cane Corso is an Italian dog breed of dog used mainly as a guard dog. It is of the the large molosser type. The name means "Corso Dog", and if abbreviated should be called a "Corso" as Cane (pronounced kah-nay) simply means "dog" in italian.

Appearance

Breed standards are still developing internationally, and they vary somewhat among different breed clubs. For example, the FCI standard #343 calls for a height at the withers from 60 to 68 cm (23.6 to 26.7 inches), with bitches in the lower ranges and males in the higher ranges, whereas the AKC affiliated club (International Cane Corso Federation) calls for 24.4-26.8 inches (62 to 68 cm).[1] Similarly, different organizations call for weights in various ranges from 36-63.5 kg (80 to 140 pounds).

Its ears are naturally dropped forward, but where legal, many breeders crop them short and close to the head so that the remaining stubs stand upright. Most Corsos have cropped tails as well. (the standard calls for cropping at the 4th vertebra, although many are cropped shorter)

Temperament

The Cane Corso should be a confident dog, very devoted to its family, and not pose a threat to strangers welcomed into the home. He is easily trained and generally naturally protective of children. Since the breed is very smart and active, it is advised that owners find activities to stimulate the dog. If not, they may turn to your possessions in their boredom. They also often suffer from separation anxiety. A dog that is aggressive may be unstable but more probably is under-socialised. Early and consistent socialisation is a requirement for this breed. A well trained and socialised Corso is not only a good ambassador for the breed, but for canines in general.

History

(below quoted from the Cane Corso Preservation Society website)

The most classical use of the Cane Corso was in the hunting of the dangerous game, especially the wild boar. The Segugi (bloodhounds) and the Bracchi (hunting dogs) had to rouse the wild one and therefore, after a pursuit, to force it to halt allowing the hunters to arrive. The Cane Corso was let loose so that they would hurl on the wild boar and to stop it by catching it by the ears and the snout. This allowed the hunters to draw near unharmed and to end the big prey with a well arranged hit.

It was this final fray, this bloody epilogue, that exalted the men and that brought them to celebrate the scene in a long series of artistic representations.

Very similar to this was the job that the Cane Corso had developed with the cattleman and that also that of the butcher's dog.

Up to many years ago, the meat cattle were raised to the wild state in the uncultivated zones and had to arrive to the slaughter house in the city by being lead from the pockmarks for distances of about ten kilometers.

Being born and grown to the wild state, the herds had the whole dangerousness of wild animals. In order to control the cattle it was imperative to remove the bull from the middle, using to such end the Cane Corso. They had to stop the bull by grabbing it on the nose with an iron grip. With the pain caused in this sensitive part, it completely immobilized the big animal.

Always as drover, the Corso had to defend the herds from the great predators, the bear or the wolf, also from the plague of the cattle rustlers.

A type of very particular hunting in which the Corso was specialized was that of the badger. This large muskrat, from the nighttime habits, was very appreciated both for the fur, and for the taste of the meat and even for the fat, that when melted, was used as a lenitive ointment. Hunting was practiced at night and required dogs particularly trained, because the dark prevented the hunter from employing fire weapons. The Corso had to therefore catch the badger and to kill it with a strong bite behind the nape, before the badger could get in an erect position defend itself with its long and sharp claws.

A very constructive job was as "rural guardians". When on the farms, the crops were harvested, the majority of the country was abandoned by everybody. For many long months, until the time of the seeding, the only the shepherd remained: with only his/her companion the Cane Corso, essential to help the shepherd to defend from the criminals that would from time to time wander around the abandoned lands.

In the many months spent together, man and Cane Corso had a reciprocal understanding and with this understanding it was established, that the Cane Corso possessed an amazing intelligence. Also the carters that transported their possessions and commodities in the daytime and the night, along the wild roads, in the deep country, they continually feared the assaults of the thieves; for great safety they traveled in convoy with the escort of the Cane Corso. The many facets of the breed was also appreciated by the great feudal and Renaissance Lords that employed them, not only for the hunting to the great game, but also to guard the fortifications and as an instrument of war.

To such end the Corsi were harnessed with leather vests hardened so that they protected the breast and the back. In addition, some of these Corsi also wore an additional harness that allowed them to transport special containers with lit flammable substances on their backs.

