Lhasa Apso vs Fila Brasileiro - Breed Comparison | MyDogBreeds

Lhasa Apso vs Fila Brasileiro - Breed ComparisonLhasa Apso is originated from China but Fila Brasileiro is originated from Brazil. Lhasa Apso may grow 47 cm / 18 inches shorter than Fila Brasileiro. Lhasa Apso may weigh 72 kg / 158 pounds lesser than Fila Brasileiro. Both Lhasa Apso and Fila Brasileiro has almost same life span. Lhasa Apso may have less litter size than Fila Brasileiro. Both Lhasa Apso and Fila Brasileiro requires Moderate maintenance.

History

lhasa apso - historyThe Lhasa Apso is a non-sporting dog hailing from Tibet. He was a useful dog to the monks who would use him in the palaces as well as the monasteries to ward off intruders.

He actually takes his name from the holy city of Lhasa, with the history of the breed going back to 600BC.

Today he is a true companion dog, a family dog, known as as the Tibetan Apso, the Bearded Lion Dog, the Apso and Lhasa.

The dog has been recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1935, in the Non-Sporting Group category.

fila brasileiro - historyHailing 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.

Basic Information

Group:
Non sporting dog
Working dog
Origin:
China
Brazil
Height Male:
25 - 28 cm
9 - 12 inches
60 - 75 cm
23 - 30 inches
Height Female:
25 - 28 cm
9 - 12 inches
60 - 75 cm
23 - 30 inches
Weight Male:
6 - 8 kg
13 - 18 pounds
55 - 80 kg
121 - 177 pounds
Weight Female:
6 - 8 kg
13 - 18 pounds
55 - 80 kg
121 - 177 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 14 Years
9 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 6
4 - 10
Size:
Small dog
Large dog
Other Names:
Lhasa, The Lion Dog, Tibetan Apso
Brazilian Mastiff
Colors Available:
cream, black and white, white, Gold, tan
red, black, Fawn, brindle
Coat:
Long and dense
Short and dense
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
Yes
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
No
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

Description

lhasa apso puppy - descriptionLhasa Apsos are small dogs which stand at between 25 to 28cm in height and weigh in the region of 6 to 8kg.

The body length of the dog is longer than the height of the dog. He has brown eyes, a black nose and medium length, floppy ears. The long tail is carried over the dog's back.

Many people get used to seeing a sheared or clipped Lhaso, so when they see a dog where the coat has been left uncut they can’t believe the long, straight, dense coat.

Because the dog hails from Tibet where the weather can be extremely cold, he has a double coat – an under- and outer coat. While the coat looks fairly silky, it isn’t really and is in fact quite course to the touch.

Colors of the coat can be gold, tan, cream, white, black and white. Regular brushing will be needed for the coat because this is a dog with continual shedding. These dogs are regarded as being hypoallergenic as they hardly shed.

Temperament:

Looks can be quite deceiving when it comes to the Lhasa Apso as he is a dog who looks as though butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth and that he is essentially just a cuddly lapdog.

This small little dog is tough, robust, strong-willed and in his heart he believes he is a huge Tiger.

He’ll make his human family a loyal and loving pet but he is wary with strangers, distrusting anyone he meets for the first time. He is a dog that will need to be trained and socialized as he may take over your home in his ‘Tiger’ role.

Smart and dominant, this training will turn him into an obedient dog to have around which is important as he can become bossy if left to go his own way.

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.

Characteristics

lhasa apso dog - characteristicsThe Lhasa Apso is a small dog full of surprises. That's because he can be manipulative, naughty and feisty one minute, and sweet and gentle the next. He happens to be a good watch dog too, and will alert you well in advance to intruders.

Because he is small and not a particularly energetic dog, he can slot into life in the city or the countryside with ease. However, exercise is good and necessary for every dog so be sure he joins you on your daily walks or you give him some games indoors.

The Lhasa can be a wonderful family companion and you’ll find that he can get on well with children who have been taught to treat animals with kindness and respect. He isn’t the kind of dog that you keep outdoors but is essentially an indoor dog, relishing the time he spends with his beloved human family and making a wonderful companion.

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.

Health Problems

lhasa apso puppies - health problemsEvery dog can develop genetic health problems, but it is highly unlikely that with good care, your Lhasa Apso is going to get sick.

He’s a healthy dog breed that can get to 14 years of age and even older. With Lhasas, health problems can include things like hip dysplasia, eye problems and intervertebral disc disease.

If you are buying a puppy, be careful from where you buy him from. You want careful breeders who screen their parent dogs for genetic diseases. Keeping your dog at the right weight and preventing obesity will also help to ensure he remains healthy.

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.

Caring The Pet

Grooming:

lhasa apso dogs - caringThe Lhasa Apso is going to require regular brushing of his coat as it can get long and then it will matt and tangle easily.

