american-bulldog-vs-fila-brasileiro

American Bulldog vs Fila Brasileiro: Breeds Comparison

Trying to decide between the American Bulldog and the Fila Brasileiro? Both of these dogs can be similar in some ways but are quite different in many others. Read on and find out which of these popular breeds is the perfect pup for your lifestyle!

Before getting a puppy, you should be sure that the breed you're doing to buy or rescue is a good fit for your lifestyle and home.

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Both American Bulldog and Fila Brasileiro are members of the Working Group.

Although these breeds are members of the same breed group, they have some differences and not only similarities so keep reading to learn more.

American Bulldog vs Fila Brasileiro Size Comparison

Fila Brasileiros are larger, with a typical height of 24 to 30 inches and weight of 90 to 180 pounds, while the typical height of American Bulldog is 20 to 28 inches and they usually weigh 60 to 120 pounds.

We know that these numbers might be too abstract, so we made a tool to help you visualize these numbers.

The following chart compares the average breeds height with the average height of an American man and woman.

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data, the average height of a man is 69 inches, and the height of a woman is 63.5 inches.

American Bulldog Height Visualization Fila Brasileiro Height Visualization Average American Women Height Visualization Average American Men Height Visualization

Dog size comparison to a human. From left, average heights of American Bulldog, Fila Brasileiro, American female, and American male.

American Bulldog vs Fila Brasileiro lifespan

No doubt, the quality of care provided to the dog is one of the main factors when it comes to canines life longevity, however, there are also other factors, especially the dog's breed.

With a life expectancy of 10 to 16 years, American Bulldogs usually live longer than Fila Brasileiros.

Fila Brasileiros' lifespan is 9 to 12 years.

Read on to the following sections to better understand in detail how American Bulldog and Fila Brasileiro compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one is better for you.

Breed Name American Bulldog American Bulldog Fila Brasileiro

Breed photo is not available.

Traits
Breed GroupWorking DogsWorking Dogs
Height20 to 28 inches24 to 30 inches
Weight60 to 120 pounds90 to 180 pounds
Life Span10 to 16 years9 to 12 years

American Bulldog vs Fila Brasileiro adaptability

When we say "dog adaptability", most people think about apartment living adaptability, so let's start with that.

All dogs are great — but not all dogs are great for or geared toward apartment living. A dog may be considered the worst dog breed for apartments for a few reasons including size, energy level, noise, smell, shedding...

Unfortunately, American Bulldogs and Fila Brasileiros don't have a good reputation as good apartment living dogs.

While most dogs can be left home alone for 6 to 8 hours, some will do better. Check the table below to see how American Bulldogs and Fila Brasileiros tolerate being left alone.

To learn more, read our list of dogs that can be left alone.

Hot weather tolerance

Depending on where you live, you should choose a dog that tolerates hot or cold weather well.

Fila Brasileiro tolerates hot weather better than American Bulldog.

During warm weather, be sure to provide shade and water and head out in the morning or late evening when it's cooler. Also, avoid pavements - if the ground is too hot to touch for your hand for a few seconds, it's too hot for paws.

Check our heatstroke article on prevention and symptoms to learn more.

What about cold weather?

Cold temperatures are not a problem for most dogs until they fall below 45° F, at which point some cold-averse dogs might begin to feel uncomfortable. When temperatures fall below 32° F, owners of small breed dogs, dogs with thin coats, and/or very young, old, or sick dogs should pay close attention to their pet’s well-being.

Once temperatures drop under 20° F, all owners need to be aware that their dogs could potentially develop cold-associated health problems like hypothermia and frostbite.

Unfortunately, these breeds don't tolerate cold weather well, so you have to be very careful when it's cold outside.

Their fur is simply not designed for low temperatures, so you might consider getting them some kind of dog wear coat.

The best way to monitor dogs when it’s cold is to keep a close eye on their behavior. If you notice your dog shivering, acting anxious, whining, slowing down, searching out warm locations, or holding up one or more paws, it’s time to head inside.

Our "How Cold Is Too Cold For Dogs?" article has more information on this topic.