When harnessed these dogs, called "piriferis", were of great effectiveness against the cavalry. Besides frightening the horses, they gave them painful burns.

With such a rich and similar past in the history of man, this breed was unable to not leave trace in the historical testimonies.

The bibliography is innumerable. It will be enough to remember, Teofilo Folengo in the "Maccheronee " (1552), the famous naturalist Konrad von Gesner in the "De Quadrupedibus" (1551), Erasmo of Valvasone in the "Della Caccia" (1591), Minࠐalumbo in the "Mammiferi di Sicilia" (1868), and even Giovanni Verga in the "Malavoglia" (1881).

As for the iconography is so vast that is impossible to catalog it.

To quote only the most important testimonies, remember the paintings of the Palace of Caserta (Reggia di Caserta) and the prints of Bartholomew Pinelli to reach the frescos of the Palazzo The di Mantova.

Less glorious and recent history begins just after the end of the second World War, in which their were fast changes to the economic conditions, the abandonment of the breeding of the cattle in the wild state, lead to the neglect of this breed, that so reduced it to only a few examples and grazed extinction.

In the early eighties, some canine enthusiasts, among which it is rightful to remember the Prof. Giovanni Bonatti, the Prof. Fernando Casolino, Dr. Stefano Gandolfi, the Sig. Gianantonio Sereni and the brothers Giancarlo and Luciano Malavasi, have picked up the challenge that of the recovery of the breed. Set forth and founded the Societࠍ Amatori Cane Corso, (SACC).

Amongst the many difficulties, the first samples were retrieved on the farms of the shape and desired look based on the searches on the historiography and iconografia regarding the breed, with the purpose to reconstruct a historical context that allowed a correct selection of the subjects. The dogs produced within the group were entrusted to new passionates, that helped to enlarge the formation of the S.A.C.C.

The ENCI followed their progress with great interest from the beginning, since the project of recovery of the breed was given to Dr. Antonio Morsiani to compile the Standard of breed. During 1988, in the shows of Milano, Firenze and Bari, the judges Morsiani, Perricone and Vandoni have put into practice the important measurements more of 50 Corsi to the goal of verifying their adherence to the suitable characteristics in the project of Standard. In the same year the member/partner Vito Indiveri introduced the result of the census of the rustic (peasant) subjects to the ENCI with the recording of 57 dogs, equipped by 97 photos. Comforted by these positive developments, the Directive Suggestion of the ENCI decided to institute an Open Book, which to enroll the subjects, that were tattooed and had shown they conformed to the Standard. From 1989 to 1992, more than 500 samples were added to the Open Book and in January 1994 the breed was officially recognized by the ENCI.

Today the Cane Corso is living a second youth thanks to that ability of adaptation that has always distinguished him in centuries of history. The Cane Corso is a good guardian of the property that watches over it from near the house or the kennel, rarely approaching the fencing therefore avoiding the chance of a malicious act towards him to injure or release him to the outside.

Having a sense of being very rooted to their territory and their family, and given the bond and relationship it has with its family; the Corso is not a dog to wander off looking for trouble.

It is a very malleable dog, easily trained, but it will be never be a robot: its intelligence is alive, given to easily perform with a small amount of personal guidance the assignments and the services to which is asked of him.

With the family it is a docile and sociable dog, particularly tolerant towards children with which, aware of its strength, it is particularly delicate. The Corso has a strong character, it doesn't need lavish attention, but he adores the demonstrations of affection.

Given attention, it reciprocates with as much intensity and it comes to show a devotion to his master without equal.

Neapolitan Mastiff
Black mastiff with cropped ears
Alternative names
Mastino Napoletano Mastino Italian Mastiff
Country of origin
Italy
Common nicknames
Neo
Classification and breed standards
FCI:	Group 2 Section 2 #197	Stds
AKC:	Working	Stds
ANKC:	Group 6 (Utility)	Stds
CKC:	Miscellaneous	Stds
	The CKC Miscellaneous group is for breeds working towards full CKC recognition.
KC (UK):	Working	Stds
NZKC:	Utility	Stds
UKC:	Guardian	Stds

The Neapolitan Mastiff is a large, ancient breed of dog that can be traced back to about 100 BC. This dog is a massive, awe-inspiring breed often used as a guard and defender of owner and property.