There are owners of this dog breed who prefer to send their dog to their grooming parlor where the coat is trimmed short the way they prefer, minimizing the time spent grooming the dog. At the grooming parlour they also check the ears, the teeth of the dog and the nails, particularly if they don’t wear down naturally.

Diet:

The Lhasa was bred to be a watchdog, so even though he is a small dog, he does his best to guard and protect you. He is no pushover, and training him and socializing him makes him even more adorable to be around.

As man’s best friend, he needs a high-quality, nutritious diet because this helps to protect him from disease. You can feed him the best commercially manufactured foods, but study the packaging details on what the ingredients are. You want to be avoiding corn and wheat, colorants and preservatives.

Your Lhasa has 4 – 6 puppies and as these get older and are weaned they will require 4 meals a day. Once your dog reaches one year of age, he can have 2 meals a day instead of one larger meal.

Every dog loves a little bit of home-made food as a treat, and your Lhasa will wag his tail when you add in some cooked chicken, brown rice and some raw or cooked vegetables into his kibble. Include some raw meat in the diet occasionally as well as this helps to avoid dog skin problems.

Folliculitis

Folliculitis is a skin disease starting in the hair follicles of the dog and often occurs in conjunction with other skin disorders like mange. It is found mostly on the dog's abdomen, his armpits and groin and you’ll notice scaly rings with pus and scabs.

To avoid nasty skin diseases which can be very distressing for your pet, remember that your dog's dietary intake plays a huge role in the maintenance of a healthy skin and some raw meat is key to his wellbeing.

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.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Miniature Poodle vs Lhasa Apso - Breed Comparison
  2. Tibetan Spaniel vs Lhasa Apso - Breed Comparison
  3. Pomeranian vs Lhasa Apso - Breed Comparison
  4. Maltese vs Lhasa Apso - Breed Comparison
  5. Pug vs Lhasa Apso - Breed Comparison
  6. Maltipoo vs Lhasa Apso - Breed Comparison
  7. Miniature Schnauzer vs Lhasa Apso - Breed Comparison
  8. Mal-Shi vs Lhasa Apso - Breed Comparison
  9. Papillon vs Lhasa Apso - Breed Comparison
  10. Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Lhasa Apso - Breed Comparison
  11. Miniature English Bulldog vs Lhasa Apso - Breed Comparison
  12. Miniature Dachshund vs Lhasa Apso - Breed Comparison
  13. Lhasa Apso vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison
  14. Lhasa Apso vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  15. Lhasa Apso vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  16. Lhasa Apso vs Bichon Frise - Breed Comparison
  17. Lhasa Apso vs Dachshund - Breed Comparison
  18. Lhasa Apso vs Jack Russell Terrier - Breed Comparison
  19. Lhasa Apso vs Cockapoo - Breed Comparison
  20. Lhasa Apso vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Lhasa Apso vs Cavapoo - Breed Comparison
  22. Lhasa Apso vs Corgi - Breed Comparison
  23. Lhasa Apso vs Cavachon - Breed Comparison
  24. Lhasa Apso vs American Eskimo Dog - Breed Comparison
  25. Lhasa Apso vs Japanese Chin - Breed Comparison
  26. Samoyed vs Fila Brasileiro - Breed Comparison
  27. Great Pyrenees vs Fila Brasileiro - Breed Comparison
  28. Presa Canario vs Fila Brasileiro - Breed Comparison
  29. Labrador Husky vs Fila Brasileiro - Breed Comparison
  30. Giant Schnauzer vs Fila Brasileiro - Breed Comparison
  31. Goldador vs Fila Brasileiro - Breed Comparison
  32. Mackenzie River Husky vs Fila Brasileiro - Breed Comparison
  33. German Longhaired Pointer vs Fila Brasileiro - Breed Comparison
  34. Pyredoodle vs Fila Brasileiro - Breed Comparison
  35. Lurcher vs Fila Brasileiro - Breed Comparison
  36. Maremma Sheepdog vs Fila Brasileiro - Breed Comparison
  37. Sarplaninac vs Fila Brasileiro - Breed Comparison
  38. Himalayan Mastiff vs Fila Brasileiro - Breed Comparison
  39. Mountain View Cur vs Fila Brasileiro - Breed Comparison
  40. Native American Indian Dog vs Fila Brasileiro - Breed Comparison
  41. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Fila Brasileiro - Breed Comparison
  42. Greenland Dog vs Fila Brasileiro - Breed Comparison
  43. Komondor vs Fila Brasileiro - Breed Comparison
  44. Polish Tatra Sheepdog vs Fila Brasileiro - Breed Comparison
  45. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Fila Brasileiro - Breed Comparison
  46. Fila Brasileiro vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  47. Fila Brasileiro vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  48. Fila Brasileiro vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  49. Fila Brasileiro vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  50. Fila Brasileiro vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds