Fila Brasileiro versus Shetland Sheepdog. Final Verdict on Which is a Better Pet.

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Fila Brasileiro versus Shetland Sheepdog

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Fila Brasileiro Versus Shetland Sheepdog: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Fila Brasileiro and the Shetland Sheepdog? 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 Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdog.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Fila Brasileiro and the Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdog. 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 Shetland Sheepdog.

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 Shetland Sheepdog

Fila Brasileiro versus Shetland Sheepdog: Overview

A very important difference between the Fila Brasileiro and the Shetland Sheepdog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Fila Brasileiro is a giant-sized dog while the Shetland Sheepdog is a small-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 Shetland Sheepdog belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

Fila Brasileiro versus Shetland Sheepdog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Fila Brasileiro to the Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdog
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 1/5 5/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 1/5
Easy To Train 2/5 5/5
Potential For Playfulness 2/5 4/5
Height 24 to 30 inches 13 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder
Easygoing 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 3/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 3/5 5/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 4/5
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 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 3/5
Life Span 9 to 12 years 12 to 15 years
Weight 90 to 180 pounds Starts at 20 pounds
Average Lifespan 10.5 years 13.5 years
Average Price $1270 $1590
Price Range $1000 – $1400 $1000 – $2000
Temperament Score 78.6 percent 68.9 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Dentition
  • Eye Examination- Recommend evaluation every year until age 5, every 2 years thereafter until age 9.
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•

    *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 Shetland Sheepdog. 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 Shetland Sheepdog is 85 out of 125.

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

    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 Shetland Sheepdog so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Fila Brasileiro and the Shetland Sheepdog

    Below is a list of where the Fila Brasileiro and the Shetland Sheepdog are most different:

  • Fila Brasileiros are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Shetland Sheepdogs are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Fila Brasileiros do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies. However, Shetland Sheepdogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Fila Brasileiros are not easy to train. However, Shetland Sheepdogs are very easy to train.

    • The Similarities Between the Fila Brasileiro and the Shetland Sheepdog

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

  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Shetland Sheepdog do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Shetland Sheepdog gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Shetland Sheepdog are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Shetland Sheepdog have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Shetland Sheepdog require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.

    • Size (Weight and Height) of Fila Brasileiro versus Shetland Sheepdog

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Fila Brasileiro and the Shetland Sheepdog.

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

    On the other hand, Shetland Sheepdogs weigh Starts at 20 pounds when fully grown. Shetland Sheepdogs are 13 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Temperament of the Fila Brasileiro Versus the Shetland Sheepdog

    The Fila Brasileiro has a better temperament than the Shetland Sheepdog.

    This is because the temperament score for the Fila Brasileiro is 78.6 percent while the temperament score for the Shetland Sheepdog is 68.9 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and they are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 78.6 percent, the Fila Brasileiro has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 68.9 percent, the Shetland Sheepdog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Fila Brasileiro and the Shetland Sheepdog by measuring the temperaments of 14 Fila Brasileiros and 515 Shetland Sheepdogs.

    Price of Fila Brasileiro versus Price of Shetland Sheepdog

    The average price of the Fila Brasileiro puppy is $1270. The price of the Fila Brasileiro typically ranges from $1000 – $1400. However, the price of a Fila Brasileiro can be as low as $1000 and as high as $1800. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 3 Fila Brasileiro puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Shetland Sheepdog puppy is $1590. The price of the Shetland Sheepdog typically ranges from $1000 – $2000. However, the price of a Shetland Sheepdog can be as low as $500 and as high as $3145. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 153 Shetland Sheepdog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Shetland Sheepdog is more expensive than the Fila Brasileiro.