Appearance

Neapolitan Mastiffs are characterised by loose skin over their entire bodies; abundant, hanging wrinkles and folds on the head; and a voluminous dewlap. Coats can be Gray (Blue), Black, tawny and mahogany, each color may also come with reverse brindling . They can sometimes also have white on the chest or feet. Ears usually are half pricked and can be cropped. It has a large blocky head and a rolling gait.

Size and Proportion

According to the AKC standards ^[1], male Neapolitan Mastiffs should measure 26-31 in. at the withers, weighing approximately 150 lbs, whilst females should be 24-29 in. and weigh around 110 lbs. Body length should be 10-15% more than that of the height. As long as proportion is maintained, larger weights are preferred, and smaller dogs may be heavily penalized, even disqualified.

Temperament

The Neapolitan Mastiff is a fearless protector when it needs to be but is affectionate with its family and the family's friends; as a guarding breed it is quite wary around strangers but relaxes once it gets to know the person. It does not bark excessively and indeed only barks when something provokes it. As a breed the Neapolitan Mastiff can be stubborn, but it does not require repetitious training--once it understands what its master wants, it obeys. It has a dominant attitude and must be taught from puppyhood that its master is the boss, not the other way around. Males can be much more aggressive and dominant than females. A female works best in a home with a family, as she is a bit more docile and better with children. These dogs are, however, usually very loving with children, provided the children do not tease them. Males do not get along with other males, but the Neopolitan can get along well with noncanine pets if raised with them from puppyhood.

The Neapolitan Mastiff is not a breed for everyone and not a dog for beginners. Children should be taught to respect these dogs. Neapolitan Mastiffs should be well socialised at an early age to avoid over-protectiveness. They will be quite protective even with extensive socialisation. Additional protection training is unnecessary because they are natural guard dogs and have been for ages. Obedience training is very important in this breed. The Mastino is generally very tolerant of pain due to the breed's early fighting background. Males often drool quite heavily. They tend to drool more in hot weather or after drinking water.

History

The Neapolitan Mastiff is a descendant of the Molossus, the mammoth war dogs of the Middle East, and was frequently used in the Roman arenas pitted against lions, bears, and gladiators for entertainment. As dogs of war, they fought alongside the Roman legions, and in this way they were spread throughout Europe. Eventually the descendants of the Roman Molossian splintered into several different Mastiff breeds known across Europe.

The ancestral form of the Mastino was a favourite breed of Alexander the Great, who was given a pair by the defeated Asian king, King Porus, in northern India in the year 326BC.

In the 1940s, this breed was rediscovered near Naples in Italy, and is now beginning to make a comeback.

Health

Like most giant breeds of dogs, the Neopolitan Mastiff is not particularly long-lived, averaging 9 to 11 years.

Famous Mastiffs

• Alan from Babe: Pig In The City
• Fang from Harry Potter
• 'Pansy from Andrew Vachss's Burke novels and short stories

Perro de Presa Canario
Perro de Presa Canario
Alternative names
Canary Dog Presa Canario Dogo Canario
Country of origin
Canary Islands
Common nicknames
Presa
Classification and breed standards
FCI:	Group 2 Section 2.1 #346	[? Stds]
AKC:	Working (FSS)	Stds
	The AKC Foundation Stock Service (FSS) is an optional recording service for purebred dogs that are not yet eligible for AKC registration.
UKC:	Guardian Dogs	Stds
Notes
It is only provisionally accepted by the FCI under the name "Dogo Canario"

The Perro de Presa Canario is a Molosser type dog from the Canary Islands. This large breed was originally bred as a multi-purpose farm dog, being used as a cattle drover and guard dog. The name means the "Canarian Dog of Prey" and is sometimes simply called "Presa."

History

The breed is originally from the Canary Islands in the 1700s, notably Tenerife and Gran Canaria. Its exact ancestry is unknown, but enthusiasts believe that the Perro de Bardino Majorero, an established farm dog from the Canary Islands, was crossed with the Mastiff and Old-Style Bulldog brought from Europe to the Islands by visitors and colonists, creating the foundation for the modern Presa Canario. A number of Spanish breeds such as the Perro de Ganado Majorero, Presa Español, and Alano Español may have contributed to the development of the Presa Canario.

