Rampur Greyhound vs Fila Brasileiro - Breed Comparison

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.

Known also as the North-Indian Greyhound or the Rampur Hound, the Rampur Greyhound is native to the Rampur area of Northern India.

This dog is a member of the sighthound family, and in the past has been sought after for its efforts in controlling jackals.

The dog is also able to cover large distances at high speed. Some commemorative postage stamps were issued in 2005 as acknowledgement of this attractive dog breed.

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.

In height, the Rampur Greyhound stands at between 55 and 75 cm and they weigh in the region of 27 to 30kg.

They are much the same as other greyhounds, but they’re somewhat wider and just a little bit more muscular. The head too, is broader than the slimmer head of the English Greyhound. Of course these dogs are known for the slim, pointed nose, the high-set ears which are sometimes half-floppy, half-erect. The eyes are large and the tail is long and slim.

The coat is short and smooth and is in colors such as gray, fawn, some white, some black with white and some brindle.

Temperament:

Your Rampur Greyhound is social around his human family, lapping up all their attention. He is the kind of dog that can be seen sprinting at high speed over the fields, but he is also not averse to lying peacefully with you on the sofa.

He is far better suited to a home with large gardens or on a farm as opposed to being confined to a small property in the city.

He can be gentle but when required, he becomes an excellent watchdog. He will need training and socialization as he can be rambunctious indoors, knocking things over. Training makes him obedient and restrained They get on well with children and other pets in the home.

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.

Everyone loves the Rampur Greyhound, and why not? He is fantastic with children because of his gentle, loving nature. He is a playful dog too and will require a daily dose of exercise.

They aren’t noisy dogs, being naturally timid, but he still loves to get out and about with his daily walk to see and experience new sights and smells.

When you bring a Rampur Greyhound into your home, you’re bringing in a whole lot of wonderful companionship, love and loyalty from this remarkable canine.

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.

Rampur Hounds are generally a healthy dog breed, and their health is enhanced when you take good care of them and provide them with lots of love, good food and exercise.

Still, every dog can fall prey to any one of the many dog illnesses there are such as cancer, bloat, diabetes, ear infections, epilepsy, obesity, eye problems and others.

Bloat:

This can be deadly for your dog. Gas collects in the stomach and the stomach can twist. You’ll notice your dog has a hard, swollen stomach and he is lethargic, but restless. Getting him to the vet as quickly as possible should be a top priority.

Skin Problems:

Your pet can develop all kinds of skin problems where he bites and scratches, causing bacteria. It can be terribly painful for your pet, and even ticks and fleas on the skin can cause cause a lot of irritation for your pet.

Some people add in omega 3 oils to their pet’s diet to help with dry skin. Don’t let your pet suffer with skin allergies and other problems that are itchy and painful. Get him to the vet so you can get to the root of what is causing him so much frustration with his skin.

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.

Exercise:

Active and playful, your Rampur Hound will need a lot of space to let off steam and run. He will look forward to his walks every day with you. Maybe you’ll need a tennis racquet to hit the ball far enough for him to sprint after.

Grooming:

These dogs, with their short coats, are considered to be low maintenance, even though they do shed.

A good brush twice a week will do them good and they just love being massaged. It’s your time to run your hands over the slim, muscled body to make sure there are no unusual lumps on him.

Follow a regular grooming regime when you brush him. Check inside his ears, have a look at his eyes to make sure they’re still bright. Check inside his mouth for bad teeth which could be causing him terrible pain and make sure to trim his nails.

Diet:

To be healthy and content, every dog needs good food.For convenience it can be great to feed your Greyhound one of the high quality commercially manufactured dog foods. To vary the food occasionally, add in some delicious home-made food too.

Once or twice a week you can simply add some home-made food to the dry kibble. Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots are a healthy choice for your pet. Nothing complicated.

If you cook it in bulk, you can chop it all up and feed smaller portions to your pet. Some raw meat added in from time to time will also keep him healthy.

A simple meal like this will please your dog no end. No exotic spices and strange, weird kinds of food which could upset his stomach – just plain and simple the way dogs love it.

Ensure there is always a bowl of fresh, cool water within his reach.