    Fila Brasileiro Shetland Sheepdog
    Average Price $1270 $1590
    Price Range $1000 to $1400 $1000 to $2000

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Fila Brasileiro and Shetland Sheepdog. For different price points, the charts show how many Fila Brasileiro puppies or how many Shetland Sheepdog puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Fila Brasileiros. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Fila Brasileiros. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Shetland Sheepdogs

    A breakdown of the prices of Shetland Sheepdogs

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Fila Brasileiro puppy or the Shetland Sheepdog puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking from a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Is the Fila Brasileiro Better for Apartment Owners than the Shetland Sheepdog?

    Fila Brasileiros do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Shetland Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Fila Brasileiro or the Shetland Sheepdog?

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

    Shetland Sheepdogs are OK for new dog owners.

    Can Fila Brasileiros Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shetland Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Shetland Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Fila Brasileiro or the Shetland Sheepdog?

    Fila Brasileiros do not get along well with other dogs.

    Shetland Sheepdogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Do Fila Brasileiros shed more than Shetland Sheepdogs?

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

    Shetland Sheepdogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Is the Fila Brasileiro Easier to Train than the Shetland Sheepdog?

    Fila Brasileiros are not easy to train.

    Shetland Sheepdogs are very easy to train.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Fila Brasileiro versus Shetland Sheepdog

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

    Shetland Sheepdogs do not like to be left alone.

    Can Fila Brasileiros Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shetland Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Shetland Sheepdogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Are Fila Brasileiros good family dogs? What about Shetland Sheepdogs?

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

    Shetland Sheepdogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Fila Brasileiros and Shetland Sheepdogs?

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

    Shetland Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Which one drools more, the Fila Brasileiro or the Shetland Sheepdog

    Fila Brasileiros drool moderately.

    Shetland Sheepdogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Do Fila Brasileiros Bark and Howl? What about Shetland Sheepdogs?

    Fila Brasileiros bark and howl, but not very much.

    Shetland Sheepdogs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Wanderlust Potential: Fila Brasileiro vs. Shetland Sheepdog

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

    Shetland Sheepdogs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Fila Brasileiro or the Shetland Sheepdog?

    Fila Brasileiros are very easy to groom.

    Shetland Sheepdogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Fila Brasileiro Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shetland Sheepdog?

    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.

    Shetland Sheepdogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and 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 Shetland Sheepdog vs Afador.
  • Cane Corso (76 percent match with Fila Brasileiro). Here is our comparison of the Shetland Sheepdog vs Cane Corso.
  • Dogo Argentino (80 percent match with Fila Brasileiro). Here is our comparison of the Shetland Sheepdog vs Dogo Argentino.
  • Boerboel (78 percent match with Fila Brasileiro). Here is our comparison of the Shetland Sheepdog vs Boerboel.

    • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shetland Sheepdog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdog:

  • Collie (81 percent match with Shetland Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Fila Brasileiro vs Collie.
  • Pembroke Welsh Corgi (79 percent match with Shetland Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Fila Brasileiro vs Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Fila Brasileiro Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Fila Brasileiro versus Redbone Coonhound     Fila Brasileiro versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Fila Brasileiro versus Lhasapoo     Fila Brasileiro versus Maremma Sheepdog     Fila Brasileiro versus Beaglier     Fila Brasileiro versus Chihuahua     Fila Brasileiro versus Portuguese Water Dog     Fila Brasileiro versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Fila Brasileiro versus West Highland White Terrier     Fila Brasileiro versus Kerry Blue Terrier     

    Shetland Sheepdog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Shetland Sheepdog versus Plott     Shetland Sheepdog versus Labrador Retriever     Shetland Sheepdog versus Bulldog     Shetland Sheepdog versus Boerboel     Shetland Sheepdog versus Kuvasz     Shetland Sheepdog versus Saint Bernard     Shetland Sheepdog versus Maltipoo     Shetland Sheepdog versus Australian Shepherd     Shetland Sheepdog versus French Bulldog     Shetland Sheepdog versus Puli     

    Conclusion: Fila Brasileiro versus Shetland Sheepdog. 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 Shetland Sheepdog better suits you and your family.