Barb, I love these dogs. I never want to be without a German Shepherd, but now I never want to be without a Fila either.
That said, Shiva is very atypical. I tell everyone who meets her and gets smitten that she may very well be the friendliest Fila ever to walk the face of the earth. We don't know if she has the typical breed aversion to strangers - she's yet to meet a stranger. Her philosophy is "there are no strangers here, only people who haven't had a chance to fondle me."
If you can handle an Anatolian, a Fila shouldn't be too much for you. There is a thread in the Breed forum where I was asked about their aggression that will give you a good first-hand idea of what to expect from a typical Fila. I've had a couple of Fila experts read it and they agreed totally with its accuracy (which made me rather proud of myself - lol).
http://www.chazhound.com/forums/showthread.php?t=799
I'll also warn you that these dogs are mule-headed (with apologies to mules everywhere). They are obsessive - and Shiva's also compulsive; what a combination!
They are, well, they're just Filas: over-the-top, excessive, obsessive and addicting. I love putting my hand out, no matter where I am at home - in the pasture, walking down the drive, it doesn't matter, and having a big head immediately insinuate itself under my hand and a big snout snuffle at my side. And those big eyes so eloquently expressing, "I'm here with you."