I have to say Brutus absolutely loves McKinley (our granddaughter), and he is good with other kids. He really likes the small ones. I think that is because he was raised around McKinley she was about 1 1/2 when we got him. He fell in love with her immediately. The two of them were pretty much inseperable whenever she was with us. Her bff used to come over occasionally and go swimming with her, he liked her also.
I taught him to be "easy" when he was around her so he wouldn't knock her over or scratch her. He learned to sit before he learned to lie down so I had him sit whenever she was near him. McKinley was also taught to not poke him in the eyes, pull on his ears. They were both taught to respect each other. However, she did stick her fingers in his mouth when I wasn't looking, and he licked her in the mouth a time or two when I wasn't looking. She was body rolling this dog at a very early age, he was trying to steal her electric jeep...I have a ton of pictures of the two of them together. McKinley will tell you... Brutus was her bestfriend when she was little.
To this day, he would give his life for that child. No one will ever harm her while she is on his watch. His protective nature changes when he is around her. He tightens his circle in which he gives a warning bark.
She is 5 now, and unfortunately we don't get to see her as often as we used to...I can tell when Brutus starts missing her...he will always carry her stuffed dinosaur off her bed, and he gets kinda mopey. He never messes with it until then. I call Todd for a McKinley fix for Brutus. After he sees her he is ok for a few weeks.
As far as other kids go, he is pretty good with them. He has never tried to harm one, however there has been a few he has stood behind me...I didn't blame him. They were usually middle school age. But, Brutus has been heavily socialized, he is pretty trust worthy as to how he is going to react. I have had him everywhere and anywhere with me he could possibly go, and I still do.
I would highly recommend a Fila for children, if you get the fila as a puppy. That way you can socialize it constantly. One of the best places is your vet. weekly visits for weigh in and socialization...it is imperative in my opinion. If you get a rescue, it may love your children, but unless you know what kind of socialization and temprement it has, it may not accept others outside of your family.
As of yet, I have not allowed Cleo around McKinley, or other children. She was not socialized, so I have a lot of socialization to do before I feel she will be ready to meet her. McKinley is a little disappointed, but my husband, son and I all agree it is better to wait until we know how Cleo will react.