Presa type guard and catch dogs are mentioned in historical documents of the 16th and 17th centuries. It is believed that the Perro de Presa Canario was created during the 18th century for the purpose of dog fighting, a tradition the English settlers transplanted along with their of Mastiff and Bulldog breeds. Canary Islanders consider these fights "honor fights" and not the sole purpose of the animal. They were used as guard dogs, and less often as farm dogs. Presa type dogs were referred to as the "perro de la tierra" or "dog of the land."

Like many fighting dogs, the breed became nearly extinct after dog fighting was outlawed in the 1940s, but the breed was revived in the 1970s with the help of several crosses by various breeders. This period is generally known as the reconstruction of the breed, with atypical specimens becoming less common.

Appearance

The Presa should be powerful, balanced, and imposing in appearance. It is heavily built, but able to move with great athleticism.

The head is broad, massive, square, and powerful. Proper head and good expression are part of the breed standard, and are manifest in the best breed specimens. The ears are normally cropped both to create a more formidable expression, and to prevent damage while working with cattle. In countries where ear cropping is banned the ears should be pendant or "rose" shaped. The lips are thick and hang in an inverted V; the flews may be slightly loose.

The breed is also characterized by a sloping topline(with the rear being slightly higher than the shoulders). Another characteristic of the breed is the shape of the paws (cat foot) and the catlike movement of the animal. The body is mesomorphic, that is, slightly longer than the dog is tall, contributing to the feline movement. The breed is also known, incidentally, for the ability to adapt to various climates.

Size

Females average between 22-25 inches at the withers and weigh between 90-120 pounds.

Males average between 23-26 inches at the withers and weigh between 115-140 pounds.

Generally speaking, exceeding the weights listed above could lead to a number of health problems. Too much weight is also known to compromise the dog's athleticism and working ability.

Coat and color

One of the characteristics of the breed is the diversity of markings. Fawn comes in silver fawn, gold fawn, and red fawn. Brindle comes in colorings of black (and may appear solid), brown, and all shades in between. "Verdino" or greenish-tinted brindle is among the most traditional coat colors; reverse brindle or "atigrado claro" is among the most exotic.

The ideal coat is medium length and "rustic," that is, slightly coarse to the touch. The breed is known for its very minimal shedding. Presa Canarios have thick skin and short fur that comes in all shades of fawn and brindle. White is allowed up to 20 percent and is most commonly found on the chest and feet, and occasionally on a blaze on the muzzle. The breed standard requires black pigmentation and dogs should have a black mask that does not extend above the eyes. No shades of blue are allowed in competition.

See below for a brief discussion on coat genetics.

Temperament

The Presa Canario breed is known for its calm temperament, which is often referred to as the "island temperament." It is considered "gentle and noble" with the family, and distrusting of strangers. The Presa Canario forms a strong bond with its master and human family and can be very protective. The breed is intelligent and is known to possess a "severe gaze."

Take note: Breeders' use of the word "calm" when describing the temperament of a breed can be especially misleading to potential dog-owners, as this applies almost solely to the attitude the Presa Canario has towards its owner. When confronted with strangers, however, Presa Canarios have proven to be potentially dangerous. Presa Canario enthusiasts, owners and breeders have been recorded to view this defensive and powerful behavior very favorably, sometimes referring to a Presa Canario as being "of good temperment" and a "manstopper" in the same sentence.[1] It is for this contradiction that such opinions are observed by casual dog-owners to be eccentric and even delusional. [2]

In some situations, the Presa can be aggressive toward other dogs and animals, even humans in rare cases. Once the dog has been socialized and trained, this becomes the exception instead of the rule. Many Presas share their homes with birds, cats, dogs, horses, reptiles and other animals.

Presa Canario is a dominant breed (a characteristic common to all bullbreeds) and requires socialization as a pup and throughout its life. Basic obedience training is also recommended.

It could be said that Presa Canario is of somewhat jealous nature, towards other dogs, asking for the master's complete attention.

