Which is Better between the Fila Brasileiro and the Kai Ken? A Very Detailed Review.

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Fila Brasileiro Versus Kai Ken: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Fila Brasileiro and the Kai Ken? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Fila Brasileiro and the Kai Ken better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Fila Brasileiro and the Kai Ken.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Fila Brasileiro and the Kai Ken is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Fila Brasileiro and for the Kai Ken. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Fila Brasileiro and the Kai Ken.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Fila Brasileiro or the Kai Ken

Fila Brasileiro versus Kai Ken: Overview

A very important difference between the Fila Brasileiro and the Kai Ken is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Fila Brasileiro is a giant-sized dog while the Kai Ken is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Fila Brasileiro belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

On the other hand, the Kai Ken belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

Fila Brasileiro versus Kai Ken: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Fila Brasileiro to the Kai Ken based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Factor Fila Brasileiro Kai Ken
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 1/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 2/5
Easy To Train 2/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 2/5 3/5
Height 24 to 30 inches 17 to 22 inches
Easygoing 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 3/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 3/5 4/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 1/5
Life Span 9 to 12 years 12 to 16 years
Weight 90 to 180 pounds 25 to 45 pounds
Average Lifespan 10.5 years 14.0 years
Average Price $1270 No Data
Price Range $1000 – $1400 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • *Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Fila Brasileiro in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Kai Ken. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for a Fila Brasileiro is 62 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Kai Ken is 73 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Kai Ken is a better pet than the Fila Brasileiro. So, you should get the Kai Ken!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Fila Brasileiro and the Kai Ken so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Similarities Between the Fila Brasileiro and the Kai Ken

    The Fila Brasileiro and the Kai Ken are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Fila Brasileiro and the Kai Ken are most similar:

  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Kai Ken do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Kai Ken are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Kai Ken are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Kai Ken do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Kai Ken are not easy to train.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Kai Ken not very playful.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Kai Ken gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Kai Ken are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Kai Ken have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Kai Ken do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Kai Ken require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Kai Ken have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Fila Brasileiro versus Kai Ken

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Fila Brasileiro and the Kai Ken.

    Fila Brasileiros weigh 90 to 180 pounds when fully grown. Fila Brasileiros are 24 to 30 inches when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Kai Kens weigh 25 to 45 pounds when fully grown. Kai Kens are 17 to 22 inches when fully grown.

    Is the Fila Brasileiro Better for Apartment Owners than the Kai Ken?

    Fila Brasileiros do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Kai Kens do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Fila Brasileiro or the Kai Ken?

    Fila Brasileiros are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Kai Kens are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Can Fila Brasileiros Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Kai Kens Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Fila Brasileiros cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Kai Kens can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Fila Brasileiro or the Kai Ken?

    Fila Brasileiros do not get along well with other dogs.

    Kai Kens get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Do Fila Brasileiros shed more than Kai Kens?

    Fila Brasileiros do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Kai Kens shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Is the Fila Brasileiro Easier to Train than the Kai Ken?

    Fila Brasileiros are not easy to train.

    Kai Kens are fairly easy to train.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Fila Brasileiro versus Kai Ken

    Fila Brasileiros can be left alone only for a short time.

    Kai Kens can be left alone only for a short time.

    Can Fila Brasileiros Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Kai Kens Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Fila Brasileiros can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Kai Kens can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Are Fila Brasileiros good family dogs? What about Kai Kens?

    Fila Brasileiros are good family dogs. They are affectionate with family.

    Kai Kens are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Fila Brasileiros and Kai Kens?

    Fila Brasileiros get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Kai Kens get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Which one drools more, the Fila Brasileiro or the Kai Ken

    Fila Brasileiros drool moderately.

    Kai Kens do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Do Fila Brasileiros Bark and Howl? What about Kai Kens?

    Fila Brasileiros bark and howl, but not very much.

    Kai Kens are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Wanderlust Potential: Fila Brasileiro vs. Kai Ken

    Fila Brasileiros have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Kai Kens have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Fila Brasileiro or the Kai Ken?

    Fila Brasileiros are very easy to groom.

    Kai Kens require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Fila Brasileiro Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Kai Ken?

    Fila Brasileiros have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Kai Kens have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Fila Brasileiro

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Fila Brasileiro that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Fila Brasileiro:

  • Afador (75 percent match with Fila Brasileiro). Here is our comparison of the Kai Ken vs Afador.
  • Cane Corso (76 percent match with Fila Brasileiro). Here is our comparison of the Kai Ken vs Cane Corso.
  • Dogo Argentino (80 percent match with Fila Brasileiro). Here is our comparison of the Kai Ken vs Dogo Argentino.
  • Boerboel (78 percent match with Fila Brasileiro). Here is our comparison of the Kai Ken vs Boerboel.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Kai Ken

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Kai Ken that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Kai Ken:

  • Icelandic Sheepdog (78 percent match with Kai Ken). Here is our comparison of the Fila Brasileiro vs Icelandic Sheepdog.
  • Kishu Ken (79 percent match with Kai Ken). Here is our comparison of the Fila Brasileiro vs Kishu Ken.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Fila Brasileiro and how the Kai Ken compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Fila Brasileiro and of the Kai Ken to other breeds:

    Fila Brasileiro Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Fila Brasileiro versus Alaskan Malamute     Fila Brasileiro versus Akita     Fila Brasileiro versus Black Russian Terrier     Fila Brasileiro versus Border Terrier     Fila Brasileiro versus Xoloitzcuintli     Fila Brasileiro versus Golden Retriever     Fila Brasileiro versus Standard Poodle     Fila Brasileiro versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Fila Brasileiro versus Coton de Tulear     Fila Brasileiro versus Coton de Tulear     

    Kai Ken Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Kai Ken versus Spanish Mastiff     Kai Ken versus Basset Hound     Kai Ken versus Beaglier     Kai Ken versus Bracco Italiano     Kai Ken versus Portuguese Water Dog     Kai Ken versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Kai Ken versus Border Terrier     Kai Ken versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Kai Ken versus Shetland Sheepdog     Kai Ken versus Belgian Sheepdog     

    Conclusion: Fila Brasileiro versus Kai Ken. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Fila Brasileiro and the Kai Ken better suits you and your family.