Is the Fila Brasileiro Better than the Staffordshire Bull Terrier as a Pet? Answer…

Fila Brasileiro versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier

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Fila Brasileiro Versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Fila Brasileiro and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier. 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Fila Brasileiro versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier: Overview

A very important difference between the Fila Brasileiro and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Fila Brasileiro is a giant-sized dog while the Staffordshire Bull Terrier 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

Fila Brasileiro versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Fila Brasileiro to the Staffordshire Bull Terrier 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 1/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 1/5 5/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 1/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 3/5
Easy To Train 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 2/5 5/5
Height 24 to 30 inches 14 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 3/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 3/5 3/5
General Health 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 4/5
Life Span 9 to 12 years 12 to 14 years
Weight 90 to 180 pounds 24 to 38 pounds
Average Lifespan 10.5 years 13.0 years
Average Price $1270 $1890
Price Range $1000 – $1400 $1000 – $2425
Temperament Score 78.6 percent 90.9 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination – min age 1 year
  • Hereditary Cataracts DNA Test
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • L2HGA DNA Test
  • Patellar Luxation
  • *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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier. 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier is 75 out of 125.

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

    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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier

    Below is a list of where the Fila Brasileiro and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier are most different:

  • Fila Brasileiros are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Staffordshire Bull Terriers are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Fila Brasileiros not very playful. However, Staffordshire Bull Terriers are very playful.
  • Fila Brasileiros have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Staffordshire Bull Terriers have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • The Similarities Between the Fila Brasileiro and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier

    The Fila Brasileiro and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Fila Brasileiro and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier are most similar:

  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier are not easy to train.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Fila Brasileiro versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Fila Brasileiro and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

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

    On the other hand, Staffordshire Bull Terriers weigh 24 to 38 pounds when fully grown. Staffordshire Bull Terriers are 14 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Temperament of the Fila Brasileiro Versus the Staffordshire Bull Terrier

    The Staffordshire Bull Terrier has a better temperament than the Fila Brasileiro.

    This is because the temperament score for the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is 90.9 percent while the temperament score for the Fila Brasileiro is 78.6 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 90.9 percent, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Fila Brasileiro and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 14 Fila Brasileiros and 143 Staffordshire Bull Terriers.

    Price of Fila Brasileiro versus Price of Staffordshire Bull Terrier

    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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppy is $1890. The price of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier typically ranges from $1000 – $2425. However, the price of a Staffordshire Bull Terrier can be as low as $300 and as high as $6500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 56 Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is more expensive than the Fila Brasileiro.

    Fila Brasileiro Staffordshire Bull Terrier
    Average Price $1270 $1890
    Price Range $1000 to $1400 $1000 to $2425

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Fila Brasileiro and Staffordshire Bull Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many Fila Brasileiro puppies or how many Staffordshire Bull Terrier 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 Staffordshire Bull Terriers

    A breakdown of the prices of Staffordshire Bull Terriers

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Fila Brasileiro puppy or the Staffordshire Bull Terrier 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.

    Adopting the Fila Brasileiro versus Adopting the Staffordshire Bull Terrier

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Fila Brasileiros and many Staffordshire Bull Terriers are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Fila Brasileiro named Maverick that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Fila Brasileiros like Maverick on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Fila Brasileiros, Staffordshire Bull Terriers are also available for adoption. For example, A014766 is a Male Staffordshire Bull Terrier that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Staffordshire Bull Terriers like A014766 that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Fila Brasileiro and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Also A581114, an adorable Male Staffordshire Bull Terrier on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    You can find more Fila Brasileiros and Staffordshire Bull Terriers that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    Is the Fila Brasileiro Better for Apartment Owners than the Staffordshire Bull Terrier?

    Fila Brasileiros do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Fila Brasileiro or the Staffordshire Bull Terrier?

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

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Can Fila Brasileiros Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Staffordshire Bull Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Fila Brasileiro or the Staffordshire Bull Terrier?

    Fila Brasileiros do not get along well with other dogs.

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Do Fila Brasileiros shed more than Staffordshire Bull Terriers?

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

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers shed moderately.

    Is the Fila Brasileiro Easier to Train than the Staffordshire Bull Terrier?

    Fila Brasileiros are not easy to train.

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers are not easy to train.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Fila Brasileiro versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier

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

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Can Fila Brasileiros Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Staffordshire Bull Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Are Fila Brasileiros good family dogs? What about Staffordshire Bull Terriers?

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

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Fila Brasileiros and Staffordshire Bull Terriers?

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

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Which one drools more, the Fila Brasileiro or the Staffordshire Bull Terrier

    Fila Brasileiros drool moderately.

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers drool moderately.

    Do Fila Brasileiros Bark and Howl? What about Staffordshire Bull Terriers?

    Fila Brasileiros bark and howl, but not very much.

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Wanderlust Potential: Fila Brasileiro vs. Staffordshire Bull Terrier

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

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Fila Brasileiro or the Staffordshire Bull Terrier?

    Fila Brasileiros are very easy to groom.

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers are very easy to groom.

    Does the Fila Brasileiro Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Staffordshire Bull Terrier?

    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.

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier vs Afador.
  • Cane Corso (76 percent match with Fila Brasileiro). Here is our comparison of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier vs Cane Corso.
  • Dogo Argentino (80 percent match with Fila Brasileiro). Here is our comparison of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier vs Dogo Argentino.
  • Boerboel (78 percent match with Fila Brasileiro). Here is our comparison of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier vs Boerboel.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Staffordshire Bull Terrier

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Staffordshire Bull Terrier 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier:

  • Boxer (71 percent match with Staffordshire Bull Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Fila Brasileiro vs Boxer.
  • Schipperke (72 percent match with Staffordshire Bull Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Fila Brasileiro vs Schipperke.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Fila Brasileiro Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Fila Brasileiro versus Brittany     Fila Brasileiro versus Catahoula Bulldog     Fila Brasileiro versus Irish Setter     Fila Brasileiro versus Samoyed     Fila Brasileiro versus Boston Terrier     Fila Brasileiro versus Mudi     Fila Brasileiro versus Catahoula Bulldog     Fila Brasileiro versus Bull Terrier     Fila Brasileiro versus American Foxhound     Fila Brasileiro versus Saint Berdoodle     

    Staffordshire Bull Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Weimaraner     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Akbash     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Bedlington Terrier     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Carolina Dog     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Portuguese Water Dog     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus American Water Spaniel     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Komondor     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus English Springer Spaniel     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Bernedoodle     

    Conclusion: Fila Brasileiro versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier. 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier better suits you and your family.