Fila Brasileiro vs Dorgi - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

The Dorgi is a designer crossbreed whose origins are not entirely known, however it is a popular breed, being a mix between a Dachshund and a Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

The Dorgi itself is new breed and therefore has a short history, but both dogs used to develop the Dorgi – the Dachshund and the Corgi – have their own unique histories.

The Dachshund originated in Germany in the 1500s and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi originated in the United Kingdom centuries ago.

Hailing 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.

The Dorgi is known for his long body, short legs and the erect ears of the corgi. He is a small dog, measuring roughly 20-30cm in height and weighing in the region of 6 – 12kg.

Many people also refer to him as the sausage dog. The look of your Dorgi can depend quite a bit on whether he looks more like a Corgi or a Dachshund, so for instance the coat can be short and smooth, or thick and coarse.

They can surprise you with their looks, and some are born with long tails while others are born with bobtails. The coat comes in many colors too, from tan to brown to black and white or a mixture of these colors.

Temperament:

The Dorgi is full of the joys of life, just loving all the attention he gets from his human family. Of course, in return for this affection, he offers love, loyalty and plenty of fun and games.

He is an energetic breed too and is always ready to join in any games with the children in the home as well as with cats and dogs living in the home too.

Training and socialization will also be needed for the Dorgi who is intelligent and easy to train. He has wonderful behavior when trained, being obedient and relaxed around visitors to your home.

Social and sweet, this is one little dog who is guaranteed to make a wonderful pet and companion, as he loves human companionship and never wants to be left alone for too long. He is alert too, so while he is small and no real threat to an intruder, he is willing to do what it takes to protect his human family and to bark to alert you.

With 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.

The Dorgi is such a sweet little designer breed of dog that happens to also be low maintenance. Apart from being a little dog full of energy and attitude, he is loving and loyal as a family pet too, being gentle around children and making a splendid pet.

He isn’t going to eat you out of hearth and home either and he is a fairly healthy breed as well.

When you bring a Dorgi into your home, you’re bringing in a whole lot of happiness as he is an awesome family member who wants to be counted in on everything the do.

The 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.

Because the Dorgi is a hybrid breed, he promises to be quite healthy, but on the other hand, it could be that he inherits some of the common health problems associated with either the Corgi or the Dachshund.

Obesity is always a problem with a small dog, as they’re so sweet, you just want to be popping treats into their mouths all the time. It is important to follow a healthy diet for your pet however if you want to stave off common dog disorders.

Obesity:

An obese dog faces a shorter life expectancy, and some of the major health issues that an obese Dorgi has to contend with is diabetes, osteoarthritis, high blood pressure and cancer among others. Certainly better, healthier pet food choices can help save you money on vets fees.

Diabetes:

Diabetes in canines is just as serious as in humans and its a glucose-insulin complication where the pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin.

Sugars build-up in the blood and these can cause damage to your dog’s eyes, heart and kidneys. You may notice your pet gaining weight, being more thirsty, being tired and having cloudy eyes which could be indicative of cataracts. Take your pet to the vet as insulin shots may be required.

Filas 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.

Grooming:

Your Dorgi’s coat will be shortish, and shedding is minimal so a good brush twice a week will be perfect for this pet of yours, and he will love the attention you give him while doing so.

Exercise:

He is an active breed so he will require regular exercise. Take him with you on your walks. Even if you have a small garden, he’ll love fetching a ball for you.

Diet:

If you give your Dorgi commercially manufactured dog food, remember to be guided by the feeding recommendations to avoid obesity.

Its always a good idea to add in some raw meat to his diet to keep his nose wet and his skin free from being dry and itchy. You can also add in some cooked brown rice, vegetables and chicken for variety.

Always ensure that a bowl of fresh water is constantly available.

Exercise and Space:

The 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.