Attacks against people

• On January, 26, 2001, Diane Whipple of San Francisco, California was attacked and killed by two Presa Canario/Mastiff hybrid dogs in the hallway of her apartment building.
• On Friday, August 18, 2006, a 120 lb. Presa Canario fatally mauled a Florida woman, Shawna Willey of Coral Springs. The victim, the dog's owner, was giving the dog a bath when it attacked. Police responding to the emergency felt threatened by the dog and shot and killed it.[3]

Trainability

Due to its temperament, the Presa Canario is highly trainable under the right circumstances. The Presa Canario is increasing in popularity as a personal protection and protection sports dog.

The best specimens of the breed will show natural protective instincts, good natural drive, and innate confidence. The recommended training method for the breed is military-style dog training.

Due to its aggression, some insurance companies will not issue policies to the owners of Presas. ^{[citation needed]}

Health

As with any breed, those interested in purchasing a Presa Canario should carefully research breeders and a dog's ancestry to ensure that the breeding lines are healthy. Typically speaking, the higher the degree of consanguinity, the higher the likelihood of genetic defects. Due to the breed's vast gene pool, many of the genetic problems that affect other purebreeds are less evident. However, as the breed becomes more tightly interbred and bloodlines developed the incidence of genetic problems may increase.

As a large breed, the Presa Canario can be susceptible to hip dysplasia. Other possible (but generally uncommon) health problems include epilepsy, osteochondrodysplasias, and cryptorchidism. Health issues unique to Spain include canine herpes virus and canine visceral leishmaniasis. An outbreak of herpes can be deadly to a canine population, particularly to newborn puppies. Leishmaniasis is a blood parasite that has a long incubation period (of several years) and most often leads to death.

Lifespan

The average lifespan for the Presa Canario is 8-12 years.

Breed status

Some enthusiasts hold that, if the dog's pedigree cannot be traced back to the Canary Islands, it is not a true Presa Canario but rather a Bandog. It should be noted that there is a great degree of diversity in Presa Canarios and Dogo Canarios throughout the world. While this diversity has good implications for health, it has some interesting ramifications for the breed status. The Presa Canario is one of four breeds that does not have a DNA profile. And despite the fact that some claim the "Presa Canario" is a different breed from the "Dogo Canario" neither phenotype nor genotype evidence can accurately substantiate this claim. Essentially, all Dogo Canarios are Presa-type dogs (that is Presa Canario), but not all Presa-type dogs (Presa Canario) are necessarily Dogo Canarios.

For years, obtaining proper paperwork from Spain was extremely difficult. It is even claimed, for example, that a former president of the Spanish club simply didn't give out papers. Some breeders simply do not have papers on their dogs which are bonafide Presa Canarios. The problem in obtaining papers has definitely contributed to the diversity of the breed in many ways. Due to this difficulty, American owners and breeders created and sought other ways to register their dogs, such as AKC-FSS, UKC, UPPCC, and FIC.

Coat genetics

Dogs have a great deal of diversity in breeds, in all aspects, including coat color and patterns. Canine coat genetics are still being researched. Most of our present understanding of canine coat genetics is based on the work of Clarence Cook Little, author of "Inheritance of Coat Color in Dogs" (1979), although some researchers dispute certain of his theories. For those with a keen interest in canine coat genetics, an excellent source for the breeder and the layperson's understanding is authored by Dr. Sue Ann Bowling [4]

As far as the Presa Canario is concerned, it is believed Fawn is based on the Agouti series, specifically the ay allele. Agouti hairs are fawn hairs banded and/or interspersed with black. This gene is recessive to the other genotype of the breed, brindle.

It is known that Brindle is a dominant trait but there is some argument as to where it is located. Little postulated that it was on the E series (Ebr) but if so, would compete with the black mask (Em), which is known to not be the case. Dr. Bowling speculates the gene is most likely on a new series, which she calls "K".

The following are true in canine coat genetics: (remembering alleles come in sets of 2)

1. Breeding fawn (ayay) x brindle (KbrKbr or Kbray) may produce: fawn and brindle offspring.

2. Breeding brindle (KbrKbr or Kbray) x brindle (KbrKbr or Kbray) may produce: fawn and brindle offspring.

3. Breeding fawn (ayay) x fawn (ayay) will always produce: fawn offspring.

For breedings of fawn x brindle or brindle x brindle there is no clear way to predict the number of fawn or brindle offspring. Some litters from these breedings will be entirely fawn, entirely brindle, or, most likely, some combination of both.