AdaptabilityAmerican BulldogFila Brasileiro
Adapts Well To Apartment Living
Good For Novice Owners
Sensitivity Level
Tolerates Being Alone
Tolerates Cold Weather
Tolerates Hot Weather

American Bulldog vs Fila Brasileiro temperament

It's always hard to make a general statement about the whole breed's temperament. Each dog has a different temperament, and there are a lot of factors that affect its behavior.

Looking for a perfect family dog?

Fila Brasileiro will be fine with family, but proper training and socialization are required. On the other hand, American Bulldog hasn't a reputation of a great family and companion dog.

When it comes to behavior around children, American Bulldog simply tends to do better.

Fila Brasileiro will be fine with family, but proper training and socialization are required. On the other hand, American Bulldog hasn't a reputation of a great family and companion dog.

We've created a list of the 15 best dogs for kids and family, so read it next if this is important for you.

Guarding behavior

Dog guarding behavior is welcome for some owners, while others prefer a dog that's friendly towards strangers.

American Bulldogs and Fila Brasileiros are naturally suspicious toward strangers, so you can expect they will act protective.

All-Around FriendlinessAmerican BulldogFila Brasileiro
Affectionate With Family
Kid-Friendly
Dog Friendly
Friendly Toward Strangers

Health And Grooming Needs

The best way to optimize your pup’s health is to research reputable breeders, and then when you meet them ask to see the parents and their health certificates as described above and to see the conditions in which all the dogs are living.

Check the table below to see the general health rating for these two canines, and read full breed profile articles to read in-depth information on their health.

Also, some breeds are prone to obesity, which could cause other health conditions. Be sure to check that information as well, if the breed is prone to obesity, keep a close eye on labels and feed your dog according to the food labels.

For example, hip dysplasia is hereditary and is especially common in larger dogs. Factors such as excessive growth rate, types of exercise, and improper weight and nutrition can magnify this genetic predisposition.

What about shedding?

One of the bad parts of having a dog is definitely shedding. So be sure to take this into your consideration when choosing the right breed for you. Click here to learn how to minimize the shedding.

If you're looking for breed that doesnt't shed a lot, American Bulldog or Fila Brasileiro is perfect for you. These breeds are almost always on the list of dogs that shed the least.

Recommended article: 30 Small Hypoallergenic Dogs That Don’t Shed.

Drooling potential?

Hate drooling? Well, then you should probably skip American Bulldog and choose Fila Brasileiro instead.

Health And Grooming NeedsAmerican BulldogFila Brasileiro
Amount Of Shedding
Drooling Potential
Easy To Groom
General Health
Potential For Weight Gain
Size

American Bulldog vs Fila Brasileiro trainability

Each dog needs some kind of obedience training, but some of them are easier to train, while others are more stubborn.

Novice owners should probably choose American Bulldog over Fila Brasileiro as they are easier to train and aren't very stubborn. Still, you should be patient, and forget - persistence, and consistency are key in successfully training your dog.

This doesn't mean Fila Brasileiros are untrainable, but you might also consider getting professional help.

TrainabilityAmerican BulldogFila Brasileiro
Easy To Train
Intelligence
Potential For Mouthiness
Prey Drive
Tendency To Bark Or Howl
Wanderlust Potential

Do American Bulldog and Fila Brasileiro need a lot of physical activity?

To keep your dog healthy, calm, and happy, you have to provide it with enough physical activities. Not only your dog will be healthier and happier when it's active, but you'll also reduce or completely eliminate destructive behavior.

Some people don't think about this when selecting a breed, so we have dedicated a whole chapter to physical needs.

Both American Bulldog and Fila Brasileiro have a high exercise needs. It means they will need at least 30 to 60 minutes of hard aerobic exercise most days of the week, preferably daily. And no, a leashed walk isn't a hard aerobic exercise - think of aerobic exercise as anything that makes your dog pant.

Physical NeedsAmerican BulldogFila Brasileiro
Energy Level
Intensity
Exercise Needs
Potential For Playfulness

American Bulldog or Fila Brasileiro: The bottom line

In this article, we tried to give you an idea of what you can expect from American Bulldogs and Fila Brasileiros.

To further explore their personality, overall health, temperament, and much more, read their full breed profile.

Or, use the tool below to read the next comparison.

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